The Scoop - Thursday December 14, 2023
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X&O Labs
BREAKING: X&O Labs Develops Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Protocol to Do 40 Hours of Self-Scout Analysis in 5 Seconds: In a world first, the researchers at X&O Labs have developed the football coaching industry’s first ever protocol to use Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to complete intense data analytics. The results are breathtaking. “And it’s not just postseason self-scout data analysis,” said X&O Labs’ Mike Kuchar. “Using our protocol, football coaches can now do up to 40 hours of data analytics—for offense or defense—in just seconds.” And best of all, X&O Labs found that data analysis by A.I. discovered new trends not found in old reporting methods. “We can find out more about our opponents—and ourselves—than we’ve ever known before… we’re now only limited by our imaginations.” X&O Labs will be releasing their complete A.I. protocol to their members before the end-of-the-year. Questions? Email X&O Labs’ Mike Kuchar at mike@xandolabs.com.
This next section we typically post at the bottom of The Scoop every day.
2023-24 NFL and College Head Coaching Changes
FBS Coordinator Changes:
Offensive Coordinator
Defensive Coordinator
Staff Tracker: Duke | Indiana | Michigan State | Mississippi State | Syracuse | Texas A&M
Please join us in praying for the family of former Jacksonville State head coach Bill Burgess, who passed away yesterday at 82 surrounded by family members. Burgess led Jacksonville State to the D-II national title in 1992.
Alabama: Days before Rose Bowl prep is set to begin in earnest, Nick Saban is hiring a former Michigan assistant.
Duke: Manny Diaz's offensive coordinator at Duke was an assistant on his Miami staff, but brings a conference championship ring with him to Durham.
East Tennessee State (FCS): Tre Lamb is building quite a staff.
Nevada: Sources tell FootballScoop Jeff Choate is targeting Matt Lubick to be his offensive coordinator pending Lubick's health.
San Diego State: Sean Lewis is poised to add one of the top coordinators from the FCS ranks, sources tell FootballScoop.
Boise State: The program is reportedly promoting a former Big Ten coordinator to the defensive coordinator role.
Wyoming: Wyoming's next head coach will make less than its current head coach.
San Diego State: Sean Lewis is reportedly grabbing a coordinator from Washington for a coordinator role on his staff.
Indiana: Curt Cignetti's contract with the Hoosiers has some interesting incentives.
Dakota Wesleyan (NAIA - SD): Per source, defensive backs coach / special teams coordinator Zach Thiel will not return, as he plans to pursue an opportunity outside of football.
Tennessee Tech (FCS): A former assistant of Bobby Wilder at Old Dominion is joining the TTU staff in a senior role, sources tell FootballScoop.
West Georgia (FCS): Head coach Joel Taylor plans to hire Rudy Griffin as defensive line coach, per source. Griffin previously served as defensive line coach at Northern Arizona University (FCS).
Ball Tonight: Thursday Night Football features the Chargers at the Raiders (8:15pm EST on Amazon Prime Video).
Houston: Brian Early is expected to stay on staff under Willie Fritz as defensive line coach, Matt Zenitz shares.
Montana State (FCS): The Bobcats, who finished the regular season ranked 5th nationally, are reportedly making a coordinator change.
East Carolina: Sources share with FootballScoop the ECU is planning to hire Rodney Freeman away from Utah State's staff.
St. Thomas (FCS - MN): St. Thomas is looking to fill a Week 0 game for the 2024 season, to be played on Aug. 31. The game would need to be a home game for the Tommies, with a possible guarantee available. Also willing to consider a home-and-home. Interested programs should email the staff at football@stthomas.edu.
Oklahoma: Texas A&M offensive grad assistant Ty Hatcher has accepted a similar role working with the quarterbacks at Oklahoma. Hatcher worked with Bobby Petrino and the A&M quarterbacks this past season and previously worked with Bill O'Brien and Alabama's quarterbacks.
Tulane: An assistant previously reported to follow Willie Fritz at Houston will instead remain at Tulane.
Boise State: Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdam is getting a two-year deal worth $940k total to stay at his alma mater, per Jay Tust. The report adds that he's set to make $460k this fall (he had been set to make $425k before the new contract), and $480k next fall.
Georgetown College (NAIA - KY): Dwayne Ellison has stepped down as assistant defensive backs coach.
West Florida (D-II): University of West Florida Football is seeking 2 Graduate Assistants to start in January 2024. Offensive & Defensive Graduate Assistant Roles with best position fit. Bachelor’s degree & college coaching/recruiting experience preferred. Interested candidates should email westfloridafootball@gmail.com.
American International (D-II - MA): Quincy (Sprint - IL) defensive line coach Rick Istvan has accepted the defensive line job, per source.
New Mexico: Sources tell FootballScoop Nick Howell is leaving Vanderbilt to join Bronco Mendenhall's staff. Howell served as Clark Lea's defensive coordinator this past season.
Charleston Southern (FCS - SC): Charleston Southern University is seeking applicants for a Graduate Assistant Position. This is a non-stipend, non-coaching, off the field role. The primary responsibility for this position will be film with a secondary role in operations and recruiting. Previous experience with XOS/Catapult is preferred. Duties will include breakdown of practice and game film, supervise filming of practice and games, and manage team access to Thundercloud. Other duties as assigned include assisting with the daily operation of the football program as well as assist recruiting coordinator with unofficial and official visit weekends. Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree, admission into a graduate program and successful completion of a background check is required. Full tuition for graduate school, room and board will be provided. Review of applicant materials will begin immediately. Please submit resume, cover letter, and references to Coach David Padilla dpadilla@csuniv.edu. No phone calls please. Charleston Southern University is a Christian University located in North Charleston, SC and is a part of the Big South/OVC FCS Football Conference.
Southwestern Oklahoma State (D-II): After a decade climbing the ranks in Oklahoma and beyond, Andrew Rice has been tabbed as the new head coach.
Nevada: Parker Henry, who spent last season at Portland State (FCS - CA), is expected to be the new linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, Bruce Feldman tweets. Henry previously spent time on staffs at USC and Oklahoma.
Grambling State (FCS - LA): Sources tell FootballScoop a Grambling State assistant is leaving for an opportunity to lead a historic New Orleans high school program.
Indiana: Curt Cignetti has completed his inaugural coaching staff in Bloomington.
Duke: Here's a look at the staff Manny Diaz is assembling, as well as the former staff under Mike Elko - The Duke Staff Tracker page.
Syracuse: Here's a look at the incoming staff under Fran Brown, as well as the outgoing staff of Dino Babers - The Syracuse Staff Tracker.
2023-24 NFL and College Head Coaching Changes
FBS Coordinator Changes:
Offensive Coordinator
Defensive Coordinator
Staff Tracker: Duke | Indiana | Michigan State | Mississippi State | Syracuse | Texas A&M
