Coach Clark - Official announcement
- Thread starter GoRMU
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I really liked what I heard.
I think the biggest thing lacking in the Banaczak and even moreso Miller era was leadership. They coached the kids like they were NFL men. The NFL is so different that you can get away with being a facilitator. College football players need that constant guidance and belonging.
It sounds like players are going to be held accountable. Be on time, no cell phones, and no "N" word period. Discipline of any kind goes a long way in building trust.
I'm looking forward to the great things that can happen.
I think the biggest thing lacking in the Banaczak and even moreso Miller era was leadership. They coached the kids like they were NFL men. The NFL is so different that you can get away with being a facilitator. College football players need that constant guidance and belonging.
It sounds like players are going to be held accountable. Be on time, no cell phones, and no "N" word period. Discipline of any kind goes a long way in building trust.
I'm looking forward to the great things that can happen.
Couple things that I noticed:
- Coleman said there were 160 candidates. I wonder how many of those were actually qualified and not just people throwing their hat in the ring.
- Coleman confirmed the process - initial phone interview, then interviews with the search committee on campus. I think that's been standard now for the last couple of "big" searches.
- Clark definitely gave the impression of someone who was ready and eager for a head coaching job. That's good to hear.
- The discipline angle is interesting because many thought Banaszak would have a similar approach. Off the field, suspensions did seem to rise. But there were a fair amount of penalties on the field, too. Curious to see how Clark handles all of that.
- The sense of humor is good to offset that, too.
- Interesting that he's still talking to staff members about staying. That could be big. I hope he keeps guys like La-Rod Stephens Howling, Cornelius Coleman and Alex DiMichele.
- Also interesting to see if he keeps current recruits and commits, which he alluded to reviewing.
- No public questions about his staff - hope someone in the media followed up with him for an article or video afterward.
- Coleman said there were 160 candidates. I wonder how many of those were actually qualified and not just people throwing their hat in the ring.
- Coleman confirmed the process - initial phone interview, then interviews with the search committee on campus. I think that's been standard now for the last couple of "big" searches.
- Clark definitely gave the impression of someone who was ready and eager for a head coaching job. That's good to hear.
- The discipline angle is interesting because many thought Banaszak would have a similar approach. Off the field, suspensions did seem to rise. But there were a fair amount of penalties on the field, too. Curious to see how Clark handles all of that.
- The sense of humor is good to offset that, too.
- Interesting that he's still talking to staff members about staying. That could be big. I hope he keeps guys like La-Rod Stephens Howling, Cornelius Coleman and Alex DiMichele.
- Also interesting to see if he keeps current recruits and commits, which he alluded to reviewing.
- No public questions about his staff - hope someone in the media followed up with him for an article or video afterward.
I came away impressed with press conference. Will be interesting to see which players stick around. If there is an exodus, wonder if Clarke will go after a lot of JUCO guys, the early signing period likely will not help, though there are plenty of good players out there uncommitted.
Trib article mentions PA, NY, and NJ from what I remember where he will be recruiting a lot.
Trib article mentions PA, NY, and NJ from what I remember where he will be recruiting a lot.
An article in the Albany Times-Union says that Albany coach Greg Gattuso is already preparing for Clark to potentially bring a couple of current Albany assistants with him.
http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/UAlbany-football-loses-defensive-coordinator-12442873.php
I wonder if Nate Byham is one of them. Byham is a Pitt grad and Franklin, Pa. native. He's currently Albany's tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. He might be interesting to tag as the recruiting coordinator.
http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=209835923
Of course, former RMU assistant Bill Hurley is on staff at Albany. Would he want to come back or does he like being in New York?
http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=211596797
Nick Sanchez is a younger coach who could be a potential target as the secondary coach.
http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=210003822
Should be interesting.
http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/UAlbany-football-loses-defensive-coordinator-12442873.php
I wonder if Nate Byham is one of them. Byham is a Pitt grad and Franklin, Pa. native. He's currently Albany's tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. He might be interesting to tag as the recruiting coordinator.
http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=209835923
Of course, former RMU assistant Bill Hurley is on staff at Albany. Would he want to come back or does he like being in New York?
http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=211596797
Nick Sanchez is a younger coach who could be a potential target as the secondary coach.
http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=210003822
Should be interesting.
As for the current assistants...
I'm sure it's not a surprise, but it really doesn't look like Scott Farison is coming back. All of the current assistants are still listed alongside Clark on the staff directory, but Farison has changed his Twitter handle and removed all mention of Robert Morris from his Twitter bio.
I think Coach Clark should really try to convince Alex DiMichele to stick. I think he'd flourish under Clark. But I think DiMichele might be too loyal to Farison to accept it.
Cornelius Coleman and Nick McVay seem to be showing some signs of support for Clark via social media. Maybe they'll stay in some capacity? Coleman's done a nice job with the defensive line, that's for sure.
I'm not sure about LaRod Stephens-Howling and Kevin Sonnie. They were with the team for just one year, so I don't know how good they really were. LaRod has the NFL and local connections, which are intriguing.
