Tuesday January 2, 2018

Rich Rodriguez: RichRod has released a statement acknowledging a very serious mistake; but denies (& will fight) what is being alleged.

Arizona: Has fired Rich Rodriguez.

Detroit Lions: The Lions announced that they have conducted an interview with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and they interviewed defensive coordinator Teryl Austin as well.

New York Giants: The Giants will begin their head coaching interviews tomorrow by talking to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, per multiple reports.

Cleveland Browns: Per multiple reports, the Browns are interviewing former Bengals offensive coordinator Ken Zampese for a full-time coaching position.

Stanford: Nothing official; but sources tell FootballScoop Redskins’ Kevin Carberry is a strong candidate to join David Shaw’s staff at Stanford. Carberry has served as assistant offensive line coach with the Redskins the past two season and was with the Cowboys as offensive assistant the prior two. The five seasons before that he was in the college ranks.

Cincinnati: The Bengals have signed Marvin Lewis to a new two year contract. Lewis, who has 125 career victories, is now signed through the 2019 season. Jason LaCanfora tweets that with Lewis staying on, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is leaving to explore other options.

Josh McDaniels: Patriots OC Josh McDaniels’ first head coaching interview will be Thursday with the Colts tweets Tom Pelissero.

RiseScience: Here’s some evidence that Mom was always right about the importance of sleep: Check out this infographic from @YLMSportScience Lack of sleep can lead to the common cold – from the common cold to overuse injury lack of sleep undermines the health of your athletes. Rise helps teams and athletes prioritize sleep so you know that you are doing all you can to help keep your team performing at its best – Contact Jodi Murphy at [email protected] or sign up for a meeting time at NSCA/AFCA in Charlotte.

Kansas State: Bill Snyder will return for a 27th season in 2018.

Houston Texans: Assistant special teams coordinator and defensive assistant Doug Colman is leaving the staff to pursue other opportunities, sources tell FootballScoop.

Cleveland Browns: Longtime Packers executive Alonzo Highsmith will join the Browns’ staff as vice president of football operations, according to multiple reports.

Georgia Southern: Charlie Harbison, a longtime veteran of the SEC, has joined the staff in a to-be-determined role on the defensive staff.

Glenville State College (D-II – WV): Glenville State College has TWO restricted earnings positions available this spring (DB/RB). The position’s includes stipend, camp bonus and housing. Responsibilities include coaching your position, running position meetings, assisting with special teams, assisting with weekly game planning, film breakdown and data entry (HUDL), recruiting assigned area, and other duties assigned by the head coach and coordinators. The ideal candidate would have a minimum 1 year coaching experience or collegiate playing experience. This is an entry level position with commensurate salary. Position start date is as soon as possible. Bachelor’s degree required. Review of candidates will begin immediately. Please send cover letter, resume, and professional references to Head Coach Eric Smith at [email protected] No phone calls please.

Keiser (NAIA – FL): Per source, Seminole Ridge (Fla.) High School offensive coordinator Jalani Lord is is joining the staff as an offensive assistant.

Idaho State: Offensive line coach Dorian Keller will not return.

Florida: Sources tell FootballScoop that Mississippi State running backs coach and special teams coordinator Greg Knox will re-join Dan Mullen at Florida as tight ends coach, with the possibility of carrying special teams responsibilities as well. Knox was Mississippi State’s interim head coach for the Bulldogs’ TaxSlayer Bowl win over Louisville.

New York Giants: The Giants have requested to interview Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, tweets Jordan Raanan.

Dallas Cowboys: Tight ends coach Steve Loney will retire, Jason Garrett said Tuesday.

Rhode Island (FCS): The University of Rhode Island has an immediate opening for a Wide Receivers Coach. This is a full-time, 12 month position reporting to the Head Coach. The candidate will coach the Wide Receivers and be covering their own recruiting area, along with any other duties assigned by the Head Football Coach. Compensation commensurate upon qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, experience coaching at the intercollegiate level, with demonstrated success as a coach, recruiter, and strong interpersonal skills. Interested candidates please send your resume, cover letter and a minimum of three references to Director of Football Operations Brandon Tuozzolo at [email protected].

