2011 Preview Blitz: Big East Coaches Breakdown

Consider this: with his 10 uninterrupted years at Rutgers, Greg Schiano’s tenure is double that of every other Big East head coach combined. Doug Marrone is the conference’s second most familiar face, and he’s entering his third season. Charlie Strong, Butch Jones and Skip Holtz all enter just their second seasons, with Todd Graham, Dana Holgorsen and Paul Pasqualoni entering their first campaigns at their respective schools.

The offseason was tumultous for coaches in the Big East. Pitt went through two hires. West Virginia’s coach targeted the coach-in-waiting in the newspapers, ultimately expediting the transfer of power process. A Connecticut booster threatened to pull back on contributions over the Huskies’ hire. A quarterback transfer’s father had parting shots for Rutgers’ head coach. Kickoff will be doubly welcomed here to rinse away some of this dirt.

Todd Graham, Pitt

Athletic directors, upon making a head coaching hire, like to brag they inked their first choice. Pitt’s Steve Pederson obviously couldn’t say that when he lured Todd Graham away from Tulsa, but ultimately the athletic director may have made out better for the wear. Mike Hayward was Pitt’s original selection, but legal issues immediately after his hire negated the hire. Not a good situation. Graham may actually be more of a fit for what Panther fans crave after the stagnant Dave Wannstedt era. His background is defense, so he should maintain the high standard Pitt has held on that side of the ball. He was an assistant to long-time West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, a caveat sure to intesify the already heated Mountaineer-Panther rivalry. And perhaps most importantly, he’s surrounded himself with a solid staff that has a proven track record of scoring points.

While Dave Wannstedt-coached Panthers had plodding, stagnant offenses, Graham’s Tulsa offenses were explosive. Last season the culmination was the nation’s sixth highest scoring average (41.4 points per game). Overseeing a potent vertically-based system has been a calling card for Graham, as a 26.9 point per game offense powered Rice to its first bowl appearance in nearly four decades. His Golden Hurricane teams ranked sixth (2007), second (2008) and sixth again (2010) in points per game behind quarterbacks David Johnson and GJ Kinne. That’s good news for Panther quarterback Tino Sunseri.

Offensive Coordinators:

Calvin Magee, Mike Norvell

Calvin Magee is another crop from the Rodriguez orchard. He was Michigan’s offensive coordinator during the Rich Rod regime, including last year when the Wolverines were among the nation’s highest scoring teams. His focus on the running game and Mike Norvell’s on the passing attack should make for a dynamic pairing. Norvell oversaw the passing game for Tulsa, and his success is evident in the Golden Hurricane producing a hair below 290 yards per game through the air.

Defensive Coordinators:

Paul Randolph, Keith Patterson

Paul Randolph and Keith Patterson are both carryovesr from Tulsa, where there Graham’s co-defensive coordinator all four seasons. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? The duo’s Golden Hurricane defense was an unimpressive 85th in points allowed, but given Tulsa was playing in the high octane Conference USA West, they get something of a pass. With more talent and facing more traditional offenses will give a better gauge of these two.

Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia

Proof positive the “coach-in-waiting” system just doesn’t work, Dana Holgorsen became more renowned for off-field issues and a soap opera power struggle than his offensive genius. And he is indeed an offensive genius. Last season with Holgorsen as its coordinator, the Oklahoma State offense averaged 44.3 points per game, good for third most in the nation and all with just three returning starters from the season prior. Brandon Weeden emerged seemingly from nowhere to put up astronomical numbers. There’s no telling what Holgorsen can get from experienced quarterback Geno Smith.

And while many of the offensive guru types are system based guys, relying stubbornly on the run in the case of option’eers like former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez, or going almost exclusively vertical, Holgorsen’s Cowboys mixed it up. That was the beauty of Oklahoma State’s 44 points per game — the Cowboys had many ways to defeat opponents. It will be an exciting departure from the Bill Stewart offenses of the past three seasons that struggled to find an identity.

Offensive Coordinator: Dana Holgorsen

Holgorsen will oversee offensive coordinator duties, his original position for 2011 before May’s bizarre shake-up.

Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Casteel

A holdover from the Bill Stewart staff, Jeff Casteel’s defenses were consistently among college football’s best. Last season the Mountaineers were the No. 3 scoring defense in the FBS, allowing fewer than two touchdowns an outing. His ability to co-exist with Holgorsen will make or break the Mountaineers’ BCS aspirations.

Skip Holtz, USF

East Carolina established itself as a top Conference USA program playing tenacious defense. The Pirates finished in the top third of FBS defenses each of Holtz’s final two seasons in Greenville. That carried over on his move to Tampa, where USF was a top 20 defense in both yards (317.9 per game, No. 17) and points allowed (20, No. 20).

