Thank God amateur hour is over

[RUChoppin]

I'm reserving judgement until I see what's on the field, but I agree that Mehringer is a bit of a head-scratcher for OC right now.

From P5 grad assistant in 2013, to a FCS Co-OC in 2014, to a G5 WR coach in 2015, to a P5 OC in 2016.... that's a pretty meteoric rise, and may be unprecedented (grad assistant to P5 OC in 3 years). I'm sure hoping we're catching lightning in a bottle, but I can't help but think about the risk involved in this hire. Hope the concerns are unfounded - but I can't ignore them right now.

Need to see what goes out on the field this year and next.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I'm reserving judgement until I see what's on the field, but I agree that Mehringer is a bit of a head-scratcher for OC right now.

From P5 grad assistant in 2013, to a FCS Co-OC in 2014, to a G5 WR coach in 2015, to a P5 OC in 2016.... that's a pretty meteoric rise, and may be unprecedented (grad assistant to P5 OC in 3 years). I'm sure hoping we're catching lightning in a bottle, but I can't help but think about the risk involved in this hire. Hope the concerns are unfounded - but I can't ignore them right now.

Need to see what goes out on the field this year and next.

Read this you'll feel much better:

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/i...hrived_under_drew_mehringer_provides_ins.html

 

[RU2055]

I think people are very justified to be a bit nervous about this situation. With this hire you have a defensive minded first time head coach, and a young position coach moving up to be OC. These guys are certainly rising stars, but this is clearly a high risk situation. No one knows how it will work out. I am an optimist by nature, but to not acknowledge the risk would be dishonest, and naive.

Ash was likely ready to take the next step. Moving directly to HC at a Big Ten school is a significant jump, so there is still significant risk involved. He may or may not be capable of being an HC. Plenty of hot P5 coordinators flame out at the AAC/MAC level. Ash is being thrown into the fire of the best coached division in college football. While his promotion is probably appropriate, it is absolutely higher risk.

Many, myself included, were hoping to back fill his inexperience with a former HC at OC. Someone with some experience running a team to help Ash grow into his role. Instead, we have doubled down, hiring a position coach from an AAC team to be our OC. That is extremely high risk, and by any measure he is skipping a few rungs on the career ladder.

I agree it's high risk. But it's also high reward. It's unfair to call our coaches "amateur hour". At most, folks should say, they're skeptical but they're willing to give it a chance. Fact is, we simply don't know how the hiring of Ash and the 28 year old will work out. However, their past success is at least something to hold on to. Maybe they can replicate that here. If they do, will anybody really care how old they are?

Here is the bottom line - we wanted to turn the page from the Schiano era and that we did - in a B1G way!!! We've started a new book on Rutgers football. We're only at the table of contents and already people are judging how the ending will be. Give it a chance.

 

[megadrone]

Drew is another Ohio State guy. I would take Drew over what you had previously at OC! He also comes well recommended by Urban Meyer and Tom Herman.

our worst coach in our history that nearly killed our program came with Bill Walsh's recommendation.

 

[KJRU]

our worst coach in our history that nearly killed our program came with Bill Walsh's recommendation.

Well that seals the deal, let's shut this **** down.

 

[ScarletDave]

Age is but a number. But Ohio State is Ohio State and Urban Meyer is Urban Meyer and Tom Herman is Tom Herman and 85 plays a game is 85 plays a game, and anytime you can have minds who coached at those places under those names and have that style, couldn't ask for much more.

 

[RUChoppin]

Read this you'll feel much better:

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/i...hrived_under_drew_mehringer_provides_ins.html

I did read it (even though it was NJ.com), but while it's a cause for optimism, it doesn't erase any of the concerns I noted.

He had a great year at JMU, but faced FCS defenses. Their FBS game was against MD, where they scored just 7 points against the 87th ranked FBS scoring defense (hard to count that, though, as it was his first game with JMU). Even among FCS teams, JMU faced just one team that finished in the Top 25 in total defense (though they did light up #3 Stony Brook for 513 total yards later in the season).

That's great improvement, going from the MD game to the Stony Brook game, which is cause for optimism. He's a rising star, for sure, but he's definitely skipped a few steps on the ladder, which makes me wonder if the Peter Principle will come into play at any point.

I know people talk about "home run" hires... this one feels like a hard liner down the first base line. It could get into the corner and end up with a bases clearing triple or inside the park home run.... or it could get snagged by the first basement for an out. Not going to know until we know.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I did read it (even though it was NJ.com), but while it's a cause for optimism, it doesn't erase any of the concerns I noted.

He had a great year at JMU, but faced FCS defenses. .

