A place for us all to speculate and talk about potential staff upgrades outside of HC, OC, and DC. I think we will see some change on the staff this off season. Once we move out of the season, we can move this thread to the football forum. Or we can move it now, I haven't decided yet.
Anyways, cherry picked from a thread on rivals are the following guys of interest to me. Add your own.
If we are going to get rid of a ST coach, I'd love to get a guy who could recruit texas and also maximize the talent on hand... Ayeni could do that from the sound of this.
If we continue with a dedicated ST coach... at least get a good one? Again, need more info on recruiting area/abilities.
Need an injection of talent and development in a big way. Again, not sure how we get Spencer to take a lateral move, but wish we could. Also need more info on his recruiting areas.
Anyways, thoughts? We need some changes to take the next step forward, and since I doubt we see them at HC, OC, or DC, might as well focus down the line.
Anyways, cherry picked from a thread on rivals are the following guys of interest to me. Add your own.
Louis Ayeni, running backs, Iowa State
Ayeni’s name has been mentioned in RB coach openings for Ohio State and Wisconsin the last two years — and for good reason. The 34-year-old, who played at Northwestern, has a knack for finding and then developing special runners: David Fluellen and Kareem Huntat Toledo and, in his second season with Iowa State, redshirt freshman Mike Warren, who’s averaged 154 yards in six starts this season. Ayeni has strong recruiting connections in the Midwest and in Texas.
If we are going to get rid of a ST coach, I'd love to get a guy who could recruit texas and also maximize the talent on hand... Ayeni could do that from the sound of this.
Brian Ferentz, offensive line, Iowa
When Iowa is good, this is what it's supposed to look like: a disciplined, swarming defense, sound quarterback play, some interchangeable offensive pieces and of course a dominating offensive line. That offensive line has sprung two different backs for 200-yard games, has been praised by Wisconsin linebacker Joe Schobert as being more physical than Alabama and has Iowa 11th in the country in time of possession and undefeated. All of that has taken place despite different starting lineups on a weekly basis due to injury.
We need an OL upgrade - I'd love to emulate Iowa's OL. I don't know Ferentz's recruiting chops though. Summers appears to be able to recruit given Florida's success on the trail this season. But he's taken a POS line and made it work from spare parts. I don't know how we get Summers to take a lateral move (or Ferentz at that), but interesting names.Mike Summers, offensive line, Florida
Florida had talent on the roster when Jim McElwain took over as the head coach but the offensive line was in shambles and the only talent there was young. Mike Summersinherited a group with only one player (Trip Thurman) that had ever started an FBS game. He went out and got a graduate transfer out of Fordham to be his right tackle and then he had to get a lot of freshmen and sophomores to grow up. He's done that and helped Florida mount an offense that may not be dominant but that has been good enough to take the driver's seat in the SEC East.
Ed Foley, Special teams, Temple
It's looking more and more likely that Temple head coach Matt Rhule will be in a new job this time next year and you have to think that he's going to want Ed Foley by his side. Foley has headed up a special teams unit that leads the nation in both blocked kicks and blocked punts. It also has sprung a kickoff return for a touchdown and a punt return touchdown and has even scored on a two-point conversion off a block.
If we continue with a dedicated ST coach... at least get a good one? Again, need more info on recruiting area/abilities.
Sean Spencer, DL, Penn State
Carl Nassib had seven tackles in his first year under Spencer at Penn State. He's already doubled that number in his second year under Spencer in sacks alone with 14.5 on the season. That development along with the continued outstanding play of guys like Austin Johnson, Anthony Zettel and others is evidence of Spencer's outstanding ability as a motivator and a big reason why he looks like an eventual head coach. With 35 sacks on the year, Penn State leads the nation in getting to the quarterback.
Need an injection of talent and development in a big way. Again, not sure how we get Spencer to take a lateral move, but wish we could. Also need more info on his recruiting areas.
Anyways, thoughts? We need some changes to take the next step forward, and since I doubt we see them at HC, OC, or DC, might as well focus down the line.