Potential Golesh Replacements

#26
#26
Kind of surprised to hear no mention of Phil Montgomery. Longtime disciple of Briles who is Lebbys father in law and no doubt he and JH are familiar with each other. Anyway if it’s Hazle and Witten that would be outstanding.
 
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#27
#27
sonofUT62 said:
Kind of surprised to hear no mention of Phil Montgomery. Longtime disciple of Briles who is Lebbys father in law and no doubt he and JH are familiar with each other. Anyway if it’s Hazle and Witten that would be outstanding.
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Here is a list of good potential OCs for Tennessee

Brian Hartline
Chip Long
Phil Longo
 
#30
#30
savannahfan said:
Yes get this guy!! He may not be the man for offensive cor., but I expect it would be hard to find a better receiver/tight end coach. Pay him what he would want. (I think he would be reasonable) He would be good for the staff, team, recruiting, and fanbase. After a little learning curve he could move to OC and then, who knows maybe HC when the time comes.
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get Witten
 
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#32
#32
Casey Woods is a good option, current OC at SMU had a top 20 offense. He is a VFL played WR under Fulmer, and GA here. Before bouncing around as position coach. Was TE Coach and recruiting coordinator for Mizzou when the reeled in their best recruiting class. A year or two ago (top20)
 
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#33
#33
In terms of promoting Halzle to QB/OC, Is perfectly fine with me he's been with Heup for a LONG TIME, worked very closely with Coach Golesh in booth for last several years so he should be able to step in just fine.

The TE Coach being Witten is an interesting rumor. I would like it, I do wonder if he would want to step into the 24/7 recruiting world... But maybe he could turn into for Tight Ends, what Hartline has become with WR at OSU.
 
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#35
#35
Gorilla33 said:
Not sure why the Witten thing exist as a rumor, but...AP says look for this to primarily be a hire to replace the TE coach responsibilities more so than the OC. So, Witten to coach TEs, Halze takes OC, and Heup keeps calling plays.
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What has Witten proven to be considered a TE coach for us?
 
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#39
#39
FlSooner said:
I am an OU alum and attended from 1998-2001. I have a friend who is very close to Coach Heupel and the Oklahoma program. Living close to UCF I had opportunity to follow Josh from hero Sooner QB, to UCF, and I am ashamed to admit that as the season went on I found myself watching more Vol football than the Sooners. Obviously was a disappointing season for Coach Venables but I continue to support him and hope he is able to turn it around. On a positive note for this year former Vol Eric Gray made me eat some crow as he worked hard and really became a consistent difference maker.

Anyway moving on to the thread topic, I spoke with my friend today and while he had no specific knowledge regarding replacements for Alex Golesh he did offer a few names to watch

1. Joe Jon Finley - current OU TE coach and though he is viewed as the likely replacement for Jeff Lebby if/when he gets a HC opportunity he felt he would accept the job if given the OC or CO-OC title. Speaking of Lebby he didn't see him leaving as he is at his alma mater, his family has lots of ties here, and he isn't in shadow of the HC with Brent being a defense guy. He did say if he leaves it would be huge not so much losing Lebby but it would mean he had no confidence in Brent being successful

2. Jon Cooper - another Heupel disciple who was at UCF before going on to Arkansas. He is currently at Western Carolina as OL coach. Says he isa very bright great guy, but maybe a long shot because he wouldn't describe him as a plus recruiter

3. Seth Littrell - this was an interesting one, but says he and Josh are good friends and just let go as HC at North Texas. He has lots of experience and lots of connections with Texas high school coaches

He also mentioned that Josh isn't afraid to make surprise type hires or go outside his coaching tree. Two other names to watch were Jay Harbaugh at Michigan and Jason Witten. He said he doesn't know Jason but a few things he knows could make it a good match - he said obviously Witten was great ambassador for Tennessee football, his Faith/Values would very much align with Coach Heupel, he is known as a student of the game and always seeking to learn, has desire to Coach & has already done so, and his many years in Dallas and now coaching high school football in Texas he would have to have some good connections in both states from a recruiting standpoint.

He also mentioned that Joey Halzle has been with Josh for so long and the two just are great friends that it is hard to imagine he isn't at least CO-OC.

Last based on many conversations I have had with this individual I wouldn't worry about Josh to OU. He says there would have to be serious outreach and healing and there is just no indication of that bridge being rebuilt. It is tough as he is friends with both Stoops and Josh but he says that relationship has never been the same and whether pride or whatever reason Bob has never really reached out and tried to reconcile that relationship. Occasionally there have been events or things where they have seen each other or had to interact and it is cordial but all business.

Anyway it has been really neat seeing Josh succeed at Tennessee and looking forward to the Orange Bowl, hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did Jan 1 2001!
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Heupel strikes me as someone who values loyalty. I also think he's very selective with who he lets into his offensive system. There has to be a level of trust and comfort. If he sees that in Hazle, I think he'll promote him and when he's feeling secure in his performance, I think he'll hand the keys to him then. I think that's what will happen and he'll bring in a TE coach/recruiter to add to the staff. Hazle will have the talent in setting up plays and calling a game or he won't. Until Heupel knows one way or the other, I think he'll take the keys to the offense back and call things. Not sure that's such a great idea and it might impact game management, but again, he's a loyal guy so..... I also think he recognizes value in having consistency vs a revolving door. Hazle seems like the logical choice in this instance.
 
