Jan. 11 - 3 p.m. Update (from Dot Com)
As we first mentioned a while ago, looks like the hire of Ron Dugans is getting close to being finalized. But as we mentioned it's sounding more and more like he may initially come in as support staff with David Kelly staying on as the full-time wide receivers coach. I still suspect that Dugans will be heavily involved with the receivers, as least as much as he can be in a non-coach role. Again, this all goes back to the recently enacted NCAA rules that limit a coach's ability to move from a full-time coach to a support staffer in one year.
Sounds like things are being dialed-back somewhat on Terrell Buckley. Maybe he's getting some blowback from Mississippi State but now we are being told there really isn't anything going on with him and the FSU DBs job. Not sure why the 180 in the last 24 hours, and maybe this is just posturing, but might want temper down expectations somewhat.
Finally, we keep hearing things are still good with Randy Clements re-joining Kendal Briles at Florida State. The only thing we've heard regarding the delay in the hire is his current contract with Houston is holding things up. Don't have details but it seems to be just a matter of time before things get worked out.
--------------
Jan. 10 - 10:30 am. Update: (from Dot Com)
A little surprised we haven't heard more about coaching changes/hires by now but again I don't think Willie Taggart and FSU's administration are as anxious to make staff changes as quickly as the fan base. Recruiting starts back up tomorrow but with 15 players already signed and four other commitments it's not essential that every coach hit the road from day one.
And as I've mentioned several times, the new NCAA rules on moving coaches around is probably creating some difficult hurdles to overcome. I'm certain that Willie Taggart wants to keep some coaches like David Kelly on staff in a support role, but the new rules make that incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Haven't heard this but throwing out the possibility that Ron Dugans could initially come in as support staff to help the receivers but eventually rolls into the full-time WRs coach once the NCAA rules are complied with.
On the newsy front, you can officially throw Terrell Buckley's name into the mix for the job of defensive backs coach. Heard from a good source that he interviewed for the position this week. He certainly has the ties and the resume to be a perfect fit for the job. If you haven't noticed, Mississippi State's pass defense has been really, really good the last two years with Buckley coaching back there. This past season, the Bulldogs had the No. 2 ranked pass defense and are in the top 10 in pretty much every major pass defense statistic.
We also know that Wesley McGriff recently interviewed for the position of DB/CBs coach. So what we can take from this is it sure sounds like DC Harlon Barnett will have some help in the secondary this season.
Don't have much else to offer other than there should be some movement in the next 24-48 hours on staff changes. But with the way things have gone so far, if it takes a few more days than expected it wouldn't be shocking.
-----------
10:05 p.m. Update -- OK, did a little digging around. I'm not trying to dispute the Democrat's report, but I'm hearing this might not be a done deal yet. I believe Wesley McGriff is in town and is being considered for the DBs coach job ... but based on what we've been told, we're not comfortable reporting that as a done deal. If that changes, we'll let you know as soon as possible. If McGriff is added to the staff, it will be as DBs coach.
We'll let you know what else we hear.
-----
According to Jim Henry at the Democrat. He was Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator but was pushed out last month.
It's not clear if he will be working as an analyst or as DBs coach.
Here is his bio info:
Tifton, Ga., native. Played at South Carolina State (1 year) and Savannah State (3 years). Was a college linebacker.
Started his coaching career at Savannah State in 1990 as a graduate assistant working with running backs.
Became secondary coach in 1991-92. Defensive coordinator in '93-94. He also was the team's interim head coach for three months at one point. Also was Savannah State's baseball coach from '91-95.
From 1995-99, McGriff served as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Kentucky State. He was named the AFCA's NCAA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year in 1998.
After leaving KSU, McGriff worked at Eastern Kentucky (2000) as the secondary coach, Kentucky (2001-02) as the running back and cornerback coach, Baylor (2003-06) as the recruiting coordinator and a defensive assistant, Miami, Fla. (2007-10) as defensive back coach, and Vanderbilt (2011) as defensive back coach and recruiting coordinator.
McGriff spent three seasons (2013-15) with the New Orleans Saints.
Secondary coach at Auburn in 2016.
Ole Miss defensive coordinator in 2017-18.
Received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Savannah State in 1990 and graduated cum laude. In 1993, he earned a master's in public administration from Georgia Southern, graduating with distinction.
McGriff was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1990 and was a member of the Army Reserves until 2001.
As we first mentioned a while ago, looks like the hire of Ron Dugans is getting close to being finalized. But as we mentioned it's sounding more and more like he may initially come in as support staff with David Kelly staying on as the full-time wide receivers coach. I still suspect that Dugans will be heavily involved with the receivers, as least as much as he can be in a non-coach role. Again, this all goes back to the recently enacted NCAA rules that limit a coach's ability to move from a full-time coach to a support staffer in one year.
Sounds like things are being dialed-back somewhat on Terrell Buckley. Maybe he's getting some blowback from Mississippi State but now we are being told there really isn't anything going on with him and the FSU DBs job. Not sure why the 180 in the last 24 hours, and maybe this is just posturing, but might want temper down expectations somewhat.
Finally, we keep hearing things are still good with Randy Clements re-joining Kendal Briles at Florida State. The only thing we've heard regarding the delay in the hire is his current contract with Houston is holding things up. Don't have details but it seems to be just a matter of time before things get worked out.
--------------
Jan. 10 - 10:30 am. Update: (from Dot Com)
A little surprised we haven't heard more about coaching changes/hires by now but again I don't think Willie Taggart and FSU's administration are as anxious to make staff changes as quickly as the fan base. Recruiting starts back up tomorrow but with 15 players already signed and four other commitments it's not essential that every coach hit the road from day one.
And as I've mentioned several times, the new NCAA rules on moving coaches around is probably creating some difficult hurdles to overcome. I'm certain that Willie Taggart wants to keep some coaches like David Kelly on staff in a support role, but the new rules make that incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Haven't heard this but throwing out the possibility that Ron Dugans could initially come in as support staff to help the receivers but eventually rolls into the full-time WRs coach once the NCAA rules are complied with.
On the newsy front, you can officially throw Terrell Buckley's name into the mix for the job of defensive backs coach. Heard from a good source that he interviewed for the position this week. He certainly has the ties and the resume to be a perfect fit for the job. If you haven't noticed, Mississippi State's pass defense has been really, really good the last two years with Buckley coaching back there. This past season, the Bulldogs had the No. 2 ranked pass defense and are in the top 10 in pretty much every major pass defense statistic.
We also know that Wesley McGriff recently interviewed for the position of DB/CBs coach. So what we can take from this is it sure sounds like DC Harlon Barnett will have some help in the secondary this season.
Don't have much else to offer other than there should be some movement in the next 24-48 hours on staff changes. But with the way things have gone so far, if it takes a few more days than expected it wouldn't be shocking.
-----------
10:05 p.m. Update -- OK, did a little digging around. I'm not trying to dispute the Democrat's report, but I'm hearing this might not be a done deal yet. I believe Wesley McGriff is in town and is being considered for the DBs coach job ... but based on what we've been told, we're not comfortable reporting that as a done deal. If that changes, we'll let you know as soon as possible. If McGriff is added to the staff, it will be as DBs coach.
We'll let you know what else we hear.
-----
According to Jim Henry at the Democrat. He was Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator but was pushed out last month.
It's not clear if he will be working as an analyst or as DBs coach.
Here is his bio info:
Tifton, Ga., native. Played at South Carolina State (1 year) and Savannah State (3 years). Was a college linebacker.
Started his coaching career at Savannah State in 1990 as a graduate assistant working with running backs.
Became secondary coach in 1991-92. Defensive coordinator in '93-94. He also was the team's interim head coach for three months at one point. Also was Savannah State's baseball coach from '91-95.
From 1995-99, McGriff served as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Kentucky State. He was named the AFCA's NCAA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year in 1998.
After leaving KSU, McGriff worked at Eastern Kentucky (2000) as the secondary coach, Kentucky (2001-02) as the running back and cornerback coach, Baylor (2003-06) as the recruiting coordinator and a defensive assistant, Miami, Fla. (2007-10) as defensive back coach, and Vanderbilt (2011) as defensive back coach and recruiting coordinator.
McGriff spent three seasons (2013-15) with the New Orleans Saints.
Secondary coach at Auburn in 2016.
Ole Miss defensive coordinator in 2017-18.
Received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Savannah State in 1990 and graduated cum laude. In 1993, he earned a master's in public administration from Georgia Southern, graduating with distinction.
McGriff was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1990 and was a member of the Army Reserves until 2001.
Last edited by a moderator:
