B1G Football Offseason – Coaching Part 2

Today we go through the coaching news in the Big Ten East.

 

Maryland

The Terrapins have hired Matt Canada as their new Offensive coordinator. Read the Washington Post article here. Canada was previously the offensive coordinator at LSU under Ed Orgeron and will replace Walt Bell who left for the same position at Florida State. At LSU, Canada ran a pro-style offense that ranked 76th in points, 28th in rushing offense, 84th in passing offense, and 54th in total offense. In the same categories respectively, Maryland ranks 100th, 69th, 116th, and 120th. Definitely an upgrade to the position. HOWEVER, Maryland has 2 QB’s that had season ending injuries last year and the 3rd string QB was unable to produce and led the Terrapins to 2-8 in the final 10 games. As Maryland heads into Spring practice, we will take a close look at how the teams shapes up.

Michigan

Jim Harbaugh has a podcast called “Attack Every Day“. I suggest that you give it a listen. Especially if you are a Michigan fan or love football like me. And no, Harbaugh is not on the hot seat.

Michigan has been busy this off season, hiring a bunch of position coaches and retaining a key positions. Michigan’s best recruiter, Chris Partridge turned down Alabama and signed a new deal with the Wolverines. Sherrone Moore from Central Michigan will be the new Tight End’s coach, and Ed Warinner will take over the OL, the same position he held at Minnesota last year.

Ohio State

Biggest news today from the Buckeye’s was losing cornerback coach Kerry Coombs to the NFL. Coombs brought an intensity to the OSU defense that ranked them in the top 25 each year since 2012 and sent every starting CB to the NFL. Coombs has had a lot of success for the Buckeye’s and is essentially irreplaceable. From recruiting to sending players to the NFL, he did everything.

Penn State

The Nittany Lions have 4 new assistants and 2 new coordinators. The biggest change being, promoting Ricky Rahne to offensive coordinator.

Rutgers

Let’s end today by talking a bit about Chris Ash. Since taking over for Kyle Flood, Ash has started to turn around the team. In his first year, Ash went 2-10, including getting held scoreless 4 times while allowing 58, 78, 49 and 39 points to Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State. Last year, the team improved to 4-8, but still had embarrassing losses to the same teams in the Big 10 East. But this season had a silver lining, Rutgers improved and went 3-2 in winnable games in the Big 10 (Illinois, Maryland, Purdue, Indiana and Nebraska). As with Lovie at Illinois, only time will tell is Chris Ash will make Rutgers into a bowl team every year. It starts with baby steps and Ash is clearly heading in the right direction.