Coach Mike Riley has been busy hiring.
Oregon State football coach Mike Riley said Wednesday that he suspended CB Mishawn Cummings for breaking team rules, and he’s not necessarily able to come back.
Cummings redshirted and would have been a sophomore this season. He played one season at Foothill College.
OL Geoff Garner and S Josh LaGrone have left the team to find a school where they can play more.
“You never like losing players, and you don’t like dismissing them,” Riley said. Here’s the full story in Friday’s GT.
Garner, going into his junior season, was the backup C last season and played some in place of injured Grant Johnson at the end of the season. He would have been in competition with sophomore Roman Sapolu for the starting job.
“As far as playing on the field, that’s what Geoff’s main preference is,” Riley said. “He wants to play more. He has a wife and baby on the way, and wants to be closer to his family. He would like that. This might be the best thing to do for him.”
LaGrone will be a senior. He retired briefly this season due to a long-term knee injury, but came back. He was a reserve and played some special teams over the years.
With the hire of Trent Bray as a grad assistant to coach LBs and Rod Perry for the secondary, Riley is set with his coaching staff now.
DC Mark Banker urged Riley to bring Bray so Banker could oversee the defense without working with a position group.
“Mark will be able to work with the front seven and back end,” Riley said. “It’s an ideal situation. I’m excited about this staff.”
Undergrad assistant Jay Harbaugh may leave this summer after he gradutes. He has opportunities with the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, where his dad, Jim Harbaugh, is the head coach.
New rules allow for Bray to join the Beavers as a coach. Four GAs are allowed to be on the field to coach. He joins Alan Darlin and Mitch Meeuwsen. Jay Harbaugh could be the fourth if he decides to stay.
“It’s good to see all the former players come back and be involved with coaching,” Riley said. “I really like that.”
13 comments
ted0 says:
Feb 16, 2012
Wow I thought Garner had a shot at starting at Center, and I thought LaGrone had a possible shot at starting with Mitchell gone, I guess Murphy would be the definite front-runner now. Riley did say in an interview he thought Seumalo could play at all 5 spots on the O-line so maybe he could that for OSU in 2012 or Andrews if he could get get better at Shotgun snaps. Do you know if Phillip might switch to OG, which seems to be the fan prefrence, or is he sticking at LT?
One last thing if Harbaugh becomes a GA what position or unit woud be his main focus?
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 16, 2012
Murphy has always been penciled in as a starter.
LaGrone never got his speed back after his knee injury.
Andrews is a possible to go back to C. Philipp to guard is not likely this late in his career, but you never know.
Harbaugh has been working with the special teams since he has been here.
RenoNVbeavr says:
Feb 16, 2012
I guess if there is a bright spot its that the Beavs have freed up some scholarship possibilities? Might there be less greyshirts next season or possibly seek to add a JC player awaiting an offer. I noticed DE recruits in the state of Oregon that are still unsigned (Deeks, Holmes & Nall). In addition Rivals lists 3 DT prospects that I cant believe are still unsigned: Zaheer Webb, Shad Ennis and Kenny Mack. Any one of these guys have the girth to add needed depth on the Beavs roster.
Wetrodentia says:
Feb 16, 2012
Holmes signed with Montana
Rocky says:
Feb 16, 2012
I hope that they put Andrews back at C and move Philipp to OG as he just doesn’t have the footwork to keep up with edge rushers. That could be a good interior if Seumalo plays the other OG position. At least, we can run up the middle again which we haven’t been able to do for two years. Tackle is still a bit weak as Kelly should be a backup. Hopefully, Hasiak or Jackson step up.
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 16, 2012
Part of the footwork problem was the knee injury that hurt him in 2010. That’s why he redshirted last year and had surgery.
sdbeav says:
Feb 17, 2012
Is there any reason that Bray could not be hired now as a full-time assistant?
sdbeav says:
Feb 17, 2012
By my count he would be the 10th coach which I believe is the max.
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 17, 2012
10 the max with the head coach. Bray would be 11.
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 17, 2012
The allows only allows so many paid coaches. OSU is at the limit with nine.
OSUSupporter says:
Feb 17, 2012
It’s too bad we are losing linemen on a squad that is woefully short in talent. I did like Phillips when he was a freshman but he regressed the next two years and is just an average OL now. I can understand why a guy like Garner would want more playing time (not unlike Katz) but I say one needs to put the team before “self” and help make the team better no matter how that affects playing time. I’m sure almost all of the guys on the team could go elsewhere and play more (go to 1AA or Div III) but they believe in the greater good of the TEAM. So goodbye to all the quitters, don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.
bbb says:
Feb 17, 2012
im would rather have Garner as an insurance policy but he probably wasnt going to play much next year anyways. that is unless we get another rash of injuries. gulp.
alex says:
Feb 17, 2012
Why do you say that? I was thinking it was his job to lose at C…you think sapulo could have taken it from him?