I honestly don’t know much about Garrett, but this hiring feels underwhelming. That is no surprise. The only recent coach I’ve been excited about was Brennan, and that’s because he had a reputation as a recruiter. Recruiting fires up the fanbase, but it doesn’t fire up Riley. He’s content with the “coach ’em up” philosophy, though I feel that only goes so far. Riley’s career performance backs up this statement. He can never “get over the hump”, as they say, and this is due to (a) his bone head decisions/management at times and (b) personnel. Is John Garrett such a good coach that he’ll turn 2 and 3 star guys into elite players? What in his history suggests this? The “In Riley we trust” mantra is full force today. On the surface this looks like another hire from Riley’s good ol’ boy network.
I’d rather have seen Brennan move to OC, then hire a TE/WR coach who can recruit. We lost Hayward. Langsdorf was an okay recruiter, and Cav might be gone. Rumors are that Brennan is talking with other teams and is upset he didn’t get this job. Who is left on this staff that can recruit?
Maybe Garrett will turn out to be good. But to the bigger point: does this program/head coach ever make a splash or statement? The fanbase is dead, and this is supposed to get us excited? I realize that’s not why you hire a coach, but there were more intriguing options out there that would provide a good coach, recruiting, and either a big name or intriguing up and comer.
No wonder everybody thinks Riley is the nicest guy in college football. He’s finds employment for everybody.
If I’m Brennan, I’d be a little peeved that I didn’t get the job instead of Garrett. But I wouldn’t think twice if someone with some real OC chops was hired.
garrett’s resume is better than brennan’s
By four? Or is it just on better paper?
I don’t see much on his resume that says he’s a good coach. I see name recognition and an old boys network. I’m hoping that’s not it.
I like what angry says about making a splash. With a depressed fanbase and hard times, that angle should play some kind of role in what is done. But it wasnt hard to predict a move that made no splash…..
I care far more about making the right hire and feeling good come november
Is anyone really paying attention other than the hardcore fans? Doubtful. And even then a splashy hire wouldn’t really get anyone excited.
re-posting this from Jack in the previous thread.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000128549/article/john-garrett-to-become-tampa-bay-bucs-wide-receivers-coach
The University of Delaware wasn’t interested? He doesn’t get along – at least he didn’t in Dallas. Do people apply for jobs at OSU or, at least in football, does Riley just go into the Hutterite colony?
I think Mud linked that. I just responded to it.
he “was not well-liked by other staffers at the team’s Valley Ranch headquarters.” The Cowboys reportedly also weren’t happy with the development of tight end Jason Witten.
Wow, sounds like a great candidate. /sarc.
The nepotism runs deep.
I don’t get the Witten part of the comment. Witten is a solid NFL TE.
I think it’s that Witten became the only target, to the point that he was relied on too much. That puts a TE like him in position to be hurt more often, shortening the career of an all pro talent.
Doesn’t that fall on the OC then?
My bad. I thought he was the WR/TE coach for Dallas before he was demoted to passing game coordinator. He was just the TE coach. So he was moved off that position more likely because Witten and he didn’t get along.
“… happy with the development of…” is probably just a euphemism.
Haha, Jason Witten had 110 catches the last season Garrett was there. Frankly, I doubt you even bothered to look at the stats because Witten improved a lot while John Garrett was there.
As for nepotism…playing for Riley 1 year 23 years ago is nepotism? Nepotism would have been hiring Brennan, since he’s been around Riley a lot longer than that.
This has the same feeling as the Rod Perry hire. Definitely not the big splash hire, but could still be effective hire.
Not.
Perry had zero question marks about coaching. He did it at the highest level for a long time. His grey area was as a potential recruiter.
Garrett’s resume leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
Exactly. There are a lot of people comparing this to Perry.
Perry hasn’t been a very good recruiter. And he inherited some good CBs. I still think the verdict is out on him, but he’s been okay to good so far. Also, we didn’t hear about past teams/players hating him…he seems like a great guy. The article makes Garrett sound like a dick, and given he can’t stick anywhere or advance his career, there might be fire under that smoke.
