Posts Tagged ‘southern miss’

Quick thank you from FootballScoop. Yesterday we had nearly 100,000 visits to the site (including coaches from over 750 colleges & universities). We appreciate your viewership and the information you provide us with. 

NC State: The Monroe News Star is reporting that Sonny Dykes will interview tomorrow at NC State. 

Luther College (D-III - IA): Head coach Mike Durnin has resigned. 

Riverside City College (CA): Riverside City is looking for a defensive line coach. Please email resumes to associate head coach Darrin Chiaverini at darrin.chiaverini@rcc.edu. Compensation is $3,800 stipend and summer pay. 

LSU: @SportsByBrooks broke news today that Arkansas had presented an offer to Les Miles (5 years / $27.5 million). Multiple sources made it very clear to us today that Les did not initiate this. Sources close to the program informed us that Les would be meeting with his athletic director this week to discuss raises for his staff. Our sources were highly confident Les will remain the head coach of the Tigers. 

Illinois: Athletic director Mike Thomas, speaking on the radio tonight, said that Tim Beckman will be his coach next season. He added however, that the coaches are recruiting and he hasn't had the opportunity to do a comprehensive review of the staff (said that will come "at a later time"). 

Western Michigan: Multiple sources telling us that Indiana State head coach Trent Miles will likely be offered the head coaching position at Western Michigan.  More to come... Update> Sources close to Indiana State head coach tell us this is not finalized. Western Michigan SID Mat Kanan tweeted that Western "has not hired a new football coach". 

Tulsa: Athletic director Ross Parmley has been placed on administrative leave in connection with a "gambling inquiry". 

NC State: Sources tell us NC State is indeed interested in Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Dykes. 

Illinois State University (FCS): Illinois State is seeking a FCS opponent for 2013.  Available dates are 9/7 or 9/21. Guarantees or home and home possible. Contact Executive Associate AD Larry Lyons at lelyons@ilstu.edu or (309) 438-2000 if interested.

NC State: Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris stated this afternoon that he has not spoken with NC State about their opening. 

Penn State: Bill O'Brien reiterated today that he's not leaving Penn State. According to his agent, if he left, the buyout would be $9.2 million. 

Boston College: Adam Schefter tweeted this afternoon that New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael is a candidate at BC. 

Kentucky: Multiple sources telling us the Florida State "offensive coordinator" James Coley will join Mark Stoops' staff at Kentucky. We have not confirmed. 

Southern Miss: Sources tell us that North Carolina offensive coordinator Blake Anderson has no plans to "interview" for the head job at Southern Miss; but would accept it if offered. 

Kentucky: It is being reported by Matt Jones that Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops will be named head coach today. Update> Sources have confirmed the hire to us. 

Presbyterian College (FCS - SC): We are told that both the defensive coordinator and defensive backs jobs are open at Presbyterian. 

Southern Miss: We have confirmed that Ellis Johnson will not return as head coach.  

West Hills Community College (CA): West Hills, located in the Central Valley (Coalinga, CA) region of California, has an opening for a part-time defensive coach/assistant resident hall advisor.  The job pays $1000.00 a month (10 Month) with housing and meals. The defensive assistant will help with game planning, recruiting, and coordinate video needs for the staff.  Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Head Football Coach Cal Tincher at caltincher@whccd.edu

UAB: Wide receivers coach Ron Sigler has resigned from the staff. 

West Alabama (D-II): West Alabama is looking for a D2 opponent on September 28th. Contact Head Coach Will Hall at whall@uwa.edu

Purdue: Last night the Purdue Rivals site reported that Dave Doeren is no longer a candidate at Purdue. Sources tell us that Purdue is targeting Butch Jones; but is also having discussions with other candidates. Will keep you posted. 

