2020 Coaching Staff

[MoJames 8241]

This was posted over in the Recruiting thread, seems it needs to be here as well. NSIAP.

Thanks @Getafix

Mike Roach / Horns 247

The Stampede (Pt. 2): WR coaches that could boost recruiting

There are now several openings on the Texas coaching staff. After former wide receivers coach Drew Mehringer was dismissed and Corby Meekins was re-assigned, the Longhorns are left with former analyst Andre Coleman in an interim role for the bowl season. Traditionally, the wide receiver coach position is usually reserved for one of the stronger recruiters on staff, but they also must be a strong teacher of the position.

The new offensive coordinator hire will probably have to weigh in on who his new wide receiver coach is, but the Longhorns have a chance to make their team better while strengthening their recruiting staff with the right hire at the position. I spoke to several recruiting sources around the state of Texas to get an idea of what coaches would be the ideal targets for Tom Herman and his future offensive coordinator.

Regardless of the current state of the program, there is still a lot of power and prestige that comes with wearing the Longhorn logo on the chest. Texas should be able to land a great candidate for the job.

 

Emmett Jones, Kansas

Background: Jones played his high school ball at Seagoville and then walked on at Texas Tech before entering the coaching profession after graduating from North Texas. Jones rose to prominence as the offensive coordinator for legendary high school coach Reginald Samples at Dallas Lincoln and Dallas Skyline. Jones then moved on to accept the head coaching position at South Oak Cliff before taking a collegiate position at Texas Tech in 2015. When Kliff Kingsbury was fired, Jones took a position on Les Miles’ staff at Kansas. On the field, Jones was integral in the development of Texas Tech receivers Antoine Wesley, TJ Vasher, and Keke Coutee. 

On the recruiting trail, Jones was responsible for landing players such as Velton Gardner, Ta'Zhawn Henry, SaRodorick Thompson, Riko Jeffers, and Steven Parker.

On the Field: Jones has a strong relationship as a wide receiver developer, and he has experience in multiple offenses. The bulk of his collegiate experience came under Kliff Kingsbury as an air raid coach assigned raw but athletic prospects at the position. Jones also has a strong reputation among the players who play under him.

Impact: Jones would instantly be one of the most dangerous recruiters in the country. He’s been able to put together strong groups at Texas Tech and Kansas, but that would be nothing compared to what he could do with the Texas logo backing him. Jones would specifically shine in south Dallas where his ties to the area and knowledge of prospects provide him with a built-in advantage no other in-state team has.

One south Dallas coach I spoke with said, “He would win recruiter of the year at Texas. It wouldn’t even be close. He will shut down Dallas if they let him loose.”

Interest: In speaking with several sources familiar with Jones, I was told that while he has a good thing going at Kansas, it would be difficult to turn down a chance to recruit for Texas. Should the Longhorns make an offer, I expect him to take a long look at it.

 

Ra'Shaad Samples, SMU

Background: Texas fans are no stranger to Samples. A former standout at Dallas Skyline (under Emmett Jones), Samples signed with Oklahoma State but ended up transferring to the University of Houston. Following his playing career, Samples served as an offensive assistant where he worked with running backs, receivers, and quarterbacks. Samples later followed Tom Herman to Texas and assisted Drew Mehringer with wide receivers while serving as an on-campus recruiter. 

Samples was key in helping Texas open doors in south Dallas which was something they hadn’t been able to do under Herman. He played a big role in landing Ja’Quinden Jackson who plays for Samples’ father Reginald at Duncanville, and he served as a primary point of contact for several other prospects before being hired by SMU in a full-time on-field coaching role.

On the Field: This is Samples’ first year as an on-field assistant, but he has experience working with most of the receivers on the current Texas roster. His inexperience could be a negative factor, but SMU wide receivers have been incredibly productive this season and he comes from a strong tradition of coaching.

Impact: Samples made a big splash with the Dallas to Austin movement while on staff at Texas. His recruiting impact carried over to SMU where Samples has the Mustangs in the race for several big-name prospects. Samples has obvious connections at Duncanville, but he would be an effective recruiter in any region. His name carries enough power, and his relationship-building skill and genuine personality allow him to relate to kids from many different social backgrounds.

Interest: Samples loved his time at Texas, but an on-field role at SMU was too tough for him to turn down. Samples is starting to build quite a following back in his home city, but Texas would be a strong move for his career.

 

Jeff Traylor, Arkansas

Background: Traylor is currently the associate head coach and running backs coach for Arkansas. The former Texas assistant rose to prominence as a high school coach and turned his alma mater Gilmer into a Texas powerhouse.

