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CFB Catch All Thread -- 2022


LTtxfan

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New Trend:  Off-field Special Teams Coordinators

Billy Napier and Florida hop on emerging hiring trend in college football with their new special teams point man Chris Couch as "GameChanger coordinator"

DOUG SAMUELS      3 HOURS AGO

Florida gets creative with "GameChanger coordinator" title for new hire

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Earlier this week we shared Billy Napier was beefing up his special teams with the addition Chris Couch, who had served as his special teams coordinator at Louisiana.

Today, Florida formally announced the hire of Couch and shared the unique title that they're bestowing upon him.  Instead of labeling him in the typical special teams analyst role, in his off-field role Couch will officially serve as Florida's "GameChanger Coordinator." 

That certainly makes for one of the most unique titles in all of college football and illustrates the importance that Napier believes are key in special teams.  But there is also a bigger storyline developing here about how coaches are starting to use their 10 on-field assistants.

The decision to not designate a special teams coordinator among one of the 10 allowed on-field assistant coaches is an emerging trend in college football.

Georgia had veteran special teams coordinator Robbie Discher on board during their national title run in a special teams quality control role, as he largely oversaw special teams and ran special teams meetings. Discher recently left to be one of the 10 on-field coaches at Tulane, where he will coordinate the Green Wave special teams. 

Yesterday, Oklahoma made a similar move in hiring Eastern Michigan special teams coordinator Jay Nunez to an off the field role. While he won't be one of the countable 10 assistant coaches, we shared yesterday that Nunez that "will have significant oversight of the special teams from a support staff position."

In Norman, having an extra spot has allowed Brent Venables to have both two defensive line coaches (Miguel Chavis as defensive ends and Todd Bates handing the defensive tackles) and two secondary coaches (Brandon Hall coaching the safeties and Jay Valai working with the nickels and corners).

While it certainly takes some creativity, with the success Georgia had utilizing this strategy it will be interesting to see if this continues to be a hiring trend that will allow coaches some additional flexibility in building their staff.

 

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College football rankings: Way-too-early Preseason Top 25 for the 2022 season

WAYNE STAATS | NCAA.COM | JANUARY 20, 2022

Knowing next season is still many months away, why not have some fun? Things can — and will — change, but here's an early, E-A-R-L-Y look at preseason college football rankings for the 2022 season. These rankings are mine and mine alone.

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1. Alabama (13-2 in 2021, lost to Georgia in the CFP title game)

Look, when you bring back perhaps the two best players in the nation (Heisman QB Bryce Young, should-be-Heisman candidate LB Will Anderson) led by the coach with the most titles, you're going to start No. 1. If anything, losing to Georgia in the national championship makes it easier to pick the Tide to begin here. Any time Alabama doesn't win it all, it kind of makes it due. 

2. Ohio State (11-2, beat Utah in the Rose Bowl)

The Buckeyes finally lost a conference game under Ryan Day, falling to 23-1. Don't expect Ohio State to lose two in a row to rival Michigan. OSU outscored Utah in the Rose Bowl and has an obvious Heisman challenger in QB C.J. Stroud. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will be one of the hottest names going into the season after his 347 receiving yards in the Rose Bowl. Still, the defense must get better after allowing 87 total points the last two games.

3. Georgia (14-1, CFP national champions)

The Bulldogs finally beat 'Bama (and Nick Saban), winning their first title since 1980. The NFL will take a big bite out of the Bulldogs, but Kirby Smart and his staff have been recruiting like crazy. DC Dan Lanning is now the head coach at Oregon, too. Can the offense led by QB Stetson Bennett IV — if he stays and keeps his job — take on more of a load should a young defense need time?

4. Texas A&M (8-4, withdrew from Gator Bowl due to COVID-19 positive cases, injuries)

Injuries slowed down the Aggies in 2021, but A&M still upset then-No. 1 Alabama in a thriller. This season, D.J. Durkin takes over as DC and will have to keep a strong defense from falling off much. But LSU transfer QB Max Johnson is now in College Station, plus Jimbo Fisher's elite recruiting will move A&M into an expected challenger in the SEC West.

