Can we now speculate on Coords and Asst Coaches?
by frigganjoyce on Dec 14, 2010 11:47 AM CST
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PrintBy reading the two answers from Coach Doeren it seems that he is entertaining the possibility of keeping a few of the current coaches. On top of that he has already given offers to other coaches not associated with the current staff.
On his knowledge of Coach Matukewicz and assembling his staff
"I did know Coach Tuke, not to a great extent, but knew him from recruiting in Florida. I've seen him on the road a few times. He's also a Kansas man, so I've heard of him through the profession. We briefly talked upstairs today before I met with the team, but haven't had a great deal of time to sit down with him, he's pretty busy too. I do plan on sitting down with him and any other member of the staff that would like to entertain staying, not that that's going to happen, but I do want to talk to every one of those guys about that. As far as building a staff, that's something that I've been doing over the course of the last seven days once I got the phone call that they were interested, and I knew that would be important. I'm not going to announce any of those names quite yet, but that is of the utmost importance. I'm talking to guys that were on Coach Novak's staff, guys who have played here. I want guys that understand the culture at NIU and that are very proud of working here."
On the process of assembling his staff
"That is the plan that we would like to see happen because of the traveling situation that NIU is undertaking here tomorrow and then me going to the Rose Bowl and coming back, a lot of this is going to be dependent on how we can do those things. There is going to be a lot of back and forth. The sooner I can get everyone here, the sooner I will. I will say this though, I'm not going to rush the process. I do believe that hiring nine guys as fast as I can is not the smartest thing to do. I do know a lot of coaches in this business. There are a lot of great ones, that doesn't mean that they're the right guys for this job. I'm going to take my time. There are a few guys that I have offered positions to I'm going to go out and talk with their families and we'll see where that goes, but we're going to have some guys here who want to be here that represent what I represent, and I'm going to take my time doing that. That's something that I watched with Bret. Bret, a lot like me has a lot of friends in this business, but he interviewed guys for every spot to make sure that they were the right fit and I think that's important here."
So after reading in to this that who do you think will be staying?
Who is going to want to follow Kill to Minn after the 18th?
Who are your front runners for the DC and OC positions?
Below is a list of the remaining coaches in their regular season positions.
| Open - Defensive Coordinator (Claeys has been with Kill since 1995) |
| Open - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line - (Limegrover has been with Kill since 1999) |
| Brian Anderson - Assistant Coach/Tight Ends - (With Kill since 2003) |
| Tom Matukewicz - Assistant Coach/Linebackers - (With Kill since 2003) |
| Jeff Phelps - Assistant Coach/Defensive Line and Recruiting Coord. - (With NIU since 2006) |
| Pat Poore - Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers- (With Kill since 2001) |
| Rob Reeves - Assistant Coach/Running Backs- (With Kill since 1996) |
| Jay Sawvel - Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs and Special Teams- (With Kill since 2001) |
| Jim Zebrowski - Assistant Coach/Quarterbacks - (First season with Kill and NIU) |
|
Eric Klein - Director of Sports Performance - (With Kill since 1994 and also went to HS in Minn) |
| Joe Tripodi - Graduate Assistant/Offense - (Northwestern grad & first year coaching) |
| Melvin Rice - Graduate Assistant/Defense - (NIU grad & first year coaching) |
|
Alex Krutsch - Graduate Assistant/Video - (NIU grad & first year coaching) |
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Out of the current coaching staff I think in-order of likely-hood of staying are…
Zebrowski -100% – Keeping current position
Matukewicz – 50% – Moving up to DC
Phelps – 25% – Keeping current position
Anderson – 25% – Keeping current position
I think that Coaches Poore, Reeves, Sawvel & Klein will go to Minnesota on their own.
I think that Thomas Hammock is the front runner for the OC position because he has spent 5yrs coaching in the Big Ten between 2yrs under Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin and 3yrs at Minn along with his time coaching/playing at NIU. Also Minn obviously already has an OC in Limegrover. FYI in 2009 he made $110,000 as a RB / CO-OC and Limegrover made $105,000 as a OC & OL coach. Hopefully he is not looking for a big raise!