Jim Leavitt’s Bull teams were equally proficient on defense. Where Holtz needs to be successful to eclipse Leavitt’s tenure is developing offensive consistency. BJ Daniels regressed into a sophomore slump under the coaching staff change. Finding that balance will be key, as will coaching up the Bulls for big games. USF has been on the cusp of BCS status, but never gotten over that hill. Last season’s Meineke Car Care (now Belk) Bowl defeat of Clemson was an important step for this still fledgling program.

Offensive Coordinator: Todd Fitch

Todd Fitch came with Holtz from ECU, and despite flirting with Kent State in the offseason is back in Tampa for a second go-around. The Bulls were just 85th in points scored last year, and as mentioned above Daniels saw his production slip. The transition to less of a playmaker and more a passer may have been a contributing factor to that. Either Fitch needs to let Daniels play more of his style, or needs to have the quarterback playing a more consistent style.

Defensive Coordinator: Mark Snyder

What a steal the addition of Mark Snyder was for the USF staff. Snyder’s dismissal after leading Marshall to a bowl game was surprising, and I’d imagine is something Herd brass would like a mulligan on as Marshall struggled mightily without him last season. Meanwhile, Snyder’s Bulls continued with a quarterback-attacking, blitz-friendly defensive scheme that produced results.

Butch Jones, Cincinnati

There is always a feeling-out period between a new head coach and his players, but a -8 won/lost difference is never how a first year coach wants to fair. Brian Kelly’s act is a tough one to follow. He turned Cincinnati from a middling non-automatic qualifier to two-time conference champion and BCS bowl team. Tabbing a coach who had already once maintained Kelly’s standard of excellence as his successor made sense, but Butch Jones quickly learned UC isn’t Central Michigan. The Bearcats showed the ability to be offensively explosive, but it was incosistent. The defense was consistent — consistently bad, that is. The result was a 4-8 finish.

Year two should be a vast improvement, assuming Jones is ability to use dually talented quarterback Zac Collaros more in the fashion he did Dan LeFevour at CMU. The Bearcats lost talent on offense, yet still retain one of the more experienced units in the conference with Collaros and running back Isaiah Pead. This season’s performance will be a more accurate indicator of Jones’s abilities than last season was.

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Bajakian

Jones brought Mike Bajakian over from CMU, where he held the same position and helped the Chippewas to a top 15 offense in 2009. The weapons are there for Bajakian to again produce something combustible, and it showed in spurts last season. Establishing consistency is critical this season.

Defensive Coordinators: Tim Banks and John Jancek

The dual coordinator gimmick is an unusual thing. Sometimes, like in the aforementioned Pitt staff, it’s a matter of finding two coaches with complementary skills and putting their abilities together. At UC, it seems more complicated than that. Tim Banks was CMU’s defensive coordinator, and the Chippewas were decent enough on that side of the ball. But entering the Big East and UC, Jones tabbed former Georgia assistant John Jancek. The Bulldog defenses had some good runs with Jancek on staff. Why one or the other wasn’t given the post is interesting, and arguably a reason for the Bearcats allowing 28 points per game.

Doug Marrone, Syracuse

Orange football was a train wreck when alum Doug Marrone was hired, but in just two years he built an eight-game winner. Marrone came to Syracuse with an NFL background, having spent nearly a decade at the professional level working with Sean Payton. Aiding in a rebuilding process was nothing new to him — prior to SU, he oversaw the New Orleans Saints’ offense, including in 2006 on its surprise run to the NFC Championship game.

Anytime a coach can succeed at both levels, it’s a major testament to his abilities given the vast differences between the two games. Marrone’s success if particularly noteworthy, because while in the Big Easy he had Drew Brees, Ryan Nassib isn’t Drew Brees. And even more noteworthy is despite Marrone’s offensive lineage, SU won primarily due to defense. Another ironic note: SU didn’t win a single conference game at the Carrier Dome. The Orange’s ability to win on the road is a testament to Marrone, but one has to wonder why SU was so much weaker at home. Given his time in New Orleans, it wasn’t as if Marrone was unaccustomed to indoor football.

Offensive Coordinator: Nathaniel Hackett

Nathaniel Hackett was promoted to OC after working as quarterbacks coach last year, aiding in the development of Nassib. He’s young, having coached less than a decade under Walt Harris at Stanford, then spending a few years in the NFL before joining Marrone’s staff. This will be a valuable chance to prove himself, with SU returning a healthy amount of experience on that side of the ball.

Defensive Coordinator: Scott Shafer

In one of the stranger coaching carousel moves of recent years, Scott Shafer spent a single season as Rich Rodriguez’s defensive coordinator at Michigan. His resignation led him to Syracuse, and his Michigan vacancy was filled by former SU head coach Greg Robinson. Shafer’s certainly come out on the better end. Last season, his Orange defense was No. 17 in the FBS, allowing just over 19 points per game.