5. Notre Dame (11-2, lost to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl)

The hype would have been even more if the Irish held on against Oklahoma State and ended their BCS/New Year's Six woes. But Marcus Freeman brings a ton of excitement regardless as he goes into his first full season as Notre Dame's coach. Northwestern DB Brandon Joseph (nine interceptions the last two years) will work with DE Isaiah Foskey and LB Jayson Ademilola and others to form a strong defense. The biggest hurdle will be the schedule: Ohio State, BYU, Clemson and USC are all on it.

6. Utah (10-4, lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl)

It stung to lose the Rose Bowl like that, but the Utes likely erased any doubts about their ability to compete on a big stage. QB Cameron Rising should lead a dangerous attack, working with RB Tavion Thomas and his 21 rushing touchdowns. Some key contributors are gone, but the Utes will start 2022 as the clear Pac-12 favorite. Remember, Utah was likely one win away (Pac-12 title game) from making the Playoff in 2019.

7. Clemson (10-3, beat Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl)

It says a lot about a program that winning 10 games and a bowl game is considered a disappointment. But it's clear that times are changing at Clemson, at least on the sideline. DC Brent Venables is now leading Oklahoma and OC Tony Elliott is Virginia's new coach. The Tigers could be the ACC favorites — they beat eventual conference runner-up Wake Forest by 21 in a "down year" — but can D.J. Uiagalelei hold off Cade Klubnik for the starting quarterback job?

8. Oklahoma State (12-2, beat Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl)

The Cowboys were overlooked for much of the season before coming to the cusp of a CFP bid prior to falling to Baylor in the Big 12 championship. That underdog approach is when Mike Gundy's program is most dangerous. QB Spencer Sanders is back to lead the offense, which should be better. But the Cowboys lost DC Jim Knowles to Ohio State.

9. Michigan (12-2, lost to Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals)

The Wolverines finally got over the Ohio State hurdle, but losses to Michigan State and a blowout loss to Georgia in the CFP semifinals show Michigan still has plenty of work to do. DC Mike Macdonald will miss Heisman runner-up DE Aidan Hutchinson and LB David Ojabo — who wouldn't? On offense, we'll be watching the expected quarterback battle between Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy.

10. Wake Forest (11-3, beat Rutgers in the Gator Bowl)

Dave Clawson and the Deacons continue to thrive, going from unranked to 8-0 and playing in the ACC Championship Game. With QB Sam Hartman back after passing for 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns, Wake Forest should again score a ton of points. The defense needs to get better — and it should be. The biggest concern may be how the Deacons handle expectations. There is no surprising everyone again.

11. Oregon (10-4, lost to Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl)

New DC Dan Lanning takes over after helping to build a dominant Georgia defense. Auburn's Bo Nix comes to Eugene to possibly take over at quarterback, which should help fight growing pains there. On defense, LB Noah Sewell (114 total tackles) will lead. The Ducks open the season against defending champion Georgia.

12. Baylor (12-2, beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl)

Dave Aranda worked wonders in 2021, as the Bears upset Oklahoma State to win the Big 12 championship and then topped Ole Miss to win the Sugar Bowl. A veteran offensive line will be strong, as will returning QBs Gerry Bohanon (27 total touchdowns) and Blake Shapen (three touchdowns in the Big 12 title game).

13. Pitt (11-3, lost to Michigan State in the Peach Bowl)

QB Kenny Pickett finished third in the Heisman voting, but the Panthers will replace him with USC transfer Kedon Slovis (7,576 career passing yards). He'll certainly love throwing to Jordan Addison, the Biletnikoff Award winner with his 1,593 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

14. Michigan State (11-2, beat Pitt in the Peach Bowl)

A run to the top 3 suddenly ran into humbling losses to Purdue and Ohio State, but Mel Tucker and the Spartans regrouped to win their last two games. The biggest loss is RB Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 1,636 yards and won the Doak Walker Award. QB Payton Thorne will likely be asked to do more. Defensively, the Spartans will get better against the pass.

