Notre Dame wouldn’t have made the College Football Playoff without its defense. That wouldn’t be possible without a solid defensive coordinator in [autotag]Al Golden[/autotag].
Broyles fellow finalists also helped their teams make the playoff. Arizona State’s Marcus Arroyo is the only offensive coordinator who made the cut. The rest, all defensive coordinators, are Indiana’s Bryant Haines, Tennessee’s Tim Banks and Texas’ Pete Kwiatkowski.
Golden would be the second Irish assistant coach to win this award, joining [autotag]Bob Diaco[/autotag] in 2012. Let’s hope that comes to pass.
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Here’s a name: Montana State head coach Brent Vigen.
Though MSU is an FCS school, he interviewed for the Oregon State head coaching vacancy last December and brings with him an impressive resume. He’s compiled a 21-3 record since taking over MSU. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wyoming when Josh Allen was shredding defenses.
[lawrence-related id=58914]
HollywoodinSJ @HollywoodinSJ “Will the Administration increase the pay for the assistants? Will they be willing to increase the head coach’s pay a bit as well? What is the health of the athletic department in general? Do we have the cash to do what needs to be done?”
When I asked a source familiar who is familiar with SJSU’s financial predicament about NIL yesterday, I received an interesting answer:
“The whole campus has had cuts to their budgets – including athletics– and we need to generate donations just for scholarships.”
The source then identified “student enrollment being down” as the reason behind the budget cuts.
All to say, this doesn’t reflect well on the “health of the athletic department” or bode well for incoming coaches’ contracts.
And lest we forget, the cost of living in San Jose is 49% higher than the national average and housing is a staggering 142% higher. Plus, SJSU’s donor base is still far from robust.
Sep 1, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose State Spartans head coach Brent Brennan reacts during the second quarter against the Portland State Vikings at CEFCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan B: @rbizzle16 “We need a short list, rumors, anything… Nick Rolovich’s phone on? Sounds like they don’t want to promote from within.”
My short list is current Montana State head coach Brent Vigen, former UNLV head coach Marcus Arroyo, former Hawaii and Washington State head coach Nick Rolovich and Georgia defensive backs coach Donte Williams, who was an interim head coach at USC in 2021.
Not promoting from within could be a byproduct of SJSU wanting someone with head coaching experience. Which no SJSU coach has.
Gary Patterson, the former TCU head coach, should be looked at, but the chances are slim. SJSU doesn’t align with his ambitions to rebuild his image as a premier college football head coach. There’s operating budget concerns, NIL concerns and SJSU doesn’t return four of its five starting offensive lineman, quarterback, running back and safeties from last year.
Ricky Delgado @RickyDe70535587 “How many players do you think jump ship after hearing the news. Along these lines, do you think our next coach is in house or are we looking outside for the guy.”
I think it’s more likely SJSU goes with an outside hire because of its ambitions to hire someone with head coaching experience.
If that happens, I think players bolt because that coach may want to bring his own staff and that staff could bring players from their former school.
Then again, I’m not sure if that’s wise long term. For most of these players, SJSU was their best option. Either they received offers from schools at a lower caliber which decrease their chances of getting exposure needed to reach the next level. Or they received offers from better schools that they’d ultimately ride the bench at.
Dec 23, 2023; Honolulu, HI, USA; San Jose State Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (2) scrambles away from Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defensive lineman Will Whitson (44) during the third quarter of the Easypost Hawaii Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports
Connor Letourneau @Con_Chron “Does [Alonzo “Zo”] Carter have a real shot? he’s been putting on a PR blitz, but would they really hire a position coach?
I think Carter who is the SJSU running backs and associate head coach, will at least get an interview. But he’ll likely serve as a safety net hire if SJSU can’t come to terms with its favorite candidates. This isn’t a discredit to Carter, but it doesn’t fall in line with a tweet from ESPN’s Pete Thamel that said, “head coaching experience will be a preferred trait that they [SJSU] are looking for.”
