Tuesday December 5, 2017
With heavy hearts we pass along news that legendary coach Ron Meyer has died. The long-time coach served as head coach at UNLV, SMU, New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. Please join us in keeping Coach Meyer and his family in your prayers. God bless.
Florida State: Willie Taggart's terms are six years at an average of $5 million per year tweets Pete Thamel.
Pitt: Head coach Pat Narduzzi and Pitt are working on a new 7-year contract with a salary increase and bump for his assistant coaches pool, per tweet from Pete Thamel. Narduzzi is 21-17 overall leading the program, including a win a few years ago against top-ranked Clemson as well as an undefeated Miami team this season. Narduzzi went 8-5 his first two seasons, and then 5-7 last year.
Oregon: After a report earlier today from Oregon reporter Steve Mims that Jim Leavitt would follow Willie Taggart to Florida State, Justin Hopkins of Scoop Duck tweets that Leavitt prefers to stay at Oregon. Leavitt himself tweeted earlier today: "Always been honest. Never have I mislead. Have great passion for the Ducks! Want to be a HC someday again Lord willing. Flying back tomorrow but tonight with my girls."
Humboldt State (D-II - CA): Humboldt State has announced that the program will play football next year. The program has been dealing with rumors that sports programs may be cut at the school all season long.
Oregon State: Sources tell us that quality control coach Jake Cookus will be retained and work as special teams coordinator. We understand he may also coach the safeties.
Arkansas: A tweet from Pete Thamel states a deal between the Razorbacks and Chad Morris is expected within the next 24 hours. Read more on that, and the big name he's targeting for his defensive coordinator spot here.
Florida State: Willie Taggart's deal is for six-years and worth $30 million, according to a tweet from Pete Thamel.
Florida State: Steve Mims who covers Oregon reports Jim Leavitt is taking his Pepsi loving self to Florida State.
UCF: Head coach Josh Heupel will earn $1.7 million annually (which would rank 7th among AAC head coaches) with a staff salary pool of $2.5 million. If he were to leave before their 2020 bowl game, Heupel would owe UCF a buyout of $10 million.
Florida State: FSU has introduced Willie Taggart as their new head coach, confirming he has now served as head coach for three different programs in the last 364 days.
Colorado: Mike MacIntyre is now confirming as we reported this morning co-OC Brian Lindgren has left to Oregon State. Offensive line coach Klayton Adams has been promoted to co-OC and Colorado is looking for a new offensive assistant.
Kent State: Sunday evening we reported Kent State AD Joel Nielsen had targeted South Dakota head coach Bob Nielson for his head coaching position (with note that we understood this one to be a challenging close). Local reports subsequently confirmed Nielson as the target of the search. Today however, Nielson told local reporter Jay Elsen he is "the head coach at South Dakota and plan to be for the future." Sounds like Kent State remains on the look.
Memphis: Mike Norvell's new five-year contract taking him through 2022 is worth $13 million and the salary pool for his assistant coaches increased by $250,000, per a report from the Commercial Appeal.
Oregon: Co-offensive coordinator / offensive line coach Mario Cristobal will serve as interim head coach at Oregon per multiple local reports.
Denver Broncos: John Elway shared with Dave Logan of Orange and Blue 760 that they will finish out the season before he decides to make any additional staff changes.
Memphis: Mike Norvell has signed an extension to remain at Memphis. The 36-year-old is 18-7 in two seasons as the Tigers' head coach.
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
Florida State: Oregon head coach Willie Taggart is leaving to become Florida State's head coach. Taggart will owe Oregon a buyout of nearly $4.5 million for leaving, Steve Berkowitz tweets.
University of Mary (D-II - ND): Craig Bagnell, who was a four-year starter for the program as a player where he set numerous records, has returned to the program as head coach. Bagnell spent the last three seasons at Bemidji State (D-II - MN) as the offensive coordinator, and at 27, becomes the youngest head coach in NCAA football.
Oregon: Willie Taggart has scheduled a team meeting for 1:30 PT. This is happening...
Tennessee: ESPN's Chris Low tweets Phillip Fulmer and Tee Martin have had an extensive talk, noting "sources close to Martin felt like it was a positive conversation..." In subsequent tweet Low notes that Martin has a great job at USC; but would always listen to his alma mater, and although would prefer to be considered for the head coaching position, might "even as the OC in the right situation." Update> Bruce Feldman tweets that Fulmer and Tee have spoken now as well.
Dabo Swinney: Clemson shares a special video on Dabo, entitled "Dream Big"
Aurora (D-III - IL): Aurora University is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time offensive line coaching position. Playing or coaching experience at offensive line on the collegiate level is required. Minimum 2-years collegiate coaching experience is preferred. Strong consideration will be given to candidates with Division III experience. Responsibilities will include: run game coordinator, on field coaching, practice and game preparation, on road recruiting, academic support, and other duties as assigned by Head Football coach and Athletic Director. Bachelor's degree required. Please submit: resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to jobs@aurora.edu.
Carroll (NAIA - MT): Carroll College is seeking a defensive backs coach. Job responsibilities include coaching the position group and running position meetings. This is a stipend position. Collegiate playing experience or previous coaching experience preferred. Interested applicants should email cover letter, resume, and references to head coach Mike Van Diest at mvandies@carroll.edu.
Tennessee: Bruce Feldman tweets Tennessee "still hasn't made contact with Tee Martin..."