Paul Pasqualoni, Connecticut

Of course, having manned the sidelines at Syracuse from 1991 to 2004, Pasqualoni isn’t exactly uninitiated with the Big East. Granted when the Big East in which he coached featured Temple, Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College at different times, but the lineage is there nevertheless.

Pasqualoni has plied his trade on Sundays rather than Saturdays the past season years. When he last coached a Big East football game, Boston College and Temple were both still members and Louisville, USF and Cincinnati had yet to come on board. Syracuse was much more of a nationally relevant program under Pasqualoni, say nothing of the Big East, having reached a BCS bowl (1998) and played in the postseason six of seven years (1995-2001). His credentials speak volumes, but the question is whether the college game has evolved to the point of bypassing him since his departure.

Offensive Coordinator: George DeLeone

Between Pasqualoni and George DeLeone, the Huskies will have 79 years of coaching and 125 years of life experience on the sideline. DeLeone worked alongside Pasqualoni with last year’s Miami Dolphins as tight ends coach. Anthony Fassano was utilized well in the Dolphin system. Perhaps big target Ryan Griffin will play a role in the Huskies’ offense.

Defensive Coordinator: Don Brown

Pasqualoni scored a major coup in hiring Don Brown. Brown left the former UConn head coach Randy Edsall at Maryland to return to the Northeast, where in 2006 he coached UMass to the FCS Championship game. Last season’s Terrapins finished in the upper third of defenses, and was one of the ACC’s four best at 22 points per game allowed.

Greg Schiano, Rutgers

There was a time, not long ago either, that Greg Schiano was the hottest up-and-coming coach in football. The gnat-like lifespan of pundits’ memories is evident in how quickly Schiano fell from national consciousness. The Scarlet Knights’ six-game losing streak to close out 2010, and Tom Savage’s subsequent departure from RU relegated Schiano from popular Joe Paterno successor to hot seat sitter. RU’s inability to protect its quarterbacks resulted in a nation-worst 65 sacks allowed, and could be concluded as the reason for Savage’s transfer.

Past, successful RU teams under Schiano have excelled through a well-established, ground-based offense and tough defense. The last two Scarlet Knight sqauds have been lacking in those categories. Landing local product Savon Huggins should help with the former, assuming the line shows improvement. His presence and return of Tom Martinek to the backfield should allow Schiano to return to a style more familiar to him, and changes on the offensive staff could bring much needed renewal.

Offensive Coordinator: Frank Cignetti

RU snatched up Frank Cignetti in the fallout of Pitt’s coaching changes. Cignetti was the Panthers’ offensive coordinator the last two seasons, which ran the spectrum from great (No. 21 in 2009) to mediocre (No. 67 last year). In fairness to Cignetti, the 2009 squad may be more indicative of his abilities. A healthy Dion Lewis was virtually untouchable, and the play of Bill Stuhl at quarterback gave the Panthers balance. Furthermore, neither of his offensive lines were anywhere near as putrid as RU’s last year. That’s where any improvement for his team begins.

Defensive Coordinator: Bob Fraser

Even with last season’s overall struggles, RU showed heart defensively. Bob Fraser has produced some outstanding defenses in his five years at Rutgers, including top 20 units in the Scarlet Knights’ standout 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Charlie Strong, Louisville

UL excelled defensively in its first season under former Florida d-coordinator Charlie Strong. No surprise there. At UF, Strong coached defenses that routinely finished in the nation’s top 10 and peaked at No. 4 in both 2008 and 2009. That it took until 2010 for Strong to earn a head coaching job is astounding, but other programs’ loss is Louisville’s gain. Strong brings the type of keen defensive insight and ability to change in-game that was sorely lacking through Steve Kragthorpe’s disastrous tenure.

Strong has also proven to be an excellent recruiter, landing the Cardinals a stellar 2011 signing class and securing 2012 quarterback Will Gardner. The rebuilding process should go quicker than perhaps initially expected, so long as the Cardinals’ find the offensive proficiency to match their defensive tenacity.

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Sanford

Mike Sanford’s tenure as UNLV head coach proved fruitless, as most UNLV coaching tenures do. Previously, Sanford helped develop Alex Smith into a No. 1 draft pick as offensive coordinator of the high scoring 2004 Utah Utes. While that team relied primarily on Smith’s arm, Sanford has shown an ability to adjust to his talent. Last season he relied heavily on talented running back Bilal Powell. Both are gone, which should result in a shift to a more balanced approach.

Defensive Coordinator: Vance Bedford

Vance Bedford worked alongside Strong at Florida as the Gators’ secondary coach. Bedford and Strong work well together, and the relationship manifested on the field via a top 20 overall defense.