Not much concrete information about Tom O’Brien’s future staff at NC State has made the mainstream media in recent days. Don’t get too exctied, we don’t proclaim to have very much real inside information on the topic, either. We haven’t even heard when you can expect an announcement about the completed staff. But, there are a few things related to the staff that we can quickly highlight:
* The Boston media has reported that most/all of TOB’s staff except for three defensive coaches, inlcuding highly regarded defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani will be joining TOB in Raleigh. You can click on this link for links to biographies of TOB’s staff.
* The more that we DO hear, the more that it sounds as though very few…if any…of the old NC State staff will be retained by O’Brien. This is not totally uncommon in transitions like this, but many Wolfpackers will most definitely quesiton the spurning of recruiting coordinator and well-respected, Curt Cignetti.
* Cignetti has been the architect of the best recruiting classes in NC State history while successfully developing strong ties amongst the high school football community within State’s recruiting footprint. Additionally, Cignetti impressed everyone with whom he came in contact as he (and Dick Portee) held the program together and maintained State’s current recruiting class after Chuck Amato was fired.
* The N&O reports that another former Wolfpack coach, Steve Dunlap has the option to return to West Virginia and coach at Marshall if he so desires.
* One coach that won’t be in Raleigh is Steve Logan. Much to our surprise, Logan really is going to be coaching at Boston College next year as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. (N&O Link) Wow. Must admit that it is pretty surprising that the Eagles could pony up the kind of money that Logan wanted. Logan has been working at 850TheBuzz this year. TheBuzz blogged this entry on Logan.
Steve Logan, the winningest football coach in East Carolina history — and more recently a popular radio personality in the Triangle — has accepted the job of offensive coordinator on Jeff Jagodzinski’s new staff at Boston College.
* Eagle in ATL blogged a great entry on Logan’s offense that included some not-so-exciting comments about NC State’s (probable) new offensive coordinator, Dana Bible.
3. (Logan’s) third and long package calls for deep routes with cuts and comebacks. He even mentions the tradeoff of losing the underneath routes. I think one of the most frustrating things about Bible was the short crossing route on third and long. It is such a low percentage play and put the burden on the WR to run for the first down.
4. His points on coaching QBs at the end. I am glad he realizes that you have to treat a veteran different from a rookie. How many times did Paul Peterson have to plead to open the offense? How come Matt Ryan was not allowed to audible at the line this year? He also clarifies the critical mistakes a QB can make: sacks and not throwing the ball away. Quinton Porter, despite five years with Bible, never let that sink in.