(12-21-2020 07:03 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  

(12-15-2020 04:20 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  https://www.thv11.com/mobile/article/spo...f1787716ef

Major Applewhite to Ark St as OC.

Looks like that report was wrong. But he was named the OC at South Alabama instead.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st...oordinator

A week ago, multiple reports had Major as the Arkansas St OC. Now he’s going to South Alabama as OC? I suspect there is more to this story.

Shane Beamer, whose biggest calling card seems to be as son of Frank Beamer, hired by South Carolina - https://es.pn/3gR8JBC - reminds me of when Tennessee hired Derek Dooley.

Michigan just fired Defensive Coordinator Don Brown.

Uh oh ....

(12-22-2020 06:21 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  Michigan just fired Defensive Coordinator Don Brown.

Uh oh ....

Uh oh is right. From Owls DC Brian Smith's bio...

Brian Smith was officially named Rice's new defensive coordinator on December 12, 2018 after spending the previous two years as the defensive backs coach at Michigan. He also coaches the Owls' safeties.

In his two seasons at Michigan, Smith's defensive backs were the part of an overall defensive unit that ranked among the nation's best each year.
Entering the bowl season after the 2017 season, Michigan ranked third in the country in total defense (288.8 yards per game) despite losing 10 starters from the 2016 team that ranked fist and saw seven of the 10 starters selected in the NFL Draft.

The Wolverines led the nation in pass defense, surrendering just 142.7 yards per game through the air. Both of the safeties Smith worked with in 2017 (Tyree Kinnel and Josh Metellus) were named All-Big Ten honorable mention by both the coaches and media.

In his first year working with the U-M safeties, Smith coached Delano Hill and Dymonte Thomas to career-best seasons which culminated in All-Big Ten honors for both players. Thomas had a career-best 70 stops, with 10 pass breakups, one fumble recovery and his first career interception, while Hill contributed a career-best 52 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, adding six pass breakups and three interceptions.

As a whole, the secondary was part of an elite defensive unit which led or ranked second in the NCAA in seven defensive categories, including pass defense, pass efficiency defense, first and third down conversions allowed and scoring defense. Nearly 45 percent (44.5; 5.62 per game) of opponents' possessions ended in a three-and-outs, and U-M allowed just 28 red zone trips all season, fewest in the nation. Michigan's defensive backs defended 68 passes, with 13 interceptions and three pick-sixes, including one from Hill and the unit allowed only 11 passing touchdowns all season. The defense led the Big Ten in eight categories, including total scoring defense, pass defense, pass defense efficiency, third down conversions allowed and red zone defense, permitting a 43.6 completion percentage on average for opposing quarterbacks.

He'd be on my list if I was Michigan, and I'd listen to offers if I was Smith.

Jim Harbaugh is entering the final year of his contract and is unlikely to be extended. So he might be a lame duck coach next season if they can't turn things around.

If I was Smith, I'd wait to see if Harbaugh is even coaching Michigan in 2021 (there are rumors he's looking for an NFL job). In any regard, two quick stories I saw about potential candidates didn't have him on either list.

Here's one of the two stories.

https://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2020...oordinator

Arizona to hire Patriots assistant Jedd Fisch as head coach

Terry Bowden hired as ULM head football coach


Terry Bowden, shown here at Akron in 2017, is set to be hired as the new football coach at ULM, according to multiple reports. Bowden has also coached at Auburn, North Alabama and Samford during a four-decade career.

wondered when he'd be leaving for warmer climate...

5 things to know about new Auburn coach Bryan Harsin

OC Larry Fedora leaves Baylor.

Bret Bielema, a native of Prophetstown, Ill., said his life has ‘come full circle’ as the new Illinois football coach


New Illinois football coach Bret Bielema and his family — wife, Jen, and daughters Briella and Brexli — on campus on Dec. 20, 2020.

