Tuesday January 17, 2012
Tuesday January 17, 2012
If you aren't using Twitter yet, it's a good time to start. Nothing like Facebook; great way to get the news you want quickly. Over 10,000 of you now follow us (and can interact with us) on Twitter.
Purdue: We have confirmed that Tim Tibesar will be the new defensive coordinator.
Wisconsin: We have learned that Nevada defensive coordinator Andy Buh will become linebackers coach at Wisconsin.
Notre Dame: There are reports that Iowa State defensive backs coach Bobby Elliott is leaving to join the staff at Notre Dame. Sources tell us the same...and (as we mentioned this morning) we hear that Gary Darnell will join him coaching the safeties.
Western Illinois: This afternoon Western Illinois announced the hiring of three assistants. Hampton offensive line coach Jason Eck will serve in the same capacity. Former South Dakota co-defensive coordinator / defensive line coach Jake Sprague will coach the defensive line and Kevin Almlie, who coached the defensive backs at Missouri Southern last season, will coach the corners.
App State: We have learned that Clemson offensive grad assistant Justin Stepp has accepted the running backs job at App State.
Purdue: We're told that Montreal Alouettes defensive coordinator / linebackers coach Tim Tibesar will be the new defensive coordinator at Purdue. We are aware that he interviewed this weekend. We have not confirmed that he has the job.
Atlanta Falcons: Sources telling us that assistant offensive line coach Paul Dunn will be promoted to offensive line coach.
West Virginia: We have learned that New York Jets outside linebackers coach Mike Smith (who Rex really like we're told) is joining the staff at WVU. Might not be a big name; but coaches we have spoken with think this is a great hire.
Northern Illinois: Sources tell us that former Akron receivers coach Frisman Jackson will join the staff at NIU. Update> NIU confirmed.
West Virginia: We assumed this was clear; but have been receiving a bunch of questions. Steve Dunlap has been retained.
New York Jets: We hear that Rex has signed assistant special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica to a new two year deal. We hear that Mike Westhoff retires at the end of next season...and thus this effectively names Kotwica "in waiting". Good move by Rex locking in Kotwica.
Washington & Lee: Head coach Frank Miriello has announced his retirement.
Oakland Raiders: Jason La Canfora is reporting that the Raiders will interview Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Morhinweg for the head coaching position.
San Diego Chargers: Former Colorado State head coach Steve Fairchild has accpeted a position with the Chargers.
UCLA: Multiple reports out of Los Angeles that Redskins linebackers coach Lou Spanos will be named defensive coordinator at UCLA. Spanos spent nearly 15 seasons as part of the Steelers organization prior to joining the Redskins in 2009. Update> We have confirmed.
App State: We have learned that UCLA offensive intern Alvis Whitted has been hired to coach the receivers at App State. Whitted is from North Carolina and played at NC State before spending the better part of a decade in the league.
Greenville College (D-III - IL): Greenville College, a member of the NCAA Division III, NCCAA and UMAC is seeking applications for an entry level full-time position of Defensive Assistant ($25-27k). Position will coach either Linebackers or Defensive backs. Applicants for this position should possess a bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree preferred. Greenville College is a Christian liberal arts college associated with the Free Methodist Church whose faculty and staff affirm a Statement of Faith and adheres to lifestyle expectations. Send a Letter of application, Resume, Statement of Faith and how that applies to football, and 3 professional references. Please email this information to head coach ordell.walker@greenville.edu (Absolutely no phone calls). A review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Quick Note from FootballScoop> We had our second largest day ever (in 13 years) yesterday...on a holiday! Best viewers anywhere! Thank you.
Greenville College (D-III - IL): Linebackers coach Jake Schenk has resigned.
South Dakota: We hear Marquice Williams is the new defensive line coach at USD. Williams follows defensive coordinator Jason Petrino from Central Oklahoma.
Colts: We hear the Colts plan to interview Jim Tressel for the head coaching position.
UConn: We've seen a report out of Connecticut that offensive coordinator George DeLeone will move to offensive line (retaining OC title as well) and OL coach Mike Foley will shift to tight ends. We'll keep you posted.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons have hired Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator.