Traylor was hired by Texas after winning three state championships at Gilmer and served under Charlie Strong for his last two years in Austin. Traylor went on to serve under Chad Morris at SMU and followed him to Arkansas last year. With Morris out at Arkansas, Traylor will be a coveted free agent. Traylor has been a jack of all trades coaching special teams, tight ends, and running backs at the college level.

On the Field: Traylor doesn’t have college experience coaching receivers, but there’s little doubt he could do it. Traylor’s offenses in high school were among the most innovative in the state, and his wealth of coaching experience means he could likely transition to the position easily.

Impact: Traylor has been a dynamite recruiter at the college level, and his influence in east Texas is unmatched. Texas fans saw that when Traylor helped to land players such as Brandon Jones and Montrell Estell. Traylor would continue to lockdown east Texas, and he has the ability to step in as a specialist in any region of the state. Traylor’s lack of experience at the receiver position would be offset by his tremendous recruiting ability and reputation as a player’s coach.

Interest: A source I spoke with during the fall said that Traylor was the only assistant from Strong’s staff that Tom Herman had an interest in keeping. Traylor was considered for an off-field role but chose to move on and keep coaching. The same source indicated that Traylor would very much be open to the idea of returning to Austin.

[futureman 22420]

2 hours ago, Thujone said:

No it's too depressing.

[Nicole44 22028]

Just now, Not a cat said:

I read it as a sarcastic comment that it's a hell of a coincidence that a nationwide search of all available candidates reveals that the best candidate is a Herman drinking buddy. 

Keep your friends close and everyone who knows you what you do in ur personal private time even closer. 

[satyanash 14282]

15 minutes ago, MoJames said:

I'm just going to trust that whoever puts this list together knows what they are doing and we hire some of these. 

DON BROWN

LOL

[Getafix 28417]

Posted this question in a different (wrong) thread .... 

I thought Tony Gibson did well at West Virginia, considering the talent level, school, conference/opposing offenses, etc..  Also had some DBs drafted.  Any thoughts on the guy?  

[Dbeasy 14991]

I’ve been pushing for an air raid OC all year because I believe mixing that with Herman’s dual threat RPO will produce an incredible combination. Posters on here bagged on the idea of air raid because they inevitably ask what team has won a title with air raid since OU.

Well no one has because it’s never been implemented with RPO at a program with top talent. Texas could be one of the first. West Virginia, TCU, Syracuse and other programs that have merged RPO with air raid never had the talent and/or defense to win it all. We could be competing for a title next year as long as we lock down the recruiting class and also get a top DC. Kool Aid. .

[Teryor 4426]

Considering Jimmy Lake is gonna be the Washington head coach I'd count him out.

 

[Goodman 3273]

14 minutes ago, Hiphopopotamos said:

TE coaching and recruiting were good this year.  Also - someone has to coach the bowl game - you can't fire everyone at once. 

Is this based off of Wiley not embarrassing us vs. the shittiest of all defenses in Tech? TE was a problem this year. TE recruiting? East TX recruiting? He seems like a nice enough guy but his ass better be off the field next year, he adds nothing.

[hookem48 4636]

2 hours ago, Dbeasy said:

 

It’s been 13 hours and this post is still incredibly depressing. I nominate this as the most significant post to date in the history of Surly. CTJ, couldn’t you have just lied to everyone and say everything will be alright? Give me the blue pill.

 

Our TEs can't block or catch, anyone saying their coach has done ok seems like an idiot.

[Bodacious Bevo 3576]

1 minute ago, Dbeasy said:

I’ve been pushing for an air raid OC all year because I believe mixing that with Herman’s dual threat RPO will produce an incredible combination. Posters on here bagged on the idea of air raid because they inevitably ask what team has won a title with air raid since OU.

Well no one has because it’s never been implemented with RPO at a program with top talent. Texas could be one of the first. West Virginia, TCU, Syracuse and other programs that have merged RPO with air raid never had the talent and/or defense to win it all. We could be competing for a title next year as long as we lock down the recruiting class and also get a top DC. Kool Aid. .

Well I've been watching some of Graham Harrell's stuff from the past couple seasons, and I do agree that he and Herman have some nice overlap and could make a nice combo. But I think it's a bit weird to describe Herman as the "dual threat RPO" type. His use of the RPO this past season was really inconsistent and pretty poorly executed (at least the bubble screen version).

[Hiphopopotamos 20865]

Cross Jimmy Lake off the wish list.

Scalley

Lake

Odom

Steele

Ash?