Arizona State: The entire offensive staff is being retained on two-year contracts, and offensive coordinator Billy Napier has earned a promotion to associate head coach. Coaches being retained include Napier, offensive line coach Rob Sale, wide receivers coach Rob Likens, and running backs coach John Simon.
Oregon State: Source tells FootballScoop Nebraska linebackers coach Trent Bray is headed back to Corvallis. Bray previously served on Mike Riley's staff at Oregon State before heading with him to Nebraska. The former Beaver linebacker is expected to work with the linebackers and is expected to serve as defensive coordinator or co-defensive coordinator source tells FootballScoop.
South Alabama: Sources tell FootballScoop Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has interviewed for the position and remains a candidate; but we also hear Central Arkansas head coach Steve Campbell is a strong candidate for the position. Stay tuned....
Texas A&M: Defensive ends coach Terry Price is expected to stay on staff, per a tweet from Taylor Hamm.
Mississippi State: Sources tell FootballScoop that Fordham (FCS - NY) head coach Andrew Breiner is joining Joe Moorhead's staff as quarterbacks coach / passing game coordinator. In addition to their Fordham connection, Breiner and Moorhead previously worked together at UConn for a few seasons.
William & Mary (FCS - VA): The Tribe is looking to hire an assistant DFO. Details and how to apply can be found on DFO Scoop.
Texas A&M: Multiple outlets, including ESPN and Rivals, are reporting that Georgia wide receivers coach, and former Miami offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach James Coley is interviewing for the offensive coordinator job on Jimbo's staff.
UCF: Source tells FootballScoop "Randy Shannon is bringing Corey Bell" to UCF as well.
Power of Football:Fifty-two weeks after East walked away with the Class 5A runner-up trophy, following a 16-13 loss to Westfield, the Olympians and their 27-man senior class had one chapter left to write. USA Football's Power of Football Series: Tradition Brotherhood, Community.
Georgia Southern: As we reported a few days ago, Samford defensive line coach Victor Cabral has now officially been named an assistant at Georgia Southern.
Sleep: A quick reminder from our friends at Rise Science, sleep is important.
Louisiana Lafayette: Sources tell FootballScoop AD Bryan Maggard has been very encouraged by the level of interest shown in his open head coaching position. Our source said, "we've never seen the depth of high quality coaches calling in for this job." Although we haven't heard of a list of "finalists", we continue to hear of coaches such as Brent Pry (Penn State defensive coordinator), Doug Nussmeier (Florida OC with Jim McElwain...and former New Orleans Saints QB), LSU OC Matt Canada all being "in the mix" along with a deep pool of assistants & FCS head coaches with deep ties within the state of Louisiana. Will update as more is clear in this search.
Please join us in praying for former Citadel coach Don Powers who passed away recently at age 73.
UCF: Missouri offensive coordinatorJosh Heupel has been named head coach at UCF. Further, sources tell us AD Danny White strongly suggested Heupel hire Randy Shannon as his defensive coordinator. We expect that to happen. More on the news here. Update> And...just like that, Randy Shannon has been announced as defensive coordinator.
Oregon State: In addition to Lindgren who we previously reported, Danny Moran tweets this morning that Arizona offensive line coach Jim Michalczik is also headed to Oregon State. We can confirm the hire, adding we hear Jim is expected to have associate head coach title in addition to offensive line / run game coordinator per source.
Tennessee: An update at Tennessee where Phillip Fulmer is meeting with candidates for second time today...hoping to have his man tonight we're told.
Rice: Stanford offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren will be the next head coach at Rice, and a deal is being finalized, Pete Thamel tweets. We were told this morning that it was headed that way, but was not a done deal yet. Read more on Bloomgren and Rice here.
Colby College (D-III - ME): Head coach Jonathan Michaeles has announced his resignation after six seasons leading the program.
Malone (D-II - OH): Malone University is seeking a defensive graduate assistant, preferably with defensive backs coaching / playing experience and ready to begin working January 2018. Qualified applicants must have collegiate playing or coaching experience. Job responsibilities will include coaching DBs, running meetings, recruiting an assigned geographic area, and handling other duties as assigned by the head coach. Compensation includes graduate school tuition (9 credits per semester maximum), on-campus housing, meal plan, and a small stipend. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and references to ebaumgartner@malone.edu. No phone calls please.
Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year: The finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award are; Bill Clark (UAB), Scott Frost (UCF), Lane Kiffin (FAU), Jeff Monken (Army), Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma), Kirby Smart (Georgia), Dabo Swinney (Clemson), Jeff Tedford (Fresno State).
Oregon State: Source tells FootballScoop Colorado co-offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach Brian Lindgren has accepted a position on Jonathan Smith's staff at Oregon State as offensive coordinator.
NCAA / NFL Coaches Academy: We are still accepting applications for our 2018 NCAA-NFL Coaches Academy being held February 7-8, in Tampa, Florida. Applications are being accepted through this Friday, December 8 (Noon EST deadline). For more information or to apply please head here.
Minnesota-Morris (D-III): Defensive coordinator Marty Hoffman has been named the new head coach of the program. Hoffman has spent the past five seasons coordinating the defense, and spent the 2017 as the co-head coach with offensive coordinator Matt Johnson.
Oregon State: Sources tell us that Nebraska associate athletic director for football Dan Van De Riet is heading back to Oregon State in a similar capacity.
Head coaching changes: 2017-18 NFL & college head coaching changes.