Tuesday December 12, 2017
Edward Waters College (NAIA - FL): Source tells FootballScoop Edward Waters College plans to hire Bethune Cookman tight ends coach Greg Ruffin as head coach. Before joining the staff at Bethune Cookman, Ruffin served as head coach at both Texas College and Paine College.
Phil Bennett: Source tells FootballScoop Arizona State defensive coordinator Phil Bennett plans to leave Arizona State. Phil & his wife live in College Station, TX...and Jimbo Fisher is on the look for a defensive coordinator. Texas A&M is definitely not confirmed but quite interesting. At this time all we are reporting is that Phil is leaving Arizona State. Could Arkansas be the spot? Time will tell. Stay tuned... Update> Bennett has now confirmed he will leave Arizona State.
Kansas State: Bill Snyder plans to return to lead Kansas State football in 2018, according to a report.
James Madison (FCS - VA): Head coach Mike Houston has signed a 10-year extension taking him through 2027, the school has announced. Read more here.
1st Down Playbook:HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU DRIVE A STRONG SIDE QUARTERS SAFETY CRAZY? THIS 3X1 PASS IS A GOOD START. 1/4’S BEATERS & 32,000 MORE LIKE THIS
Mansfield (Sprint - PA): Mansfield University Sprint Football is seeking seasonal position coach from August 15 to November 15. Seasonal pay and housing provided. Send resume to fnovak@mansfield.edu and jevans@mansfield.edu. Possible interview at AFCA convention.
Carson-Newman (D-II - TN): Carson-Newman University is looking for a D2 opponent on Sept. 1st and Sept. 8th during the 2018 season. Willing to negotiate on any terms. Please feel free to contact Denares Waites at dwaites@cn.edu.
Sleep is critical - From our friends at Rise Science: Did you know that sleep deprivation of only a few hours a week on a continual basis can increase the 'risk-seeking behaviors' of young adults? Check out this article Chronic lack of sleep increases risk-seeking released by the University of Zurich this past summer. Let's work together to help your players make good decisions on and off the field by getting them a handle on sleep! Contact jodi@risescience.com for more info on how Rise can help your team and coaches with sleep with their unique program. You can also sign up here for a meeting time in Charlotte at AFCA.
Rice: Mike Bloomgren has announced the hires of Jerry Mack (OC) and Brian Smith (DC). Mack was the head coach at North Carolina Central (FCS) last year and Smith coached the defensive backs at Michigan.
University of Texas Permian Basin (D-II): University of Texas Permian Basin is seeking a full-time assistant football coach, serving as the defensive backs coach. Position will have a full-time recruiting area, experience in recruiting on and off-campus is preferred and will be a major part of the position. Playing or coaching experience at defensive back on the collegiate level is preferred. Minimum 2-years collegiate coaching experience is preferred. Please send cover letter, resume and references to football@utpb.edu. Please, no phone calls.
Colorado State: AD Joe Parker has signed a 5-year extension through 2022, paying him a base salary of $400,000, up from the $350,000 he made under his previous deal.
Illinois State (FCS): Defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky has left the staff for a coaching opportunity at a higher level, head coach Brock Spack has announced.
South Carolina State (FCS): Head coach Buddy Pough has signed a 1-year contract extension and will return for one final year, SC State athletic director Stacy Danley has announced. Pough has spent 16 years at his alma mater, and led the team to four trips to the FCS playoffs. After this season, Pough shared with Reggie Anderson that he stills plans on coaching somewhere beyond 2018.
East Central (D-II - OK): Wisconsin offensive graduate assistant Al Johnson has now formally been announced as the program's new head coach.
Holy Cross (FCS - CT): Per sources, Assumption head coach (D-II - MA) Bob Chesney, and Harvard (FCS - MA) offensive coordinator Joel Lamb remain candidates for the head coaching vacancy at Holy Cross. We understand that a decision on this one could come in the next day or two, with a formal announcement later this week.
Rutgers: Offensive coordinator Jerry Kill is reportedly weighing a decision on whether to return after his first season leading the offense, citing health reasons, according to a tweet from Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press. Kill stepped down at Minnesota midway through the 2015 season due to health concerns, and is Rutgers' eighth offensive coordinator in eight seasons.
UCLA: Linebackers coach/special teams coordinator Scott White and defensive passing game coordinator/secondary coach Demetrice Martin will not return, according to reports out of Los Angeles. Graduate assistants Dalton Hilliard and Kyle Weiss are expected to fill in for UCLA's appearance in the Cactus Bowl against Kansas State on Dec. 26.
Furman (FCS - SC): Source tells FootballScoop associate head coach / tight ends George Quarles is being promoted to offensive coordinator. Quarles, a long-time & highly successful Tennessee high school head coach (Maryville), is expected to be a desired candidate for the East Tennessee State head coaching position. It is unknown at this time if he plans to consider that option.
East Central (D-II - OK): Yesterday we learned Wisconsin offensive graduate assistant Al Johnson is making the very rare move from GA to head coach. Today the move becomes official.
Texas A&M: Tim Brewster, who coached tight ends on Jimbo Fisher's staff at Florida State, is joining him at Texas A&M.
Jamestown (NAIA – ND): The University of Jamestown is seeking a Full Time Defensive Assistant Coach, LB’s or DB’s, best candidate available. Preference will be given to those with a strong background in Special Teams. Responsibilities include practice preparation, position meetings, game day duties, 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 Full Time Defensive Assistant Application in the subject line. Please no phone calls.
Eastern Illinois: As we reported last week, Navarro (JC - TX) offensive coordinator Scott Parr has now formally joined the staff. Also, per sources, former EIU running back Tyler Stevens will transition to a coaching position on the defensive side of the ball, Cary Fowler will add the title of assistant head coach / defensive coordinator, Kwahn Drake will add the title of co-defensive coordinator / defensive line coach, and Greg Carroll, who served as a defensive assistant, will not return next season.
Wroclaw Panthers (Europe): The Wroclaw Panthers, a European top 10 program and organization located in Western Poland, are accepting applicants for a defensive coordinator. Position to begin January through season end July 31 (possibility of full year employment) with competitive compensation in European market, round trip airfare, housing, private insurance, transportation and other benefits. For more information and to apply please submit a cover letter, resume and professional references to head football coach, Nick Johansen at johansen@pantherswroclaw.com.
SMU: Last night, SMU formally announced the hire of Sonny Dykes as the new head coach of the program.
Head coaching changes: 2017-18 NFL & college head coaching changes.