E-mails and blog comments have asked me about who the assistant Oregon State football coach will be. It’s too early to truly know, so here’s some speculation.
The Beavers have two openings. One is for RB coach vacated by Reggie Davis, who left for the San Francisco 49ers. The other is a graduate assistant job that has coached the TEs.
Robin Ross filled the GA spot the last two years, but his scholarship is up. My guess is he’s hired to either be the TE coach and a GA is hired to coach the RBs or Ross takes over the RBs and a new GA is found to coach the TEs. Since Ross’ experience is at TE and defense, he would most likely stay with the ends.
That’s not as glamorous as fans hoped, but an easy and logical choice. Ross is a veteran coach who was a GA after he was the head coach when Western Washington closed the program. He previously coached LBs with the Beavers.
He’s a long-time friend of OSU coach Mike Riley. Unless Ross finds a better job elsewhere such as defensive coordinator, Riley will want to keep him around. As for recruiting, Ross takes over Davis’ San Diego and Orange County region.
That allows for an opportunity for a GA to coach the RBs. That was done in 2006-07 when Gary Beck was in that position.
Riley could go for someone young in a relatively simple coaching position, and not put the pressure on to be a recruiter. That’s where names like Ken Simonton and Yvenson Bernard wouldn’t be farfetched.
The only drawback there is that there are so many young RBs on the roster an experienced coach might be the best move.
Whatever is done, expect movement by spring break. Spring practice begins March 28, the first day of the spring term.
8 comments
OSU4Life says:
Feb 9, 2011
I think Robin Ross would be an excellent choice! He has years of experience recruiting in So Cal too! I trust that Mike Riley will find the right fit to make the OSU football staff among the best.
angry says:
Feb 9, 2011
Robin Ross is not going to relate to or be able to sell the program to elite athletes, especially in So Cal. This would be another huge mistake by Riley.
mike says:
Feb 9, 2011
I don’t believe that most fans want a “glamorous” choice. This staff has issues that need to be corrected-hiring another long time friend does not seem to be the correct approach.
angry says:
Feb 9, 2011
The nepotism hires must stop.
http://angrybeavs.com
JuneauJim says:
Feb 9, 2011
Nepotism is favoritism to a friend or relative regardless of merit. Who exactly does that apply to in the OSU football coaching world?
Beavocalypse says:
Feb 10, 2011
I can point out nepotism on this staff easily.
Danny Langsdorf is the most obvious. A friend of Riley’s and led the most uninspired offense in the past decade last year.
Newhouse- a friend of Riley’s, who obviously can’t teach LBs how to tackle.
Mark Banker- Since 2008 this guy’s stubborn adherence to a slow, 4-3 defense has allowed our RIVAL to run roughshod over us.
All of these coaches have demonstrated little merit as of late. Yet they will have a job, forever because Riley will have a job…forever.
If you don’t think that’s nepotism you are blindly following the Riley propaganda.
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 9, 2011
Coaches commonly hire people they know or come highly recommended by people they know. They don’t really sit through a pile of resumes.
Jobs are only posted to make HR happy. Like any profession, it’s who you know, not what you know.
In coaching, a smart coach typically finds someone they can work well with and teach to do it his way.
Beavergopher says:
Feb 10, 2011
It would be wise to bring in someone who has coached for a successful program to bring in fresh ideas. There is a great danger of intellectual inbreeding in any organization if you only hire from within. The new hire will adapt to the culture of the organization. A younger coach will also infuse some energy into recruiting. Why don’t we try to poach someone from the Ducks?