akrzips2012 Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 I wanted to start this new thread on rumors, insight and conversations with Moorhead’s new 2022 coaching staff for Akron. What are we hearing with rumors or even look at his past connections that he has worked with? Will any current staff members be retained? Can’t wait to see this dialogue takes us and to get us Zips fans some more excitement on this new staff!! ZI ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ The below list was edited January 4 by @Let'sGoZips94 Current Lineup: HC: Joe Moorhead (Big East, Big Ten, SEC, Pac12) ST: Allen Tucker (SEC) OC: Joe Moorhead QBs: Billy Fessler (Big Ten, SEC) RBs: Terry Richardson (Big East, ACC, SEC, NFL) WRs: David Gilbertson (AAC, Pac12) TEs: Reno Ferri (ACC, MAC) OL: Joel Rodriguez (ACC, CUSA) DC: Nick Toth (PAC12, SEC, MWC, CUSA) DL: Winston DeLattiboudere (PAC12, CUSA) LBs: Nick Toth DBs: Tre' Bell (SEC, ACC) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 (edited) He has tons of coaching and former player connections now so yes it will be interesting to see the new staff come together. With my veto power, I am eliminating: 1) iCoach, 2) Milwee, and 3) Jeff Bowden I'd actually be OK with keeping Arth on as QB coach if he would be willing to cancel his contract and take a pay cut in exchange for sustaining his coaching career without a gap in his resume. What is Oscar R.'s position coaching strength? He seems like a good ambassador and relatable to the players. Maybe a recruiting coordinator type role? And I'm half serious about Brookhart as an assistant - JM would be paying back the hiring favor. Of course, he may refuse to return to an employer that fired him previously but then again it would be more money than he's currently making as a H.S. coach. Edited December 5, 2021 by ZippyRulz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 I can't seem to find it (too much activity on the board!), but @mes.102 had a terrific post addressing just this earlier today. Maybe @mes.102, or someone else, could copy & paste his post here in this thread? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akzipper Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 Getsy (his OC at MSU and QB while at UA) would be a cool pick. Same with Charlie Frye. But it would be tough for them to leave their QB coach jobs in the NFL for their alma mater. I can dream though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoyalZIP Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 The entire football office got let go. A GA or two could be retained, but that will be up to JoMo. I would be shocked if anyone of any significance is brought back. The program was just as much a mess on the inside as it was on the field. Moorhead would likely not have a hard time filling spots with far more experienced and competent people, and if it costs a couple of players not wanting to stay, they know where the door is. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes.102 Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 (edited) Here are my thoughts: Ever since Moorhead was mentioned to be the hire, I've been looking at candidates for his staff. I've based it off of places where he's been since being the head coach at Fordham with stops at Penn State, Mississippi State, and Oregon. I will start with Oregon because I don't think he will bring anyone with him from Oregon. If you pay close attention to the offensive coaching staff at Oregon, most (if not all) of them have worked previously with Cristobal instead of Moorhead. Could be one of the reasons why he's looking to get out of there. Only one that I could see coming with Moorhead to Akron is Bryan McClendon but I highly doubt it. As for his stop at Penn State as offensive coordinator, I only see one possible addition to the staff from his time there. Matt Limegrover is currently the offensive line coach at Arkansas State. The current Michigan offensive coordinator, Josh Gattis, was on his Penn State offensive staff so I don't think that's a coincidence for how Oregon and Michigan had similar game plans against Ohio State's defense. As for his time as head coach, below are some names I would look at that might join his staff that he had at either Fordham or Mississippi State (most from his time at Fordham). Andrew Breiner - Current offensive coordinator with Florida International Michael Johnson - Current offensive coordinator with Florida Atlantic Joel Rodriguez - Offensive Line coach with Florida International Tim Zetts - Offensive Assistant Coach with Green Bay Packers Shane Fogarty - Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator with Fordham Ian Pace - Offensive Coordinator with St. John Fisher College Mark Dupuis - Wide Receiver Coach with Old Dominion Tyler Bowen - Tight End Coach with Jacksonville Jaguars As for defensive coordinator, I think the no-brainer here would be Bob Shoop. He's currently the off-field defensive analyst for University of Miami and was the former defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, Tennessee, Penn State, and Vanderbilt. David Blackwell is currently the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech and wouldn't be shocked if his name pops up at some point. Another name that might come up would be Chris Marve, currently the Linebackers coach at Florida State. A couple other names that might be content with their high school head coaching positions but has had coaching experience with Moorhead. At the very least, might see a recruit or two from these schools from time to time. Tim Cary - Current Head Coach at Trinity-Pawling (NY) college prep school Jon Wholley - Current Head Coach at Avon Old Farms (CT) prep school I hope Shoop will become the defensive coordinator and I expect either Breiner or Johnson to become Moorhead's offensive coordinator and associate head coach. I expect Shane Fogarty to come on as special teams coordinator. Again, no knowledge or inside information on what Moorhead would do but these are my educated guesses. EDIT: I posted this at 7:42am ET but it didn't get approved before Let'sGoZips94 posted my post since I'm technically a newbie. Edited December 5, 2021 by mes.102 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes.102 Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 The more I look at these potential staff additions, the one coach that I believe would be a home run hire and would guarantee the defense will be in good hands, is hiring Bob Shoop as defensive coordinator. I'm not sure what his salary is as a defensive analyst for the Miami football program, but if Cristobal, Kiffin, or someone else is on their way to Miami, he might be looking elsewhere anyways. Especially if he wants to be a defensive coordinator again. He was Moorhead's defensive coordinator at Mississippi State. I thought maybe they were together at Penn State as well, but Shoop left Penn State (for Tennessee) as Moorhead was coming to Penn State. Here's a couple videos on him from Mississippi State and Tennessee. I just hope if I keep talking about him as our possible defensive coordinator... Mississippi State Football Spring Wired: Bob Shoop - YouTube Defensive Coordinator Bob Shoop's Mind For Football - YouTube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 I'll post these so nobody else has to make a fool of themselves. 1. Anyone named Tressel 2. Anyone named Kehres 3. Jim Grobe 4. Bobby Petrino 5. The word Pedigree 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 It looks like Bob Shoop was making 450k in 2020 as safeties coach at UM. Not sure what he is making at Miami, but I don't think Akron will be able to afford that kind of money. That's pretty much in the neighborhood of what we were paying Arth last year to be our coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cykron Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 Nice to have a head coach who has been around the block and has so many connection for building his staff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akrzips2012 Posted December 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 I know Moorhead has no connection to him but it would be awesome if they hire former Kent State Josh Cribbs in some coaching role like special teams or WR coach. Probably won’t happen but he still lives in the area and former pro bowler nfl player would be great addition if he wanted to get into coaching. Some commute from North Royalton Ohio for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 (edited) No idea what the relation is between Joe Brady & Joe Moorhead, but this is a Penn State guy who thinks Brady could be Moorhead's OC at Akron. Edit: Looks like Joe Brady was a Graduate Assistant under Moorhead for a year at Penn State. Not sure how close that relationship is, or if the odds of this happening are any better .01%. Edited December 5, 2021 by Let'sGoZips94 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 17 hours ago, LoyalZIP said: The entire football office got let go. A GA or two could be retained, but that will be up to JoMo. I would be shocked if anyone of any significance is brought back. The program was just as much a mess on the inside as it was on the field. Moorhead would likely not have a hard time filling spots with far more experienced and competent people, and if it costs a couple of players not wanting to stay, they know where the door is. Did Rodriguez get fired as well. There was some talk me might stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akzipper Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: No idea what the relation is between Joe Brady & Joe Moorhead, but this is a Penn State guy who thinks Brady could be Moorhead's OC at Akron. Edit: Looks like Joe Brady was a Graduate Assistant under Moorhead for a year at Penn State. Not sure how close that relationship is, or if the odds of this happening are any better .01%. Definitely seems like he's had a very short and odd career path. Crazy to think a guy with only one season as a WR coach at LSU was qualified to be the