Thursday December 10, 2009

LSU: FootballScoop has confirmed that Florida wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales is leaving the Gators.  We are hearing he is heading to Baton Rouge to join the LSU staff.

Florida: FootballScoop is hearing Urban Meyer offered the defensive coordinator job to Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix.  We hear Houston Nutt has made a large counter offer to keep Nix.  Our sources tell us if Nix does accept the offer to join the Florida staff, Houston Nutt will likely promote from within his defensive staff.

Cincinnati: We are hearing former Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey is interested in the Cincinnati job.  It will be interesting to see if Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones enters the picture. Jones followed Brian Kelly at Central Michigan.

Stanford: Jim Harbaugh has hired his father, Jack, as interim running backs coach for the Cardinal bowl game.

Kansas: We continue to hear that Kansas is interested in Herm Edwards.

Memphis: FootballScoop has learned that Larry Porter has hired Mike Dubose as defensive line coach.  We also hear that Porter could make a huge offer to lure LSU offensive line coach Greg Studrawa to Memphis as the OC.

Notre Dame: ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that Notre Dame has just hired Brian Kelly.

Memphis:  We hear that Larry Porter could be very close to hiring Milsaps head coach Mike Dubose as part of his defensive staff.

Arkansas State:  The Athletic Director came out today announcing that head coach Steve Roberts will return next year; however he will do so with a new offensive coordinator as Doug Ruse has been let go.

Marshall:  Rivals’ Tom Dienhart is reporting that both Florida State’s Rick Trickett and Central Michigan’s Butch Jones will interview on Friday.

Virginia: We are told Richmond OC Mike Farragalli and defensive line coach Jeff Hanson will be joining Mike London’s staff at UVA. Miami Dolphins linebackers coach Jim Reid declined to talk about the possibility of him joining London’s staff as the DC.

Marshall: We hear Wake Forest DC Brad Lambert is still in the mix.  According to one report, Lambert’s staff reportedly would include Tony Petersen as offensive coordinator, Phil Ratliff, Greg Adkins (Syracuse OL), George Barlow and Jay Hopson (Michigan LBs). Either Barlow or Hopson would be defensive coordinator.

Virginia: We are hearing London has hired Vicent Brown as linebackers coach.  Brown previously served as the linebackers coach at Richmond under London.  We hear “The UnderTaker,” as he was known during his playing days in New England, will be in Charlottesville today.

Akron: Notre Dame wide receivers coach Rob Ianello has accepted the head coaching job at Akron.  Ianello will be introduced today.

Richmond: Defensive coordinator Vic Shealy wants the jobs. Holy Cross head coach Tom Gilmore had not been contacted as of yesterday.

Thursday December 3, 2009

Kansas: One of our sources tells us that a Kansas rep talked with Herm Edwards over a week ago.  The other name we hear Kansas would like to talk with is Texas wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy.

Kansas: Mangino is out.

Culver-Stockton College: We are hearing that Cameron Keller will be named the new head coach. Heller previously served at Hastings College.

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Arizona State: Dennis Erickson just announced that OC Rich Olson will not return.

“It really has nothing to do with what he (Olson) did or didn’t do,” Erickson said. “It’s more about change and trying to get some new ideas. Rich Olson is a good coach, always has been and always will be. I needed to make a change. Our failings offensively had more to do with everybody involved, not just one person by any means.”

“He’s a good coach and has done a good job,” Erickson said. “Our problems are not because of him, believe me. I want people to understand that.”

Texas State: What are you hearing? Email or text us

2009 FootballScoop Coaches of the Year powered by MUSCLE MILK: The finalist for Defensive Line Coach of the Year have been released.

Vote now for the coach you believe is most deserving

Memphis: Our sources tell us grad assistant Martin Hankins has been in south Louisiana recruiting.  We hear head coach Larry Porter could be close to hiring Ridgeway HS (Memphis, TN) head coach Ron Brown.

LSU: Our sources tell us head coach Les Miles is making a big push to hire Tennessee wide receivers coach Frank Wilson. The running backs job at LSU is open with the departure of Larry Porter.

Howard University: FootballScoop has learned that four coaches were told this morning they will not return.  We hear offensive coordinator Nick Calcutta, wide receivers coach Jafar Williams, and kicking coach William Smith will not return. We are trying to find out the last coach at this time.

Hofstra: We hear Hofstra is dropping football. The announcement will be made within the hour.

UAB: We are hearing there will be no changes on the UAB staff.

Southern University (LA): Head coach Pete Richardson was given permission by AD Greg LaFleur to pursue other opportunities at the end of the season - if those opportunities arise.

Seattle Seahawks: GM Tim Ruskell is expected to resign this morning.

Central Michigan: Head coach Butch Jones has not talked with any other schools.  Central Michigan plays Ohio in the MAC championship game on Friday.

Georgia: AD Damon Evans says, “I told Mark to go out and find the best coaches possible and that we will be very competitive to help him. We’ll help him to do what he needs to do to attract the top candidates. I want us to be competitive salary-wise in the market place so that’s not going to hold us back. I know you guys always hear this, but we will do what is appropriate for the University. But make no mistake: we are going to go after the best coaches that are available. I’m there to support him and we’re going to be extremely competitive.”

