After yet another debacle Saturday, there is no question in my mind that we will see a new staff for the 2018 season (if the University cares at all about the football program). With that said, I was wondering what name(s) those on the forum would like to see as a candidate or think would be a good candidate to lead the program going forward. We have already heard Farison, Benzel, and Palko's name thrown out in previous threads; although for various reasons I am not a huge fan of those options at this point. Anyway, I'm interested to hear some more thoughts and the logic behind them.
Football Candidates
- Thread starter realRobertMorris
- Start date
Just a thought...
Jim Mora might be fired at UCLA this year, and Hank Fraley in the Oline coach there. I think his family still lives in Moon or surrounding area. I would think he would apply.
Jim Mora might be fired at UCLA this year, and Hank Fraley in the Oline coach there. I think his family still lives in Moon or surrounding area. I would think he would apply.
I think I posted it in the "not good" thread, but there are some really good D coaches out there, some in the PSAC that would likely be interested in the job. The only issue might be as PSAC coaches they are state employees and have really good benefits, not sure how much more RMU would pay to make up that gap.
The positives with a D2 head coach, would obviously be the HC experience. I hopefully whomever it is, has a demonstrated track record of success on offense.
One other note, I again will mention I think there will be a big mix of applicants, and I do think think Dr. Howard will be able to pull in some people whom otherwise may not have been interested. Having a supportive/engaged president is a very positive aspect of this possible opening.
The positives with a D2 head coach, would obviously be the HC experience. I hopefully whomever it is, has a demonstrated track record of success on offense.
One other note, I again will mention I think there will be a big mix of applicants, and I do think think Dr. Howard will be able to pull in some people whom otherwise may not have been interested. Having a supportive/engaged president is a very positive aspect of this possible opening.
Names like Bob Palko, Bill Cherpak and other high school coaches aren't serious candidates. Not for a head coaching position. They could join the staff in some capacity, but they won't jump from high school head coach to college head coach.
I see two groups of names. One is this first group, which consists of names likely to be attached to the position in one way or another, but has a fairly narrow scope. Its alumni, former assistants, etc.
Scott Farison - Current associate head coach. Argument in favor would be that the defense has played well in Banaszak era despite offensive struggles. Knows program. Argument against would be the need to completely clean house.
Scott Benzel - Current Westminster (D-III) head coach. Argument against would be that his head coaching experience is only at the D-III level, which has no scholarships and spotty competition. Argument for would be his success (turned Westminster into a consistent contender as head coach, prior to that was a successful defensive coordinator at St. Francis and RMU) and familiarity with RMU.
Sam Dorsett - Former RMU all-time leading rusher. Coached at RMU for five seasons. Spent one year at St. Francis. Now running backs coach/special teams coach at Monmouth. Pros: Tutored RMU all-time leading rusher Myles Russ. Ties to Florida recruits. Cons: Has only had moderate success with running game at Monmouth. No coordinator experience.
Hank Fraley - Most notable former RMU grad. Current UCLA offensive line coach. Pros: Splash hire. Former NFL player and has experience coaching at NFL and major college level. Cons: Hasn't been a coordinator, may be out of RMU's price range.
Shawn Lutz - Current Slippery Rock head coach. 15-6 in two seasons at SRU. Spent 20 years as an assistant. Pros: Success recruiting the region and playing in a competitive D-II league. Cons: Is a Slippery Rock lifer. Is two seasons enough to really judge him as head coach? Not a splash hire.
Paul Tortorella - Current IUP head coach. 10-0 in first year. Spent 20 years as an assistant. Pros: Incredible success early on at IUP after extensive success as a defensive coordinator there. Cons: First year head coach. IUP lifer. Not a splash hire.
Anthony Doria - Current Duquesne offensive coordinator and QB coach. Former St. Francis QB. Pros: While he's in his 2nd year as coordinator, he has tutored a number of successful Duquesne QBs. Dukes offense has maintained its dynamic, dangerous presence under him. Cons: Would he jump to rival? Is he ready to be head coach at 33 years old?
Eric Long - Current SFU offensive coordinator. Pros: Has been able to get talent to Loretto. Red Flash have had dynamic offenses in his six seasons. Cons: Has stayed at SFU for six years. Is he willing to move up? Or is he like some RMU assistants who got comfortable?
While I like a name or two on that list, I'd be more interested in the possibilities on the second list of names. That list features coaches at the FCS, D-II and even FBS level who may be a natural fit at RMU. The trouble is it's very difficult to speculate on who may be on that list, so I don't have any names. But if RMU makes a commitment to bringing in someone with credentials, it could be a very interesting list.
I see two groups of names. One is this first group, which consists of names likely to be attached to the position in one way or another, but has a fairly narrow scope. Its alumni, former assistants, etc.
Scott Farison - Current associate head coach. Argument in favor would be that the defense has played well in Banaszak era despite offensive struggles. Knows program. Argument against would be the need to completely clean house.
