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| Forming an All-Star staff? |
- Urban Meyer, November 28th, 2011
Even before Monday came and Urban Meyer confirmed to the college football world that he was coming back to coach Ohio State, there was a lot of speculation as to who would be coming with Meyer on the new Buckeye staff, once he was officially hired.
Now, with the hire becoming official, Urban has a lot of work to do ahead. This includes trying to actually put together an All-Star staff, recruiting in-state talent, and trying to nab some big recruiting names before National Signing day in February.
“I was very fortunate in 2005 – I know this is a little biased – I think we put together the best group of assistant coaches maybe in college football history. I know that’s a profound statement, but the job those guys did, the recruits they brought in and the run that that team went on – with the players we brought in and the style of offense, defense and kicking game – my goal is to find that kind of group of coaches again.”
When Coach Meyer (it's going to be fun calling him that from here on out) mentions his 2005 staff, he is referring to his first year as the head coach of the Florida Gators. That staff is still regarded as arguably one of the best staffs in college football in this modern age. The question is now standing: Who will join Urban Meyer in Columbus? Let's take a look at how I think the main coordinating staff will look.
Head Coach: Urban Meyer
- Where They Are Now: Head Coach of Ohio State
- Reason: Meyer was hired on November 28th, 2011.
- Chance They Join The Staff: 100%
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach: Greg Studrawa
- Where They Are Now: Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach for LSU
- Reason: Studrawa was the offensive coordinator at Bowling Green under Urban Meyer for 1 season. He then went to LSU in 2006 and was the offensive line coach. From there, he got promoted to offensive coordinator, due to Steve Kragthorpe's diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease earlier this year.
Clearly Studrawa has had success, as the Tigers are ranked #1 in the country, and undefeated. He's known as a coach that can run either the spread or the I-Formation tendencies, which is what Urban Meyer has said he plans to do with the offense, and he has the experience of working under Meyer already. Add to the fact that he has been rumored to being a couple talks away from officially accepting the job, and we may have a new coordinator on our hands.
- Chance They Join The Staff: 80%
Co-Defensive Coordinator: Mike Stoops
- Where They Are Now: Unemployed
- Reason: Mike Stoops, brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, had been the head coach at the University of Arizona for the past 8 years. Arizona seemed poised to become one of the nation's elite teams by cracking the top 10 and opening 7-1 last season, igniting hope that the Wildcats could end their run as the only Pac-10 school to not play in the Rose Bowl.
After a dismal 1-5 start to 2011, Stoops was fired, opening the door for new opportunities. Rumor has it now that Stoops might come on to Urban Meyer's staff as a defensive coordinator.
What does Mike have to say about the job?
"It's an interesting time right now. It will be an interesting week; I will put it that way. I don't know what all is going to happen, but something will happen between this and next week."
He goes on, and this is where things really start heating up:
"Ohio State has always been a place we looked up to as one of the premier programs in all of football," Stoops said. "That's always exciting to have a chance to work at a place like that. And I love coaching defense.
"Being able to work with a guy like Urban would be exciting, too. He's a guy you know you can win a championship with. He's been there and done that. You'd love to have an opportunity like that."
Head Coach: Urban Meyer
- Where They Are Now: Head Coach of Ohio State
- Reason: Meyer was hired on November 28th, 2011.
- Chance They Join The Staff: 100%
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach: Greg Studrawa
- Where They Are Now: Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach for LSU
- Reason: Studrawa was the offensive coordinator at Bowling Green under Urban Meyer for 1 season. He then went to LSU in 2006 and was the offensive line coach. From there, he got promoted to offensive coordinator, due to Steve Kragthorpe's diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease earlier this year.
Clearly Studrawa has had success, as the Tigers are ranked #1 in the country, and undefeated. He's known as a coach that can run either the spread or the I-Formation tendencies, which is what Urban Meyer has said he plans to do with the offense, and he has the experience of working under Meyer already. Add to the fact that he has been rumored to being a couple talks away from officially accepting the job, and we may have a new coordinator on our hands.
- Chance They Join The Staff: 80%
Co-Defensive Coordinator: Mike Stoops
- Where They Are Now: Unemployed
- Reason: Mike Stoops, brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, had been the head coach at the University of Arizona for the past 8 years. Arizona seemed poised to become one of the nation's elite teams by cracking the top 10 and opening 7-1 last season, igniting hope that the Wildcats could end their run as the only Pac-10 school to not play in the Rose Bowl.
After a dismal 1-5 start to 2011, Stoops was fired, opening the door for new opportunities. Rumor has it now that Stoops might come on to Urban Meyer's staff as a defensive coordinator.
What does Mike have to say about the job?
"It's an interesting time right now. It will be an interesting week; I will put it that way. I don't know what all is going to happen, but something will happen between this and next week."
He goes on, and this is where things really start heating up:
"Ohio State has always been a place we looked up to as one of the premier programs in all of football," Stoops said. "That's always exciting to have a chance to work at a place like that. And I love coaching defense.
"Being able to work with a guy like Urban would be exciting, too. He's a guy you know you can win a championship with. He's been there and done that. You'd love to have an opportunity like that."
I think it's safe to say that Stoops would be VERY interested if Urban ended up giving him a call.
-Chance They Join The Staff: 75%
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach: Luke Fickell
- Where They Are Now: Interim Head Coach at Ohio State
- Reason: Other than being a Buckeye himself, Fickell was the head coach at Ohio State for 1 season, and although they ended up with a 6-6 regular season mark, consider that Luke had time for only 1 hire in Mike Vrabel. He had to deal with Jim Bollman, let's cut him some slack.
On a more serious note, Fickell is a great recruiter, having already picked up some serious solid commitments, including 5-star DE Adolphus Washington. Recruits have already said that they hope Fickell stays on the staff, because they truly enjoy being with him. That could be huge for recruiting, a 1-2 punch of Urban Meyer and Luke Fickell.
Chance They Join The Staff: 100%
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach: Luke Fickell
- Where They Are Now: Interim Head Coach at Ohio State
- Reason: Other than being a Buckeye himself, Fickell was the head coach at Ohio State for 1 season, and although they ended up with a 6-6 regular season mark, consider that Luke had time for only 1 hire in Mike Vrabel. He had to deal with Jim Bollman, let's cut him some slack.
On a more serious note, Fickell is a great recruiter, having already picked up some serious solid commitments, including 5-star DE Adolphus Washington. Recruits have already said that they hope Fickell stays on the staff, because they truly enjoy being with him. That could be huge for recruiting, a 1-2 punch of Urban Meyer and Luke Fickell.
Chance They Join The Staff: 100%
