Tag: Brennan Marion

UCLA fans want UNLV OC Brennan Marion calling plays in 2024

UNLV OC Brennan Marion is drawing a ton of buzz from UCLA fans for the open OC job.

The offensive coordinator search for the UCLA Bruins is on. After the departure of Chip Kelly, the Bruins seek a new signal-caller for their offense under new head coach DeShaun Foster.

With a flurry of names coming into the fold, one name seems to have Bruins fans excited: Brennan Marion.

Currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the UNLV Rebels, Marion touts an extensive background as a coach. After serving as the passing game coordinator and receivers coach under Steve Sarkisian at Texas, Marion, as the offensive coordinator at UNLV, helped the Rebels rank 42nd in the nation in total offense.

Here is what Bruins fans are saying on social media.

Paul Chryst reportedly turned down Iowa Hawkeyes’ OC offer

Former Wisconsin head football coach and current Texas Longhorns analyst Paul Chryst reportedly turned down Iowa’s OC offer.

As the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ offensive coordinator search rolls into the back half of January, there’s an update on the ongoing coaching search for Brian Ferentz’s replacement.

Per Chad Leistikow of Hawk Central, former Wisconsin head coach and current Texas Longhorns analyst Paul Chryst turned down the offer to become the Hawkeyes’ next offensive coordinator.

Ferentz’s top target, Paul Chryst, has decided to stay at Texas, where he was an analyst last season. The Register has learned that Chryst was given the opportunity to take the job but ultimately declined in recent days.

The former Wisconsin head coach would have made total sense. Personally and professionally, Chryst was a perfect fit for Iowa and Ferentz. – Leistikow, Hawk Central.

Chryst’s work in morphing Barry Alvarez’s offense from a unit that averaged 20.8 points per game in 2004 to 34.3 points per game in 2005 put Chryst on the national map. Then, with quarterbacks Scott Tolzien and Russell Wilson, Wisconsin averaged 41.5 points and 44.1 points per game during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, respectively.

Having coached at Wisconsin as a tight ends coach, offensive coordinator and head coach for so long, Chryst seemed a natural fit given his familiarity with the Big Ten and with the Hawkeyes.

But, it’s time for Iowa to pivot. According to Leistikow, fans can scratch two other popular names as well.

There have been countless other rumored candidates. One of them is Joe Philbin, the former Iowa offensive line coach and offensive coordinator of the 2010 Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl-winning team with NFL head-coaching experience.

The latest flavor of the week (or day) has been UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.

From what I’ve learned in the last 24 hours, neither Philbin nor Marion is happening. – Leistikow, Hawk Central.

Iowa already missed on another popular prospect in the offensive coordinator ranks when former South Dakota State OC Zach Lujan joined Northwestern head coach David Braun’s staff as the new Wildcats offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Could this mean a promotion from within for senior special assistant Jon Budmayr? Or, does Iowa turn to the NFL ranks?

This is a fascinating development in a search that Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz expected to be nearing its end by this point when he met with the media ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Tennessee last month.

“Obviously, it’s tabled right now. The focus is right on this game. Hope to have a clear idea the first two, three weeks of January. I’d like to think by the third week of January that we’ve got it done. Feel really optimistic right now and we’ll end up with a really good person,” Ferentz said ahead of the Hawkeyes’ bowl date.

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Notre Dame football: 11 offensive coordinators candidates to replace Gerad Parker

Who do you want to be Notre Dame’s next offensive coordinator?

Paint it any way you want it, but Notre Dame football landed great news on Monday.  Offensive coordinator Gerad Parker was named Troy’s new head coach.

No, it’s not ideal that Notre Dame will now be on their third offensive play caller in the past four seasons, but its a spot the Irish coaching staff could upgrade and now they’re forced to.

Reports are out from various outlets that Marcus Freeman has his eyes on a certain external candidate.  Who exactly that is may be remains to be seen.  And just because Freeman may have his eye on someone doesn’t mean that its all a race for one guy.

So who are some names to keep an eye on in regards to Notre Dame’s next offensive coordinator?  We’ve compiled 11.

Jordan Addison: “I’m an artist and I’m out there painting pictures.”

In his introductory press conference, Jordan Addison described his route running as pictures that he paints.

New Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison received a load of praise for his route running during the pre-draft process, and for good reason.

Addison ran some of the best routes during his college career, showcasing the technique and footwork that NFL teams covet. Some draft analysts even went as far as to say that Addison had the best route running in the entire draft class.

Addison’s route-running is likely one of the reasons why the Minnesota Vikings selected Addison with the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

During his introductory press conference, Addison offered some insight into his ability to run crisp routes.