Of course they faced FCS D's they are an FCS team, with FCS players, and when he's here he will be coaching FBS players, against FBS teams, for an FBS program....

...see where I'm going with this?

 

[RUinHouston59]

Why does that signal that to you? What makes you think our 28 yr old OC is ready to match wits with Greg Schiano, Bob Shoop, and Mark Dantonio. I want to understand your train of thought.

What makes you think he's not?

 

[RUChoppin]

Of course they faced FCS D's they are an FCS team, with FCS players, and when he's here he will be coaching FBS players, against FBS teams, for an FBS program....

...see where I'm going with this?

Yeah, but they also faced FCS DCs and HCs. Not saying it won't happen, but can't just assume success in FCS will automatically translate to success in a P5 conference. I like his philosophy, like what I hear people saying about him, like how our offense might look... but the proof will be in the pudding.

 

[rufamily]

Just did a little checking and Lincoln Riley was an OC at 27. Yes, it was ECU but still an OC at 27 maybe we give the kid a shot?

 

[RUChoppin]

Just did a little checking and Lincoln Riley was an OC at 27. Yes, it was ECU but still an OC at 27 maybe we give the kid a shot?

I have no reason to doubt him right now without seeing something on the field - I'm hoping he comes in with a fresh perspective and lights it up next year. I also have faith in Ash that he's surrounding himself with good people, as he's been looking toward being a HC for years and wouldn't hire someone he didn't have 100% confidence in for such an important position.

The choice does carry some risk, though, which I can't ignore yet. My reaction to the news so far has been "....huh." Nothing negative to say, certainly high hopes - but a little out of the blue for me. Definitely a wait-and-see before forming any sort of judgment.

Also, edit to add: Riley was a P5 position coach for 3 seasons, then became a G5 OC for 5 seasons, before becoming a P5 OC. Hoping Mehringer has as much (or more) success.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Ash hasn't signed anyone yet BTW

 

[derleider]

Lincoln Riley is 32.

Lincoln Riley has Oklahoma level recruits in a league with no defense.

 

[RUSK97]

Ash hasn't signed anyone yet BTW

A lot of people preaching patience. I agree. But I can't lie; I have ants in my pants - Kirby Smart and Scott Frost were Coordinators hired only days before Ash. Smart has a 5-star commit at Georgia already and Frost has over three commits from blazing fast central Florida ballers. Meanwhile our guy is coaching up 4 and 5-star beasts - for our opponent and shedding commits by the day. Fine, they may not fit the system, but it doesn't bring me any peace whatsoever. I know, I know, give him time. Just given our record of making bad hires, I don't know how you guys can be so calm about this.

 

[scarletschuyler]

Did Al undergo a labotomy??

 

[SkilletHead2]

Is that the real Rutgersal? It can't be. You don't go from claiming a Flood will win the national championship to this drivel.

This would be so disappointing if true.

It's dribble, not drivel. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[lighty]

our worst coach in our history that nearly killed our program came with Bill Walsh's recommendation.

As great as Bill Walsh was he was out of coaching when he made that recommendation not a year removed from winning a national championship. To me, there's a bit of a difference - especially when the guy being recommended was part of that championship staff.

 

[koleszar]

Of course they faced FCS D's they are an FCS team, with FCS players, and when he's here he will be coaching FBS players, against FBS teams, for an FBS program....

...see where I'm going with this?

We just had a DC who was a decent DC in FCS he skipped a few rungs and got the DC job at RU. He coached FBS players against FBS teams. I think we all know how that one turned out. I can't be a hypocrite here I thought the Rossi promotion was horrible and I'm very concerned about this hire. Hopefully he has already acquired the skills necessary to outcoach his fellow P5 coordinators. Because at this level you shouldn't be learning, you should have these skills already in your arsenal. All hire's have a degree of risk, this one is very risky one year as Co-OC at an FCS school proves nothing. Just like it did in Rossi's case.

 

[Leonard23]

Lincoln Riley was 26 or 27 when he became OC @ ECU & after a few yrs is now OC at OU. Relax old people, we'll be fine.

 

[cohwx]

Over?
Amateur hour is just beginning. 28 yr old OC is just the start. Can't wait to see who we fill the rest of the staff with.

Same ol BS, just packaged differently.

We're definitely not planning to compete right away with the best. This hire signals it's a rebuild job.

LOL...now I know we're going in the right direction!

 

[koleszar]

Lincoln Riley was 26 or 27 when he became OC @ ECU & after a few yrs is now OC at OU. Relax old people, we'll be fine.

