Monday January 4, 2021
FBS Staff Tracker: The 2020-21 FBS Staff Tracker page, where you can see how each new head coach is filling their staff, is up and running.
NFL Updates: See a running ticker of the latest news on the following head coach and general manager openings:
BYU: With Jeff Grimes off to Baylor, BYU will promote Aaron Roderick to offensive coordinator. Fesi Sitake will now serve as passing game coordinator.
Arizona: Sources tell FootballScoop Jedd Fisch is planning to add DeWayne Walker to the staff.
Boise State: An update at Boise, where a hire is coming...
Louisiana Monroe: Clemson offensive player development staffer Rod McDowell is joining Terry Bowden's staff as running backs coach.
Illinois: Sources tell FootballScoop Bret Bielema has a trio of strong candidates for his defensive coordinator job. A hire is coming soon...
Memphis: Rice special teams coach Drew Svoboda is joining the program,
Source: Memphis is hiring Rice special teams coach Drew Svoboda.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 5, 2021
">Pete Thamel tweets. The position at Memphis opened with the departure of Pete Lembo to South Carolina. Utah State: Former Aggie standout Al Lapuaho has been named Utah State's defensive line coach. Lapuaho is entering his fourth season on staff after spending 2020 as graduate assistant in strength and conditioning and the 2018-19 seasons as a defensive graduate assistant working with the defensive line. LSU: An update on LSU's search for their next offensive coordinator.Auburn: Per multiple reports Bryan Harsin's staff will move in a new direction with a new DFO and strength coach. See details on DFO Scoop and Strength Scoop.San Francisco 49ers: In the event the Niners were to lose defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to a head coaching opportunity, linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans would be an in-house candidate to replace Saleh,
Shanahan confirms LB coach DeMeco Ryans would be a candidate to replace Robert Saleh. Shanahan not stressing, likes options.
"Saleh will go kill these interviews and do a great job. I wish him the best of luck in all this."
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 4, 2021
" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cam Inman tweets.
Westminster (D-III - MO): Westminster College would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming interest in their position. It has been filled and they are no longer accepting applicants.
Coaching decisions: Best & Worst coaching decisions Week 17 - via EdjVarsity
Pittsburg State (D-II - KS): Daniel McKinney, who spent last season at Missouri Southern State (D-II), has accepted the passing game coordinator / wide receivers position with the Gorillas.
Texas: Big names and Texas ties - An update on Sark's staffing plans.
Baylor: Offensive line coach Joe Wickline will not return to the staff,
I've learned through sources and I know there's been speculation about the future of @BUFootball OL Coach Joe Wickline, but sources are telling me it's official he will not be back for the 2021 season. @SicEm365@SicEm365Radio
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) January 4, 2021
" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">David Smoak tweets. Utah State: Chuckie Keeton, who joined the staff shortly after Blake Anderson's without a specific position, has been named running backs coach. Arthur Smith: All six NFL teams with head coaching openings have either requested permission to speak to the Titans offensive coordinator, or plan to ask permission, Adam Schefter tweets. Utah State: Offensive graduate assistant DJ Tialavea has been promoted to tight ends coach, the school has announced. South Carolina: The Board of trustees are meeting and are expected to approve the additions of Shane Beamer's new staff, as well as the four returning assistants from last year's staff in Mike Bobo (OC), Des Kitchings (RBs), Tracy Rocker (DL) and Mike Peterson (OLBs) all of which are having a year added to their deal to ensure they're on two-year deals, per Greg Hadley.Arizona: Jimmie Dougherty's title will be passing game coordinator / quarterbacks the program has announced. Masters of Sports Administration:Upper Iowa’s MSA degree provides learners with the current theories, concepts, and learning models necessary to assume administrative, coaching and leadership roles in high school, higher education and sports business settings. The online degree is available with emphasis in Sports Management or Coaching & Leadership Education. Denver Broncos: After a decade as the team's general manager, John Elway is stepping away from the post and will take an elevated role with the team and will hire a new GM. Elway will stay on as president of football operations and allow the new GM to work closely with head coach Vic Fangio. Texas: Head strength coach Yancy McKnight will not return, tweets Pete Thamel. Illinois: Michigan director of football operations Mark Taurisani has accepted the assistant AD / Chief of Staff role at Illinois. Taurisani previously spent 12 seasons with Bielema at Wisconsin & Arkansas. Sources tell FootballScoop Tim Knox is expected to be retained as DFO. Las Vegas Raiders:Ian Rapoport tweets that top candidates for the defensive coordinator job on Jon Gruden's staff are Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris, and Rams assistant Joe Barry. UMass: UMass football is looking for a Head Equipment Manager. This is a salaried position that will be filled ASAP. Candidates must be AEMA certified and possess a minimum one year of football equipment management experience. Qualified applicants please email cover letter, resume, and references to Director of Football Operations Dan O’Brien at danobrien@umass.edu. Minnesota Vikings: Vikings OC Gary Kubiak is "leaning towards retiring" Tom Pelissero shares. Pelissero adds that a decision might not come for a few days or longer. Incarnate Word (FCS - TX): University of The Incarnate Word is looking to fill a defensive graduate assistant position to begin January 2021. This position will work exclusively with the Defensive Line. Previous coaching or playing experience is a bonus. Position will be responsible for the following: film breakdown, practice organization, game day preparation, recruiting area, student athlete development, and other duties assigned by the Head Football Coach. This position will include tuition and a stipend. Qualifications include bachelor’s degree and acceptance into graduate program. All interested applicants should email the following e-mail address: bawatson@uiwtx.edu. Please include cover letter, resume, and three references. Please no phone calls. Texas: Will Muschamp has turned down the opportunity to join Steve Sarkisian's staff as defensive coordinator, according to Dennis Dodd who adds that Barry Odom is among Sark's top candidates now. Wyoming: North Dakota State (FCS) offensive line coach AJ Blazek has joined Craig Bohl's staff. Prior to NDSU, Blazek coached the offensive line at Rutgers from 2016-18. Henderson State (D-II – AR): Henderson State University is currently accepting applications for a Football Equipment Supervisor Graduate Assistant. This is a 10-month position starting January 2021. Full tuition waiver, meal plan, a monthly stipend, and potential for housing are included. Candidates must be admissible to the graduate program. Responsibilities will include operating the football equipment room, maintaining inventory of all equipment, ordering equipment, equipment repair, laundry, and game and practice sideline equipment. The position will also assist the Asst. AD for Sports Medicine, and perform other duties as assigned by Asst. AD for Sports Medicine. Candidates with an athletic background or experience (volunteer/intern) in a collegiate equipment program is preferred. Candidates must possess strong communication skills and have the ability to effectively work with student athletes, the sports medicine staff, administrators, and sport coaches. Candidates must possess skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel as well as Google services (Sheets, Docs, Drive). Additionally the applicant must have a valid driver license and dependable transportation. Review of candidates will begin immediately. Qualified applicants email cover letter, resume and references to Director of Football Operations Cody Sparks at sparksc@hsu.edu. Urban Meyer: According to a report, Urban is asking NFL teams for TOP dollar to come out of retirement.Eastern New Mexico (D-II): Eastern New Mexico University needs to fill a game on Nov. 4th / 6th for the upcoming 2021 Fall Season. We are interested in playing NCAA DII/DIII or NAIA opponents. Please contact Kelley.lee@enmu.edu. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have put in a request to interview Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland for their GM job,
Source: The Panthers have put in a request to interview Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland for their GM job. Ireland will likely interview tomorrow.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 4, 2021
" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Albert Breer tweets.
Baylor: The addition of Jeff Grimes as offensive coordinator is now official.
Gus Bradley: With the Chargers defensive coordinator now on the market, Ian Rapoport shares that Bradley will be in demand as a coordinator, and the Raiders plan to speak with him and "they won't be alone."
Brian Daboll: With the Chargers job now open, Jason La Canfora tweets an interesting note that that Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll went to high school with Chargers GM Tom Telesco, noting that Daboll will "get strong consideration."
LA Chargers: Anthony Lynn will not return for a fifth season as head coach. More here.
Baylor: Shawn Bell is being promoted to quarterbacks coach, Max Olson tweets. He worked with the tight ends in 2020 and with the offensive line in 2018-19.
Louisiana-Monroe: Sources tell FootballScoop Terry Bowden has his defensive coordinator, and more.
Western Kentucky: Florida State director of high school relations Carlos Locklyn is headed to WKU to coach running backs Ira Schoffel shares.
Alabama: Nick Saban is considering Adam Gase and Bill O'Brien for his offensive coordinator position Bruce Feldman shares.
Eric Bieniemy: Chiefs' OC Eric Bieniemy is doing Zoom interviews with the Lions and Falcons today tweets Adam Schefter.
Baylor: Tight ends coach Shawn Bell is being promoted to quarterbacks coach Max Olson shares. Bell played quarterback at Baylor from 2003-06.