Scott Benzel - Current Westminster (D-III) head coach. Argument against would be that his head coaching experience is only at the D-III level, which has no scholarships and spotty competition. Argument for would be his success (turned Westminster into a consistent contender as head coach, prior to that was a successful defensive coordinator at St. Francis and RMU) and familiarity with RMU.
Sam Dorsett - Former RMU all-time leading rusher. Coached at RMU for five seasons. Spent one year at St. Francis. Now running backs coach/special teams coach at Monmouth. Pros: Tutored RMU all-time leading rusher Myles Russ. Ties to Florida recruits. Cons: Has only had moderate success with running game at Monmouth. No coordinator experience.
Hank Fraley - Most notable former RMU grad. Current UCLA offensive line coach. Pros: Splash hire. Former NFL player and has experience coaching at NFL and major college level. Cons: Hasn't been a coordinator, may be out of RMU's price range.
Shawn Lutz - Current Slippery Rock head coach. 15-6 in two seasons at SRU. Spent 20 years as an assistant. Pros: Success recruiting the region and playing in a competitive D-II league. Cons: Is a Slippery Rock lifer. Is two seasons enough to really judge him as head coach? Not a splash hire.
Paul Tortorella - Current IUP head coach. 10-0 in first year. Spent 20 years as an assistant. Pros: Incredible success early on at IUP after extensive success as a defensive coordinator there. Cons: First year head coach. IUP lifer. Not a splash hire.
Anthony Doria - Current Duquesne offensive coordinator and QB coach. Former St. Francis QB. Pros: While he's in his 2nd year as coordinator, he has tutored a number of successful Duquesne QBs. Dukes offense has maintained its dynamic, dangerous presence under him. Cons: Would he jump to rival? Is he ready to be head coach at 33 years old?
Eric Long - Current SFU offensive coordinator. Pros: Has been able to get talent to Loretto. Red Flash have had dynamic offenses in his six seasons. Cons: Has stayed at SFU for six years. Is he willing to move up? Or is he like some RMU assistants who got comfortable?
While I like a name or two on that list, I'd be more interested in the possibilities on the second list of names. That list features coaches at the FCS, D-II and even FBS level who may be a natural fit at RMU. The trouble is it's very difficult to speculate on who may be on that list, so I don't have any names. But if RMU makes a commitment to bringing in someone with credentials, it could be a very interesting list.
Not sure the program will make a change but I'll play along...
Carmen Brisillo- Pros:
YSU OL Coach and Run Game Coordinator for 7yrs. FCS success, Southwestern PA born and raised, recruits the area, successful program and can coach up/understands RMUs biggest problem area. Duquesne Grad and good playing career at Duquesne. Knows RMU staff and could keep a few key pieces for recruiting and success
Cons:
Maybe starting to consider other options or waiting out the Coach Bo to see if he can hitch a ride to bigger program. Never a full coordinator role (who cares).
Carmen Brisillo- Pros:
YSU OL Coach and Run Game Coordinator for 7yrs. FCS success, Southwestern PA born and raised, recruits the area, successful program and can coach up/understands RMUs biggest problem area. Duquesne Grad and good playing career at Duquesne. Knows RMU staff and could keep a few key pieces for recruiting and success
Cons:
Maybe starting to consider other options or waiting out the Coach Bo to see if he can hitch a ride to bigger program. Never a full coordinator role (who cares).
Dave Johnson-Ohio Bobcats OL Run Game Coordinator and Co-Offensive Coordinator
Pros:
PSAC Coaching experience at IUP, DI player at WVU, DI Coaching and Coordinator experience, part of record offenses, strenghth and conditioning coaching, SW PA roots and recruiting experience.
Cons:
Maybe out of RMUs price range for the HC job.
Pros:
PSAC Coaching experience at IUP, DI player at WVU, DI Coaching and Coordinator experience, part of record offenses, strenghth and conditioning coaching, SW PA roots and recruiting experience.
Cons:
Maybe out of RMUs price range for the HC job.
I am not opposed to bob palko and here's why....
I've seen what the guy has done for the last 20 years. Yes it's only high school but what he has done is a total culture change at west allegheny, and that's what rmu needs, a culture change. Somebody that comes in to change some X's and O's isn't gonna change anything. The entire culture of this program needs changed from the bottom up. He has shown more than capable of doing that. He has sent dozens of kids to the D1A level let alone D1AA. I think he has sent almost as many kids to the NFL out of a high school team than rmu has since it started, and he doesn't get to choose who he recruits. Dorin Dickerson, cj Davis, kick McMullen, tyler palko to name a few. Not including the dozens who have gone to play big time college football. He turned a hopeless football team into an entire community that rallies around him, and is now a legend in western pennsylvania.
His team is the most disciplined, physical, hard nosed team in the wpial year in and year out. You never see his teams make stupid mistakes, you never see them out of line, and you never see them quit either, something I can't say about rmu the last couple years.