Though he was successful, Carter’s head coaching experience at the high school and junior college level in the Bay Area doesn’t translate to a place like SJSU.
Brennan taking over SJSU as a former position coach is a rare occurrence. And that was a result of candidates not wanting to become head coach because the result could be so disastrous it hinders their chances of ever getting another head coaching opportunity.
“PR Blitz” front wise, the scores of endorsements from media members helps, but I’m sure those rank at the bottom of Konya, SJSU president Cynthia Teniente-Matson and donors’ deciding factors list.
It’s difficult to get a read on this. But it’s important to know that Fisch brought his entire offensive staff with him to Washington and current U of A defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen interviewed to replace Fisch. It’s common for someone in Nansen’s position to look elsewhere.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Brennan takes several members of his staff. He’s placed a premium on keeping a continuous unit at SJSU and has praised the school for finding the funds to make his ambitions possible. Furthermore, his current staff is filled with guys he brought with him from Corvallis: SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven and defensive line coach Joe Seumalo.
If I’m an SJSU fan, Nick Saban is public enemy No. 1.
Let’s trace this:
On Jan. 10 Saban retired from Alabama. Then on Jan. 12 Kalen DeBoer left Washington to fill in for Saban. Which results in Jedd Fisch leaving Arizona to head to Washington on Jan. 14. Then, on the lord’s day of Jan. 16, 2024, Brennan left SJSU for Arizona.
Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch shakes hands with Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham after winning the Territorial Cup 59-23 at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
Matt Hamilton @MattHamilton19 SJSU “AD [Jeff] Konya said there would be a national search. Alabama, Washington and Arizona didn’t need a national search. Isn’t that his job? Shouldn’t he have been thinking about this possibility months ago?”
According to one source, SJSU AD Jeff Konya has likely been preparing for this moment. He’s smart enough to know any success this season could result in Brennan leaping to a Power Five.
Now, this doesn’t mean Konya was actively interviewing candidates. Rather, just keeping a list of names he felt could step in for Brennan.
Bru @TXBruce2727“For the SJSU folks, do we know what BB was making as HC? What FB budget is?”
Brennan received $2.3 million at SJSU in 2023, $1.93 million in 2022 and $1.5 million in 2021.
I can’t provide an accurate number for the budget – just know it isn’t great. Its practice field’s grass was browning a couple weeks into last year’s fall training camp, a field goal post on that same field is broken and up until last year, its facilities were laughably outdated.
Laurie Cottrell @LaurieCottrell “As an Arizona fan, I am happy for us-but so sorry for you. Believe me we know how it feels. Hope you find a solid replacement and that this new era of College Football doesn’t decimate the solid smaller programs!”
Pablo Luis @PabloG90 “Sorry SJSU this is a cruel business and we know how you feel.”
Blueleaf @leafblue16 “Arizona fan here, just wanted to say that we sympathize big time and fully understand any frustration. We were and are still there too.”
“With Brennan’s storied history at SJSU (parents went here and was an assistant under Tomey here), I find it impossible for any coach that has as much success here (definitely not more) to leap at the first chance they get. I don’t blame Brennan, but man it hurts.”
In Judaism, when someone passes there’s a week-long mourning session that follows called “Sitting Shiva.” Essentially, you do nothing but grieve, eat, and reminisce on the person who passed. Then you move on with your life.
We need something like this for college football fans who are forced to watch their coach get poached by a bigger school.
It’s official: San Jose State seventh-year head coach Brent Brennan is heading to Arizona.
Which begs the question: Who will take over?
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, “SJSU is ready to execute a swift and targeted search where head coaching experience will be a preferred trait that they are looking for.”
If “preferred” really means ‘non-negotiable’ that may eliminate everyone on Brennan’s staff and even UNLV offensive coordinator Brendan Marion. This past season in the Sin City, Marion’s Go-Go offensive produced one of the Mountain West’s best passing attacks and college football’s best turnarounds.
