I am back. I needed a few days to recharge the batteries. I never need a real vacation from Buckeye football but there are times I need to step away. A lot has happened.

First, if you know anyone that has had trouble in the past logging on to the site, tell them to come back and give it a try. I think we have found a fix.

So many coaching changes that could have an impact on our staff. Akron, Youngstown State, Louisville, Marshall, Virginia, and likely Notre Dame are going to be changing coaches. All those schools have some connection to Ohio. Akron and Youngstown State are likely to find the cachet of a Buckeye assistant as their head coach appealing. The name recognition could go a long way with recruits. Louisville, Marshall are always looking for talent in Ohio. Virginia hit Ohio hard once Al Groh came to the program. Notre Dame has breeched the fence in Ohio by setting up camp in Cincinnati. Any of the these programs could do themselves a favor by adding a head coach, or an assistant coach, from the Ohio State program. It brings them a connection to the most fertile recruiting grounds north of the Carolinas and east of the Rockies. Coaches who know and are known by the coaches of the top programs in the state.

There is already talk of Fickell to Akron. He made his bones there. An Ohio born guy who played at Ohio State and coached at Akron before he came to Ohio State. He is known as the best recruiter outside of Jim Tressel himself on the Buckeye staff. That is one impressive pedigree. He is a charismatic energetic young guy. I think he is automatically on the short list.

The other very appealing target is going to be Darrell Hazel. He is an attractive black assistant who is going to interview well. You can bet the NCAA was on the phone to each of these schools immediately after learning of the dismissal of the head coach, encouraging them to look to hire black coaches. It is a very sensitive issue with the NCAA that black coaches have become old hat in the NFL while the NCAA schools have less than a handful.

Fickell is a good thing. I think we will miss his input. I think he was critical to the more aggressive defense we have seen since USC 2008 but I think he needs to prove himself as a head coach before he would be considered as a possible successor to JT. Hazel is the one that throws a wrench in things here. I think Hazel as OC is as good a bet as there is out there. What happens if he is offered a head coaching job at a YSU or even an Akron? JT may have to go outside his circle to get an OC. For a good chunk of the people who visit here, that is an early Christmas present. I have argued that Hazel is a new voice and that is a good thing. Maybe the best we can hope for. I never envisioned the possibility that Hazel might be getting an offer he can't refuse.

Here is the other thing to think about. What does it say if none of those schools, all having some degree of wanting a foothold in Ohio, interview a Buckeye assistant?

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

Comments (11)

...
written by Buckeye Warrior, November 30, 2009

I don't want to lose Fickell. He is too valuable to the defense and to recruiting. However, losing Hazell is a very good thing. I would hope that Tressel would go after a Mark Whipple type of coordinator.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Site crashed
written by KasinoRoyale, November 30, 2009

I was able to navigate a few past blogs but it crashed when I went into today's. That said the fact I'm posting right now shows that the site is working a lot better. I'm happy.

• 
• -1
• 
• 

...
written by osukiks, November 30, 2009

If Hazell does go, is it possible that Tressel stays in his inner circle and goes after Mangino (have to think he's out at KU). Wasn't he with Tressel at YSU or am I imagining that?

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Crashing site
written by JimS, November 30, 2009

The site is still crashing for me. Usually takes me about 5 tries before I can load an article without it crashing. Annoying as hell... I feel like punching the monitor every time I try to see what you say. Having said that, I still keep coming back which says something about how much I like the blog.

I've tried posting something like this in the comments probably 15 times and every time the site has crashed and I said "F it". Maybe this one will get through...

• 
• +2
• 
• 

...
written by RipsManifesto, November 30, 2009

I'd have to think, given what Mangino is being accused of, he and Tressel would be like oil and water. I can't imagine him bringing Mangino here. Just unnecessary bad publicity that OSU doesn't need.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by NorthCoaster, November 30, 2009

How's this to shake things up: Hazell out to head coach somewhere, CHARLIE WEIS as OC! Give his "decided schematic advantage" the talent to run it, and help Pryor out at the same time.

• 
• -1
• 
• 

Good things
written by Fat Guy, November 30, 2009

OSU has been blessed to some degree with having consistency with the staff. A new face is not a bad thing every few years if it is only one working part.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by sehs95, November 30, 2009

If Hazell leaves, Tressel will just make Siciliano the OC and move some grad assistant/coffee gopher up to QB coach.

• 
• +1
• 
• 

...
written by Hilltopbass, November 30, 2009

It didn't happen so much to Woody that I can recall, it seemed Bruce and Cooper lost a key assistant every year like that. This staff has been relativley stable and we are screaming about the one's we want gone, now it looks like change will come. The problem is the staff we want to replace aren't the one's being considered and it conserns me that if the younger one's who have been a bright spot go we will be stuck with the old guard another year or two.
Duane, can this staff handle that dramtic a change if Hazel & Fickell go is there any chance Bolls and Heacock are still on the way out or are we doomed to keep them on.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

YSU
written by D - Ytown, December 01, 2009

Mark Stoops (D-Coordinator at Arizona) is the front runner for the YSU job. Seems like they are pretty much settled on him, now just have to work out the monetary difference.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

What is Bollman's status?
written by John S, December 01, 2009

Does Bollman have retirement plans? If so, I wonder if Hazel would be inclined to stay if he had a smooth step up into an OC job instead of jumping into the riskier waters of being a head coach?

I don't know if Heacock has ever hinted at retirement or not. It might be harder to hold on to Fickel if Heacock isn't going anywhere.

I'd clearly like to see both Hazel and Fickel stay on board. It's better to keep known good coaches when possible.

It seems like there has been good stability in the OSU staff for a few years now. I remember around 03-05 when it seemed like there was a yearly raid on assistants, especially defensive coordinators.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment