Tag: Josh Gattis

Former Penn State offensive assistant returning to Big Ten, per report

One of Penn State’s Big Ten rivals is adding a former James Franklin assistant to the staff, and it’s a big one.

One of James Franklin’s former assistant coaches is reportedly making a return to the Big Ten. [autotag]Josh Gattis[/autotag], who is one of the top names on the rise in the college football world, is reportedly set to join the Maryland Terrapins as the new offensive coordinator.

News of the offensive coordinator hire by Maryland was reported by FootballScoop as a reunion of Gattis and Maryland head coach Mike Locksley became expected. Gattis and Locksley worked together as assistant coaches at Alabama under Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.

Gattis followed Franklin to Penn State from Vanderbilt when Franklin was hired to be Penn State’s head coach in 2014. At Vanderbilt, Gattis had been Franklin’s wide receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator. He continued in those roles when he moved to Penn State and added the title of passing game coordinator.

It was Alabama that lured Gattis away from Penn State following the 2017 season. Gattis had served as Penn State’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2014 through 2017, but Alabama gave Gattis his first opportunity to be an offensive coordinator. Saban hired Gattis to be the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach in 2018, with Locksley being the team’s offensive coordinator in 2018. Locksley left Alabama to accept an offer to be Maryland’s head coach in 2019, Gattis also left the Crimson Tide to be the offensive coordinator for Michigan and head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Gattis spent three seasons with the Wolverines from 2019 through 2021 and was named the nation’s top assistant coach in college football with the Broyles Award in 2021. Gattis left Michigan for Miami in 2022, but he didn’t experience the same level of success with the Hurricanes.

But Gattis could be a great addition to the Maryland program as he continues to be on track to one day be a head coach. With Maryland, Gattis will get to work with Taulia Tagovailoa, one of the top passers in the Big Ten. Maryland’s offense ranked fourth in the Big Ten last season with an average of 401.2 yards per game. The only teams with a better offensive average were Penn State and College Football Playoff participants Ohio State and Michigan.

[mm-video type=video id=01gtkyr3c6r7xay4vmvy playlist_id=01ey902ehrs6e9bvhw player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gtkyr3c6r7xay4vmvy/01gtkyr3c6r7xay4vmvy-c952906256f4f2251439d344282299db.jpg]

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=10]

Follow Kevin McGuire on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Former Michigan football OC Josh Gattis gets new job in Big Ten

He’s on a collision course with #Michigan this year. #GoBlue

The former Michigan football offensive coordinator has found a new home, and it’s with a familiar face.

After the 2021 season, Josh Gattis abruptly left the program for the same job at Miami following Jim Harbaugh’s flirtation with the Minnesota Vikings, seemingly when it became clear he was not the head coach-in-waiting in Ann Arbor. He left with some bad blood, having sent a text to his players noting they shouldn’t stay anywhere in life they aren’t wanted, referring to the Wolverines.

The Miami stint didn’t work out. Gattis was only in Coral Gables for one year before being ousted, surprising given he won the Broyles Award — given to the nation’s top assistant — just a year earlier. However, according to Football Scoop, Gattis is reuniting with Mike Locksley. He will be the new offensive coordinator with Big Ten East foe Maryland.

Sources tell FootballScoop that Maryland and coach Mike Locksley have their sights set on their next offensive coordinator.

The Terps are poised to hire Josh Gattis, the former Miami (Fla.) coordinator who rose to acclaim as a Broyles Award winner at Michigan and who has previously coached under James Franklin as well. Gattis is set to replace Dan Enos, who left earlier this year to return as the offensive play-caller for Sam Pittman at Arkansas.

That means that Gattis and Michigan will have a reunion in Week 12 of the 2023 season when the Wolverines travel to College Park for the penultimate game of the regular season.

Gattis and Locksley worked together at Alabama in 2017-18, and when they each arrived at their respective new posts in 2019, they had something of a war of words about who had more responsibility in the offense in Tuscaloosa. However, aside from Gattis’ 2021 season at Michigan, neither quite reached similar heights to what they were able to accomplish in Tuscaloosa.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Michigan football OC Josh Gattis fired by Miami after one year

The grass isn’t always greener, my guy.

Well, this is awkward.

Former Michigan football offensive coordinator Josh Gattis thought he was getting a better deal by departing Ann Arbor in order to join Mario Cristobal in Miami, and it turns out, that’s just not the case.

Gattis was the OC for the Wolverines for three seasons, winning the coveted Broyles Award in 2021, given to the nation’s best assistant coach. However, he appeared to feel unwanted and blindsided when Jim Harbaugh interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings job, with him also not appearing to be in the running for the head coaching position if Harbaugh would have left. So he departed the program.

And now, after just one year, Gattis is out, having been let go by Cristobal and the Hurricanes.