15. NC State (9-3, Holiday Bowl vs. UCLA canceled)

COVID issues with UCLA kept NC State from adding to its official win total, but the Wolfpack appear primed for a huge 2022. QB Devin Leary (35 passing touchdowns) will be protected by a strong offensive line. On defense, NC State will bring back almost everyone of note, including LB Payton Wilson, who missed most of the season due to injury.

16. Houston (12-2, beat Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl)

After Cincinnati controlled the AAC the last two seasons, Houston might think 2022 is its time to win the American. WR Nathaniel Dell (1,329 receiving yards) will be QB Clayton Tune's favorite target again, while RB Alton McCaskill rushed for 16 scores last season. DC Doug Belk will have to work with some new faces in important spots.

17. Arkansas (9-4, beat Penn State in the Outback Bowl)

In only his second season, Sam Pittman had the Razorbacks back in the polls and winning bowl games. QB KJ  Jefferson is back after passing for 2,676 yards and rushing for 664 more. Oklahoma transfer WR Jadon Haselwood is a nice addition. LB Bumper Pool will be back on defense. But Arkansas faces Cincinnati, Texas A&M and Alabama in three of their first five games.

18. Kentucky (10-3, beat Iowa in the Citrus Bowl)

Mark Stoops and the Wildcats won double-digit games for the second time in four years, crushing rival Louisville and winning a bowl game along the way. QB Will Levis returns and will throw to transfer WR Tayvion Robinson while getting help on the ground from RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (1,379 yards). A very strong recruiting class also helps.

19. Iowa (10-4, lost to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl)

The Hawkeyes rode turnovers and a strong defense to as high as No. 2 in the polls before going 4-4 to finish the season. If Iowa is to return to the Big Ten title game and compete for more, it'll need a better offense, though DB Riley Moss and the rest of the defense will again be strong. Iowa averaged a little more than 300 yards per game — opponents outgained the Hawkeyes by 25 yards per game.

20. Oklahoma (11-2, beat Oregon in the Alamo Bowl)

The Sooners played in close games seemingly every week but impressed in the bowl game. New coach Brent Venables will have to deal with major changes to the roster, though UCF transfer QB Dillon Gabriel is now a Sooner. But Oklahoma is Oklahoma — the Sooners expect to compete for titles every year.

21. USC (4-8)

The Trojans will be one of the more interesting teams to watch thanks to new coach Lincoln Riley. He had Oklahoma in the Playoff hunt every year, making it three times. It's highly unlikely USC can do that well in Year 1, but the Trojans could reverse that record and go 8-4. This ranking could change depending on the quarterback situation. Bringing in Alex Grinch as DC will help.

22. BYU (10-3, lost to UAB in the Independence Bowl)

The Cougars went 5-0 against Pac-12 teams on their way to posting consecutive double-digit win seasons. BYU has one more season as an independent before joining the Big 12. It could be a big one, if the Cougars can shine against a schedule that has Baylor, Oregon, Notre Dame, Arkansas and Stanford. The defense brings back a ton after a disappointing end to the season, while the offense should be formidable.

23. Wisconsin (9-4, beat Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl)

The Badgers rallied from a 1-3 start to almost make the Big Ten title game, with a loss to rival Minnesota in the regular-season finale keeping them out. Wisconsin likely won't lead the nation in defense again (239.1 yards per game), not with LBs Leo Chenal and Jack Sanborn among those gone. QB Graham Mertz will have to take the next step.

24. Tennessee (7-6, lost to Purdue in the Music City Bowl)

Josh Heupel had the Vols go from 3-7 to 7-6 and should have the program in great shape for another step forward in 2022. QB Hendon Hooker (2,945 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) will be throwing to a great receiving group headlined by Cedric Tillman (1,081 receiving yards). If the defense gets better, Tennessee will really be in business.