Detroit Lions: The Lions plan to interview Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy today, interim head coach Darrell Bevell on Tuesday, and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Thursday with Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell expected to interview next week,
The Lions are planning to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy today, interim coach Darrell Bevell on Tuesday and 49ers DC Robert Saleh on Thursday for their HC position, I'm told.
Detroit is expected to interview Titans OC Arthur Smith and Saints AHC Dan Campbell next week.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 4, 2021
" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Albert Breer tweets.
Terry Fontenot: Saints VP / assistant general manager for pro personnel Terry Fontenot is scheduled to interview for two GM jobs this week. He'll interview with the Lions on Tuesday and the Falcons on Wednesday, Albert Breer tweets.
Matt Eberflus: Colts' defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has been asked to interview for head coaching jobs with the Jets and Texans Tom Pelissero shares.
Marshall: Doc Holliday announced this morning that the administration will not be extending his contract (which is expiring). The job is now open.
Baylor: The deal is done sources tell FootballScoop, Jeff Grimes is coming to Waco to serve as the Bears' new offensive coordinator.
LSU: LSU plans to meet with Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz and offensive assistant DJ Mangas this week Pete Thamel shares.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Marrone has been fired. Is Urban next up here?
Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor will return. As we have reported over the weekend (here and here), we expect a number of staff changes on his staff though.
Tennessee Martin: Sources tell FootballScoop Dominique Bowman is now expected to coach the entire secondary at UTM with Dalton Hilliard off to Arkansas State.
Arkansas: Sources tell FootballScoop Sam Pittman plans to fill his receivers position with Kenny Guiton.
Baylor: Pete Thamel tweets this morning that Dave Aranda is targeting BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes as their new offensive coordinator, and a deal is expected to be finalized today.
Southwest Minnesota State (D-II): Southwest Minnesota State University (D-II) (member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) has a Football Graduate Assistant position available for Defensive Line / Strength and Conditioning Graduate Assistant Coach. Qualifications include acceptance into graduate school (3.0 minimum GPA) , meet the MnSCU vehicle driving qualifications. CPR, First Aid Certification, and Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCC) certification preferred. These positions are responsible for developing our student-athletes on and off the field, run own position meetings, assist with special teams, and have own recruiting area. Compensation package includes full tuition waiver and $8000 stipend ($4000/semester). Does not include meals or housing. Review of candidates will begin until filled. Beginning date is January 11, 2020. Please email resume and references to Head Football Coach Cory Sauter at cory.sauter@smsu.edu.
Arizona: Jedd Fisch has his offensive staff in place. They are; Brennan Carroll (OC / OL), Jimmie Dougherty (QBs), Scottie Graham (RBs), Kevin Cummings (WRs) and Jordan Paopao Jason Scheer tweets. Paopao was on UNLV's staff coaching tight ends and special teams. Cummings has coached receivers at San Jose State since 2017.
South Carolina: Justin Stepp is leaving Arkansas to join Shane Beamer’s new staff, sources tell FootballScoop. Details here.
New York Jets: Adam Gase has been fired. NFL Network guys share that a number of college head coaches are expected to be in play for this one.
Arkansas State: Sources tell FootballScoop Tennessee Martin safeties / passing game coordinator Dalton Hilliard is expected to join Butch Jones’ staff coaching the defensive backs. Prior to the 2019 season at UTM, Hilliard spent three seasons on staff at UCLA.
Vanderbilt: 247Sports director of scouting Barton Simmons will lead player personnel for Clark Lea at Vanderbilt, sources tell FootballScoop. More here.
Illinois: Bret Bielema has hired Army defensive line coach Tank Wright as his director of strength and conditioning. Wright joins the Illini after serving seven seasons on strength and conditioning staffs at Arkansas and Michigan and he spent the 2020 season at Army working with the defensive line.
Florida Atlantic: Co-offensive coordinator Clint Trickett will not return to FAU, per multiple reports.
Defensive Coordinator Tracker: Last year, there were 44 FBS defensive coordinator changes. So far this year, there have been 19. Keep track of all of them, and the new hires, here.
Texas: Sources tell FootballScoop Sark is working to bring a key Alabama assistant with him to Texas.
Kentucky: Sources tell FootballScoop that Mark Stoops is planning on adding an NFL assistant to round out his new-look offensive staff.
New Coaching Changes Page: Keep track of all the 2020-21 NFL and College head coaching movement here.
FootballScoop Tracker by Position
OC Tracker|DC Tracker|OL Coach Tracker