Exactly he went from WR coach at Texas Tech 2yrs. then went to ECU for 5 yrs. where he was OC then to Oklahoma. Our guy went from 1yr. JMU co-OC to 1yr. Houston WR coach then to RU OC. Riley put in his time at a G5 and thus had a track record of being an OC. Our guy has no such track record the situations are not comparable except for age.

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

What makes you think he's not?

I was looking for evidence that he is. Off course there isn't any, so we fold our hands and hope for the best. This isn't the type of hire that a big time program makes. We're so generous that we allow our coordinators to learn on the job. He doesn't fit the profile of our divisional competitors, so naturally, can't help but feel nervous about this. I will be rooting for him nonetheless.

Ohio State
Tim Beck

1990 Illinois State (LB/P)
1991–1992 Kansas State (GA)
1993–1995 Saguaro HS (AZ)
1996–1997 Missouri State (assistant)
1998 Missouri State (OC)
1999–2001 R. L. Turner HS (TX)
2002–2004 Mansfield Summit HS (TX)
2005–2006 Kansas (WR)
2007 Kansas (WR/PGC)
2008–2010 Nebraska (RB)
2011–2014 Nebraska (OC/QB)
2015–present Ohio State (co-OC/QB)

Penn State
Joe Moorhead

1998 Pittsburgh (GA/Defense)
1999 Pittsburgh (GA/Recruiting)
2000 Georgetown (RB)
2001–2002 Georgetown (QB)
2003 Georgetown (OC/QB)
2004 Akron (WR/Recruiting)
2005 Akron (AHC/Pass Game Coord/WR/Recruiting)
2006–2008 Akron (OC/QB)
2009–2010 Connecticut (OC/QB)
2011 Connecticut (QB)
2012–2015 Fordham
2016-present Penn State (OC)

Michigan
Tim Drevno

1991–1992 Cal State Fullerton (GA)
1993–1995 Montana State (TE)
1996–1997 Montana State (RB)
1998 UNLV (RB)
1999 San Jose State (OL)
2000–2002 Idaho (OL)
2003–2006 San Diego (OC/OL)
2007–2008 Stanford (TE)
2009–2010 Stanford (OL)
2011–2013 San Francisco 49ers (OL)
2014 USC (RGC/OL)
2015–present Michigan (OC/OL)

Michigan State
Jim Bollman

1977 Miami (OH) (GA)
1978–1982 Miami (OH) (OL)
1983–1984 NC State (AHC/OL)
1985 NC State (AHC/LB)
1986–1988 Youngstown State (DC)
1989–90 Youngstown State (OC)
1991–1994 Virginia (OL)
1995–1997 Michigan State (OL)
1998 Philadelphia Eagles (TE)
1999–2000 Chicago Bears (TE)
2001–2011 Ohio State (OC/OL)
2012 Boston College (OL/RGC)
2013–present Michigan State (OC)

Indiana
Kevin Johns

1999–2001 Northwestern (GA)
2002–2003 Richmond (WR)
2004–2005 Northwestern (RB)
2006–2007 Northwestern (WR/RC)
2008–2010 Northwestern (WR/PCG)
2011 Indiana (Co-OC/WR)
2012–2013 Indiana (Co-OC/QB/WR)
2014–Present Indiana (OC/QB/WR)

 

[RUSK97]

Lincoln Riley was 26 or 27 when he became OC @ ECU & after a few yrs is now OC at OU. Relax old people, we'll be fine.

Again, OC in CUSA, not the meat grinder that is the B1G East. If you make a mistake or two in CUSA you might get away with it. There is no room for error in this conference where you're a first time OC facing some of the best DCs in the country.

And even then, I think being a coordinator in the CUSA was tougher than one year in the CAA.

 

[RUinHouston59]

I was looking for evidence that he is. Off course there isn't any, so we fold our hands and hope for the best. This isn't the type of hire that a big time program makes. We're so generous that we allow our coordinators to learn on the job. He doesn't fit the profile of our divisional competitors, so naturally, can't help but feel nervous about this. I will be rooting for him nonetheless.