Blinn College (JC - TX): Blinn College in Brenham, TX is seeking applicants for a Defensive Line or Linebacker coach. This is a full time benefited position.  This position will include a competitive salary. The Defensive Line / Linebacker coach will be responsible for developing players in practice, running position meetings and involved in game planning. The Defensive Line / Linebacker coach will also be involved in all aspects of recruiting – including having a recruiting area, making phone calls and being on the road. Other duties include film breakdown, film exchange and practice organization. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree. No phone calls. Fax cover letter and resumes to defensive coordinator Mike Mutz at 979-337-6710 or email to mike.mutz@blinn.edu or Head Football Coach Ronny Feldman at ronny.feldman@blinn.edu   

Missouri: Gary Pinkel stated this morning that he does not plan any staff changes this off-season. 

Livingstone College (D-II - NC): Livingstone is seeking to fill two empty dates for the 2013 season (August 31 and September 14). Looking to play a division II or division III opponent, home or away. Those interested please contact head coach Darryl Williams via email dwilliams@livingstone.edu or 713.291.5040.

Florida: The Gainesville Sun has reported that Will Muschamp received a one-year contract extension back in August, pushing his contract through 2017. 

After four days of searching, Southern Miss has caught Monken Mania. 

Southern Miss went back to the well that produced Jeff Bower and Larry Fedora, this time plucking Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken to be the next Golden Eagles head coach. 

Though this will be his first head coaching job, we've written previously that Monken is a guy who really gets his profession. Tuesday, Monken explained why. He comes from the coaching family to end all coaching family, with his dad, four uncles, a brother and a cousin all working as head coaches throughout the high school and college ranks. 

Moken said he has spent 46 years preparing to be a head coach, and he has a clear vision for how his team will play. 

"We're going to try like heck to put the fun back in football," Monken said. "The days of telling your players 'because I said so' are over. To get your guys over there, it's got to be fun. They're going to work their butts off, but it's going to be fun."

"On offense, we're going to be no-huddle. Obviously that's why I got the job, because we scored," Monken said to a round of applause. Southern Miss finished the 2012 season ranked 110th nationally in scoring offense, producing just 19.7 points per game. 

"On defense, I think people are going to have to get used to the fact that spread offenses are going to move the ball," Monken continued. "There's too much space. We've got to get stops, create turnovers and affect the quarterback and make him miserable. That's how you win games."

As for special teams, Monken said, "It's hard to say you're going to be good on special teams and not play your best players. Everybody says they want to play in the NFL, and the easiest way to make an NFL roster is to play special teams."

True to form, Monken dropped a few one-liners on the assembled crowd in Hattiesburg.

On engaging in the community: "You're going to see us out there. My family and I like to have fun. We're social butterflies. If we're going to ask you to invest, you're going to see us out there."

On missing out on Oklahoma State's bowl game: "It's sad that I won't be there for (Oklahoma State players) but I'm the head coach at Southern Miss now and that's where my butt belongs."

On the differences between he and Larry Fedora: "Well we both like visors. He's got longer, darker hair and needs a little bit more gel."

On being Southern Miss' first choice: "Don't they have to say that? They're not going to come in here and say you were the eighth choice, for God's sakes."

On what he will say to recruits after last season's 0-12 finish: "It sure as hell beats 18 years of losing and one winning season. I'll tell them, 18 years of winning and one year of losing, that's still damn impressive."

Ellis Johnson and the Southern Miss fan base entered this season with high expectations coming off a 12 win season under former head coach Larry Fedora.

However, those high expectations were not met under Johnson and his staff, as the Golden Eagles struggled throughout the year and finished 0-12. 

Earlier today the University announced that Johnson would not be retained, and athletic director Jeff Hammond released the following statement:

"Following a thorough assessment of our football program, I made the recommendation to our University President that we not retainEllis Johnson as our head football coach. Dr. Lucas accepted my recommendation and earlier this morning I informedEllis Johnson that he will not return in the future as our head football coach."

"At Southern Miss we expect to compete hard and succeed both in the classroom and on the field. This is not the exception...This is in fact the standard, the norm, our identity and who we are."

"In this regard, we have already initiated a search for a new head coach. We will move rapidly in this effort seeking a dynamic leader with the character to lead our program back to prominence."

"Today marks a new beginning, a new season and a new start. Thus I ask all members of the Southern Miss Family for your support, now more than ever. We must unite and come together as one through this transition period. Please let dignity, respect and love for Our Great University be our watchwords."