Offensive Coordinator of an NFL team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted December 5, 2021 Report Share Posted December 5, 2021 40 minutes ago, akzipper said: Definitely seems like he's had a very short and odd career path. Crazy to think a guy with only one season as a WR coach at LSU was qualified to be the Offensive Coordinator of an NFL team. He was the Passing Game Coordinator as well during LSU's "magical" 2019 season with Joe Burrow. I believe he was thought as a key component to their success, and Matt Rhule was hoping to strike gold with him in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 19 hours ago, NWAkron said: Did Rodriguez get fired as well. There was some talk me might stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Like every other time a new coach is brought in, the staff will be at the head coach's discretion, not the University's. Moorhead is free to retain anyone he feels to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fight For Zippy Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Peter Thamel has the scoop on some of the possible assistants on his Twitter account. Sources: Akron is targeting veteran coach Terry Richardson as RB coach. He’s a former assistant at UConn, Miss State, Maryland, Miami and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He brings a long history with Joe Moorhead. Also wore No. 44 at Syracuse. Sources: Akron is targeting Billy Fessler as the school’s next QB coach. He’s an Ohio State GA, former Joe Moorhead GA at Mississippi State and played QB for Moorhead at Penn State. Source: @PeteThamel 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 One would think we should expect some staff announcements this week. Not only do we need to recruit high school/transfer portal, but we need to recruit players on the current roster to not transfer. Akron's thin about everywhere so our best recruiting pitch is opportunity to come in and compete for playing time right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Fight For Zippy said: Peter Thamel has the scoop on some of the possible assistants on his Twitter account. Sources: Akron is targeting veteran coach Terry Richardson as RB coach. He’s a former assistant at UConn, Miss State, Maryland, Miami and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He brings a long history with Joe Moorhead. Also wore No. 44 at Syracuse. Sources: Akron is targeting Billy Fessler as the school’s next QB coach. He’s an Ohio State GA, former Joe Moorhead GA at Mississippi State and played QB for Moorhead at Penn State. Source: @PeteThamel I literally posted this 9 minutes ago in the New HC Search thread after seeing @clarkwgriswold post Moorhead's staff at MSU. Had not seen this post yet. "Not sure where Terry Richardson is, as he's no longer listed on MSU's website and he doesn't have a Wikipedia. However, I wonder if he'd be a candidate for OC. He produced Donald Brown at UCONN, Lamar Miller & Duke Johnson at Miami, and coached Maurice Jones Drew during his stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played for the Bengals & Steelers in the NFL, so he is not a stranger to Ohio/NEO area. Interesting fact: he's the second to last player in Syracuse football history to wear the number 44. He would be an interesting OC candidate, at the very least." Very excited to hear that Terry Richardson is a target to join his staff at Akron in any capacity. Wow! I like Fessler as the QB coach, too. Clipboard holder for Penn State under Moorhead, followed him to MSU, and he had one heck of a QB room at OSUcks. This is exciting stuff. I'm almost as excited for the staff to be built as I was for Moorhead to be hired, largely because Moorhead is widely considered one of the brightest offensive minds in the country. Whomever he brings in will be successful at their respective position, I have no doubts. Edited December 6, 2021 by Let'sGoZips94 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fight For Zippy Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Sources: Akron expected to hire Reno Ferri as TE coach. He recruited elite TB Sean Tucker to Syracuse and coached NFL TB Terrrance West at Towson. He’s a former Akron assistant with strong ties to Joe Moorhead. Source: @Pete Thamel 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Pete Thamel is 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 1 hour ago, Fight For Zippy said: Sources: Akron expected to hire Reno Ferri as TE coach. He recruited elite TB Sean Tucker to Syracuse and coached NFL TB Terrrance West at Towson. He’s a former Akron assistant with strong ties to Joe Moorhead. Source: @Pete Thamel Reno is a good hire. Syracuse did have some good talent. They should have won more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoyalZIP Posted December 6, 2021 Report Share Posted December 6, 2021 Ferri was a no-brainer. I like where this is going, spring ball will be must-see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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