CFB DeptHITS: Friday, February 7
Let's get caught up on the most impactful news and notes from the past 48 hours around the great sport of college football.
Today, we’ll get back after updating you on the news of the past 48 hours in a quick, consumable format. You know, the ‘what you need to know’ kind of stuff. The coaching / player personnel management news is dominating the cycle as the player movement has slowed a bit. Also, don’t fall too far behind on our team-by-team, State of the Chart™ updates this off-season. We have them all conveniently linked at the end of this HITS article…enjoy!
|||||| THE HITS
Wisconsin ::: A few weeks back we heard that Wisconsin CB Nyzier Fourqurean was challenging the NCAA eligibility rules in order to get another year of eligibility. He is arguing, like Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia, that having played at a Division II school and having no ability to earn, he should be awarded an extra season. The judge has ruled in favor of Fourqurean and he will receive that additional season. Pavia's contention was focused at the JUCO level. The judge in the case cited problems with the "waiver system" more than a judgement that all D2 years should not count. Something to watch going forward.
James Madison ::: Former Alabama co-defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler is going to become the Dukes defensive coordinator. He is re-uniting with head coach Bob Chesney, with whom he coached under at Division III Salve Regina in Newport, Rhode Island.
Kansas ::: QB Jalon Daniels underwent a minor surgery procedure here recently and may be limited in spring practices. This is not expected to impact the dynamic Jayhawks quarterback for his final regular season in college football. He reached a deal to return to KU for 2025 earlier this off-season. He's battled injuries in the past but did play a full 2024 campaign and getting all cleaned up to help ensure that health is a good move.
Colorado ::: This one has been in the works for a while, but now official, NFL Hall-of-Famer Marshall Faulk will join Deion Sanders' staff at Colorado as running backs coach. If he can rub off on any of these young men even a little, they will be better players. Faulk was dynamic, versatile and smart as a player. This is his first foray into the coaching game, so we'll see how it goes.
Georgia Tech ::: Brent Key gets his next defensive coordinator from Austin. Blake Gideon spend the past four seasons tutoring the safeties for the Longhorns. He has built up quite the reputation as a top recruiter, as well. Past coaching stops include Ole Miss, Houston, Georgia State and Florida. Gideon replaces Tyler Santucci who left after one season to join the NFL's Ravens as their linebackers coach.
Ohio State ::: Brian Hartline is getting another shot at the offensive coordinator gig at Ohio State. He has not wavered and been a part of this staff ever since his playing days ended. He was given a shot to call plays in 2023 while he retained his wide receivers coach role. That didn't go so great and he was demoted to "Co-offensive coordinator" when Chip Kelly was brought on for this championship winning 2024 season. Now, Hartline is given the opportunity once again.
California ::: The Bears are bringing back an old legend to take on a "new school" role in Berkeley. That is former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera who will take on the "general manager type" role for Justin Wilcox. It sounds a lot like a player personnel role that will be filled by the verteran coach and this could be a really good get in a "new era" of football at Cal.
Ohio State ::: Tyler Bowen is leaving his post as offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech to become the offensive line coach at Ohio State. Ryan Day is moving quickly to re-load this staff with talent and that includes those willing to take a demotion in rank to join the National Champions. He spent time previously at Penn State and is known as a great coach and recruiter. Bowen replaces Justin Frye who announced he was taking a position with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals earlier this week.
Arkansas State ::: Butch Jones announced that after an exhaustive search that included interviews of eight different individuals, they have landed on elevating linebackers coach Griffin McCarley to the role of defensive coordinator. McCarley is young, but a true up-and-comer as he came from a stint at Ole Miss and has been "groomed" for this chance.
Michigan ::: The Wolverines have added some depth at cornerback, signing CB Caleb Anderson [10.3] away from Louisiana out of the portal. Anderson played in nine games for the Cajun's in '24 and it seems like a long shot that he earns much meaningful playing time in the stacked Michigan secondary group.
Georgia Southern ::: The Eagles have announced a new five-year extension for head coach Clay Helton that will run through the 2029 season. He's making over $1 Million on average per year now and that is significant for a group of five school. Helton previously coached USC from 2015-2021 before taking over in Statesboro in 2022. The Eagles improved to eight wins in 2024, up from the previous two six-win seasons. Helton's offensive approach brings a fun energy and pace to the game, which often attracts players and is leading to wins.
USC ::: The Trojans remain on a player personnel manhunt and it now includes an up-and-comer in former Wisconsin GM Max Stienecker in the role titled 'executive director of player personnel' reporting to new GM Chad Bowman. Bowman was lured away from his post at Notre Dame earlier this year. Recruiting kids to Madison, Wisconsin is not as easy as it once was. Therefore, the impressive performance in this 2025 cycle has Stienecker at the top of the list; and Bowman via head coach Lincoln Riley, are going out to get the best.
|||||| MORE NEWS & NOTES
Oregon’s Chris Hampton has been named 247Sports’ National Recruiter of the Year for his work building up the Ducks. He is the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach by day and apparently an ace recruiter by night. He has led the recruting efforts that has yielded the top defensive backs haul in the 2025 class, which started with a flip of top-15 overall player Na'eem Offord from his Ohio State commitment to join the Ducks.
Ryan Day received a contract extension that will keep him signed on through the 2031 season (additional three years to the last contract) and upping his annual salary to $12.5 Million. That makes him the second-highest paid coach in college football, behind only Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($13.2). He jumps Clemson’s Dabo Swinney into second place. These are the only three active coaches with National Titles on their resume.
The Las Vegas Raiders and newly appointed head coach Pete Carroll are continuing their stockpiling of quality coaches. The latest is Notre Dame associate head coach and running backs coach Deland McCullough, who is leaving Marcus Freeman’s staff to head to the next level.
Billy Fessler is elevated to the on-field quarterbacks coach role at Ohio State. He spent this 2024 season as an offensive assistant and his past work includes holding offensive play calling duties at both Akron and UCLA.
Georgia is poaching assistant linebackers coach / analyst Bryson Allen-Williams from the USC staff. Allen-Williams hails from Georgia, played collegiately - quite successfully - at South Carolina and then has had stops at Georgia State and North Carolina before moving out to LA to take the job with USC. It is unclear the exact role on Kirby Smart’s staff, but it is viewed as a solid hire and Allen-Williams has a bright future in this coaching industry.
Here is some potential further reading that we’d suggest:
There is a new entity being formed to actually oversee the “professional aspects” of college sports. They will implement a comprehensive approach featuring cap management, an NIL clearinghouse, and an investigative unit. As usual, Ross Dellenger on the report »
There is a bill introduced in Georgia that seems rather significant. It would essentially make NIL-related compensation for athletes non-taxable. Go here for the full article »
Don’t forget that we are running our team-by-team State of the Chart™ “off-season” updates. We have five SEC squads published thus far and are planning the release of the Florida Gators later today (lunch time). Get caught up:
2/1: Alabama Crimson Tide
2/3: Georgia Bulldogs
2/4: LSU Tigers
2/5: Auburn Tigers
2/6: Arkansas Razorbacks
And, finally, if you want to be the first to know about the first edition of the State of the Chart™ Magazine release, please check out more information and shoot us your email to get on the list. This is going to be the most comprehensive preview magazine available come July (with updates weekly up to the season)…
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