Am I saying bob palko is the best option for this program? Probably not
But is he an option? I say absolutely and not a bad one either
I've seen what the guy has done for the last 20 years. Yes it's only high school but what he has done is a total culture change at west allegheny, and that's what rmu needs, a culture change. Somebody that comes in to change some X's and O's isn't gonna change anything. The entire culture of this program needs changed from the bottom up. He has shown more than capable of doing that. He has sent dozens of kids to the D1A level let alone D1AA. I think he has sent almost as many kids to the NFL out of a high school team than rmu has since it started, and he doesn't get to choose who he recruits. Dorin Dickerson, cj Davis, kick McMullen, tyler palko to name a few. Not including the dozens who have gone to play big time college football. He turned a hopeless football team into an entire community that rallies around him, and is now a legend in western pennsylvania.
His team is the most disciplined, physical, hard nosed team in the wpial year in and year out. You never see his teams make stupid mistakes, you never see them out of line, and you never see them quit either, something I can't say about rmu the last couple years.
Am I saying bob palko is the best option for this program? Probably not
But is he an option? I say absolutely and not a bad one either
I have nothing but admiration and respect for Palko. His West Allegheny program is the gold standard for high school football, and you're absolutely right about the culture he's created there.
But Robert Morris needs more than that. Yes, it needs a cult change, but it also needs a relentless recruiter and someone who either runs a modern offense or who will hire someone to run a modern offense.
You don't tap a high school coach to come in and overhaul a program from top to bottom. You need someone who already has recruiting pipelines established, who has had success bringing players in and being competitive.
Plus Palko is almost 60. Is he going to want to work 6am to midnight every day? Ride a bus to CCSU or Bryant?
He's a great guy and a hall of fame high school coach, but it's not a fit.
Many have said, and I agree, that the next RMU head coach needs to have an offensive background. In looking at staffs of programs we have played in recent years an interesting candidate might be Shane Montgomery, the offensive coordinator at Youngstown State. He has coached at both the FCS and FBS levels having coordinator experience at Chattanooga, Miami (OH), Akron, and YSU and also head coaching experience at Miami. He helped develop two of the best players to ever play their positions in Terrell Owens at Chattanooga and Ben Roethlisberger at Miami. In reviewing his bio, he has had some pretty impressive offenses throughout his career and has been very balanced from a run/pass standpoint. From watching our games against them the last few years, as well as remembering his offenses at Miami with Big Ben, he seems to be a guy that adapts to his personnel and doesn’t try to “fit a square peg in a round hole” like we have discussed about our current situation. When he had the big time QB and WR at Miami and Chattanooga, his offenses were in the top 10 in passing. At YSU with good O-lines and RBs, they have been one of the top rushing attacks.
Even with all his experience, he is still pretty young at 50 years old. I’m not sure about his ties to the area, but he is coaching about 50 miles away and is from middle/eastern Ohio so I’m certain he knows the area well. There are also a couple western PA guys on YSU’s staff (one was mentioned previously in this thread as a candidate); so he could bring someone with direct western PA ties with him. Also not sure what his interest level might be, however you’d have to think he would want to be a head coach again and that opportunity would almost certainly come at the FCS level. Just trying to think outside the box a little.
Even with all his experience, he is still pretty young at 50 years old. I’m not sure about his ties to the area, but he is coaching about 50 miles away and is from middle/eastern Ohio so I’m certain he knows the area well. There are also a couple western PA guys on YSU’s staff (one was mentioned previously in this thread as a candidate); so he could bring someone with direct western PA ties with him. Also not sure what his interest level might be, however you’d have to think he would want to be a head coach again and that opportunity would almost certainly come at the FCS level. Just trying to think outside the box a little.
I still really like the idea of Benzel. He is relatively young, knows the area AND RMU, runs a high powered offense, plays great defense, and most of all has experience as a HC (winning).
I like Benzel also, he is a proven winner. I also would be incredibly shocked if he did not apply.
Any word on if any announcement will be made soon? I saw already 4-5 fcs coaches that either were relieved of duties or stepped down themselves since yesterday
It's official...Banaszak has "resigned". From FootballScoop.com:
Robert Morris (FCS – PA): Per source, head coach John Banaszak has resigned. Banaszak led the program for four seasons and compiled an overall mark of 8-34, including a 2-9 finish this year.
Robert Morris (FCS – PA): Per source, head coach John Banaszak has resigned. Banaszak led the program for four seasons and compiled an overall mark of 8-34, including a 2-9 finish this year.
Benzel has done a great job and would probably do well at RMU as well. I think if it really is a "National Search" it's because it's time to turn the keys over to someone outside of the RMU family tree. I think that there will be an opportunity for a few coaches to stay for what they add to the program, recruiting and ease of contract buyout, however that looks will be interesting and hopefully will fuel a turnaround starting in spring ball!!
Yeah you would have to believe they have either already identified the candidates they want to have interviews with or will do so by the end of the week at the latest. It's been pretty quiet on here regarding the search; has anybody heard anything?
Can rule one candidate out: Per multiple reports, Hank Fraley is staying on staff at UCLA under new coach Chip Kelly.
Thanks for update. Money would better there I would think as a position coach, and I recall reading some articles about how well he was doing there.
California weather and better pay? Coaching for a guy like Chip Kelly? Tough to leave that situation.
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