“When I’m running routes, I look at it like I’m an artist and I’m out there painting pictures.”

Addison’s route-running ability has likely developed over time, but playing a season under former Pitt wide receiver coach Brennan Marion (now at UNLV) probably helped.

Marion has long equated playing wide receiver to being a basketball player, even going as far as to say that playing wide receiver is like “playing basketball on grass.”

  • “If you watch any elite basketball player, and if you’ve played basketball, you know you can set up your shot with just a jab step,” Marion said during a coaching clinic. “We always talk about how it’s all about space and separation. So how does a guy — Jerry Rice, Davante Adams — that aren’t 4.2, 4.3 guys, how do they get open?”

Addison won the Biletnikoff Award — an award given to the most outstanding wide receiver — under Marion, finishing with 1,593 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

REPORT: Texas contacts Alabama WR coach Holmon Wiggins

Steve Sarkisian has made contact with Alabama WR coach Holmon Wiggins.

The Texas Longhorns might have found their top target for their wide receiver coaching vacancy. According to a report, Steve Sarkisian has made contact with Alabama’s Holmon Wiggins about the vacancy.

Wiggins worked with Sarkisian while at Alabama. While there, the two coaches helped Devonta Smith win a Heisman Trophy at wide receiver.

Texas is in search of a coach to replace Brennan Marion who manned the post for a season before leaving for UNLV. It will be difficult for the team to find a comparable coach at the position, but Wiggins would fit the bill.

The Alabama receivers coach might have greener pastures in Austin, after his receiver room struggled in 2022. JoJo Earle headlines the Alabama receivers who entered the transfer portal at season’s end.

Whoever takes the job is set for the opportunity to coach Isaiah Neyor, Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and a host of talented young receivers.

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Texas Football: Potential targets for wide receivers coach

Where does Texas look to replace Brennan Marion?

Texas wide receivers coach Brennan Marion is off to UNLV to take the offensive coordinator job. Marion is the final piece to Barry Odom’s staff in Las Vegas.

In his one season with the Longhorns, Marion made a substantial impact on the program. He played a significant role in helping Texas land another top-five class on the recruiting front. Marion landed an exceptional wide receiver group, including five-star Johntay Cook, four-star Ryan Niblett and four-star DeAndre Moore.

Marion’s departure served as a surprise to Texas players and fans. Many are disappointed to see the up-and-coming coach leave. Steve Sarkisian is now forced to look for his third wide receivers coach in as many years.

The timing of the move does not favor Texas, as the Horns are in need of a transfer wide receiver.

Here is a look at a few potential targets for Texas to replace Marion as wide receivers coach.

Texas players, fans react to Brennan Marion leaving for UNLV

Once Bobby Petrino left UNLV for Texas A&M, Barry Odom went after Brennan Marion.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported on Sunday that UNLV is expected to hire Texas wide receiver coach and passing game coordinator Brennan Marion as its offensive coordinator. Continue reading “Texas players, fans react to Brennan Marion leaving for UNLV”

UNLV expected to hire Texas’ Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator

He has held 12 jobs in the first 13 years of his coaching career.

Texas wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Brennan Marion only spent one season in Austin. Continue reading “UNLV expected to hire Texas’ Brennan Marion as offensive coordinator”

Texas WR Jordan Whittington to return for another season

Jordan Whittington is coming back.

The Texas Longhorns received good news on Friday. Wide receiver Jordan Whittington is set to return for another season on the Forty Acres.

Whittington has been a key player for Texas over the last two seasons. His injury was a huge reason Texas struggled in the second half of Steve Sarkisian’s first season in Austin. His presence helped the offense to new heights this year.

The Cuero product had a strong, healthy campaign in 2022 in which he caught 50 passes for 652 yards, an average of 13.0 yards per reception. Now it is important for Steve Sarkisian to make sure Whittington maintains a significant role in the offense.

It’s unclear whether or not Texas will add another wide receiver in the portal, but Whittington’s return keeps the position from being a pressing portal need.

Wide receiver coach Brennan Marion will have a room that includes Whittington, Xavier Worthy and Isaiah Neyor, with Brenen Thompson, Johntay Cook, Ryan Niblett and DeAndre Moore bringing high ceiling depth.

Texas WR coach Brennan Marion emerges as a candidate for Tulsa HC job

Texas assistant Brennan Marion is in the mix for the Tulsa job.

Texas wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Brennan Marion is being linked to the Tulsa head coaching job. Continue reading “Texas WR coach Brennan Marion emerges as a candidate for Tulsa HC job”