#41
#41
ERvolsfan said:
Casey Woods is a good option, current OC at SMU had a top 20 offense. He is a VFL played WR under Fulmer, and GA here. Before bouncing around as position coach. Was TE Coach and recruiting coordinator for Mizzou when the reeled in their best recruiting class. A year or two ago (top20)
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Intriguing name and I like it.
What do you think the chances would be of Halzle being bumped to OC / QB coach and Woods coming on board as Co-OC (or some type of associate HC title) / TEs coach?
 
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#43
#43
ERvolsfan said:
Casey Woods is a good option, current OC at SMU had a top 20 offense. He is a VFL played WR under Fulmer, and GA here. Before bouncing around as position coach. Was TE Coach and recruiting coordinator for Mizzou when the reeled in their best recruiting class. A year or two ago (top20)
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Casey was a great guy when he was at UT. We talked a lot living in Gibbs and eating at the Varsity Inn daily. You would expect the son of a well-known coach (his dad is Sparky Woods) to have a bit of an attitude, but he didn't and came across as a normal guy who loved being part of the team.

Another guy from that era is backup QB Bo Hardigree. I remember thinking he was a bit of a moron, but he's apparently had a pretty successful coaching career in the NFL. Woods, Hardigree and Jim Bob were all backups back in those days.
 
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#44
#44
sonofUT62 said:
Montgomery was Briles OC when Briles was Heupel. Hartline has zero OC experience. Long has the Pruitt stench on him. Longo would be a straight up Home Run.
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On what planet is Phil Longo a homerun hire? lol Can he rack up huge chunks of yardage through the air? Yeah but couldn't/can't run the bowl in needed situations much like the criticism of Heupel last year. An air raid type offense with Joe Milton would be a disaster
 
#45
#45
FlSooner said:
I am an OU alum and attended from 1998-2001. I have a friend who is very close to Coach Heupel and the Oklahoma program. Living close to UCF I had opportunity to follow Josh from hero Sooner QB, to UCF, and I am ashamed to admit that as the season went on I found myself watching more Vol football than the Sooners. Obviously was a disappointing season for Coach Venables but I continue to support him and hope he is able to turn it around. On a positive note for this year former Vol Eric Gray made me eat some crow as he worked hard and really became a consistent difference maker.

Anyway moving on to the thread topic, I spoke with my friend today and while he had no specific knowledge regarding replacements for Alex Golesh he did offer a few names to watch

1. Joe Jon Finley - current OU TE coach and though he is viewed as the likely replacement for Jeff Lebby if/when he gets a HC opportunity he felt he would accept the job if given the OC or CO-OC title. Speaking of Lebby he didn't see him leaving as he is at his alma mater, his family has lots of ties here, and he isn't in shadow of the HC with Brent being a defense guy. He did say if he leaves it would be huge not so much losing Lebby but it would mean he had no confidence in Brent being successful

2. Jon Cooper - another Heupel disciple who was at UCF before going on to Arkansas. He is currently at Western Carolina as OL coach. Says he isa very bright great guy, but maybe a long shot because he wouldn't describe him as a plus recruiter

3. Seth Littrell - this was an interesting one, but says he and Josh are good friends and just let go as HC at North Texas. He has lots of experience and lots of connections with Texas high school coaches

He also mentioned that Josh isn't afraid to make surprise type hires or go outside his coaching tree. Two other names to watch were Jay Harbaugh at Michigan and Jason Witten. He said he doesn't know Jason but a few things he knows could make it a good match - he said obviously Witten was great ambassador for Tennessee football, his Faith/Values would very much align with Coach Heupel, he is known as a student of the game and always seeking to learn, has desire to Coach & has already done so, and his many years in Dallas and now coaching high school football in Texas he would have to have some good connections in both states from a recruiting standpoint.

He also mentioned that Joey Halzle has been with Josh for so long and the two just are great friends that it is hard to imagine he isn't at least CO-OC.

Last based on many conversations I have had with this individual I wouldn't worry about Josh to OU. He says there would have to be serious outreach and healing and there is just no indication of that bridge being rebuilt. It is tough as he is friends with both Stoops and Josh but he says that relationship has never been the same and whether pride or whatever reason Bob has never really reached out and tried to reconcile that relationship. Occasionally there have been events or things where they have seen each other or had to interact and it is cordial but all business.

Anyway it has been really neat seeing Josh succeed at Tennessee and looking forward to the Orange Bowl, hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did Jan 1 2001!
Click to expand...


Witten would be a slam dunk hire as the tight ends coach because of his Tennessee and NFL background and it always helps to have recruiting connections to the state of Texas on a coaching staff.
 
#46
#46
BigOrangeTrain said:
But how does that qualify you as a coach?
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The skills, knowledge, and experience of being a HOF TE goes a long way to qualifying you to be a position coach at TE at any level. OC? No way. TE coach? Absolutely.

His brother is one heck of a coach in his own right. And Jason has been doing camps for over a decade.
 
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#47
#47
landscapingvol said:
On what planet is Phil Longo a homerun hire? lol Can he rack up huge chunks of yardage through the air? Yeah but couldn't/can't run the bowl in needed situations much like the criticism of Heupel last year. An air raid type offense with Joe Milton would be a disaster
Click to expand...

He’s had 3 1000 yard rushers in the last two seasons and another that got 800. Go sit back down at the kids table. The grown ups will call you if we need you.
 
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#49
#49
ERvolsfan said:
Casey Woods is a good option, current OC at SMU had a top 20 offense. He is a VFL played WR under Fulmer, and GA here. Before bouncing around as position coach. Was TE Coach and recruiting coordinator for Mizzou when the reeled in their best recruiting class. A year or two ago (top20)
Click to expand...

I remember him. Sparky Woods' kid. Wasn't aware he'd gone into coaching.
 
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