Whatever happens, I hope Clark moves quickly to shore up a staff so they can hit the ground running when recruit visits are allowed after the 1st of the year.
I'm sure it's not a surprise, but it really doesn't look like Scott Farison is coming back. All of the current assistants are still listed alongside Clark on the staff directory, but Farison has changed his Twitter handle and removed all mention of Robert Morris from his Twitter bio.
I think Coach Clark should really try to convince Alex DiMichele to stick. I think he'd flourish under Clark. But I think DiMichele might be too loyal to Farison to accept it.
Cornelius Coleman and Nick McVay seem to be showing some signs of support for Clark via social media. Maybe they'll stay in some capacity? Coleman's done a nice job with the defensive line, that's for sure.
I'm not sure about LaRod Stephens-Howling and Kevin Sonnie. They were with the team for just one year, so I don't know how good they really were. LaRod has the NFL and local connections, which are intriguing.
Whatever happens, I hope Clark moves quickly to shore up a staff so they can hit the ground running when recruit visits are allowed after the 1st of the year.
Wouldn't you show "support" for a new coach too if there is potential that he might not keep you and you're out of a job? I mean it's not like these guys make a lot of money and have a bank roll they can sit on for a year or two. And I doubt many other programs are beating on their doors for their services. Good thing for them is it doesn't seem like Clark had a network of guys already lined up to come with him. Sounds like he has a couple guys in mind but other than that will be looking to fill out the staff; which bodes well for a couple of the current staff to try and stick. Though as I have said before, they were part of the problems with the program. Maybe not directly but as they say guilty by association. The hiring of Clark was proclaimed by many on here as the university completely distancing itself from the old regime. Retaining 2 or 3 assistants goes against that logic.
I think retaining guys like Alex DiMichele or Cornelius Coleman, whose defensive units performed well and who have recruited well, doesn't conflict with wanting to move away from the old regime. Sometimes you can do your job well but those around you do not.
I was just spitballing in my previous post. I'm not advocating for all the current staff to be kept. In fact, I think it's vital to have some new people onboard, especially on offense.
If he retains any who are left I'm tickled. Coleman could coach anywhere and the rest are young and hungry. After listening to the man earlier today he has me believing. That bar is low, and I hate saying that because I did like Banny but we need a HC who is better than screaming at officials all game. Direction, discipline, attitude, all can go a long way no matter the schemes. We may lose some kids but not as many as one might think and it will be interesting to see these young men rally behind someone who cares and believes in them.
Do not know if you guys have checked other nec teams Twitter's or websites, but there were a fair number of early signers for them.
Hope we get a staff lined up and get moving on recruiting asap. Not sure how the strength staff is funded but hopefully Clark will get who he wants in there.
Hope we get a staff lined up and get moving on recruiting asap. Not sure how the strength staff is funded but hopefully Clark will get who he wants in there.
I see that the Dukes landed some potential players early as did SFU.
The NEC is going and RMU needs to catchup quickly. They still have time before Feb. Just saw that a Juco DE was offered by RMU.
The NEC is going and RMU needs to catchup quickly. They still have time before Feb. Just saw that a Juco DE was offered by RMU.
Hearing 0. I was hoping the postings were a formality. Need to coaches on road making contact with recruits and let the current O players know what system they will be running.
I believe some coaches have been selected but I do not want to speculate as I believe they are waiting to officially announce and do not want to hinder recruitment at previous institutions. There is also a good chance one or two coaches from the previous staff will be retained.
Looks like it's possible Albany assistants Gabe Luvara and Dave Plungas have come with Clark. Both are no longer listed on the Albany coaching staff list.
Luvara is following a bunch of RMU people on Twitter (@gluvara), including QB Jimmy Walker. Luvara was the QB coach at Albany.
Plungas is also following a bunch of RMU people on Twitter (@CoachPlungas_UA), including LB Adam Wollet. Plungas was the OLB coach and recruiting coordinator at Albany.
Edited to add - Clark said in his interview with Paul Zeise on the Fan that he's already hired his offensive and defensive coordinators. He didn't name them, though.
Luvara is following a bunch of RMU people on Twitter (@gluvara), including QB Jimmy Walker. Luvara was the QB coach at Albany.
Plungas is also following a bunch of RMU people on Twitter (@CoachPlungas_UA), including LB Adam Wollet. Plungas was the OLB coach and recruiting coordinator at Albany.
Edited to add - Clark said in his interview with Paul Zeise on the Fan that he's already hired his offensive and defensive coordinators. He didn't name them, though.
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The two names mentioned above are in fact the OC and DC, both coming with Clark from Albany. In addition, the offensive line coach is Clark's former college teammate at Miami and current Millersville OL coach, Rod Holder. Outside of that, Clark has offered all the remaining RMU assistants a spot on his staff if they want to stay. I've said before I'm not a huge fan of retaining more than half of the previous staff and raises some concerns for me about Clark. I mean over 20 years of coaching at several different universities and he doesn't have enough contacts and/or guys that believe in him to get more than 3 guys to join his staff?
