Monday December 11, 2017
SMU: Interim head coach Jeff Traylor is leaving to join Chad Morris's Arkansas staff, so Sonny Dykes will coach SMU in the Frisco Bowl against Louisiana Tech -- his former team -- on Dec. 20, according to Adam Grosbard of the Dallas Morning News.
Oregon: According to comments AD Rob Mullens made on local radio (95.7 FM) today, the program appears to have made their offer to keep defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt from leaving to join Willie Taggart at Florida State and the ball is in his court as far as a final decision goes. “We want to make sure we do everything we can to convince Jim to stay but in the end, it's obviously his choice,” Mullens said.
East Central University (D-II - OK): Sources tell FootballScoop Wisconsin offensive grad assistant Al Johnson will be the new head coach at East Central. Johnson, who has served as a grad assistant at Wisconsin the past two seasons, played seven seasons in the NFL. The former Rimington award finalist (at Wisconsin) is expected to be announced tomorrow as East Central's head coach.
Tennessee: The details of Greg Schiano's proposed deal with the Vols have been revealed. See the details here.
SMU: Last night, we reported that we expected Sonny Dykes to be named head coach at SMU by today, and now multiple outlets are reporting that Dykes has agreed to become head coach at SMU. SMU has called an 11 a.m. CT press conference Tuesday to introduce Dykes.
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Coach of the Year: Please join us in congratulating Georgia's Jim Chaney as the 2017 FootballScoop Quarterbacks Coach of the Year and Clemson's Tony Elliott as the 2017 FootballScoop Running Backs Coach of the Year presented by AstroTurf.
Stanford: Quarterbacks coach / recruiting coordinator Tavita Pritchard is expected to be promoted to offensive coordinator, per a tweet from Bruce Feldman. Pritchard has been with the program since 2010, where he rose from graduate assistant to defensive assistant, to running backs coach, and eventually got promoted to quarterbacks and wide receivers coach heading into the 2013 season. He takes over for Mike Bloomgren, who took the head coaching job at Rice.
UCF: The program has officially announced the hires of Willie Martinez (assistant head coach / secondary), Glen Elarbee (OL), Corey Bell (CBs), Billy Ray Johnson (chief of staff), Kurt Schmidt (sports performance), and Brandon Lawson (player personnel).
Oregon: New offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo is expected to get a 3-year deal, per a tweet from Bruce Feldman.
Winston Salem-State (D-II - NC): Thabiti Davis, who spent four seasons on staff as the wide receivers coach and specials teams coordinator, has not been retained, per a report from Winston-Salem Journal.
Holy Cross (FCS - MA): Source tells FootballScoop Sam Houston State offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey is no longer a candidate for the head coaching opening at Holy Cross. Sam Houston State, 12-1, takes on North Dakota State Friday night in an FCS semi-final. Cramsey's offense has been held under 30 points once this season (in a game they won) and have hung 40 or more 9 times.
Texas A&M: Sources told FootballScoop Memphis offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey will be the Aggies' new offensive coordinator. More on the hire here.
Bridgewater (D-III - VA): Bridgewater College is accepting qualified applications for the position of an assistant football coach (offensive coordinator). This individual will assist the head coach in all phases of a NCAA Division III football program. Playing or Coaching experience at the collegiate level is required. Strong consideration will be given to candidates with D-III experience. This is a 10 month appointment beginning in January 2018, and is full-time salaried and includes organizational benefits. Bachelors degree is required. For complete information and to apply for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references via this link. Please no phone calls.
Hawaii: Source tells FootballScoop former Nebraska and Oregon State offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh is a candidate for the offensive line job at Hawaii.
Jackson State (FCS - MS): Source tells FootballScoop offensive coordinator Chad Germany has stepped down to pursue other coaching opportunities.
Finlandia (D-III - MI): DJ Pirkel has joined the staff as defensive coordinator, and Robert Garth as special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach, per source. We also understand that Travis Wilzius has been retained on staff as assistant head coach / offensive line coach.
Jamestown (NAIA - ND): The University of Jamestown is seeking a defensive graduate assistant, any position, best candidate available. Responsibilities include assisting in practice preparation, game day duties, film, recruiting and other duties as assigned by the head coach and defensive coordinator. Bachelor’s degree is required. Strong oral and written communication skills are necessary. Coaching and playing experience preferred. If interested please contact Head Football Coach, Josh Kittel at josh.kittell@uj.edu. Please send cover letter, resume, and references and put "Defensive Graduate Assistant Application" in the subject line. Please no phone calls.
Colorado State: Sources tell FootballScoop former Florida State defensive coordinator Charles Kelly is a candidate for the Rams' defensive coordinator job. We're told he's interviewing today with Mike Bobo.
TCU: With Chris Del Conte off to Texas, TCU will promote deputy AD for external affairs Jeremiah Donati to AD, a source tells FootballScoop. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has also reported the same. TCU has called a 2 p.m. CT press conference to introduce its new AD.
UTEP: Mike Canales, who coached the quarterbacks at Tennessee last season, is heading to UTEP to join Dana Dimel's staff as offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.
Missouri: Following the departure of offensive line coach Glen Elarbee (who joined Josh Heupel's staff at UCF), offensive analyst Jon Cooper is stepping in to coach the offensive line for their bowl game.
SMU: Sources tell FootballScoop Sonny Dykes will be named head coach. Our read on the move, including who was first offered the position.
UCF: Source tells FootballScoop Eastern Kentucky director of recruiting Brandon Lawson has agreed to join the UCF staff as Josh Heupel's director of player personnel. Prior to his two-year stint at EKU, Lawson spent two seasons as director of player personnel at Middle Tennessee.
Head coaching changes: 2017-18 NFL & college head coaching changes.