Oliver Luck hired Dana Holgorsen to be coach in waiting at West Virignia on December 22, 2010...and we all know the rest. By all accounts this has been a home run hire for Oliver Luck...but was if it wasn't...

Did you know that a week before hiring Holgorsen, Oliver Luck offered the same "coach in waiting" position to Mike Haywood? Haywood was just completing a highly successful second season as head coach at Miami (Ohio) when Luck called and offered him the future reigns of the West Virginia football team. 

As luck would have it (yeah, I did that), Pitt called Haywood within minutes of Luck's call and Haywood chose the Pitt job. 

So (work with me on this one), if Haywood had accepted Luck's offer and hence Dana not left Oklahoma State after the 2010 season and remained offensive coordinator for the 2011 season with Weeden and Blackmon (and others) we have to assume several programs would have rolled out the red carpet for him after the 2011 season. Perhaps he would have gotten the nod at Southern Miss to replace Larry Fedora (another highly successful offensive coordinator coming from Oklahoma State). Anyone think the Southern Miss fan base wishes they had Holgo on the sidelines in Hattiesburg right now?

"Sometimes it's better to be Lucky than to be good."

Tip of the cap to Mark Inabinett of AL.com for reporting the story as relayed by Haywood.

Last season's 12-2 record got Larry Fedora a ticket to Chapel Hill and brought change to Hattiesburg for the first time since the end of the 2007 season. 

Finalists for the job included Murray State head coach Chris Hatcher, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, Southern Miss offensive coordinator Blake Anderson and South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. Most people thought that all four of those guys would be successful at Southern Miss. Johnson got the call and there was considerable excitement in Hattiesburg.

Fast forward 10 months and it's hard to believe what has transpired. The team is 0-9 and is in Dallas to play SMU (4-5) this weekend. They close out their home schedule with UTEP (2-7) and then finish the year at Memphis (1-8). 

I haven't seen them play enough to truly opine on what has gone wrong but a quick look at the stats reveals a number of issues. In scoring offense, Southern Miss, which was 14th in the country last season averaging nearly 37 points per game, has dropped all the way down to 112th averaging 19 points per game. On the other side of the ball, they are allowing 38 points per game (115th) whereas last season they only allowed 21 points per game (25th in the country). There are plenty more stats we could look at but that paints the picture...and it's not a good one.

In all our years of doing this we can't recall meeting any coach who has had anything negative to say about Ellis. He's a great guy and has had tremendous success as a defensive coordinator. For whatever reason, that success simply hasn't found it's way to Hattiesburg yet. Perhaps with more time it will, however we are hearing that there is serious consideration being given to making a change after the season. In fact, sources tell us that if the administration chooses to make a change, the total buyout for Ellis and his staff would be in the range of $2.5 million and we are told the funds are available from outside sources to make this happen if the administration chooses to make a change.

While 3-9 wouldn't in any way be considered a successful season, pulling off three straight wins would at least give the program some positive momentum. On paper, none of their final trio of games seems unwinnable. Flipped around, losses in all three would in most people's eyes be considered unacceptable. When the season ends, just like with every staff in the country, the head coach will sit down with the administration and decisions will be made. Let's all hope Ellis and his guys can turn this around. 

Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson his first win as a head coach on Saturday. 

After leading 20-6 at the half, Johnson saw the Green Wave's advantage evaporate as SMU ripped off 20 straight points to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Ryan Griffin hooked up with Robert Kelley for the tandem's second touchdown of the game to put Tulane back on top 27-26 with 35 seconds remaining. Tulane still had to bat down SMU's Hail Mary to secure the win.

Of course, nothing comes easy when you're 0-5. 

The video below showcases the excitement of the Tulane players, staff and radio crew. Special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Barry Lamb awarded Johnson the game ball in the locker room.

We were glad to see Coach Johnson get his first win on Saturday. Ellis Johnson (Southern Miss) and Charley Molnar (UMass) are still looking for that first win & game ball. Let's hope that happens for both this weekend.