|
|
Post by mavsman53 on Jan 12, 2024 9:49:38 GMT -6
Huge news! I think part of the slowness in recruiting is because of this and that in my belief, much of the staff is not coming back
Sources: Abilene Christian finds new OC
Rick Bowie brings major college football experience to the ACU program
JOHN BRICE13 MINUTES AGO
After back-to-back seasons in which his Valdosta State offense averaged more than 36 points per game, Rick Bowie is making a leap up in college football, sources tell FootballScoop.
Bowie, a veteran coaching assistant with Football Bowls Subdivision experience at both West Virginia and Houston under former coach Dana Holgorsen, is finalizing a deal to become Abilene Christian University's and coach Keith Patterson's offensive coordinator. ACU is an FCS program that competes in the United Athletic Conference.
Like Patterson, Bowie has roots in the game at the prep level, having served in those ranks in Balitmore, Maryland, at both St. Frances Academy and Gilman School.
Bowie's Valdosta State offense the past two seasons under second-year coach Tremaine Jackson has been explosive, helping directly turn around a program that won five games in 2022 into a 12-game, NCAA Division II Playoffs participant this past fall.
The Blazers showed remarkable balance, ranking among the Division's top 25 in both rushing and passing offense; the unit averaged 470-plus and 433-plus ypg in each campaign.
ACU has quickly become more competitive under the guidance of Patterson, a former Big 12 coordinator at Texas Tech.
ACU was 5-5 in 2023 against FCS competition and lost two of those contests by seven or fewer points.
|
|
|
|
Post by bogeyman on Jan 12, 2024 10:25:27 GMT -6
Wow!
|
|
|
|
Post by mavsman53 on Jan 12, 2024 10:36:47 GMT -6
ACU Football Coaching Staff 2023
Head Coach- Patterson
OC/OL- Pugh
QB/ST- Clark
RB- Badon
WR- Thrash
TE= Danzey
DC- Cassity
DL- Holt
LB- Dubin
DB- Wilson
Chief of Staff- Seawright
2024
Head Coach- Patterson
OC- Bowie
QB Coach-
RB
WR
TE
OL
DC
DL
LB- Dubin
DB
Chief of Staff
I am not saying all of these coaching spots are open, but it would not surprise me if there is major changes on both sides of the coaching staff. Recruiting has been eerily quiet and I think it is because the staff is changing
|
|
|
|
Post by acu38troy35 on Jan 12, 2024 10:43:50 GMT -6
What is happening to Pugh? This all seems out of left field to me. 3 OCs in 3 years? Majority of the staff turning over? Makes no sense. Feels like this offseason has been a huge waste of time so far.
|
|
|
|
Post by acu38troy35 on Jan 12, 2024 10:44:56 GMT -6
ACU Football Coaching Staff 2023 Head Coach- Patterson OC/OL- Pugh QB/ST- Clark RB- Badon WR- Thrash TE= Danzey DC- Cassity DL- Holt LB- Dubin DB- Wilson Chief of Staff- Seawright 2024 Head Coach- Patterson OC- Bowie QB Coach- RB WR TE OL DC DL LB- Dubin DB Chief of Staff I am not saying all of these coaching spots are open, but it would not surprise me if there is major changes on both sides of the coaching staff. Recruiting has been eerily quiet and I think it is because the staff is changing How do we know Dubin is staying? |
|
|
|
Post by mavsman53 on Jan 12, 2024 10:54:08 GMT -6
He might not be, but, when Haggard announced his commitment, he mentioned Pugh, Patterson and Dubin. Dubin was the ONLY coach I saw on Saturday at the basketball game with a recruit. He is also the only coach following Bowie. Again, does not mean he is back and does not mean others aren't, but....
Also, when Anderson, the DB transfer from UNLV announced his offer, he gave credit to Patterson. Typically, the DB coach or DC would make that offer. Instead, it was Patterson
|
|
|
|
Post by bogeyman on Jan 12, 2024 10:58:40 GMT -6
"A leap up"? From Valdosta St to ACU? I would have thought it was the other way around. To say I'm surprised would be the understatement of the year. And if there were coaches to go, Dubin might have topped my list. I await more news.
|
|
|
|
Post by mavsman53 on Jan 12, 2024 11:00:24 GMT -6
It is a step up as it is D2 to FCS. If Bowie can have the same kind of success he had a Valdosta St, look out. QBs and WRs will love to come play here
|
|
|
|
Post by acu38troy35 on Jan 12, 2024 11:06:43 GMT -6
It is a step up as it is D2 to FCS. If Bowie can have the same kind of success he had a Valdosta St, look out. QBs and WRs will love to come play here A step up from D2 to FCS but a downgrade in program prestige and success for sure. However, it does seem like our current leadership is willing to spend money. That could be a factor. |
|
|
|
Post by mavsman53 on Jan 12, 2024 11:12:57 GMT -6
I would also expect the staff to hire a recruiting coordinator. The past 2 years, it has been mainly up to GA's to do it, as well as position coaches.
|
|
|
|
Post by bogeyman on Jan 12, 2024 11:49:15 GMT -6
Ok, I forgot that Valdosta is D2. I'd hate to lose Thrash and Badon. Wasn't Thrash a really good recruitor for former teams and Badon could be the WR coach? I'd like to see Pugh stay at OL coach but I guess that might not happen. Coach KP originally hired all those Tech youngsters and others he had a close relationship with because he was under the gun to get a staff together for year one. Now at the end of year 2 he's having to make hard decisions about how to grow our program. Although I feel consistency of staff is important it is more important to get the right people in the right positions. I just hope we aren't losing a year of solid recruitment.
|
|
|
|
Post by acu38troy35 on Jan 12, 2024 12:06:57 GMT -6
This is from a Reddit post on coaches that have come from Valdosta St…
“Valdosta State Coaching Tree
I was looking at the D2 rankings and Valdosta State is #2. It got me thinking about that school and all of the coaches that have been there. If you're not familiar, this might blow your mind.
Notable coaches in alphabetical order (bold for P5)...
Bill Bedenbaugh: co-OC at Oklahoma under Riley
Doug Belk: DC at Houston
Kerwin Bell: HC at Western Kentucky
Mike Cavan: (retired) former HC at SMU
David Dean: HC at West Georgia
Chris Hatcher: HC at Samford
Dana Holgorsen: HC at Houston
Mike Leach: HC at Mississippi State (invented Air Raid with Mumme and others)
Hal Mumme: former HC at Kentucky (invented Air Raid with Leach and others)
Will Muschamp: former HC at Florida and South Carolina; current co-DC at Georgia
Kirby Smart: defending National Champion and HC at Georgia”
|
|
|
|
Post by bogeyman on Jan 12, 2024 12:09:02 GMT -6
Just got an email from the sports agent of a coach applying for jobs. He contacted ACU today and was informed that ALL positions have been filled. Hmmm.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cap'n Cattitude on Jan 12, 2024 20:12:03 GMT -6
Asked around some today and the conventional wisdom seems to be that Pugh will stay on as OL coach. Not verified but that seems like a good idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by wildcatter on Jan 12, 2024 23:01:07 GMT -6
I haven’t been less invested or impressed with our entire athletic department since the move to D1. This type of info seems to suggest football is still a disaster.
|
|