Ohio State
Tim Beck

1990 Illinois State (LB/P)
1991–1992 Kansas State (GA)
1993–1995 Saguaro HS (AZ)
1996–1997 Missouri State (assistant)
1998 Missouri State (OC)
1999–2001 R. L. Turner HS (TX)
2002–2004 Mansfield Summit HS (TX)
2005–2006 Kansas (WR)
2007 Kansas (WR/PGC)
2008–2010 Nebraska (RB)
2011–2014 Nebraska (OC/QB)
2015–present Ohio State (co-OC/QB)

Penn State
Joe Moorhead

1998 Pittsburgh (GA/Defense)
1999 Pittsburgh (GA/Recruiting)
2000 Georgetown (RB)
2001–2002 Georgetown (QB)
2003 Georgetown (OC/QB)
2004 Akron (WR/Recruiting)
2005 Akron (AHC/Pass Game Coord/WR/Recruiting)
2006–2008 Akron (OC/QB)
2009–2010 Connecticut (OC/QB)
2011 Connecticut (QB)
2012–2015 Fordham
2016-present Penn State (OC)

Michigan
Tim Drevno

1991–1992 Cal State Fullerton (GA)
1993–1995 Montana State (TE)
1996–1997 Montana State (RB)
1998 UNLV (RB)
1999 San Jose State (OL)
2000–2002 Idaho (OL)
2003–2006 San Diego (OC/OL)
2007–2008 Stanford (TE)
2009–2010 Stanford (OL)
2011–2013 San Francisco 49ers (OL)
2014 USC (RGC/OL)
2015–present Michigan (OC/OL)

Michigan State
Jim Bollman

1977 Miami (OH) (GA)
1978–1982 Miami (OH) (OL)
1983–1984 NC State (AHC/OL)
1985 NC State (AHC/LB)
1986–1988 Youngstown State (DC)
1989–90 Youngstown State (OC)
1991–1994 Virginia (OL)
1995–1997 Michigan State (OL)
1998 Philadelphia Eagles (TE)
1999–2000 Chicago Bears (TE)
2001–2011 Ohio State (OC/OL)
2012 Boston College (OL/RGC)
2013–present Michigan State (OC)

Indiana
Kevin Johns

1999–2001 Northwestern (GA)
2002–2003 Richmond (WR)
2004–2005 Northwestern (RB)
2006–2007 Northwestern (WR/RC)
2008–2010 Northwestern (WR/PCG)
2011 Indiana (Co-OC/WR)
2012–2013 Indiana (Co-OC/QB/WR)
2014–Present Indiana (OC/QB/WR)

Al, times are changing on the offensive side of the ball, the guys that are coming up with these simple but creative offensives are every young. They are thinking outside of the box and are causing DC's to pull their hair out. Lincoln Riley is 32 and he may be calling plays in the NC game this year.

 

[RUChoppin]

Lincoln Riley was 26 or 27 when he became OC @ ECU & after a few yrs is now OC at OU. Relax old people, we'll be fine.

My concerns aren't about his age.

Riley was a P5 assistant for 3 years before taking a G5 OC position, and was a G5 OC for 5 years before taking a P5 OC position. That's an accelerated pace, but it makes sense - proves himself for 3 years as an assistant before taking a lower conference OC job, then proves himself at a lower conference OC job before jumping to a P5 OC job.

I'm pretty sure that Mehringer will be the first person to start a season as a P5 Coordinator who was a graduate assistant less than three years prior (and who incidentally hasn't been at any non-grad assistant job more than a year).

That is a testament to his drive, his success, and how much regard Ash has for him - but a resume that thin really doesn't leave much either positive or negative to say about him.

For the same reason the NCAA doesn't include players who only appeared in a handful of games in their rankings, I don't know enough about him (especially from a consistency perspective) to form a real opinion. Need to see the product he puts out on the field for us.

 

[BaseballFan913]

And speaking of amateurs....our new coach just hired a 28 yo OC....

I'm 29 and I think I'm smarter than most older people on this board so I don't mind the hire

 

[rutgersal_rivals139582]

Al, times are changing on the offensive side of the ball, the guys that are coming up with these simple but creative offensives are every young. They are thinking outside of the box and are causing DC's to pull their hair out. Lincoln Riley is 32 and he may be calling plays in the NC game this year.

I understand the talking points supporting the hire, but still feel concerned regarding the risk.

Furthermore, We hired Drew Mehringer not Lincoln Riley. Lincoln Riley was hired by Oklahoma after he coached four years at ECU. Below is a brief track record:

2010–2013 East Carolina (OC/QB)
2014 East Carolina (AHC/OC/QB)
2015–present Oklahoma (OC/QB)

We are all rooting for Drew Mehringer to be successful, though the jury is out.

 

[BiggyRU]

I absolutely HATE all the hires...We rushed into an AD who had never even seen our facilities..
How can you have a vision of the program if you don't even know what we currently have???

We rushed into a Head Coach with Zero head coaching experience ( didn't we just do that with Flood???)
Ash may be fiery and a very good DC. But in my opinion we needed a head coach that has proven something..