2009 FootballScoop Coaches of the Year powered by MUSCLE MILK: Finalists for the Offensive Line Coach of the Year and Wide Receivers Coach of the Year were released last night.

Vote now for the coaches you believe are most deserving

Please support Jeff Hoover’s family: Eastern Illinois assistant coach Jeff Hoover died Saturday in a car wreck after the Panthers playoff game against Southern Illinois.  Many of Hoover’s friends are viewers of FootballScoop and asked us to please help out.  Please read the following message:

In lieu of flowers, a Jeff Hoover Children’s Education Memorial Fund will be announced on Saturday with donations be accepted at the memorial service. Additional information on that fund and how people can contribute will also be announced on Saturday and posted online at www.eiupanthers.com The EIU football team is also accepting gift card donations to help both the Hoover and Cash families. Those donations can be sent to:

EIU Football Office
Attn: Hoover/Cash Family Donations
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920.

Please do not send cash donations to the EIU football office.

Georgia Tech defensive staff

Georgia Tech defeated UVA 34-9

Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack and the entire defensive coaching staff at Georgia Tech simplified the playbook over the last few weeks and the results are paying off.  An improving GA Tech defense smothered UVA on Saturday to help the Yellow Jackets move to 7-1, while breaking an eight-game losing streak in Charlottesville.  The Georgia Tech defense limited UVA to 2 of 11 third-down conversions, and just 198 total yards including 30 net yards rushing.  Tech recorded 2 sacks, 1 interception, and held UVA to 3 field goals.  Two UVA scoring possessions started inside the Tech 30 yard line.  The gutsy effort from the Tech “D” helped Paul Johnson’s team hold the ball for over 42 minutes in the game.   Georgia Tech in now ranked 11^th in the AP Poll.

Ole Miss defensive staff

Ole Miss defeated Arkansas 30-17

The Ole Miss defense has created a strong identity under defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix.  Against Bobby Petrino’s offense, Nix fully committed to stopping the run and winning 1^st down.  This philosophy, combined with a simple schematic plan that his defensive players can handle, helped force the Hogs to play from behind the chains throughout the game.    In the 30-17 win, 8 times the Hogs faced a 3^rd & 8+ situation.  In these situations, Ole Miss allowed 1-5 passing, tallied 3 sacks, and 1 quarterback hurry.   Ole Miss is now 3^rd in the nation in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert just 26 of 107 third-downs (24%).  Arkansas was limited to 12 of 34 passing, 45 yards rushing, and finished with 299 total yards.  Arkansas running backs did average 4.2 per carry, but Ole Miss countered with 7 tackles for loss and never allowed Hogs’ quarterback Ryan Mallett get comfortable in the pocket.  Houston Nutt and cornerbacks coach Chris Vaughn are now 2-0 against their former employee, University of Arkansas.

Texas A&M offensive staff

Texas A&M defeated Texas Tech 52-30

A week after losing 62-14 at Kansas State, Texas A&M scored 7 touchdowns to beat Texas Tech 52-30.  Credit the entire offensive staff including offensive line coach Jim Turner.  The Aggies allowed just 1 sack and only 2 tackles for loss, while two A&M running backs rushed for over 120 yards each.  The Aggies totaled 559 yards including 321 yards rushing and converted 8 of 13 third-down conversions.  Said head coach Mike Sherman, “Well considering last week we could hardly get to the line of scrimmage and this week we were able to fix those problems and hang on to the football, get down on blocks, and finish blocks. I really challenged those linemen. I was on them during practice and really backed them into a corner and they came out swinging. The backs did a great job but those linemen did a great job in blocking.”

Kent State defensive staff

Kent State defeated Ohio 20-9

Defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis watched his defense totally dominate the Ohio offense as Kent State defeated previous conference leader Ohio 20-9.  Kent State limited Ohio to -9 net rushing years, 164 total yards, 3 of 13 third-down conversions.  Kent State recorded 15 tackles for loss and 7 sacks against Ohio, which had gone 4 straight games without allowing a sack.  Furthermore, the Flashes intercepted 3 Ohio passes.  This was the 2^nd straight game that Rekstis and the defensive staff for Kent State have not allowed a touchdown.  It will be interesting to see this week if Kent State can sack Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller.  Western Michigan has thrown the ball 147 times in the last 3 games and allowed only 4 sacks.

Iowa State defensive staff

Iowa State defeated Nebraska 9-7

Defensive coordinator Wally Burnham watched his defensive record 8 takeaways including four inside the Iowa State 5 yard line.  The 9-7 win is the Cyclones first win in Lincoln since 1977.  With a backup quarterback starting for the Cyclones, Burnham knew his defense would have to create turnovers to keep the Cyclones in the game at Memorial Stadium.  Although the Cyclones allowed 4.9 per rush against Nebraska running backs, Iowa State allowed just 5 of 13 third-down conversions.  The 3 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries were the difference in the game.  Iowa State also recorded 6 tackles for loss.

Friday January 23, 2009 (Update 3)

Kansas City Chiefs: Head coach Herm Edwards will not return.

Western Kentucky: Offensive line coach Walter Wells has been promoted to offensive coordinator.  Kevin Wright will move from OC to quarterbacks.  Mike Dietzel will move from linebackers to defensive coordinator.  Running back coach Stu Holt will now coordinator the special teams.