[satyanash 14282]

3 hours ago, Hiphopopotamos said:

This right here. I don't give a shit what conference our DC comes from - so long as he can develop recruits and teach the fundamentals his defense is going to stop people enough times for this team to win.

This is missing the forest for the trees.

What is the primary reason defenders miss tackles in college football? It's not that they suddenly forgot how - these guys have been playing football all their lives, since they were kids. They don't need a coach to re-teach them the basics of tackling.

The reason is that they're out of position. Which is caused by A) an OC that schemes his best guys to get the ball in space and create awkward angles for defenders, and/or B) a DC whose defenders get caught in conflict and can't run downhill to the ball with confidence. Big 12 offenses are masterful at putting defenders in conflict with the constant usage of RPOs, and/or spreading defenders out to get a numbers/leverage advantage in the run game. Guys like Heacock, Phil Snow, and Jimmy Lake have constantly faced these tactics for years and adapted - Heacock specifically designed the inverted Tampa 2 to neutralize RPO tactics while maintaining defensive flexibility, and now it's very commonly used in the Big 12 to very good effect.

This is the kind of defensive innovation that comes only from a DC who routinely has to face spread offenses. Iowa State's defense isn't better than ours because their guys are better tacklers, it's because they're being put into position to read and react to plays by a DC who understands how to combat ever-evolving spread attacks. Why do you think we don't see this same level of defensive innovation in the Big Ten? Do you really think Don Brown would be up for the Broyles Award if he was in the Big 12?

[El Squared 1793]

24 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

I’d love to get Newberry from Navy. But he’d probably pop Herman in the face. 

With a spiked club dipped in Ebola

[trythisathome 971]

5 minutes ago, Teryor said:

Considering Jimmy Lake is gonna be the Washington head coach I'd count him out.

 

Hmm what if this is the mystery candidate CTJ mentioned 

[Fud 9546]

Emmett Jones has experience in air raid systems, is well liked by players, and can recruit. I like him at WR. 

Traylor and Cumbie would be ringers who could replace Beck's loss, are well respected coaches, and are very well liked by players. Cumbie obviously has a lot of air raid experience. I'd like either at TE. 

[mdmost 42875]

10 minutes ago, trythisathome said:

Hmm what if this is the mystery candidate CTJ mentioned 

No, he's staying on at Washington in an advisory role. He's not taking another job. 

[HtownHorn 14503]

14 minutes ago, Teryor said:

Considering Jimmy Lake is gonna be the Washington head coach I'd count him out.

 

I read this as something is happening with Petersen's kid, and he needs to concentrate on that.

[Rhinotx 499]

9 minutes ago, trythisathome said:

Hmm what if this is the mystery candidate CTJ mentioned 

[DanTheHorn 4902]

44 minutes ago, hookem48 said:

Well if you buy into that article Ash should be the guy.

Yea but it is clear from the article that he was targeted because he had had success in the BIG. I am on record saying Ash will be learning on the job because he comes from a BIG background. I contend we will all be very frustrated while he learns. Some folks here are saying my argument and those of others is bullshit and are making successful arguments for Ash being viable due to the following:

a) Was a safety as a player so his first love is defending the pass

b) His main background is coaching DBs

c) Has a masters degree so he can't be all that stupid. (i.e. Bosworth is not his role model) - This one is mine

d) Turned Ohio State's pass defense around in one season

e) Was good enough for Ohio State fans to be unhappy to see him go.

f) Was on the rise and good enough as a DC to get a head coaching position

g) If successful he is not going anywhere soon because he has failed as a HC

h) Recruits can be told he has won a NC as DC for Ohio State

Those on the Ash train need to give those of us not on it a few more reasons to jump on since Boom came in from the SEC and was able to adapt quickly for a time. So we are listening.

Edited December 2, 2019 by DanTheHorn

[Red Five 40695]

No, he's staying on at Washington in an advisory role. He's not taking another job. 

Well not now he’s not.

[C-Man 27083]

15 minutes ago, trythisathome said:

Hmm what if this is the mystery candidate CTJ mentioned 

Doubtful. Says he's staying on at UW in a "leadership" role whatever that means.

[6th Street 6358]

Peterson will be Assistant AD at UW - not a bad gig while he waits for the Texas job to open up in 2020.

[Walden Ponderer 12639]

42 minutes ago, Nicole44 said:

I’d love to get Newberry from Navy. But he’d probably pop Herman in the face. 

Newberry from Navy, or Arnett from San Diego St. are both guys I'd rather have than Ash, but I'd rather have Ash than Odom, so go figure.

