Friday February 12, 2016

Savannah State (FCS – GA): Head coach Earnest Wilson III is leaving Savannah State after three seasons the school has announced, Multiple outlets report that he will become the head coach at Elizabeth City State (D-II – NC). Wilson was 2-32 leading the program.

Miami Dolphins: The organization has announced that senior personnel executive and assistant GM Eric Stokes and the team have mutually agreed to part ways.

Mississippi State: Madison Central (MS) High School head coach Brad Peterson will join Dan Mullen’s staff as director of player personnel, 247 reports and we can confirm.

Stanford: The Cardinal has formally announced Diron Reynolds as defensive line coach.

Texas Tech: Louisiana Tech safeties coach Karl Scott will be Texas Tech’s cornerbacks coach according to SI.

Ole Miss: Sources tell us that assistant recruiting director Branden Wenzel has resigned to pursue other opportunities. His departure is not related to the ongoing NCAA investigation, we’re told.

Behold: The 2015 Football Photo of the Year.

Eastern Illinois: Per source, Michael Hodges (who coached the linebackers the past two seasons) will serve as defensive coordinator and former UT Martin defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington will coach the defensive line at EIU and serve as co-defensive coordinator.

Mercer is promoting its 2016 signing class in Times Freakin’ Square today.

Oklahoma Panhandle State (D-II): OPSU is looking for a home game on Sept. 10, 2016 with the possibility of a return date on Sept. 9, 2017. Looking for a D2, D3, or NAIA opponent. Please email head coach Russell Gaskamp at [email protected] if interested.

Charlotte: NC State quality control director Ulrick Edmonds is the new outside linebackers coach at Charlotte, per SI.

Chicago Bears: Former Rutgers offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach Ben McDaniels is joining the offensive staff in Chicago, per SI.

Southern Miss: Defensive coordinator David Duggan is not being retained by Jay Hopson according to the Sun Herald.

Scoop him up: Ferris State University (D-II – MI) receivers coach Sparky McEwen recently completed his 25th year of coaching. He has experienced success at every level from high school to college to professional. Sparky has six seasons of head coaching experience professionally in the Arena Football League and nine seasons as a head high school coach. Notable athletes include, Heisman trophy runner-up Michael Bishop (Kansas State), Adrian McPherson (Florida State) and Tommy Grady (Utah/Oklahoma). Most recently, McEwen assisted in the development of two-time Harlon Hill recipient Jason Vander Laan (2014 & 2015). McEwen is also known as a relentless recruiter in the coaching profession with ties to high school coaches across the national landscape. For the next step in his coaching journey, Sparky (who has worked with Barry Switzer, Tony Annese, Darren Arbet, and Gary Reason) is interested in becoming a head coach at the small college level, a Division I or NFL assistant position working with wide receivers or quarterbacks, or a personnel opportunity. Interested programs can reach coach McEwen at [email protected].

New York Giants: The Giants are hiring longtime NFL defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina as their defensive line coach according to Alex Marvez.

Colorado State: Black Hills State (D-II – SD) wide receivers coach John Faircloth has joined Colorado State as a graduate assistant.

Texas A&M: Kevin Sumlin has approached Texas defensive line coach Brick Haley in the Aggies’ open defensive line job according to Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman.

Missouri Valley (NAIA – MO): Missouri Valley College special teams coordinator and secondary coach Cam Wierson has accepted the head coaching job at Kingman HS (AZ), per source.

Arkansas: Per SI, Kansas running backs coach / recruiting coordinator Reggie Mitchell is leaving and is expected to join Bret Bielema’s staff. We can confirm the news. Mitchell spent the past six seasons as Kansas and previously coached at Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Kent State, Western Michigan, and Michigan among various other stops.

Presbyterian College (FCS – SC): Per source, Adam Mims has accepted the wide receivers job at Presbyterian. Mims spent last season in an offensive quality control role at Samford (FCS – AL).

Carolina Panthers: Alex Marvez notes that Tampa Bay’s Kevin O’Dea and San Francisco’s Thomas McGaughey are interviewing for the special teams position in Carolina.

Detroit Lions: The Lions are adding Denver Broncos offensive assistant Brian Callahan as their new quarterbacks coach, per Alex Marvez.

Tusculum (D-II – TN): Arkansas State graduate assistant John Mohring is joining the staff to coach the linebackers, per source.

North Texas: The University of North Texas has an immediate position available. This is strictly a volunteer position that will work with special teams. There is NO pay, meals or room & board. This position will eventually turn into a graduate assistant position, therefore all serious candidates must have graduated from their undergrad no later than 2012. All interested candidates need to email Thomas Sheffield at [email protected]. No phone calls please.

Wofford (FCS – SC): Per source, Sheil Wood has been hired to coach the safeties at Wofford.

Westminster (D-III – MO): Westminster College is looking for two intern assistant football coaches for 2016. Bachelor’s degree required. Each intern will be responsible for coaching a position, have a recruiting territory and other duties assigned by the head football coach. Playing experience at the collegiate level is preferred and coaching experience as a defensive back or running back is a plus. Compensation: room and $300.00 per month stipend. No benefits provided. Send resume and any other pertinent information to [email protected]. No phone calls please.

Arizona State: Per source, Samford offensive quality control coach Graham Craig has accepted an offensive graduate assistant job at Arizona State.

Occidental (D-III – CA): Occidental has promoted linebackers coach Wilbert Gilmore to defensive coordinator, per source.

Ball State: Source tells FootballScoop LSU defensive analyst Chevis Jackson will be the new defensive backs coach at Ball State.

Texas: Texas is set to hire Taver Johnson away from Purdue to serve as defensive backs coach according to Jeff Howe of Horns247. Johnson previously coached defensive backs for Ohio State, Arkansas and the Philadelphia Eagles. Sources tell us Johnson has not been offered yet but would accept if offered.

LSU Governor says that “you can say goodbye to college football” if state budget crisis isn’t resolved

Samford: Tulane special teams assistant Mike Krysl is the new special teams coordinator / offensive tackles coach at Samford, per source.

South Alabama: Per source, tight ends coach Richard Owens has been promoted to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator.

Houston: Edward Jones II has been named director of high school relations / player development at Houston.

Utah State: Julius Brown, who coached the secondary and served as recruiting coordinator at Boise State the last two seasons, has been named corners coach at Utah State. Brown coached the corners and served as recruiting coordinator at Arkansas State in 2013, and coached the corners at Troy in 2012.

Auburn: Hewitt Trussville HS (AL) offensive coordinator Austin Tucker is joining Gus Malzahn’s staff as an offensive graduate assistant, per source.

LA Harbor (JC – CA): Los Angeles Harbor College is seeking experienced QBs coach or a WRs coach. Must demonstrate great knowledge and ability to teach the position. Must have a passion for recruiting and be a man of great character. This is a stipend only position. $5000-$7000 per year. Other income opportunities may exist for right person. Must be able to attend all meetings and practices. Email coaching resume to Coach Dowty, [email protected] if applying from outside California, please let me know how you plan to support yourself while coaching at LA Harbor College. No phone calls please.

Missouri Valley (NAIA – MO): Missouri Valley College invites applications for Full-Time Assistant Football Coach and Instructor. The successful candidate must possess a Master’s Degree and have previous experience in coaching defensive backs. Experience with: recruiting, special teams and strength program considered a plus. Interested applicants should email defensive coordinator Monty Roe at [email protected]. No phone calls.

Arizona State: Texas wide receivers coach Jay Norvell, who took over play calling duties partway through the season, is leaving the staff according to OrangeBloods, and Fox Sports adds that Norvell is expected to join the Arizona State staff.