Plungas's experience is definitely limited, he is still a young man. Clark must have great confidence in him if he is to be the DC. Clark obviously knows his abilities well, since Plungas was linebacker coach under Clark as DC. I have no problem with giving a talented young coach a chance, and it is not as if he is being thrown into the deep end to sink or swim, he will have his former DC, now head coach, to continue to guide him.
I also have no problem with Clark keeping some of the old staff, in fact, I think it is refreshing that a new head coach does not see the need to bring in all of his own people as so often is the case. The changes that needed to be made, have been made. The remaining assistants will mostly adapt to Clark's style. If one or two do not, they can be replaced at some later point. I think most of us on this forum believe it is beneficial to keep Coleman and DiMichele. I am not a familiar with some of the others but I don't believe any of them were the problem with the team not winning in the past. Retaining some of the prior staff could be beneficial in retaining some of the current players and with relationships with some potential recruits.
At this point, I just have one thing to say, Go Colonials!
I also have no problem with Clark keeping some of the old staff, in fact, I think it is refreshing that a new head coach does not see the need to bring in all of his own people as so often is the case. The changes that needed to be made, have been made. The remaining assistants will mostly adapt to Clark's style. If one or two do not, they can be replaced at some later point. I think most of us on this forum believe it is beneficial to keep Coleman and DiMichele. I am not a familiar with some of the others but I don't believe any of them were the problem with the team not winning in the past. Retaining some of the prior staff could be beneficial in retaining some of the current players and with relationships with some potential recruits.
At this point, I just have one thing to say, Go Colonials!
I wonder if the defensive operation will end up being a lot like what Pitt does. Josh Conklin is the defensive coordinator there, but it's Pat Narduzzi's defense. Narduzzi has a huge amount of input on what they run each week, but Conklin oversees practice and calls the majority of the plays on game day, allowing Narduzzi to focus on the entire team.
Clark may do the same with Plungas.
Clark may do the same with Plungas.
The Great Plungini - sounds as though Plungas is very intense when it comes to football, but also has a sense of humor. Also did some work as a strength coach.
http://highschoolsports.cleveland.c...dave-plungas-former-lake-catholic-linebacker/
http://www.rpiathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1156&path=
http://highschoolsports.cleveland.c...dave-plungas-former-lake-catholic-linebacker/
http://www.rpiathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1156&path=
Now that we have a head coach, and supposedly the OC and DC are in place and some of the assistants are being retained; I am now looking forward to seeing some tweets from young men announcing that they plan to continue their academic and athletic careers at RMU. Go Colonials!
Hasn't officially been announced yet - probably will be after the first of the year when staff is back from the holiday - but if there was any doubt, Dave Plungas is definitely the defensive coordinator. Footballscoop is reporting it and he's accepting congratulations on social media.
I've heard that while everyone from the former staff was given the chance to stay on, a couple have apparently decided not to and appear to be moving on. If so, then there should be a few more changes.
Anyone heard anything else?
Anyone heard anything else?
Per his tweet, looks like Coleman is gone. That is a big loss in my opinion.
Dr. Cornelius Coleman@CoachColemanDL
I would like to take this time to “Thank” Robert Morris University @RMU and it’s Athletic Department @RMUAthletics for all that it has done for me and my family! I wish @RMUFootball nothing but the best moving forward. The young men within that program mean the world to me
Dr. Cornelius Coleman@CoachColemanDLI would like to take this time to “Thank” Robert Morris University @RMU and it’s Athletic Department @RMUAthletics for all that it has done for me and my family! I wish @RMUFootball nothing but the best moving forward. The young men within that program mean the world to me
Also, take this however you would like...
Alex DiMichele@Coach_AL_DiMike 6h6 hours ago
Nothing but love for my brothers! LOYALTY IS EVERYTHING! @CoachFarison @CoachColemanRMU @MBrownRMU
Alex DiMichele@Coach_AL_DiMike 6h6 hours ago
Nothing but love for my brothers! LOYALTY IS EVERYTHING! @CoachFarison @CoachColemanRMU @MBrownRMU
I guess we shouldn't be surprised, given that assistants often move on - even if a courtesy offer is made by the new head coach. I had held out hope that DiMichele and Coleman would stay, because I think they're the best two assistants RMU had and they're both passionate guys who have had solid results with their position groups.
But they're also close with Farison, and I can certainly understand moving on if the guy you championed for a promotion isn't there anymore.
I'm very curious to see what kind of connections Clark has now and who may be interested in joining the staff. I'm also curious to see if Clark got RMU to add more full-time spots. I believe only 4 or 5 of Banaszak's assistants were paid as full-time, salaried coaches.
But they're also close with Farison, and I can certainly understand moving on if the guy you championed for a promotion isn't there anymore.
I'm very curious to see what kind of connections Clark has now and who may be interested in joining the staff. I'm also curious to see if Clark got RMU to add more full-time spots. I believe only 4 or 5 of Banaszak's assistants were paid as full-time, salaried coaches.