Oct 1, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; San Jose State Spartans head coach Brent Brennan before the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
So who does that leave?
The top of that list may include former UNLV head coach and current Arizona State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo.
Arroyo’s stint lasted just three seasons after he was let go following the 2022 season.
Although, it did seem premature.
The Rebels’ five wins were its most since 2017 and came after Arroyo compiled an 0-6 record in 2020 and 2-10 in 2021. Furthermore, it was a year before the world saw the talent of quarterback Jayden Maiava and wide receiver Ricky White III, a 2023 All-Mountain West First Team selection.
An added plus is Arroyo’s SJSU connections. He was the quarterback at SJSU from 1998-200 and assistant coach from 2005-08. During that stint, he established a strong bond with Brennan, who was also apart of Dick Tomey’s staff. If Brennan gives SJSU AD Jeff Konya his blessing, that could put Arroyo above any other candidate.
Oct 16, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; UNLV Rebels head coach Marcus Arroyo is pictured during a game against the Utah State Aggies at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The next potential candidate is former Washington State and Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich, who has an all time record of 33-33.
A former standout quarterback at UH, Rolovich went 28-27 in four seasons, 2-1 in bowl games at his alma mater and used a 10-5 record and Hawaii bowl win in 2019 to spring board his way to WSU.
His two-year stint in Pullman saw him go 5-6 and ultimately cut short after he and four members of his staff were fired for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine. With COVID-19 no longer a major factor, could he make his way to CEFCU Stadium?
Oct 16, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich looks on during warm up ups before a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
For now, those are two names Spartan Nation should keep an eye on. That list can certainly expand if SJSU poaches another head coach or considers hiring an assistant coach.
In that case, the list will include SJSU defensive coordinator Derrick Odum, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven and running backs/assistant coach Alonzo “Zo” Carter. But with former Wildcats’ head coach Jedd Fisch taking his entire staff to Washington and current U of A defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen missing out on the head coaching job, anyone on Brennan’s staff could head to Tuscon.
The final name Spartan Nation should be aware of is Georgia defensive backs coach Donte Williams.
Williams was an assistant coach at SJSU from 2013-15 and finished 3-7 as USC’s interim head coach in 2021.
A look at how Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator Will Stein’s contract compares to other OCs in Oregon history.
The college football world has become a more lucrative business for assistant coaches over the years.
While we know that head coaches in the sport make an astounding amount of money — guys like Jim Harbaugh, Nick Saban, and some of the other top coaches in the nation bank upwards of $10 million per year — there’s been a nice boom for coordinators in the sport as well.
Earlier this week, The Oregonian’s James Crepea reported the contract details for Will Stein, the Oregon Ducks’ new offensive coordinator, which were obtained via a public records request. According to Crepea, Stein is set to earn $800,000 per season with the Ducks, and can make up to $125,000 in bonuses should the team reach certain incentives along the way.
This encouraged me to go back as far as I could to see how Stein’s contract compared to other offensive coordinators in Oregon’s past. While the former UTSA OC is not as established as some guys before him — Kenny Dillingham, Scott Frost, Chip Kelly — does the inflation in the market that we’ve seen over the past few years have him making as much money as those coaches?
Unfortunately, I was only able to uncover contract details as far back as Scott Frost in 2013. While it would be interesting to see what guys like Mark Helfrich, Kelly, and Gary Crowton made as coordinators before him, my research capabilities stopped me short of finding out that information.
Here are Stein’s contract details compared to the OCs before him in Eugene.
In what was a shocking decision, UNLV fired head coach Marcus Arroyo after three seasons on Monday.
The news came less than 48 hours after UNLV finished a 5-7 season. When he was fired, UNLV still had hopes of reaching a bowl game. UNLV had increased expectations for the program and wanted to move on from Arroyo.