Now, Michigan is in the market for another coach, but Gattis somewhat burnt the bridge on his way out of town when he sent a long text to his players slamming the administration on his way out of Ann Arbor.

We’ll see where the former Michigan coach lands next.

[lawrence-related id=67884,67879,67876]

Manny Diaz nominated for Broyles Award

Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was nominated for this year’s Broyles Award.

Penn State defensive coordinator [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] is officially in the running for the nation’s top assistant coaching award, the Broyles Award. The Broyles Award released its list of 52 nominees for this year’s award, with Diaz one of seven Big Ten assistants up for the award. Every Big Ten assistant up for the Broyles Award is a defensive coordinator.

Diaz has had a solid season in his first year at Penn State. The Nittany Lions are among the best in the nation in recording tackles for a loss and Penn State is coming off a shutout of Maryland that limited Taulia Tagovailoa to fewer than 80 passing yards.

Diaz joined the Penn State coaching staff shortly after he was removed as head coach at Miami. Diaz filled the vacancy created when longtime [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] assistant [autotag]Brent Pry[/autotag] left his position as defensive coordinator to become the head coach at Virginia Tech.

Penn State has never had a Broyles Award winner, so Diaz is looking to become the first to claim the award. The Broyles Award has a stellar history of seeing its winners go on to become head coaches as well, which is something many expect could be a possibility rather quickly for Diaz. Some notable previous winner of the Broyles Award inlcude Lincoln Riley, Kirby Smart, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Locksley, and, Pat Narduzzi.

Last year’s Broyles Award winner was Michigan offensive coordinator [autotag]Josh Gattis[/autotag], a former assistant under Franklin.

The Broyles Award will cut its list of 51 nominees down for a semifinalist cut on Nov. 22, and finalists will be announced a week later on Nov. 29. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

[listicle id=25982]

[lawrence-related id=26164,26162,26100,26122,26113]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01ey902ehrs6e9bvhw player_id=none image=https://nittanylionswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Follow Kevin McGuire on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Oregon OC Kenny Dillingham nominated for Broyles Award, given to nation’s top assistant coach

Oregon Duck offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham has been nominated for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant.

It’s been a pretty good season for the Oregon Ducks offense and committees for certain national awards have taken notice.

Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham has been nominated for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach.

In his first season in Eugene, Dillingham has led Oregon to become one of the top offenses in the country. The Ducks are averaging 42 points a game and nearly 530 yards of offense per contest.

It helps to have a senior transfer quarterback in Bo Nix, who is familiar with the playbook, but Dillingham has improved every aspect of the Duck offense from a year ago. He has helped the receivers become everything Duck fans hoped they would be when they were recruited.

Troy Franklin has been the biggest beneficiary of Dillingham’s scheme. He was recently named to the official Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s best receiver.

Last year’s winner was former Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, who is now with Mario Cristobal in Miami.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=none image=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=33923]

ESPN included former Penn State lineman among possible future Division 1 coaches

ESPN highlighted top Black coaches who could be Division 1 head coaches, including a former Penn State lineman.

It is no secret that Division 1 college football is lacking in minority head coaches, both historically and in today’s modern era. Notre Dame hiring Marcus Freeman following Brian Kelly’s departure to LSU was a true rarity in the sport for Black men in the profession, and hopefully it is a sign of more opportunities coming in the future.

ESPN took a look around the current world of college football coaches to compile a list of 45 minority coaches under the age of 45 that could one day be a Division 1 head coach. A former assistant to [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] ranked at the top of the list, but another former Penn State player also received a mention from ESPN.

[autotag]Josh Gattis[/autotag], a former Penn State assistant under Franklin, continues to be the hottest name among coordinators, and not just among Black coaches either. It will not be much longer before Gattis gets his first crack at running a college football program of his own, and it will be deserved. Gattis joined Franklin’s staff at Vanderbilt in 2012 as a wide receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator. He continues in those roles once Franklin moved to Penn State and brought Gattis and a number of other assistants with him to Happy Valley.

Gattis added the role of passing game coordinator to his duties at Penn State in 2014 and was a part of the Penn State staff for four seasons before accepting an opportunity to be the co-offensive coordinator for Alabama and Nick Saban in 2018. After one season with the Crimson Tide, Gattis returned to the Big Ten to be the offensive coordinator for Michigan. Gattis was with Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines for three seasons and was named the 2021 Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant coach.

Gattis joined the Miami Hurricanes this year under new head coach Mario Cristobal, who left Oregon to return to Florida with the Hurricanes. Cristobal replaced [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag], who is now Penn State’s defensive coordinator. Gattis should be in his final coordinator role before getting a good opportunity to be a head coach.

While Gattis is one of the biggest names on the coaching radar, another person with Penn Statie ties is flying a bit more under the radar and may need a little more experience before getting his opportunity. ESPN included [autotag]Elijah Robinson[/autotag] in its list of Black coaches under 45.