When’s the press conference? I want to see this guy’s personality.
Further, who left on this staff can recruit?
I don’t know how you conclude that Perry has not been a very good recruiter. Rivals credits Perry with recruiting Morris, McMaryion, Crawford, Hayes and Williams this year, and more importantly, Hunt, Nelson, Arnold and Lawrence last year (all guys I believe you liked immensely).
I agree the jury is not yet in on Perry, but the early results are pretty damn good.
I like the thumbs-down on this one: “how dare you use facts when addressing one of Angry’s perceptions!”
chris brown too no? the fresno connection has been strong for Perry.
I feel like plenty were questioning Perry’s coaching when he was hired – lots of people talked about colts defense being poor
Gotcha. I don’t have a rivals subscription, so I didn’t realize he recruited those guys. That’s a good list…if it’s true he recruited those players then he’s been solid, yes.
You don’t need a subscription to who recruited who, go to this page and select each year or coach. He’s been a very good recruiter. Got McMaryion too. His Fresno area connections must be really strong.
http://oregonstate.rivals.com/viewcoach.asp?Coach=3083&Team=60&Sport=1&Year=2014
Brasfield and Brennan really struck out this year.
I try my best to avoid any Yahoo! site or product. They’re just junk from a technical aspect.
There’s no way to know if that’s accurate, it’s just whatever mamma says. Rivals doesn’t know shit, and citing those lists is stupid.
That’s a good point. I remember when I used to read rivals half the time they had the wrong coach listed for a recruit. Literally half the time, that’s not hyperbole.
I remember this being brought up on their boards, and they said they really don’t have any way of knowing. The consensus was that multiple coaches evaluate and help recruit a player.
How did you know they were wrong half the time? Perception?
From what I heard, coaches have a specific territory, and then the position coach can get involved once the coach from that territory has secured some interest. So, by default the position coach will get credit for those who they will be playing for, because that’s who they will be playing for. So, its a team effort.
I’m curious then: what were you basing your remark on concerning his recruiting success?
Perception.
Didn’t realize he recruited those guys, as I already said.
Speaking of Perry, was his original contract for 2 years? Has he re-upped?
Does anyone know who else (other than Brennan) was considered or interviewed? When coaching positions are open at other colleges, there is usually a bit of speculation and names are mentioned. I hope, for the sake of the players, that this is a good hire. It just doesn’t feel like it.
Since baseball is upon us: MR had the opportunity to hit a walk off homer, but he chose to bunt.
I hope the Brennan thing is not true. He has been a very good WR coach and far and away the best recruiter. Very underwhelmed with this.
playing a little small ball(s)
Four thoughts: (1) I would be nervous if Riley made a hire to “make a splash” rather than to win football games; (2) I figured Brennan would get the promotion but trust that the fact that he did not likely indicates that Riley does not believe he has the necessary acumen yet for the position (and if Riley thinks that, it’s generally good enough for me); (3) recruiting is at least as much about identifying the right recruits for the program and the system as it is about securing commits and Garrett’s experience as a scout may aid in this pursuit; and (4) it’s awfully hard to evaluate position coaches from the outside.
That all being said, this one has a bad feeling to it. This guy does not appear to check many of the boxes I’d hoped the new OC would check. At least he’s a Princeton grad – we know those guys always work out.
I don’t think one can quibble too much with Riley’s recent coaching hires, but this one may unfortunately end the streak.
Forgot the Princeton angle. That cheered me up!
1. What part of ” I realize that’s not why you hire a coach, but there were more intriguing options out there that would provide a good coach, recruiting, and either a big name or intriguing up and comer.” did you not understand?
2. “In Riley we Trust” is in full swing today.
3. One of many rationalizations that lead to never taking the “next step”.
4. True. But he’s moved around a lot and reports are that other teams/players don’t like him. It’s not awfully hard to evaluate a resume.
1) So then I guess your point about “making a splash” was actually a non-point because you agree with me that hiring a coach to make a splash is a bad idea. Or are you arguing that you should hire a good coach who incidentally will make a splash? Because I think it is the hiring of a good coach that will cause the splash.