With Arroyo’s firing, UNLV will have an important decision to make. There is an opportunity for the program to build off of Arroyo’s successful 2022 season. UNLV will need to bring in the right replacement to keep the program trending in the right direction.
When UNLV hired Tony Sanchez after the 2014 season, he was hired in favor of other coaches like Ed Orgeron and Houston Nutt. Most recently, Sanchez was replaced by Arroyo after the 2019 season. UNLV selected Arroyo over Keenan McCardell and Troy Taylor.
This time around, UNLV can hire a notable name with a strong background in coaching. Here are some names that could take over UNLV’s program:
Bryan Harsin (Former Auburn And Boise State Head Coach)
While it is unclear what Harsin’s next career move will be, he is very familiar with the Mountain West. In his time as Boise State’s head coach, Harsin posted a 69-19 record in seven seasons. Harsin’s time at Auburn did not end well, but UNLV could be a place for him to get his coaching career back on track.
Tim Skipper (Fresno State Asst. Head Coach/Linebackers Coach)
This would be another coach with a decorated background in Mountain West football. Skipper is current in his second stint at Fresno State and he is in charge of the linebackers. He would be a defensive-minded head coach, which would bolster UNLV’s defense.
This would be a hire that would excite the alumni. McCardell was a great player at UNLV before he played in the NFL for 17 seasons. Recently, McCardell has worked with several NFL and college teams as a wide receivers coach. He is currently the Minnesota Vikings wide receivers coach. With more than 10 years under his belt as an assistant coach, he could be ready to make the jump as his alma mater’s head coach.
Deion Sanders (Jackson State Head Coach)
UNLV has not emerged on Sanders’ radar, but that could change with this opening. Sanders is being targeted by Colorado and South Florida. Since UNLV had an improved season in 2022, Sanders could be a viable candidate to get the program over the hump. He would be a splashy hire with a proven track record to turn programs around. In 3 seasons at Jackson State, Sanders has a 26-5 record. He would also be able to bring key players with him to UNLV.
Troy Taylor (Sacramento State Head Coach)
In 2019, Taylor was on UNLV’s radar for the previously vacant job, but he remained at Sacramento State. Nearly three years later, Taylor could still be in play to become UNLV’s next head coach. Under Taylor, Sacramento State has developed into one of the best teams in the Big Sky Conference. He is also a target of other schools like Stanford.
Scott Frost (Former Nebraska Head Coach)
In September, Frost was fired as Nebraska’s head coach in less than five seasons. It will take some time for Frost to regenerate the buzz that he had when he was at UCF in 2017. It would be worth a look for UNLV to see Frost’s interest. He has experience coaching in at a Group of Five conference and would be able bring his experience to Las Vegas. This could be a good job for Frost to get back into coaching.
Ed Orgeron (Former LSU Head Coach)
In 2014, Orgeron was in the mix for UNLV’s vacant head coaching position. Although Orgeron eventually landed at LSU, he could decide to take a head coaching job at a promising Mountain West program. He won a national championship at LSU in 2019 and would be able to help UNLV reach a bowl game for the first time since 2013. Las Vegas could be an attractive destination for Orgeron.
Jay Hill (Weber State Head Coach)
Hill, who is in his ninth season at Weber State, is one of the best FCS coaches in the country. He is the all-time leader in wins at Weber State and could be ready to make the jump to an FBS program.
Andy Ludwig (Utah Offensive Coordinator)
Since 2019, Ludwig has been Utah’s offensive coordinator. Ludwig has over 30 years of experience as an offensive assistant. He is a potential successor to Kyle Whittingham at Utah and could try to land a head coaching job to prove that he could lead Utah in the future.
Manny Diaz (Penn State Defensive Coordinator)
In his first season as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, Diaz turned the Nittany Lions into one of the best defenses in the Big Ten. In the past, he accepted a job as Temple’s head coach, which showed that he was interested in a Group of Five job. Reportedly, Diaz could be a candidate for Florida Atlantic’s head coach vacancy. If he wants to move West, Diaz could be an impactful hire for the Rebels.