Nick Saban’s history of games against his former assistants is not a good omen for Kirby Smart.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers have given Mike McCarthy a one-year extension taking him through the 2019 season, per Rob Demovsky.

Anderson (D-III – IN): West Virginia offensive graduate assistant Timothy Sanders has joined the staff as offensive coordinator.

Florida: Sources tell FootballScoop Oakland Raiders linebackers coach Sal Sunseri is a strong candidate to join Dan Mullen’s staff at Florida coaching the defensive line. Sunseri coached defensive ends for Jimbo at Florida State 2013 & 14 and served as defensive coordinator at Tennessee prior to that (and as Alabama’s assistant head coach / linebackers prior to that).

Denver Broncos: Senior personnel advisor — and former head coach — Gary Kubiak will take on a larger role in personnel decisions moving forward, John Elway said Tuesday. Also, Bill Musgrave will be the team’s permanent offensive coordinator moving forward, after initially taking over as interim coordinator following the dismissal of Mike McCoy back on November 20th.

Mississippi State: Sources tell FootballScoop Scott Fountain will join the Mississippi State staff after Georgia’s run is over. Fountain, who served as a special teams analyst at Georgia this season, coordinated Auburn’s special teams most of the last decade. Prior to joining Auburn’s staff, Fountain previously coached at Iowa State, Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee, UCF and Florida State.

Oakland Raiders: An update on Jon Gruden’s plans…

Houston Texans: Director of football research Jim Bernhardt is leaving to spend more time with family, John McClain tweets.

Anderson (D-III – IN): Lock Haven (D-II – PA) defensive backs coach Tyrone Young has accepted the defensive coordinator position at Anderson University.

Detroit Lions: In addition to interviewing defensive coordinator Teryl Austin for their head coaching job today, Packers assistant head coach Winston Moss will also interview, per Ian Rapoport.

Houston Texans: Special teams coach Larry Izzo and the Texans have mutually agreed to part ways, per a tweet from John McClain. Also, defensive backs coach John Butler will not return, and running backs coach Charles London has opted to leave the organization, per Ian Rapoport.

Jon Gruden:Alex Marvez tweets that two names he’s hearing as potential additions to Gurden’s staff are Rams quarterbacks coach Greg Olson and Bears offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn.

Utah: Former Oregon State, Utah State, and Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen has been announced as a defensive assistant / associate head coach. Andersen joins Kyle Whittingham’s staff as the 10th assistant.

Louisiana Lafayette: Per source, Matt Bergeron is joining Billy Napier’s staff in an offensive graduate assistant role working with the quarterbacks and receivers. Bergeron spent the last two seasons at Arizona State and prior to that spent a season at Southern Miss.

Denver Broncos: Former UTEP head coach Sean Kugler is interviewing for the offensive line coach today with the Broncos, per a tweet from Alex Marvez. Marvez also adds that Jeff Rodgers, who spent the past three seasons with the Bears, may be potentially returning as special teams coach.

Green Bay Packers: Last night word broke that Packers GM Ted Thompson would be transitioning to another role in the organization, and today the team announced that role is senior advisor to football operations.

Edward Waters (NAIA – FL): Edward Waters College is looking for an assistant football coach with a Masters in Mathematics. Interested persons should forward resume to [email protected].

Houston Texans: Bill O’Brien noted at his press conference today that he and owner Bob McNair are having “productive” and “ongoing” talks about his future with the team. O’Brien also noted that he fully expects assistant head coach Romeo Crennel to return next season.

Washington Redskins: Jay Gruden noted today that his quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell turned down an offer from Chip Kelly at UCLA to be his offensive coordinator, and will get the title of passing game coordinator with the Redskins.