Anyway, I'm wondering if there's smoke to the Kevin Steele stuff. He is infinitely better than we remember him being, because we remember him being a shitty HC. He'd still be a shitty HC. But he's hell on wheels as a DC.

[Bevo14 8275]

4 minutes ago, DanTheHorn said:

Yea but it is clear from the article that he was targeted because he had had success in the BIG. I am on record saying Ash will be learning on the job because he comes from a BIG background. I contend we will all be very frustrated while he learns. Some folks here are saying my argument and those of others is bullshit and are making successful arguments for Ash being viable due to the following:

a) Was a safety as a player so his first love is defending the pass

b) His main background is coaching DBs

c) Has a masters degree so he can't all that stupid. (i.e. Bosworth is not his role model) - This one is mine

d) Turned Ohio State's pass defense around in one season

e) Was good enough for Ohio State fans to be unhappy to see him go.

f) Was on the rise and good enough as a DC to get a head coaching position

g) If successful he is not going anywhere soon because he has failed as a HC

Those on the Ash train need to give those of us not on it a few more reasons to jump on since Boom came in from the SEC and was able to adapt quickly for a time. So we are listening.

Big 10 thing is understandable,  but they containe ed Oregon with Mariota, and that was about as good of an offense as any we will play against.

Edited December 2, 2019 by Bevo14

[6th Street 6358]

Are the Steele rumors just from that flight tracker from last night?

[Tex Long 4355]

5 minutes ago, 6th Street said:

Peterson will be Assistant AD at UW - not a bad gig while he waits for the Texas job to open up in 2020.

Urban was still listed as Asssistant AD at tOSU, last time I looked at wiki...

[ClubWhatever 12087]

I would take a hard look at Blake Baker at Miami.  Houston guy.

[satyanash 14282]

Per Eric Nahlin, Ash would be a questionable locker room fit - in the sense that he'd be viewed as another Orlando (from a personality standpoint) and may not be the 'good cop' presence needed to balance out Herman. Whatever that means.

Regardless, Ash has apparently been unemployed and hanging around the football facilities for months. So it's pretty clear his services aren't in high demand. Dress it up however you want, it's a comfort hire.

[Vertigo 20273]

38 minutes ago, Teryor said:

Considering Jimmy Lake is gonna be the Washington head coach I'd count him out.

 

Clearly Peterson leaving to take the OC job here. 

[dcar00 14043]

10 minutes ago, Walden Ponderer said:

Newberry from Navy, or Arnett from San Diego St. are both guys I'd rather have than Ash, but I'd rather have Ash than Odom, so go figure.

Anyway, I'm wondering if there's smoke to the Kevin Steele stuff. He is infinitely better than we remember him being, because we remember him being a shitty HC. He'd still be a shitty HC. But he's hell on wheels as a DC.

is he though?  I'm sure he is better than Orlando but I'm not sure about his record as a DC

[TexanTraveling 42]

Friend of mine from the Boston Herald said that Steve Belichek wants to be the college version of his dad and doesn't want to live in his shadow in the NFL. His wife is from Round Rock and he and Tom Herman have been friends for 10+ years. Would be a logical starting point as he builds more college connections and a reputation. Only concern is ability to recruit.

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by TexanTraveling

[Walden Ponderer 12639]

1 minute ago, dcar00 said:

is he though?  I'm sure he is better than Orlando but I'm not sure about his record as a DC

Then look again. For about a decade, he's been upper echelon.

12 minutes ago, 6th Street said:

Are the Steele rumors just from that flight tracker from last night?

Mostly, yes. I'm the furthest thing from plugged in, so I'm only repeating 3rd hand rumors and internet board wish lists. Your mileage may vary.

[Let 'Em Hang 27]

1 minute ago, TexanTraveling said:

Friend of mine from the Boston Herald said that Steve Belichek wants to be the college version of his dad and doesn't want to live in his shadow in the NFL. His wife is from Round Rock and he and Tom Herman have been friends for 10+ years. Would be a logical starting point as he builds more college connections and a reputation. Only concern is ability to recruit.

 

Yes, but can he air up a football?

[SydneyCarton 47933]

4 minutes ago, TexanTraveling said:

Friend of mine from the Boston Herald said that Steve Belichek wants to be the college version of his dad and doesn't want to live in his shadow in the NFL. His wife is from Round Rock and he and Tom Herman have been friends for 10+ years. Would be a logical starting point as he builds more college connections and a reputation. Only concern is ability to recruit.

 

Great. Lets hire the one guy who has (arguably) worse fucking hair than mehringer. 

[BERT 4351]

2 minutes ago, Let 'Em Hang said:

Yes, but can he air up a football?

Yes, but not all the way. 