Brennan Marion (Texas Wide Receivers Coach)
After one season at Texas, Marion could be ready for his first job as a head coach. Marion’s alma mater, Tulsa, is reportedly interested in him as the program’s next head coach. If UNLV reaches out to Marion, he could hold off on accepting a job at Tulsa. Marion was Hawaii’s wide receivers coach in 2020, which meant that he was familiar with UNLV and the Mountain West. In 2021, he left Hawaii for Pittsburgh and coached Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison.
UNLV head coach Marcus Arroyo deserves to be the 2022 Mountain West Coach of the Year.
UNLV was not expected to be competitive this year and Arroyo guided UNLV to the most wins in a single season since 2017. This was Arroyo’s third season as UNLV’s head coach and he won more games in 2022 than he did in the last two seasons combined.
While a bowl game is still out of reach for the Rebels, Arroyo coached a team that was on the doorstep of playing in a meaningful game in December. In 20 years, UNLV’s only bowl game was the 2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl. He gave UNLV a legitimate chance to reach the postseason, which was been a rarity for this program.
Arroyo found a way to get to five wins with a 27-22 win over Nevada. UNLV overcome several injuries throughout the season and was the conference’s sleeper team.
Critics would point out Arroyo’s six-game losing streak that was snapped against Nevada in Week 13. UNLV had a miserable loss to Hawaii in Week 12 that extended that losing streak, but the Rebels fought hard on the road. If UNLV beat Hawaii, it would have set up a potential bowl bid against Nevada in the regular season finale.
Even though UNLV had difficult losses, that should not take away from the clear progression that the program made in 2022. Before the six-game skid, UNLV was 4-1 to start the season. Arroyo had his team positioned to compete for a Mountain West Championship in the first month of the season. Unfortunately, the losing streak ended any chance the Rebels had of winning the conference.
After his first two seasons, Arroyo had a combined record of 2-16. Entering the 2022 season, Arroyo had pressure to win or he could have been let go by the end of the season.
While a 5-7 record was disappointing for a team that could have finished with a winning record, UNLV needed to embrace the moral victory that was the 2022 season. Arroyo saved his job and made UNLV an attractive destination in the Mountain West Conference. He overachieved with a roster that was projected to finish near the bottom of the Mountain West for another season. No other coach in the Mountain West had as much of an uphill battle to win games and was as successful as Arroyo was.
To put it simply, Arroyo deserves to win the Mountain West Coach of the Year award.
The Buffs should keep their eye on this former Oregon coordinator
The Colorado Buffaloes coaching search could be a long one, especially with athletic director Rick George facing a ton of pressure to get this hire right.
CBS Sports and The Athletic already revealed a long list of candidates, and there are some common names across the lists, including Bronco Mendenhall, Ryan Walters and Bryan Harsin.
After going 2-18 in his first two years at UNLV, Arroyo is 4-1 with the Rebels this year (including a win over Anderson’s Aggies). Has more to prove as a head coach, but built a great reputation as an assistant, most recently as the offensive coordinator at Oregon from 2017-19. A California native and former San Jose State quarterback, he has deep roots in the Pac-12 footprint.
UNLV is off to a 4-1 start this year, putting Arroyo’s name right into the coaching circle. He could also be interested in the Arizona State job after the Sun Devils moved on from Herm Edwards, and a promotion to the Pac-12 is a big step up from the Mountain West.
George doesn’t have a lot to spend, especially with the massive amount of money he will need to pay for the buyout of Karl Dorrell. Arroyo is an under-the-radar option that makes sense for both Colorado and Arroyo.
In five games, Marcus Arroyo has UNLV in a position to compete for a Mountain West Championship in 2022. If UNLV stays on the right path for the rest of the season, he could be in line to win the 2022 Mountain West Coach of the Year award.