And then we hire a 28 year old position coach with very little experience to go head up with some of the best defenses in the Nation??

Not sure how anyone can have the warm and fuzzies about our direction..

I hope to be 100% wrong. But right now I just don't see it at all..

 

[RUChoppin]

I'm pretty sure that Mehringer will be the first person to start a season as a P5 Coordinator who was a graduate assistant less than three years prior (and who incidentally hasn't been at any non-grad assistant job more than a year).

Looks like I am wrong about this point.

Brian Johnson became an OC at Utah in 2012 after having just 2 years of prior coaching experience (both as QB coach at Utah). He spent two years as OC at Utah (2012-2013) before taking a position as QB coach at Mississippi State in 2014 (under Dan Mullen, who was the QB coach at Utah when he was a player there).

 

[RUinHouston59]

I understand the talking points supporting the hire, but still feel concerned regarding the risk.

Furthermore, We hired Drew Mehringer not Lincoln Riley. Lincoln Riley was hired by Oklahoma after he coached four years at ECU. Below is a brief track record:

2010–2013 East Carolina (OC/QB)
2014 East Carolina (AHC/OC/QB)
2015–present Oklahoma (OC/QB)

We are all rooting for Drew Mehringer to be successful, though the jury is out.

I agree there is risk, I've talked to people that know him huge upside. BTW Kevin Kilmer a quality control coach ( G/A) from TTU will be Bowling Greens new OC.

 

[eceres]

My concerns aren't about his age.

Riley was a P5 assistant for 3 years before taking a G5 OC position, and was a G5 OC for 5 years before taking a P5 OC position. That's an accelerated pace, but it makes sense - proves himself for 3 years as an assistant before taking a lower conference OC job, then proves himself at a lower conference OC job before jumping to a P5 OC job.

I'm pretty sure that Mehringer will be the first person to start a season as a P5 Coordinator who was a graduate assistant less than three years prior (and who incidentally hasn't been at any non-grad assistant job more than a year).

That is a testament to his drive, his success, and how much regard Ash has for him - but a resume that thin really doesn't leave much either positive or negative to say about him.

For the same reason the NCAA doesn't include players who only appeared in a handful of games in their rankings, I don't know enough about him (especially from a consistency perspective) to form a real opinion. Need to see the product he puts out on the field for us.

One thing to note is he was a student assistant for 3 years (some career ending injury as a freshman). So he has 3 more years coaching in college - although with a lower level than grad assistant.

Full coaching history:

•Houston wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator: 2015

•James Madison co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach: 2014

•Ohio State offensive graduate assistant: 2012-13

•Iowa State offensive graduate assistant: 2010-11

•Rice student assistant: 2007-09

 

[RUSK97]

I'm 29 and I think I'm smarter than most older people on this board so I don't mind the hire

Of course you think you're smart; you're 29. You probably also think you deserve to be handed the keys to the kingdom without having to pay your dues.

Chances are very good that you're lazy, overpaid and underqualified.

 

[T2Kplus10]

One thing to note is he was a student assistant for 3 years (some career ending injury as a freshman). So he has 3 more years coaching in college - although with a lower level than grad assistant.

Full coaching history:

•Houston wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator: 2015

•James Madison co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach: 2014

•Ohio State offensive graduate assistant: 2012-13

•Iowa State offensive graduate assistant: 2010-11

•Rice student assistant: 2007-09

Love this hire! I'll take a 28 year old that is crushing it and climbing the ladder like there is no tomorrow any day of the week. Sure beats the 50 year old that has 20 years doing the same thing, bouncing from place to place, never moving forward.

 

[RU31trap]

I'm not thrilled with the Ash hire or the most recent OC hire. I was never a Flood supporter but let's face reality, the change we were yarning for did not come to fruition, the administration made a political hire (AD) who in turn made a Head Coaching hire that did nothing more than kick the can down the road. Rutgers is more serious about about maintaining an acedemics first mindset rather than winning the Rose Bowl. Fans love to say, if Stanford and Northwestern can do it why not us? Simple, both Univerties support college football to greater extent than we do. If we were real serious about winning football games we would have hired Rich Ridriguez or Lane Kiffin. One would have implemented a great offense and the other would have filled our roster with 4* and 5* recruits. I agree with Al. Not feeling very confident about 2016 or 2017.

 

[miketd1]

What does age have to do with it?

Our staff has experience at the highest levels working along side the brightest minds against the very best competition in the biggest of games.

The schemes they will be installing are absolutely cutting edge on both sides of the ball.

We're not aiming to merely compete;
We're looking to disrupt our division.

And these guys are exactly the right guys for that job.