(12-21-2020 12:07 PM)Ourland Wrote:  Unless you're at LSU, Alabama, or Florida, no coach is winning much of anything in the SEC. It's too competitive. It's a graveyard for coaches.

I'd add UGA to your list, but it's a very comfortable (read: lucrative) graveyard for those who get the gig.

(12-23-2020 03:09 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  wondered when he'd be leaving for warmer climate...
5 things to know about new Auburn coach Bryan Harsin

He'd better take a page from Matt Rhule's playbook at Baylor. Two of the very first things he did were to hire David Wetzel, president of THSCA, and Joey McGuire, maybe the best HS coach in Texas, with 3 state championships. Rhule knew he needed Texas credibility and he got it. A Texas Football poll a couple of years ago rated Rhule #2 behind Gary Patterson in terms of credibility with HS coaches. He didn't get there without Wetzel and McGuire.

I have said before, if Rice were crazy enough to hire me as coach, my staff hires would be 3 coordinators (offense, defense, special teams) I trusted to the max, then the most recent presidents of the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana HS coaches' associations for recruiting, recruiting, recruiting, and fill out the staff with former Rice players (plus any former Rice players I could get for the other slots). RUOwls would be my first choice for OC, and would check two of the boxes. If he'd come, I'd like to have Izzo as Special Teams, again checking two boxes, even though he didn't have great results with the Texans, but the one thing I think would be neat is if a recruit is getting told, "You can't go to Rice and play in the NFL," then have Izzo show him his collection of Super Bowl rings. Rice would never afford Alex Grinch as DC, so I'm not sure whom I would get there, probably Brian Smith if he would stay. Heck, this is just fantasy dreaming, but kinda fun

(12-23-2020 08:44 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(12-23-2020 03:09 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  wondered when he'd be leaving for warmer climate...
5 things to know about new Auburn coach Bryan Harsin

He'd better take a page from Matt Rhule's playbook at Baylor. Two of the very first things he did were to hire David Wetzel, president of THSCA, and Joey McGuire, maybe the best HS coach in Texas, with 3 state championships. Rhule knew he needed Texas credibility and he got it. A Texas Football poll a couple of years ago rated Rhule #2 behind Gary Patterson in terms of credibility with HS coaches. He didn't get there without Wetzel and McGuire.

I have said before, if Rice were crazy enough to hire me as coach, my staff hires would be 3 coordinators (offense, defense, special teams) I trusted to the max, then the most recent presidents of the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana HS coaches' associations for recruiting, recruiting, recruiting, and fill out the staff with former Rice players (plus any former Rice players I could get for the other slots). RUOwls would be my first choice for OC, and would check two of the boxes. If he'd come, I'd like to have Izzo as Special Teams, again checking two boxes, even though he didn't have great results with the Texans, but the one thing I think would be neat is if a recruit is getting told, "You can't go to Rice and play in the NFL," then have Izzo show him his collection of Super Bowl rings. Rice would never afford Alex Grinch as DC, so I'm not sure whom I would get there, probably Brian Smith if he would stay. Heck, this is just fantasy dreaming, but kinda fun

Fantasy football IS Rice football.

I like your choices.

(12-24-2020 11:18 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(12-23-2020 08:44 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(12-23-2020 03:09 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  wondered when he'd be leaving for warmer climate...
5 things to know about new Auburn coach Bryan Harsin

He'd better take a page from Matt Rhule's playbook at Baylor. Two of the very first things he did were to hire David Wetzel, president of THSCA, and Joey McGuire, maybe the best HS coach in Texas, with 3 state championships. Rhule knew he needed Texas credibility and he got it. A Texas Football poll a couple of years ago rated Rhule #2 behind Gary Patterson in terms of credibility with HS coaches. He didn't get there without Wetzel and McGuire.