I don’t expect that PJ will want to come back for anything other than OC or if we create an Asst Head Coach position, we do seem to have $500k sitting around. I don’t think that is going to happen. Don’t worry he will be ready to be a HC after Doeren leaves, we just have to hope the timing is right.
Minnesota might really want Zebrowski
He’d be the perfect coach for Grey.
by Grinder in Training on Dec 14, 2010 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
Curious
Why do you see Z staying in his current job? I would think he’s a shoo-in for the Minnesota QB gig.
Shoo-in, I agree but...
First I am hoping that he has more loyalty to Chandler and Lynch than Kill since this is his first year with Kill and NIU. Second his home state is Ohio and the MAC is an Ohio Conference. Granted we only played one game in Ohio this year but I still think it is worth something.
I don’t think Doeren wants a new QB coach to try and develop a relationship with the two established starting and secondary QBs. I think Coach D will do what he can to keep Coach Z. This will go leaps and bounds for confidence in Coach D from Chandler and Lynch.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 14, 2010 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
True but...
Minn would only go to Ohio St every four years now with the new divisions.
Atleast with the MAC there are 6 Ohio schools with a guarantee to go every year. Really I am stretching it that this is a positive but who knows maybe it is something.
Also if Coach Z wants to be a head coach he will be better in the MAC working his way up in position rather than salary in the Big Ten.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 14, 2010 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
Also MAC division changes coming in the next two years
Not that any NIU coach is concerned with this but…
It looks like UMASS will join the MAC in a year or two. This will mean that one of the east schools will need to move to the west to balance out the divisions. Bowling Green makes the most amount of sense for this move. They are the next closest school to the Michigan three and NIU.
Again not that anyone on the coaching staff remotely thought about this for more than a nanosecond if brought up to them.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 14, 2010 3:53 PM CST up reply actions
if things made sense then wouldn't Toledo would be in the East
:-)
by niu_huskie_fan on Dec 14, 2010 4:11 PM CST up reply actions
???Why would that make sense?
???Why would that make sense?
by frigganjoyce on Dec 14, 2010 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
miami (oh)
Oxford is closer to niu than toledo or bg
by numbersdontlie on Dec 19, 2010 8:20 PM CST up reply actions
ah
Well I think BGSU would be the most likely team to move to the west because of how much closer they are to the MI schools and Toledo. Also according to Google map Oxford is further than Toledo or BGSU. Wasn’t BGSU in the west before Temple joined the MAC too?
The only current west school that Miami (OH) move to the west would work out better travel wise is Ball St.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 20, 2010 8:08 AM CST up reply actions
I'm sure if Doeren can keep Z, he will
But I don’t see that happening, maybe if we offer him the OC job?
I’d bet the GA stay unless they are done w/ school. At least Melvin Rice and Alex Krutsch anyways.
I’d like to see Coach Sabock return. He’s a rock for the NIU program, knows it better than anyone, and we need help with the kicking game, which I believe he helped with.
Canada, Hammock, Fleck, Z all make sense to me for OC.
Hammock has been recognized for his great recruiting, and he’s done a solid job as an OC for Minnesota. I think he’s the fallback in my opinion if Canada doesn’t work out.
Would be nice if we can find a way to keep Coach Poore around, I was impressed by what our WR’s did this year, so clearly whatever he’s doing is working, even if it’s just staying out of their way.
DC – Coach Tuke if he wants the position? Might have to swallow his pride a bit going from interim to DC, but he needs to get out of Kill’s shadow if he wants to be a head coach some day. This could be a good opportunity for him.
by Grinder in Training on Dec 14, 2010 1:27 PM CST reply actions
I dont think Coach Doeren is going to have a hard time looking for coaches that want to be at NIU
Z for OC would be acceptable to me. He has experience at that position.
The GAs I don’t see as a getting kicked out other that if Coach D has someone he wants to bring from Wisconsin that he has liked working with.
Coach Sabock would be an interesting choice for DC. Slight chance he may come back for his current position of Running Backs/Special Teams coach that he has at WMU. Current pay is $85K and would be tough to bring him back over for less than that. So really the DC position looks to be the only way he will come back.
I don’t see Canada coming back. That would be a step back for him…going from OC at NIU in 03 to IU OC then back to NIU as a OC. I think the only option for him was HC and he was not a strong canidate for that. On top of that he was making $155K in 2009 at IU. The highest paid assistant at NIU was making $110k per year in 2009.
