ToroDeFuego

I sure trust Harlan to do a better job than Woolard but it sounds like he is saying much the same thing.

"When deck chairs start moving around again, if there is an again, it's so unpredictable that it's almost tireless effort to try to predict when those things come up," Harlan said. "So I've just decided that the best thing we can do is just focus on ourselves and rise to the things that I know would make us great if things happened again.

"We are serious about trying to add great value to (the American Athletic) conference. It's very important to me and this institution that we do so. But also, we're aspirational, as we should be. And if there are things that happen, we want to make sure that we're in the best position, despite the fact that maybe approaches to those things are different from institution to institution."

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/usf-remains-cryptic-about-power-five-moves/2266477

The more I read about Hiller the more I like the hire. He did a good job at UC and was only let go because the OC Eddie Gran was hired away by Kentucky. The new OC brought in his own guy from Auburn. UC's line has been ranked pretty good both nationally and in the AAC all three years he was there.

"I wish Price was going to be at the combine, but his rocked-up frame and underrated athleticism should pick up steam throughout the pre-draft process. Mostly used as a blocker at run-heavy South Florida, Price made good adjustments to the ball in traffic during his limited reps, despite not having ideal length at the position. He has the base skill set for his best football to be ahead of him."

http://thedraftwire.usatoday.com/2016/02/17/2016-nfl-draft-class-pre-combine-tight-end-rankings/

I can't see Reaves leaving unless he got an OC position at a P5 team or a head coaching job. King certainly wouldn't replace him.

Just now, bullsmeanbusiness said:

Per the article you just referenced: "Darren Hiller will no longer be the offensive line coach at Arkansas State."

Yeah, but this

Quote

Hiller was announced as Arkansas State's new offensive line coach on January 14, 2016.

He spent 10 years there then went to Nevada 1 year the UC. Looks like he was headed back and then got a call from Taggart.

He just accepted the same job at Arkansas St. in January 

http://www.newschannel10.com/story/30992093/offensive-line-coach-darren-hiller-no-longer-coming-to-a-state

17 hours ago, slick1ru2 said:

Have they stopped looking?

The Big12 put out a conference gag order. Supposedly they won't make a decision until summer.

44 minutes ago, BDYZR said:

I don't see how this would be any different than USF going to Vero Beach. 

While I don't have a problem with it it is different. Vero is in our state and our conference footprint. Michigan is leaving their state by a long way and going into a recruiting area the rest of their conference doesn't have a footprint in. But there are far worse things in recruiting like coaches lying about other programs, lying to recruits and over-signing, all of which the SEC appears to not have a problem with.

Haha

It's not Indiana. They hired Mark Hagan from Texas A&M

24 minutes ago, WWMJD said:

I'd be shocked if Woodie gave up his defensive coordinator spot before he even starts to be a position coach again, even if it is with a great program.

I just meant that maybe he recommends someone or there is a connection to USF's program. The Arkansas job is for a running back coach

First thing I though of was Indiana. But there's also the Taggart connection with Stanford and Bielema talked Woodie about Arkansas last year so maybe there's a line of communication there.

Rivals tweeted that a P5 conference team is targeting a USF assistant. According to coaching search.com these are the P5 positions open:

Arizona State: Defensive line 
Indiana: Defensive line
Iowa: One defensive position
Kentucky: Defensive backs
Nebraska: Defensive line
Stanford: Defensive line
Texas Tech: Cornerbacks
Vanderbilt: One defensive position
Virginia Tech: Defensive backs
Wisconsin: Defensive backs

Arkansas: Running backs
LSU: Running backs
Texas: One offensive position

Quote

 USF had one of the most talented groups of any team in the Group of Five conferences. All 16 of USF's signings were 3-stars or better, which is quite rare for teams outside of the major power-conference programs.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2614115-most-underrated-2016-college-football-recruiting-classes/page/10

50 minutes ago, GaUSFBull said:

All it is is a quick trip straight across the Gulf of Mexico, which we're right beside, and we're in TX, the heart of B12 country.  We're just a hop, skip and jump away by a quick boat/plane ride.  