I have said before, if Rice were crazy enough to hire me as coach, my staff hires would be 3 coordinators (offense, defense, special teams) I trusted to the max, then the most recent presidents of the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana HS coaches' associations for recruiting, recruiting, recruiting, and fill out the staff with former Rice players (plus any former Rice players I could get for the other slots). RUOwls would be my first choice for OC, and would check two of the boxes. If he'd come, I'd like to have Izzo as Special Teams, again checking two boxes, even though he didn't have great results with the Texans, but the one thing I think would be neat is if a recruit is getting told, "You can't go to Rice and play in the NFL," then have Izzo show him his collection of Super Bowl rings. Rice would never afford Alex Grinch as DC, so I'm not sure whom I would get there, probably Brian Smith if he would stay. Heck, this is just fantasy dreaming, but kinda fun

Fantasy football IS Rice football.

I like your choices.

I'd add James Casey to that list.

(12-24-2020 01:59 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(12-24-2020 11:18 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(12-23-2020 08:44 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(12-23-2020 03:09 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  wondered when he'd be leaving for warmer climate...
5 things to know about new Auburn coach Bryan Harsin

He'd better take a page from Matt Rhule's playbook at Baylor. Two of the very first things he did were to hire David Wetzel, president of THSCA, and Joey McGuire, maybe the best HS coach in Texas, with 3 state championships. Rhule knew he needed Texas credibility and he got it. A Texas Football poll a couple of years ago rated Rhule #2 behind Gary Patterson in terms of credibility with HS coaches. He didn't get there without Wetzel and McGuire.

I have said before, if Rice were crazy enough to hire me as coach, my staff hires would be 3 coordinators (offense, defense, special teams) I trusted to the max, then the most recent presidents of the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana HS coaches' associations for recruiting, recruiting, recruiting, and fill out the staff with former Rice players (plus any former Rice players I could get for the other slots). RUOwls would be my first choice for OC, and would check two of the boxes. If he'd come, I'd like to have Izzo as Special Teams, again checking two boxes, even though he didn't have great results with the Texans, but the one thing I think would be neat is if a recruit is getting told, "You can't go to Rice and play in the NFL," then have Izzo show him his collection of Super Bowl rings. Rice would never afford Alex Grinch as DC, so I'm not sure whom I would get there, probably Brian Smith if he would stay. Heck, this is just fantasy dreaming, but kinda fun

Fantasy football IS Rice football.

I like your choices.

I'd add James Casey to that list.

Yep. Good choice.

(12-24-2020 01:59 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  I'd add James Casey to that list.

Absolutely.

(12-23-2020 03:09 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  wondered when he'd be leaving for warmer climate...

5 things to know about new Auburn coach Bryan Harsin

It's not miserably cold in Boise during the football season. The average high/low in November is 51/30, with just 5 days of rain. Auburn, of course, is warmer in November (66/43), with 6 days of rain.

(12-24-2020 05:28 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(12-24-2020 01:59 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  I'd add James Casey to that list.

Absolutely.

since we don't seem to have a homegrown DC, maybe in a few years - Sendejo? Gaines?

(12-25-2020 09:29 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  

(12-24-2020 05:28 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(12-24-2020 01:59 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  I'd add James Casey to that list.

Absolutely.

since we don't seem to have a homegrown DC, maybe in a few years - Sendejo? Gaines?

Nightowl is another one on the list. I’d love to watch NO and RU try to outsmart each other. Would make play on both sides of the ball better.

Pete Lembo, our associate HC and special teams coordinator when Bloom first arrived and previously HC at Ball State, is now special teams coordinator at South Carolina under first-year HC Shane Beamer.

https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/13...47878?s=19

While not openly announced, we probably landed Lembo because he saw the writing on the wall for DJ Durkin at Maryland, where Lembo had been coaching, and not a moment too soon as Durkin's abusive practice standards likely caused the death of a player during the next fall camp. Lembo was only at Rice for one year before taking off for Memphis, but that year marked a significant turnaround in the quality of our kicking game.