Not many people expected the Rebels to be a conference contender in 2022. He outperformed expectations in the early part of the season and put his team at the top of the Mountain West.
In the most recent game, UNLV erased a 17-0 deficit and defeated New Mexico 31-20. That game showed UNLV’s resilience and ability to fight back.
UNLV is tied with Boise State for the most wins in the Mountain West in the season. With a 4-1 overall record and a 2-0 Mountain West record, UNLV sits atop the West Division.
The program already doubled its win total from last season. With two wins in the Mountain West, UNLV has the same number of wins in conference play from last year. The Rebels finished the 2021 season with a 2-10 record. The 2021 season began with an 0-8 start.
This season is off to a much better start and the Rebels are poised to have the program’s first winning season since 2013. The Rebels went 7-6 in 2013 and have not won more than five games in a single season since then.
Doug Brumfield has seemed to be the answer at quarterback. In the past, the quarterback position was a problem, but Brumfield has been a consistent presence for the team.
The upcoming schedule will dictate how the season ultimately plays out for UNLV, but regardless of the end result, the start of the season is an accomplishment for Arroyo and his program. The next five games for UNLV are against San Jose State, Air Force, Notre Dame, San Diego State, and Fresno State. San Jose State has been the only future opponent without a really bad loss in 2022. Air Force, Notre Dame, San Diego State, and Fresno State all stumbled at some point since the start of the season.
UNLV could have trouble in the next three games against San Jose State, Air Force, and Notre Dame. On the other side, the games against San Diego State and Fresno State are looking like winnable games for the Rebels with recent struggles from the two teams. The conference is up for grabs and UNLV can catch the college football world by surprise with a deep run in the second half of the season. Having a great start to the season turned out to be a great cushion for the rest of the way.
If Arroyo can lead the Rebels to a bowl game, he should be in the conversation for the Mountain West Coach of the Year. He is looking to join John Robinson as the only other UNLV head coach to win the award.
ESPN ranked current FBS head coaches as players and Oregon’s own Mario Cristobal is ranked behind his former offensive coordinator.
It’s so difficult to take any ranking seriously where Oregon’s own Mario Cristobal is ranked below his former offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo.
In his most recent article (subscription needed) ESPN’s senior writer Adam Rittenberg went ahead and ranked all 130 FBS head coaches … as players. Given that one caveat, then Arroyo could be ranked ahead of Cristobal.
Then again, maybe not.
Cristobal was a starting offensive lineman for not one, but two of Miami’s national championship teams in 1989 and 1991. A decade later, Arroyo was the starting quarterback for traditional bottom feeder San Jose State.
During his time with the Spartans (1998-2002), to his credit, Arroyo did lead SJSU to one of the better seasons when he led his team to a 7-5 record, the most wins since 1992. But considering the competition or lack of it, it’s difficult to quantify how good Arroyo really was.
According to Rittenberg, Cristobal as a player is ranked 40th among the current coaches and the UNLV coach is ranked three spots above Oregon’s.
Of course, all of this is subjective and everyone has their own opinions on such things, but when Arroyo has been ranked ahead of Cristobal in anything, that’s going to turn the head of every Oregon fan.
There are just people that know what buttons to push for instant irritation. Here’s a list of those that do just that for most Duck fans.
For one reason or another, there are just certain people in this world that can push your buttons to cause instant irritation. For Oregon Duck fans, that list can be lengthy, and sometimes it’s through no fault of their own.
Whether if it’s just having that ability to defeat Oregon on a yearly basis, saying something derogatory towards the Ducks, or leaving them high and dry for their supposed “dream job,” a select group of people will forever be on the ****-list for Oregon fans.
This is a list of 20 people or entities that can put any Duck fan in a bad mood right away just by mentioning them. And while this list is in no particular order, we will mention first those that have really drawn the ire of every Oregon Duck fan young and old.