I don’t think Poore will stick around because he will want the OC position and he is not going to get it because Hammock, Fleck and Canada would be ahead of him. Because of that I see him going up to Minn. Fantasy pick but could we possibly see if Justin McCareins is interested in coaching WR instead of being in law enforcement?
I think Tuke will understand the opportunity that it would be to take the DC position especially under Coach Doeren. I think he understands that he needs to move on from the Kill crew and that this would still be a huge step for him. Most likely a 25% pay increase with a great resume builder. On top of that he will be under someone responsible for coordinating the best turnaround of d-fences in the Big Ten.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 14, 2010 2:07 PM CST up reply actions
out of curiosity
where do you get these salary numbers?
Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid.
- John Wayne
Friggan..
I think Canada would rather get 125K or whatever it is at NIU than be unemployed. Not to mention it won’t be hard to look good w/ the talent we have on offense. He can easily have a good year here and get back to being paid well again in a year from now.
by Grinder in Training on Dec 15, 2010 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
True
He does have the big Novack-NIU connection. I think Doeren could like him more because he had time in the Big Ten, even though it was IU. I think that Canada will be willing to take a pay cut if no other options open up for him by Monday.
Of-course Coach D could have already offered him the job and just wanted to wait till after the bowl game to announce it.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 15, 2010 11:21 AM CST up reply actions
Coaches conversation
I wonder how that short convo went between Doeren and Tuke and if it became awkward……“Hey Tuke I’m taking over as head coach on the 19th so don’t screw anything up…….By the was would you be interested in keeping your job at NIU?” hahaha just a thought.
Hammock staying at Minnesota with Kill
It has been announced that Hammock is staying at Minn with Kill.
The article also states (with no sources) that it is expected that the rest of the NIU coaches formerly under Kill will also go to Minn.
I think we will know who is leaving early next week.
Sabock
I think Sabock would be a good, solid re-addition. He spent many years here, stayed within the division, obviously know the conference and the area—-and most of all, his son was a redshirt this year. I’m willing to bet 99.9% of his allegience is still to NIU.
I'm in agreement with this also.
He makes a ton of sense. Loves NIU, knows it better than anyone and has a son on the roster. Perfect fit.
by Grinder in Training on Dec 15, 2010 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
With todays info...
I think that it will be between Tuke and Sabock for DC.
I think that it will be between Z, Canada and Fleck for OC. (In that order)
I think that Anderson will be willing to stay if Tuke is DC. (not based on anything)
I think that Phelps wants to stay but will be up to Coach D. It couldn’t hurt to have a super recruiting coaching staff!
I think that it is interesting that Kill is keeping on Hammock. Does that mean that Reeves has commented to Kill that he wants to apply to be the OC at NIU?
Hammock staying at Minnesota
Here’s the interesting thing about Hammock staying. He just happened to be at the coach’s show at Fatty’s the Tuesday before the conference championship game. Why, out of all the alums, would it be him at the coach’s show three days before the championship. Well, one could wonder if he was possibly interviewing (or slamming the final recruiting nail into the Kill/NIU coffin) to stay? Makes one wonder if the Kill deal wasn’t done some point before the game….just wondering…..hmmmm….for some reason the focus was elsewhere that night. (absolutely not discrediting Miami’s play at all).
What does this mean for Coach Reeves?
I see the only option for him at NIU is to apply to be the OC.
Could he possibly beat out Coaches Z, Canada and Fleck to get the OC position? On top of that you have to figure Coach Doeren has a name or two from outside NIU to interview for that position.
Reeves has been with Kill since 1996. I mean really that was still when Will Smith was still the Fresh Prince of Bell-Air! Could he seriously not have a job at Minnesota because of Hammock?
by frigganjoyce on Dec 15, 2010 2:45 PM CST up reply actions
Wow, Kill really seems to have the "loyalty" thing working here
just one man’s opinion, but Kill’s mind and focus were somewhere else on the night of Dec. 3rd…..no discredit to M of O, but I didn’t see the same NIU team out there
really don’t know what to expect out of the Huskies in the bowl after all the shit that has gone down
Bottom line: NCAA football is big business
just read the Sahly interview on HuskieWire……Kill seemed pretty genuine in his comments about what came down after the Friday loss
the guy just tripled his income and helped set up things for his family…..the end result is the players are left hanging, but isn’t that what goes on in this business
players make a commitment to a program/a school, but coaches can walk when the right offer comes along
Tuke to stay at NIU!
http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121510aaa.html
But as LB coach not DC!