2) I think all things being equal, if Riley has a chance to promote from within, he will. So his decision to bypass Brennan suggests he does not think Brennan can handle the OC job. I’m fine trusting him with this determination. If you read my post in its entirety as “in Riley we trust,” you misread it.
3) Okay. Or just a good point. I think you try to minimize this because it’s a skill that’s hard to evaluate from the outside. That does not however make it less critical.
4) Or at least it is apparently not hard to jump to conclusions about a resume based on one comment about rumors at one previous job. You’re nothing if not thorough.
Who was available that’s more intriguing?
your mom
That’s a funny joke. Unfortunately, my mother is dead.
So you’re saying she’s available?
angry’s terse reply aside, I think the checking of boxes on all our lists is what does or doesn’t make a “splashy” hire.
This is OSU. Hiring Lane Kiffin does not constitute splashy around here. It would constitute suicide watch.
My idea of splashy isn’t Lane Kiffin. It’s guys like Brennen, Leopold, etc. Up and comers who had a ton of success at a lower level. Oregon did this with Chip Kelly. We see that type of guy succeed a lot, and personally I find that type of coach more intriguing (I did write the word “intriguing” right after splash, and I said “make a splash” not “hire a spashy coach”…). Jack, I think you know the type of guy I want and could read between the lines, but some of the trolls can’t do that. They see the word “splash” and assume I’m saying Riley should have hired a big name prima dona…not at all the case. But I would like a coach to get excited about. Garrett inspires nothing. Maybe he’ll be fine, but I don’t see how fans get stoked about the guy.
Brennan? Nepotism!!
Someone posted this at PO
http://www.allprodad.com/nfl-spokesmen/coaches/john-garrett/
Sounds like a born-again. Not my cup of tea to say the least, and I’m a little tired of OSU doubling down on this hick/conservative mentality (CR notwithstanding), but I’ll keep an open mind for now.
I’m interested in hearing his perceived strengths, hopefully something beyond the usual vague statements like, “an excellent teacher and a fine family man.”
So Riley is hiring buddies he can go to church with? Great.
I’m a little tired of OSU doubling down on this hick/conservative mentality
I like country living and don’t want to bash it, but it’s not great for a college football program. But honestly, I would take ANY image if DONE WELL. Problem is OSU takes everything horrible about hick culture and almost turns it into parody, but not quite to the point it’s funny, so it fails on every front.
Hick is the wrong term. There’s nothing hick about Corvallis or OSU. If that’s the case, then I live in Hillbillyville down here.
I think what you want to say is that we project a neophyte image when it comes to marketing.
I forget the guy’s name, but a few years ago OSU hired someone to revamp marketing. He had big credentials…
That seems to have gone nowhere.
That was Rizzardini.
What the hell happened there? He just disappear into the bureaucratic mediocrity?
Neophytism
you mean like crank it like a chainsaw or the guy logger dude with the chainshaw?
‘What is wrong with that image!? I don’t get’ – OSU marketing.
Randy the logger and crank it like a chainsaw. Those are/were the two biggest dumpster fires in OSU sports marketing history
I’m not worried about what a coach does or doesn’t do with regards to religion so long as he’s not using his position to proselytize. The job is involved enough that real work trumps faith, and that will show on the field.
I just googled him and read this article and was going to posit it. I also do not care for the religious speak. I don’t trust people like that.
With that said, the reaction here is following the same pattern as it did for Perry. As the article you linked points out, he does in fact have a shit ton of coaching experience at the highest level. People may be reading into things too much with comments like “the players didn’t like him” as it doesn’t specifically say that – there is no good evidence of that and perhaps they didn’t get along for a reason that was entirely the fault of the players – those are some big egos.
As silly as the religious stuff is, I would wager that this mentality is common among college athletes – and probably very common among their mothers. Could have some benefits.
He has recently coached some of the best players in the league at their respective positions. There are worse positions to be in than being able to rely on experience as a scout and telling a kid he sees himi being the next Vincent Jackson if he works hard.