Please. Don't say skip.

Not really news but interesting. The Big 12 hired a couple firms to help them with the TV network and expansion. The first firm is Navigate Research. On their blog in January in a post called "Why Do Conferences Expand?" The have a bullet point:

Quote

5. Recruiting - Many conferences sees schools as a favorable place to expand because of recruiting access. Think about USF going to the BIG EAST over a decade ago. That now seems to purely have been a recruiting play with the BIG EAST attempting to gain a footprint in Florida, a high school football recruiting stronghold.  

http://www.navigateresearch.com/navigate-research-blog/why-do-conferences-expand

The second company is Bevilacqua Helfant Ventures. If you remember back a few years ago they were hired by the Big East to negotiate their TV contract. So both companies at least have good knowledge of USF.

http://thisisuconncountry.com/2016/02/big-12-has-hired-two-firms-to-develop-conference-tv-network-vet-expansion-candidates/

Just now, GaUSFBull said:

Isn't that only about 50 yards?  The opponent's 40 yard line is closer to the end zone you're heading toward than your own.  

Are you kidding? That's a hell of a throw on your knees. It's all upper body and core strength.

It will be interesting to see if any USF staff will have anything to do with Michigan practices. IMG Academy is right in Taggart's recruiting wheelhouse along with the relationship he already has with Harbaugh. A lot of potential recruits at the Academy too. Shaver Manuel went there.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/02/jim_harbaugh_plans_to_hold_mic.html

Taggart said he thinks that this is the best class since he's been here. I would agree and give it an A. But there's this: http://footballscoop.com/news/video-what-if-coaches-were-brutally-honest-about-how-they-felt-about-their-signing-day-classes/

Seems like today anyone who disagrees or has constructive criticism is a "hater". Some people here would benefit from being in a design competition like you have to do in architecture programs where you go in front of a jury that rips apart (sometimes literally) your design. You will never get better at anything if you view all other opinions as hating. I like Flowers a lot but, so far, he makes more plays with his feet or the threat of using them than he does with pinpoint passing. He's just not a consistent passer yet. He is however a baller in the way that Grothe was. That can't be taught. If Woulard can come in and prove himself the better QB I don't have a problem with that. Either way Flowers will play. He's just too good of a playmaker to sit him out.

Not sure if this was posted before but looks like Cinci is going after the Big 12 hard. They obviously have something to hide.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2016/02/03/what-uc-hiding-big-12-conference/79713442/

Quote

 

The University of Cincinnati is refusing to release emails, travel records and other public documents regarding the possibility of it gaining membership in the Big 12 Conference, which may consider expansion later this week.

The Enquirer asked for the documents, including UC President Santa Ono's travel records, in a Nov. 17 public records request. Two UC attorneys recently completed their review of the documents, usually a final step before public records are released.

But in an unusual move, UC's general counsel instead gave the documents to the Board of Trustees last week, said Kenya Faulkner, the university's top attorney.

"They asked to see them, and I had to turn them over," said Faulkner, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel. "They've never asked me to do that before."

It's possible UC officials are trying to be careful not to risk messing up a potential opportunity to move into a major conference, which could generate millions of dollars for the university, raise UC's national profile and move it to the right side of a growing divide between the haves and have-nots in college sports.

 

A big part of selecting schools is the money they bring to the table.. And of course size matters:

Some question size of UCF's endowment

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-ucf-endowment-questions-20150321-story.html

From this it looks like he committed before an official offer was made and then he was offered. Then he just de-committed. Still sounds odd.

https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/jamal-smith-commits.26771/

I have decomitted from ucf and looking for other offers

Heard conflicting stories about his commitment and whether it wasn't accepted or he backed out. Has an offer from USF