Wisconsin: We have just learned that NIU offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach Matt Canada will be named to the same role at Wisconsin. Canada spent this season as NIU's OC under former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren (who we're told highly recommended him to Bret). Prior to that, Canada was the OC / QBs at Indiana for a number of years.
Washington: We have now confirmed Eric Kiesau's move to UW. However, we have also learned that Kiesau will coach the quarterbacks and serve as offensive coordinator. Yesterday we had been told to look for current UW receivers coach Jimmy Dougherty to move to that slot. Dougherty is a very important piece of the staff and we hear he's fully on board with this move.
Atlanta Falcons: Offensive line coach Paul Boudreau has been released.
Chicago Bears: Special teams coordinator Dave Toub has signed a new two year deal, reportedly approaching $1 million per.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts has released head coach Jim Caldwell.
University of Minnesota - Morris (D-III): Morris is looking to fill 3 part time / seasonal positions (running backs, quarterbacks and linebackers). Small stipend; but no insurance, housing or meals. Please contact head coach Todd Hickman if interested at hickmant@morris.umn.edu
Central Oklahoma: We're told that the only assistant being retained by Nick Bobeck is Steve Patterson who will have a position on the defensive side of the ball.
Illinois JuCos: The College of DuPage has informed us that they do not plan to drop football.
Washington: Reports out of Washington that Cal receivers coach / passing game coordinator Eric Kiesau will accept the same role at UW. We have not confirmed; but have been hearing this as well.
Gardner-Webb: Quarterbacks coach Pete Darnell is no longer with the program. We hear Coach Dickerson plans to fill the slot internally.
Montana: Sources close to the program telling us just now that Coach Pflugrad is still reviewing options at defensive coordinator. We'll keep you posted.
Steve Spurrier sharp as ever in this video
FIU: We are hearing that former UMass head coach Kevin Morris is likely to land as the new offensive coordinator at FIU.
Yale: We have learned that the only coach Tony Reno will retain is defensive coodinator Rick Flanders.
Texas A&M: We hear South Florida defensive grad assistant Byron Thomas will go with Mark Snyder to A&M and serve in the same capacity.
Notre Dame: Sources close to the program tell us that decisions haven't been finalized; however multiple sources tell us to look for Gary Darnell to join the staff. Through his career, Darnell has served as head coach at Tennessee Tech and Western Michigan and as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Texas, Florida, Texas A&M, Wake and Kansas State.
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Eastern Illinois: We hear Dino Babers has his offensive coordinator and receivers coaches. Sterlin Gilbert will serve as OC. Gilbert has served as offensive coordinator at Temple HS (TX) for the past few seasons (also worked under Art Briles a few years back at Houston). West Texas A&M running backs coach Andrew Sowder will become the receivers coach at EIU. Sowder played under Babers at Baylor.
Arizona State: Sources tell us that Keola Loo will serve as offensive grad assistant at ASU this season. Loo comes from Mt. San Antonio College (CA) where he has served as both offensive line and tight ends coach.
Houston: Former Texas Tech receiver and East Carolina grad assistant Landon Hoefer is moving to Houston to fill an offensive grad assistant spot.
Auburn: We hear South Alabama defensive grad assistant Paul Stewart has accepted an assistant to player development off the field role with Auburn.
South Florida: Kansas State defensive coordinator Chris Cosh has accepted the same role at South Florida.
Utah: Kyle Whittingham has hired his brother Fred as director of player personnel. Aaron Alford previously held the position and is no longer with the staff.
Olivet College: Dan Pifer has added two more assistants...Andrew Rodriguez and Brad Rumsey. Rumsey formerly served as offensive line coach at Ave Maria (NAIA).
Yale: We hear Tony Reno met with the existing staff on Sunday and is expected to retain a small number. We'll update you as we confirm who.
Junior Colleges: We hear that all of the JuCo's in Illinois are shutting down their programs...Michigan as well. Not a large number of programs; but unfortunate nonetheless.