25. Cincinnati (13-1, lost to Alabama in the CFP semifinals)

As long as Luke Fickell is on the sidelines here, it makes no sense to write off the Bearcats. But how can Cincinnati possibly top 2021? The most significant loss is QB Desmond Ridder, and the stout defense is going to need some new leaders. Thankfully, the Bearcats should be tough on the offensive line. As long as Fickell is here, it makes sense to give Cincinnati the benefit of the doubt and expect them to challenge in the AAC.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

 

10. TEXAS LONGHORNS

Texas is ready for its entry into the SEC. In addition to recent upgrades at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium — along with freakishly-nice player lockers that were added in 2018 at the cool price of $10,000 per locker — the Longhorns are committing $40 million toward an indoor practice facility that will be ready very soon. 'New-age' player lockers became a thing half-a-decade ago with digital names and likenesses and they are a necessity to keep up with others in recruiting. When a program hosts a visit, you want the player to see it all and that's exactly what Texas offers. By the way, have you seen the $175 million enhancement to the south end zone at DKR? It's one of the most technologically-enhanced venues in America

  • Hook 'Em 1
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2 hours ago, LTtxfan said:

Guess annual games of blOU vs Okie Lite, and Texas vs tech might be done deals ??   (State politics)  

Yeah I don't understand how a bunch of lawyers and politicians from Lubbock are forcing us to keep going to Lubbock every other year it's Lubbock I fucking hate Lubbock nothing is in Lubbock it's Lubbock.

town-skyline-of-Lubbock-Texas.jpg

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If we're doing 9 conference games, then there should be no regular non-con opponent. Non-con should be one cupcake, one bottom P5, and one big brand name, with the cupcake getting a payday at DKR, a 2 for 1 for the bottom feeder, and a home/home with the big boy. No permanent non-cons and certainly nothing annually. There's already an annual "neutral" game, and can always play Pig or aggy at Jerryworld.  Ain't go no reason to waste a game on Tech every year. They can sign a contract for a 2fer just like every other bottom feeder.

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On 3/31/2022 at 2:20 PM, Blotto said:

I get the connection between Kap and Harbaugh, but this seems like a curious risk to take for someone not affiliated with UM. I have no issue with Kap, but I'm sure there will be plenty of butthurt about it. 

I doubt it. Not from anyone who matters to the Michigan program, anyway. 

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Dabo Swinney Believes College Football Is Headed for Massive ‘Blowup’

WILTON JACKSON   APR 8, 2022

Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney believes that the current landscape of college athletics lacks stability, in part due to the rise of the transfer portal and athletes cashing in on name, image and likeness deals.

During the Tigers’ signing day in December, Swinney said the transfer portal was “total chaos” and referred to it as “tampering galore” that would bring about a devaluing of education and decline in graduation rates.

“Kids are being manipulated,” Swinney said in December. “Grass is greener and all that stuff as opposed to putting the work in and graduating. There’s no consequences. So now you’ve got agents and NIL, tampering, and you have no consequences … Education is like the last thing now.

“We’re going to have a lot of young people that aren’t going to graduate … There’s a lot of kids whose identity is wrapped up in football and all this does is further that.”

Nearly four months later, Swinney echoed similar sentiments, saying that there will be a blowup within Power Five programs, particularly in football. He believes that schools in Power Five programs need to separate themselves instead of all Division I schools being on the same level.

“I think there’s going to be a complete blowup … and there needs to be,” Swinney told ESPN. “I think eventually there will be some type of break and another division. Right now, you got everybody in one group, and it’s not feasible. Alabama has different problems than Middle Tennessee, but we’re trying to make them all the same and it’s just not. I think you’ll have 40 or 50 teams and a commissioner and here are the rules.”

And, aside from these schools separating into another division, NIL and the transfer portal need more guidance and direction, according to Swinney.