Davidson (FCS – NC): Scott Abell, who has been at Washington & Lee (D-III – VA) since 2008, is the new head coach at Davidson. Abell led the Washington & Lee program to three Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles and had a record of 39-24, capturing league coach of the year honors three times.

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones confirmed today that Jason Garrett would return to lead the team in 2018.

Cleveland Browns: The Browns have requested permission to speak with Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan about their offensive coordinator job, per Ian Rapoport’s tweet.

Arizona State: Although sources tell FootballScoop Western Illinois head coach Charlie Fisher remains a strong candidate for the position, we hear Herm Edwards has brought Wes Chandler in to interview for the receivers job as well. We expect a hire within the next 36 hours. Chandler, a multi-year ProBowler from the late 70s / early 80s coached in the league from 2000-02 with the Cowboys, in 2005 with the Vikings and 07-08 with the Browns. In 2012 he coached one season at Cal.

Defense and running game (still) win championships

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones said this morning there would be quite a bit of turnover within the assistant coaches of the Cowboys. Stay tuned….

Bethel (NAIA – TN): Bethel University is seeking a defensive graduate assistant with playing experience in the secondary. This position will be provided 6 hours of graduate school classes each semester, housing, and $500 a month. With school starting on January 8th, this will happen fast. If you are interested, send an email with your resume attached to [email protected].

Warsaw Eagles (Poland): Sources tell FootballScoop that Warsaw has hired Butler (FCS – IN) defensive line coach / recruiting coordinator Lee Rose as their new defensive coordinator for the 2018 season. Rose has been at Butler since 2013.

Detroit Lions: The Lions will interview Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel for their head coaching job tomorrow, per Albert Breer.

Houston Texans: The Texans have hired a search firm to assist in the search for a new GM to replace Rick Smith and names expected to receive interest are Patriots scouting director Monti Ossenfort, and director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst, according to Ian Rapoport, along with the names mentioned earlier today (scroll down).

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have requested an interview with Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard for their head coaching job, per Tom Pellissero’s tweet.

John DeFilippo: The plan for the Eagles quarterbacks coach is to interview for the Cardinals and Bears head coaching jobs on Friday and Saturday later this week in Philadelphia, per a tweet from Albert Breer.

Georgia: Kirby Smart will collect a $100,000 bonus for their Rose Bowl semifinal win over Oklahoma, and is all but assured another bonus of $200,000 for a top-5 finish in the final Amway or Associate Press poll, per Steve Berkowitz’s tweet. Kirby has earned a total of $1.35 million in bonus money so far this year, and Georgia’s assistants each picked up a bonus equaling 5% of their base salary with the win, Berkowitz adds.

Clemson: Dabo Swinney has earned $400,000 in bonus money this season, per a tweet from Steve Berkowitz.

Alabama: Nick Saban picked up a bonus of $100,000 for their Sugar Bowl semifinal win over Clemson to bring him to $300,000 in on-field bonuses this season and he can earn another $100,000 with a win in the national title game, tweets Steve Berkowitz. Bonuses for Alabama assistant coaches now equals up to 16% oft their base salary, Berkowitz adds, meaning offensive coordinator Brian Daboll that equals $192,000.

Doane (NAIA – NE): Doane University is looking for a home and home series week 1 (Sept 1, 2018/Aug 31, 2019) or week 2 (Sept 8, 2018/Sept 7, 2019). Please email Matt Franzen at [email protected] if interested.

Josh McDaniels: The Patriots offensive coordinator has been formally requested to interview with the Colts, Giants and Bears, and requests from the Titans (following a possible playoff loss Sunday) and Lions could also be forthcoming, per a tweet from Jason La Canfora.

Houston Texans: The Texans have interest in Bills vice president of player personnel Brian Gaine and Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio for their GM job, per Jason La Canfora.

Head coaching changes: 2017-18 NFL & college head coaching changes.