Robinson had his playing career at Penn State cut short due to a neck injury in 2006 under former head coach Joe Paterno. But it was [autotag]Bill O’Brien[/autotag] and former defensive line coach Larry Johnson that helped get his coaching career started with the program. Robinson was a graduate assistant working with Johnson coaching the defensive line and he later added other responsibilities such as director of community relations and as an NFL liaison to coordinate scouting visits and more.

Robinson joined [autotag]Matt Rhule[/autotag] on the Temple football staff and followed Rhule to Baylor from 2014 through 2017. Robinson coached the defensive line for the Owls and Bears, and it was clear Robinson had learned a thing or two from his mentor, Larry Johnson. Success coaching Temple and Baylor’s defensive lines led to an opportunity to join the Texas A&M staff in 2018, and he has since been promoted to assistant head coach and run game coordinator for the Aggies by head coach Jimbo Fisher heading into the 2022 season.

A number of Penn State fans were hoping Franklin would bring Robinson back to Penn State when searching for a defensive coordinator, but Robinson appears to be in a good spot right now anyway.

Will we one day see a couple more coaches with Penn State ties going head-to-head on the sidelines? One can only hope.

[listicle id=21062]

[lawrence-related id=21252,21235,21233,21237,21231]

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

A look back at James Franklin’s first staff at Penn State, where are they now?

Where is every member of James Franklin’s first Penn State staff today?

[autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] has become known as a pipeline of sorts for sending members of his coaching staff to open jobs all over the country. Whether it be coordinators to head coaching roles or position coaches to coordinators. No matter the role, James Franklin has shown he not only raises his players, but also his staff.

For example, the return of offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Yurcich[/autotag] this year will be the first time since 2018-2019 that the Nittany Lions have had the same offensive coordinator for two seasons. Again, that isn’t a bad thing. Like players, you want coaches to grow and move on because it creates relationships everywhere.

Looking back to 2014 when James Franklin made the move from Vanderbilt, his first staff has some big names now that have worked on their own to build a legacy. Check out where they are and have gone since that first season nearly eight years ago under James Franklin.

Eagles’ 10 biggest needs heading into 2022 NFL offseason season

#Philadelphia #Eagles 10 biggest offseason needs heading into 2022 #NFL #Freeagency #NFLDraft2022 #NFLCombine

The Eagles will have three first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft, and plenty of money to spend in free agency, meaning the roster will look different going forward.

Some of the usual suspects or names you’ve grown to love will move on, while younger, more athletic, and dynamic replacements will join a roster looking for a quick return to the playoffs.

Howie Roseman loves to make big moves, and whether it be at wide receiver, quarterback, or edge rusher, Philadelphia is a team to watch this spring.

There are holes all over the roster, and plenty of needs,

ESPN: Josh Gattis complained of Michigan football administration before leaving

So this is why he’s leaving?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Sunday brought some surprises to those outside Schembechler Hall, when Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis departed, taking the same role with Mario Cristobal’s Miami.

But those inside Michigan football likely weren’t surprised at all, if what ESPN is saying is true.

According to Tom VanHaaren, Gattis sent a text to some of his players upon his departure, noting that he doesn’t feel appreciated by the Michigan football administration. This comes on the heels of Jim Harbaugh expecting to get the Minnesota Vikings job but ultimately staying in Ann Arbor, and Gattis’ candidacy to replace him. Some reports indicated that it was Mike Hart who could have been the successor rather than Gattis.

[lawrence-related id=58199,58189]

Regardless, this gives a little insight as to why Gattis made a lateral move. But even then, it certainly doesn’t share the whole story.

[listicle id=57073]

Josh Gattis leaves Michigan football for ACC team in lateral move

This was unexpected.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbzardvge799bm2 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://wolverineswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

After the past month of turmoil as Jim Harbaugh flirted, heavily, with the NFL and after Michigan football lost its defensive coordinator, all appeared to be quiet on the western front, as the Wolverines seek to repeat 2021’s success. But they might have to do it without its offensive coordinator.

Josh Gattis, who has spent three years in Ann Arbor and won the Broyles Award — given to the nation’s top assistant coach — last year, appears to be the subject of Mario Cristobal’s eye. The new Miami Hurricanes coach is reportedly targeting Gattis to be his new offensive coordinator in Coral Gables, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Gattis interviewed for head coaching positions this past offseason and appeared set to return for one more year as Michigan’s offensive coordinator. If he were to depart for the same position elsewhere, it would be a giant hit to the Wolverines, and perhaps a sign of things having not gone well behind the scenes as Harbaugh interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings.

But it’s one thing to be targeted by a team, and another to actually depart for said team. We’ll see if this goes anywhere.

Update:

It appears that Gattis has moved on from the Wolverines.

[listicle id=57073]