So does that mean its Sabock for DC now?
Sabock for DC?
I thought he coached D Ends and Special teams.. does he have experience as a DC?
by Grinder in Training on Dec 17, 2010 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
No exp as DC in college but...
He coached at NIU from 84 – 07 then moved to WMU when Kill came in.
If he is not ready for DC under Doeren then he doesn’t want to be a DC. If he does not mind NOT being a DC at NIU then he is likely to come over also because of his deep NIU connection.
I see him coming over as a DB/DE/ST coach even if he is not a DC.
I think Tuke would be a better DC because he is younger and wants to be a head coach. I think he will burn the candle at both ends to improve the team and himself.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 17, 2010 3:51 PM CST up reply actions
Canada is our new OC!
Did not think that would happen…Good call Grinder.
So does that mean coach Z and Reeves are gone for sure?
Coaches Reeves and Z leave to join Kill
http://www.huskiewire.com/articles/2010/12/19/18793904/index.xml
“Saturday’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach Rob Reeves and quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski both told the Daily Chronicle on Saturday night that they would join Jerry Kill’s staff in Minnesota.”
I think the only way either of these two guys would have stayed is if Doeren would have wanted them to be OC. With Canada available I think he could not be passed up due to his history with NIU and OC experience.
NIU Coaching update
Here is what I have so far. Italic names are unknown.
Open – Defensive Coordinator
Matt Canada – Offensive Coordinator
Open - Assistant Coach/Offensive Line
Brian Anderson – Assistant Coach/Tight Ends
Tom Matukewicz – Assistant Coach/Linebackers
Jeff Phelps – Assistant Coach/Defensive Line and Recruiting Coord.
Pat Poore – Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers
Open – Assistant Coach/Running Backs
Jay Sawvel – Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs and Special Teams
Open – Assistant Coach/Quarterbacks
Eric Klein – Director of Sports Performance
Phelps and Poore also go to Minn
http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205057865
Remaining unknowns…
Brian Anderson – Assistant Coach/Tight Ends
Jay Sawvel – Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs and Special Teams
Eric Klein – Director of Sports Performance
I am reading that Klein is gone also but nothing official, not sure there would be for a non-positions coach.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 20, 2010 2:45 PM CST up reply actions
Z and Phelps to get 180K a year...
Nice bump for Phelps who was making just under 65K in 09. Who could blame these guys for leaving. Seems everyone that is going is getting at-least a 250% raise!
Thanks for sticking around for the bowl game!
Previous SEC D-line coach to be NIUs new D-line coach???
Seriously how is this happening. 2 Big Ten coaches, 1 SEC coach, one heck of a motivational & winning interm coach and an offense with most of its starters returning.
http://footballscoop.com/the-scoop
Northern Illinois: Our sources tell us that Dave Doeren has hired UT-Martin special teams coordinator / defensive line coach Ryan Nielson as the Huskies’ new defensive line coach.
http://www.utmsports.com/coach.cfm?id=190&sport=Football
Looks like Nielsen played at USC when Doeren was a GA there. (from DogTracks)
Doeren names Brad Ohrt as Director of Sports Performance
http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122110aab.html
Brad Ohrt, who has served as head strength and conditioning coach at four institutions during a 15-year coaching career, will take over the same role at Northern Illinois, new head football coach Dave Doeren announced Monday. ..
Yes, at this time.
Sawvel is the only of the two that the sports people think have a chance to go to Minn as Kill reportedly has one more slot open.
Anderson is a Rockford native that went to school at Western. I think he is the most likely of the two that would want to stay. However, if Doeren does not get along with him or if Minn offers him to much money he will not be here next year.
Now that we are getting official announcements today I think we will know before to long.
by frigganjoyce on Dec 21, 2010 10:56 PM CST up reply actions
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