[Hiphopopotamos 20865]

8 minutes ago, satyanash said:

Per Eric Nahlin, Ash would be a questionable locker room fit - in the sense that he'd be viewed as another Orlando (from a personality standpoint) and may not be the 'good cop' presence needed to balance out Herman. Whatever that means.

Regardless, Ash has apparently been unemployed and hanging around the football facilities for months. So it's pretty clear his services aren't in high demand. Dress it up however you want, it's a comfort hire.

Ash was fired on Sept 29 - and was hired by Texas as an analyst  - so it makes sense he was 'hanging atround' the Texas football offices.

I'm not sure - but I'm not aware of too many DC's that get hired mid-season.  I don't think his working as an analyst for Texas in Oct/Nov is much of an indicator one way or the other of his desirability as a DC.

[4th&Five 41462]

Just now, TexanTraveling said:

Friend of mine from the Boston Herald said that Steve Belichek wants to be the college version of his dad and doesn't want to live in his shadow in the NFL. His wife is from Round Rock and he and Tom Herman have been friends for 10+ years. Would be a logical starting point as he builds more college connections and a reputation. Only concern is ability to recruit.

 

his haircut is a big concern of mine...

[DaysOff 7855]

Friend of mine from the Boston Herald said that Steve Belichek wants to be the college version of his dad and doesn't want to live in his shadow in the NFL. His wife is from Round Rock and he and Tom Herman have been friends for 10+ years. Would be a logical starting point as he builds more college connections and a reputation. Only concern is ability to recruit.  

That dude looked like a hobo on the sidelines last night. Pass.

[BERT 4351]

1 minute ago, SydneyCarton said:

Great. Lets hire the one guy who has (arguably) worse fucking hair than mehringer. 

Looks like he cut his hair. Maybe i saw an old pic though. 

[BERT 4351]

1 minute ago, BERT said:

Looks like he cut his hair. Maybe i saw an old pic though. 

never mind

[closetojumping 62260]

If Herman is allowed to hire Chris Ash, we know all we need to know about what's happening here. There's no narcissistic breakthrough or a boss fully forcing the guy into the proper decisions. 

People can rationalize about Ash all they want, but it would be a terrible fucking hire. He's not beloved by players. He was not solely responsible for anything at Ohio State. He hired one of the worst staffs in the history of CFB at Rutgers and the program failed dramatically on both sides of the ball during his entire tenure. One can argue that the HC stuff doesn't matter, but the counter is that there's not a ton of shit to go on with this guy where he was an independent decision-maker outside of Rutgers. I mean, we know he can get along great with assholes, as he worked happily under Bielema and Meyer, and alongside Herman, I guess. He's been available on the job market for months and no one wants him. 

This would be a comfort hire for a guy that needs to be pressing himself far outside of the comfort zone. There are a ton of good to great candidates at DC, young and old, and the wallet is open for whomever. Hiring Ash would be both a personal and organizational failure for Herman and the program.

[Rip76 4915]

2 minutes ago, 4th&Five said:

his haircut is a big concern of mine...

Dude looks like Andrew Gold with a mullet.

[BERT 4351]

1 minute ago, BERT said:

Looks like he cut his hair. Maybe i saw an old pic though. 

 

Just now, BERT said:

never mind

^^ This guy is an idiot!!!!

[Fud 9546]

10 minutes ago, TexanTraveling said:

Friend of mine from the Boston Herald said that Steve Belichek wants to be the college version of his dad and doesn't want to live in his shadow in the NFL. His wife is from Round Rock and he and Tom Herman have been friends for 10+ years. Would be a logical starting point as he builds more college connections and a reputation. Only concern is ability to recruit.

 

Belichick coaching tree. Do not want. 

[Sgt. Slaughter 2841]

6 minutes ago, 4th&Five said:

his haircut is a big concern of mine...

[Let 'Em Hang 27]

8 minutes ago, 4th&Five said:

his haircut is a big concern of mine...

Is this the Patriots version of Gundy?

[Minor Orangeblack 112]

7 minutes ago, 4th&Five said:

his haircut is a big concern of mine...

Are we really sure thats Belichick’s kid, and it’s not really Matt Patricia’s little bastard. 

[satyanash 14282]

[SurlyBDR 22680]

[Coelenterate Fuccboi 13010]

25 minutes ago, satyanash said:

Regardless, Ash has apparently been unemployed and hanging around the football facilities for months. So it's pretty clear his services aren't in high demand. Dress it up however you want, it's a comfort hire.

Sure it’s a comfort hire, but don’t act like many jobs have opened up since he lost his.