Hope Brennan doesn’t go anywhere. Could not care less about Cav. He has barely been able to field a team for the last 3 or 4 years – maybe he should go.
Just curious, I am not as high on Brennan as a recruiter as others. I can’t recall other than Hawkins this year, who Brennan brought in.
Does anyone have a reliable list of who he has been the lead recruiter on this year and past years?
Wouldn’t the ‘Riley only hires his own guy’ move have been to promote Brennan? I mean, he’s been here for, what, 5 years? John Garrett played for Riley for a whopping 1 season 23 years ago. This is the ‘new blood’ move.
I’m non-plussed by this hire in general, but then again I was non-plussed by Rod Perry too.
Career Highlights: • John helped Jason Witten to his eighth consecutive NFC Pro Bowl in 2011. Witten has more all-star game selections than any other tight end in the history of the Cowboy franchise• In 2008, Garrett applauded Dallas tight end Martellus Bennett for being the third rookie in franchise history to have a touchdown reception in three consecutive games• Accomplishments from John’s players reflect his dedication for teaching football fundamentals. Visible through the 15 receptions caught by Witten against Detroit in 2007, setting a franchise record and tying the NFL single game mark by a tight end• John is responsible for guiding the development of Jake Plummer, who became the fastest Arizona Cardinal quarterback to throw for 10,000 career passing yards in club history
He teh sucks! Can this guy even tight end?
Kind of blows a hole in the ‘nobody was pleased with Witten’s development’ canard.
I’ve been doing some real research on Garrett. Some of it makes me feel better… some not.
But these career highlights are all wrong starting with the first sentence and ending with Plummer’s performance while JG was his QB coach. Whomever wrote that blurb should probably take the time to remove it from the web… stat.
Someone just emailed me this quote from Mamma Machado:
Recruiting is the big question mark here. The NFL is a completely different beast…coaches have to coach and game plan, that’s it. In college, not only do they have to coach and game plan, they are helping to mentor 105 young men, evaluate and recruit. It can be a tough transition for many NFL lifers. Some love it, others…not so much. Coach Perry has made the transition, but he’s been aided a great deal by the help of his sons who help with a lot of the day to day ‘stuff’ with recruiting.
Sounds like his sons should get most of the credit. lol.
Perry has been okay (players looking for the ball more), but what makes people think he’s awesome? Passing D has been ranked 50th and 71st under Perry.
https://soundcloud.com/danforthdirt-sprague/inside-osu-beaverblitzs-angie
Sounds like OSU could lose Brennen over this hire.
Sorry… I couldn’t get past the “who knew it first” crap… which followed apologies for not being about recruiting? Who wants to talk about recruiting right now?
We’re hiring an OC. We’re possibly losing the OL coach. Signing day is less than a week past.
And someone wants to talk about recruiting!?!?!?!? Can someone in our OSU “media” get some friggin’ perspective?
Please?
WTF MAN?
Almost time for a new thread. We’ve already hit most of the angrybeavs buzzwords in this one.
“nepotism”
“mediocrity”
“Mama Machado”
“underwhelming”
I think we’re just missing “pollyanna”
+1
That was good one Blazer.
Ask and you shall receive.
Feels like we are all taking the “be critical” goal of thi sblog a little too far with this one.
The positives:
1. Instant name recognition with recruits. “Yea dude Jason Garrett’s brother wants me to come to Oregon State.”
2. Brings a boat load of recent NFL coaching experience where matchup and game to game planning based on your teams strengths and the other teams weakness is key. This is where OSU has failed for years… see the Stanford game. Our offensive game planning has been weak.
3. This is not good ol boy this is new Blood with extensive knowledge and player personell background. He can come in and say why the hell would we ever have to play walk on linemen at Oregon State and everyone including Riley will listen. 20 years of NFL experience gives you that respect.
Overall a B hire in my estimation.
I doubt an innovative younger coach wold be able to come in and really force Riley to change some things up. This Garret fellow seems like he should be able to do that
It’s all a plot……Jason Garrett will be the next Beaver HC after Dallas cans at the end of the upcoming season.