Wednesday January 4, 2017
Tulsa: Former Tulsa head coach Bill Blankenship has agreed to become the new head coach at Owasso (Okla.) High School, according to Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World. Blankenship was the head coach at Fayetteville High School this past season, leading the school to the Class 7A state championship in Arkansas. He previously led powerhouse Tulsa Union to three state titles before taking over at TU.
San Francisco 49ers: Though he has little coaching experience, former Niners quarterback Jeff Garcia told KNBR radio in San Francisco he'd like to be the club's new head coach. "I tell you what -- the 17 years of professional football experience that I have in my backpocket, and the years of growing up around a father who was a head coach and just being around the game -- have prepared me to be the leader of a football team," he said, via CSN Bay Area.
Rutgers: Rutgers has hired Lester Erb to coach running backs, sources tell FootballScoop. The move was first reported by NJ.com.
Boston College: Ricky Brown, a former BC player who spent the 2016 season as the director of football initiatives for the program, is being promoted to one of the full-time on-the-field positions on Steve Addazio's staff. Brown's official title will be announced at a later date.
Cincinnati: Boston College defensive line coach / special teams coordinator Al Washington is joining the Cincinnati staff as defensive line coach, per sources. Prior to coaching the defensive line, Washington coached the running backs at BC for three seasons.
Tennessee Titans: The Titans have released receivers coach Bob Bratkowski and assistant receivers coach Jason Tucker.
Cornell (FCS - NY): Per source, Chad Nice is joining the staff as wide receivers coach. Nice coached the running backs last season at Dartmouth (FCS - NH).
Jerry Kill ripped Minnesota's firing of Tracy Claeys, saying, "I won't be stepping foot back at the university."
Cincinnati: Marcus Freeman's official title is defensive coordinator / linebackers coach, and Doug Phillips will serve as the program's special teams coordinator.
Nebraska-Kearney (D-II): We reported it the past few days, and UNK has now formally announced the hire of Josh Lynn as the program's new head coach.
Chicago Bears: John Fox noted to the media today that the organization's three coordinators - offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers - will all return next season.
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Itasca CC (JC - MN): Offensive coordinator Weldon Braxton has been promoted to head coach, per source.
Chicago Bears: The Bears have dismissed offensive line coach Dave Magazu, and assistant defensive backs coach Sam Garnes, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Both coaches previously served on John Fox's staff with the Panthers and Broncos before joining him in Chicago.
Western Kentucky: Boise State passing game coordinator / WRs coach Junior Adams has now officially been announced as the new offensive coordinator / wide receivers coach at WKU.
Mansfield (Sprint, PA): Mansfield University Sprint Football seeking position coaches for 2017. Twelve week seasonal position.Stipend plus room. Possible pre-screen interview at AFCA convention.Please send resume to fnovak@mansfield.edu.
Mars Hill (D-II - NC): Mars Hill University is looking for a FCS Guarantee Game or DII opponent on Saturday September 9th 2017 and October 28th 2017. The DII opponent ideally is away in 2017 and home in 2018. Please contact assistant coach Justin Polizzi at jpolizzi@mhu.edu.
Indiana: Indiana has now made it official...Mike Debord as associate head coach / offensive coordinator / tight ends, Grant Heard as passing game coordinator / receivers and Shawn Watson remains as quarterbacks coach (he was promoted to that role before their bowl game).
Alabama: Sources tell FootballScoop Mario Cristobal could be leaving Alabama. The Scoop...
Jersey Coast Academy (JC - NJ): Jersey Coast Academy in Toms River, NJ is seeking experienced assistant coaches for: QBs, WRs, OL, DBs, DL, LBs, and RBs for the upcoming 2017 season. Practice is in the mid-afternoon, Monday through Saturday. Must demonstrate great knowledge and ability to teach the position. Must have a passion for recruiting and be a man of great character. This is a stipend only position. $3,000-$4,000 per season. Season runs early August-November 15. Other income opportunities may exist for right person. Must be able to attend all meetings and practices. Email coaching resume to info@jerseycoastacademy.org Prefer coaches within 1 hour of the Jersey Shore. If applying from outside New Jersey, please explain how you plan to support yourself while coaching at Jersey Coast. No phone calls please.
Tennessee Tech: Sources tell FootballScoop Tyree Foreman has been promoted to associate head coach, offensive coordinator, tight ends coach, and Camden Wentz has been promoted from tight ends coach to offensive line coach.
Texas: Though the school's AD search won't officially begin until late spring, Texas has begun to kick the tires on NCAA executive vice president Oliver Luck, Kansas State AD John Currie, Arizona AD Greg Byrne, Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione and Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock, according to Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman. Additionally, Bohls writes Texas is considering making the new AD a vice president over all of athletics and transitioning women's AD Chris Plonsky into a marketing position.
Valley Forge Military (JC - PA): Valley Forge Military College has an opening for a head football coach. This is a seasonal position from early August until November. The head coach is responsible for planning and directing recruitment, conditioning, training and performance of student athletes. Qualifications: Education: A bachelor's degree with a master's degree preferred. Experience: Prior head coaching experience at the high school, and or college level, college playing experience, knowledge of NCAA and NJCAA rules and guidelines. Interested and qualified applicants should email resume, cover letter and references to athletic director Rich Casey at rcasey@vfmac.edu.
Detroit Lions: Adam Schefter reports this morning that head coach Jim Caldwell will return next season.
Eastern Illinois (FCS): Eastern Illinois is looking to immediately fill a defensive graduate assistant position starting this spring. Applicants must be accepted into graduate school. The University offers numerous graduate programs. The position provides full tuition and a 10-month stipend. DL coaching or playing experience is preferred, but not a requirement. Responsibilities include assisting the defensive staff in weekly game planning, game day operations, maintaining databases, and managing hudl. Candidates with experience on Microsoft Office, including Visio, is a requirement. Interested candidates please email resume and cover letter to defensive coordinator Mike Hodges at mshodges@eiu.edu. Coach Hodges and staff will be looking to interview candidates at the AFCA Convention in Nashville.
Temple: Per source, Florida defensive graduate assistant Josh Linam is heading to Temple as a defensive analyst role.
Presbyterian (FCS - SC): Per source, Mercer safeties coach / co-special teams coordinator Mitch Doolittle is joining the staff as defensive coordinator.
South Florida: Former FAU corners coach Corey Bell is joining the staff and will coach the corners, per Ryan Bartow.
Wheaton (D-III - IL): Per source, former Hawaii quarterback Taylor Graham (who coached the receivers on staff) will move to quarterbacks coach / passing game coordinator. He fills in for Eric Terrazas, who left to become the offensive coordinator at Indiana Wesleyan.
San Franciso 49ers: The Niners have requested permission to interview Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay, per Adam Schefter. ESPN's Josina Anderson adds that Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn is scheduled to meet with the organization today.
San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have requested permission to meet with Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott for their head coaching job, per Peter Schrager.