New OC

[unaman]

UNA fans woke up to some bad news today.  Ryan Aplin is leaving for running backs coach and Co-OC at Western Kentucky.  Article from TimesDaily is below.

www.timesdaily.com/sports/college_headlines/una-football-offensive-coordinator-ryan-aplin-leaving-to-go-to/article_7ca88727-a1dc-5b99-9e3a-e7b09bf86627.html

[roaringsince96]

Ouch and during spring practice. Important hire here for coach Willis. Didn’t expect Aplin to stay for long, wasn’t expecting it to be now.

[brandon]

Best thing (long run)


Dont think his offense is that solid.

[brandon]

What concerns me is losing a recruit or two that may want to go with him.


As far as this year, if they want to put a quick bandage on it, move Campbell back to OC and let Willis take over the DC job until a new OC is hired.

Kindova bad time to leave a program, in my opinion, hard to hire someone to replace.


Anyone know any candidates?

[unafied]

I’d love to see us shift to more of a run-first, play-action style offense. I get that the up tempo stuff Aplin brought is the hot thing, and it can be an equalizer for a team that has some good skill players but is short on depth. That being said, I also think it could be to our advantage to make more of an attempt to shorten the game by winning the time of possession. It’s more old school, and maybe doesn’t jive with our talent at the moment (see our receivers), but it would still be my preference.

Wonder what we do here. Poach from the D2 ranks? Promote from within?

[unaman]

Easiest transition would be to move Steadman back as OC and promote Blake Farris as DC then go get a DB coach and QB coach. If they decide to go run-first style offense, that completely minimizes the great receivers that UNA currently has. This decision is huge to keep them all for their senior year. I don't know their academics, and this is clear speculation. All 4 of the Wide Receivers (Hall, Byrd, Little, and Boykin) are Redshirt Juniors this year, and would have been at UNA for 4 years at the end of this year, giving them time to potentially graduate this December 2020 or May 2021. If they graduate, they would have the ability to grad transfer with immediate eligibility anywhere.
I wouldn't blame them if they chose to transfer to a competing FCS or even FBS school to get their names out there more for the NFL, XFL, CFL. UNA will still be under this stupid and ridiculous transition period. Just a thought as this OC/QB coach hire is crucial for the next few years.

[lion1979]

Boykin, Hall, and Little could play at plenty of G5 FBS schools. Really hoping they get this decision right and don’t rush into anything. This is a HUGE hire for Linder and Willis coming up after spring. As for my take on Ap, I thought he did a good job with what he had. We will watch him on TV real soon. His energy he brought to the team will be irreplaceable. Looking forward to the future of this offense though.. Roar Lions.

[roaringsince96]

I hope we leave Steadman on defensive side of the ball. I do not think he was ever comfortable calling plays on offense. He seems to have a better feel on defense. Defense played well at times, depth was a problem in some areas last year, linebackers greatly underachieved.
Linder and Willis have a chance to make a significant hire for now and the future. The next OC will likely be here when the Lions prepare to win a conference championship in FCS, make the first FCS playoff appearance, win first FCS playoff game.
I would expect the interest level for the position to be quite high. Should be interesting the next few weeks, spring practice,(hoping for no significant injury news on that front), coaching hire, maybe, just possibly we are still talking about the new stadium? Fun times...

[lions09]

Feb 19, 2020 9:28:51 GMT -6 brandon said:

Best thing (long run)


Dont think his offense is that solid.

Definitely a blessing in disguise. Does AJ Milwee have a job? Wouldn't be like his Akron salary but maybe he wants to "come home" and be OC.

[unafied]

Feb 20, 2020 11:22:42 GMT -6 lions09 said:

Feb 19, 2020 9:28:51 GMT -6 brandon said:

Best thing (long run)


Dont think his offense is that solid.

Definitely a blessing in disguise. Does AJ Milwee have a job? Wouldn't be like his Akron salary but maybe he wants to "come home" and be OC.

Actually worked this past year as an analyst at Bama. I’ve heard those positions are very, very low pay, so I would assume OC here would be an improvement. 

[roaringsince96]

Depends on the position, I am sure Charlie Strong is making more than our head coach as just an analyst. I would think AJ is making good money for analyst position on Alabama staff. Heck high school coaches leave their job to become an analyst at the power five schools. Interest should be strong and provide an opportunity. I think our offense has quite a bit of talent, should be fun for the new OC.

[lion1979]

Coach Rice, the new receivers coach, was the passing game coordinator at UT-Martin last year and they had some success. Could be an option.

[rabunlion]

Of course would be extremely controversial for so many reasons but Rush Probst is available again. Helped Bill Clark last couple of seasons at UAB.

Thoughts?

[rmfl1988]

Mar 3, 2020 9:14:13 GMT -6 rabunlion said:

Of course would be extremely controversial for so many reasons but Rush Probst is available again. Helped Bill Clark last couple of seasons at UAB.

Thoughts?

If we hire Rush Probst it better be as HC....

[roaringsince96]

Seems like an ample time to interview any coach? Anybody hearing anything.