“There’s so much bureaucracy and you can’t get anything done in a real-time manner,” Swinney said.  “The communication is not good and the rules are outdated … There have been a lot of positives when it comes to the scholarships. But you’ve got all these people voting on things, and it’s just not apples to apples.”

Swinney said he does not plan on using the portal on regular basis but more so when it is needed to potentially fill an open roster spot. The three-time Bear Bryant Coach of the Year said his transfer portal is inside his locker room at Clemson.

“If I’m constantly going out every year and adding guys from the transfer portal, I’m telling all those guys in that locker room that I don’t believe in them, that I don’t think they can play,” Swinney said. “We’re also not doing our job as coaches and recruiters if we’re bringing in a bunch of transfers.”

While he is not opposed to players making profit from their name, image and likeness, Swinney said that the education needs to come before any notion of a pay-for-play environment.

“I am against anything that devalues education,” Swinney said. “… People will come after me because I’ve always said that I’m against the professionalism of college athletics, and I am. Kids don't know what they don't know. That’s a slippery slope if you professionalize college athletics, and now you’ve got salaries and taxes and you can fire kids on the spot and they’ve got to pay for their tuition and they pay for their housing and everything else.”

Swinney, who is entering his ninth season at Clemson, will seek to position the Tigers back at the top of the college football world after starting a 10–3 finish in 2021. Clemson missed the College Football Playoff after six straight appearances before last season. 

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In-depth look at the new quarterbacks in the Big 12 this season

Kevin Borba    April 15, 2022 2:39 pm CT

This offseason of college football may have had the most movement of players around the country we have ever seen.

Some of the players hitting the transfer portal was expected, as with the new one-time transfer rule there has been an all-time high of player movement as the athletes no longer have to sit behind someone and wait their turn.

However, the amount of quality athletes playing what seemed to be the most interesting game of musical chairs ever was something that we did not expect.

Starting with the biggest storyline of the offseason, Oklahoma’s former head coach Lincoln Riley took the USC job, and superstar quarterback Caleb Williams followed him to California. Spencer Rattler also flew the coop, as he left Norman and is now in South Carolina.

The Riley-Williams saga seemed to have the whole college football world enamored, and Williams’ decision to transfer actually impacted where other quarterbacks like USC’s Jaxson Dart, Texas’ Casey Thompson, and UCF’s Dillon Gabriel ended up.

Now that all the dust has settled, it is safe to say that the Big 12 conference was one of the most affected by the large amount of quarterback movement, as a handful of the programs will likely be trotting out a quarterback that was playing at a different university last season.

A few Big 12 programs may have new starting quarterbacks that were already on the roster, such as Iowa State and TCU, but here are the new faces at quarterback to join the Big 12 this offseason.

JT Daniels, West Virginia

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John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The most recent quarterback to join a Big 12 team, JT Daniels is now is on his third school as he started his career at USC, had a stop at Georgia, and is now in Morgantown. His career unfortunately has been a tale of him getting injured, and his replacement running with the opportunity to play (see Kedon Slovis or Stetson Bennet). The move to West Virginia pairs the former five-star with Graham Harrell, who was an offensive coordinator for one of his season’s at USC.

Adrian Martinez, Kansas State

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Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

After a very up and down career at Nebraska, Adrian Martinez decided to get a fresh start somewhere else. His new home is now Kansas State, as he will look to help Chris Klieman and the Wildcats tale that next step. Similar to Daniels, Martinez has struggled with some injuries and is looking to end his college career on a high note.

 

Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma

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Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Dillon Gabriel had himself quite the offseason after deciding to transfer from UCF. Like previously mentioned, he was one of the quarterbacks who were directly impacted by the movement out of Norman, as he was at one point committed to UCLA.

However, after his former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby took the offensive coordinator gig at Oklahoma, Gabriel jumped at the chance to reunite even before Caleb Williams announced his decision to go to USC which seemed imminent. It also seemed that he decided quicker than Casey Thompson, who many thought might cross the red river had Gabriel not committed first. Gabriel, along with the new staff, is now responsible for continuing the success that Oklahoma was having, and is looking to take it the next level.

Quinn Ewers, Texas

Quinn-Ewers.jpg?resize=768,458

AP Photo/Eric Gay

There was really only one quarterback that even came close to rivaling the noise that Caleb Williams was making, and it was Texas’ new signal caller. The former perfect rated No. 1 overall recruit decided he was looking for a chance to start immediately after cashing in on NIL deals at Ohio State for what should have been his senior year of high school. Now Ewers is looking to win the starting job over Hudson Card, while also being the next quarterback to bring Texas “back”.

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Ed Orgeron at Notre Dame? LSU's former head coach meets with Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame

Orgeron was a practice observer Tuesday, intends to be in South Bend all week

JOHN BRICE       APR 12, 2022

Ed Orgeron at … Notre Dame? Ed Orgeron at Notre Dame.

LSU’s former national title-winning head coach, mere months removed from the end of his tenure on the Bayou and just two years after the Tigers’ dominant 2019 College Football Playoff tour de force, visited first-year Irish head coach Marcus Freeman at Tuesday’s Notre Dame practice.

With his three sons, Tyler and twins Cody and Parker also with him, Orgeron observed Notre Dame’s work inside the Irish Athletics Center, the team’s 12th session of spring camp.

“Outstanding practice,” Orgeron told a group of reporters. “I walked down the hall (inside Notre Dame’s Guglielmino Athletics Complex that houses the football offices) and heard the offensive line coach (Harry Hiestand) getting after it early in the morning, I liked that.

“To be able to see the physicality that they have, I think that Marcus is going to bring a tremendous program here. They already have great players and he’s a tremendous recruiter, I think the sky is the limit for him.”

While Orgeron said he “wanted to jump into the drill,” he emphasized he would take at least a year off from coaching before he seriously considered a return to the sidelines. LSU was left on the hook for more than $17 million when it parted with Orgeron last fall.

“I don’t know, it all depends,” Orgeron said on coaching again. “I’m not going to coach this year, for sure. I’m keeping my options open and right now, I’m enjoying what I’m doing.”

Orgeron’s arrival in South Bend, Indiana, painted in stark contrast his last meeting with Freeman, which occurred in January 2021 when Orgeron attempted to hire away Freeman from Cincinnati to become LSU’s defensive coordinator.

As history reflected, Freeman opted to take the Irish’s vacant job atop the defense and ascended to the head coach’s post in early December after former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly jettisoned the Irish for LSU.

“First of all, I watched his defenses play at Cincinnati, phenomenal; energy, the way they got after it, the way he had energy on the sideline,” Orgeron said of what resonated from Freeman. “That’s just the way I liked to coach it.

“When I met him, he just had something about him, character, class, you can tell that he’s going to be a championship coach. I think he has all the makings of being a great coach.”

Orgeron also said he would impart some advice on the first-year head coach, after his own initial foray into the top spot – three years atop the Ole Miss program from 2005-07 – ended in disaster.

“Don’t try to do everything,” Orgeron said. “I tried to do everything at Ole Miss, you can’t do it. Hire you a good staff, believe in them and let them do it, let the players know that you really care about them. Offense, defense, special teams be close to all of them, and I see them doing that.”

 

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Didn't realize Charlie went to Miami...

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Miami Football Staff

NAME POSITION
Mario Cristobal Head Coach
Josh Gattis Offensive Coordinator
Kevin Steele Defensive Coordinator
Alex Mirabal Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Line Coach
Joe Salave'a Defensive Line Coach / Associate Head Coach - Defense / Defensive Run Game Coordinator
Charlie Strong Co-Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach
Jahmile Addae Secondary Coach
Stephen Field Tight Ends Coach
Frank Ponce Quarterbacks Coach / Passing Game Coordinator
Kevin Smith Running Backs Coach
Rod Wright Defensive Ends Coach
Aaron Feld Head Strength & Conditioning Coordinator - Football
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