Initial Reaction to Loeffler Departure

Given the time we were in the calendar, it was sure that Coach Loeffler's announcement would make big news and it did.  I am happy for him and wish him the best.  This is an incredible opportunity and I don't see how you could turn it down.

Back at home, there was an almost immediate announcement that Mike Jacobs is a candidate, followed by a lot of enthusiasm from the Falcon Nation.  One caveat--and I have no inside information at all--but lots of times these are posts from agents or placement firms looking to get their guy into the conversation.

Having said that....Jacobs is the kind of guy we need, in my opinion.  Days are gone when BG would just find a coordinator at a power school and give them their head coaching start. Many of those guys today make more than our whole staff.  You either need a non-coordinator or a head coach from FCS or below.

I have always liked getting coaches who have been head coaches, while fulling conceding that you have seen both types of coaches succeed in the MAC.  I just like the track record of having run a program.  Ball State, CMU and UMass followed the same track with their coaches this off-season.

Jacobs checks that box, having been a very successful coach in DII and FCS.  He also knows Ohio.  He is the third-generation of a well-known Ohio HS football coaching family.  He is from Maumee.  And he played at Ohio State.

So, you can see why people are excited.  A proven winner. From what i have seen, there is some doubt about whether a head coach would leave his school right before spring practice.  They usually like to bring their assistants...could a guy completely hollow out a program at this point in the calendar?

I guess time will tell.

Chris Vannini of The Athletic had the following list of potential coaches. Note, Jacobs was his first. (It's my commentary).

Mount Union head coach Geoff Dartt.  Lance Leipold without the national tities.

Toledo defensive coordinator Vince Kehres:  The second choice of the Falcon Nation

Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford.  Ohio State apostate.

Kansas offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski.  I like this guy.  Has been a DIII Head Coach with a 28-12 record.  Assistant at UB during the years they ran crazy on everyone, us included. I would prefer we get an offensive whiz, frankly.  

Minnesota co-defensive coordinator Nick Monroe:  interesting choice.  Was an assistant for Clawson and Babers at BG and a super-recruiter.  Some think he's among the best recruiters we ever had.  Would be his first head coaching gig.

John Carroll University (Ohio) athletic director Brian Polian.  Always is on these lists.  NO NO NO NO NO NO.

Eastern Kentucky head coach Walt Wells.  Good track record.  Has beaten BG.  He's 57, I suspect we are looking for someone younger.

Chattanooga head coach Rusty Wright.  He has coached in the MAC but mostly in the South.  Decent success at UTC.  I'd say we were trying to fill the list out.

Dino Babers:  NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

I have not thoroughly vetted these guys for a complete absence of Texas ties.

Often, the guy we get won't be on any lists.

As for now, 10 AM on Sunday, BG has three players in the portal.

• Travel Revels, an up and coming DB
• CJ Brown, a DB who was all-MAC at NIU and played for us last year.
• Marcus Moore, a transfer from Akron on the DL who we liked.

The main question with transfers is how bad will it get?  We will certainly fill the job within the 30-days you get to transfer when the coach changes, so they have a chance to evaluate the new regime. I would still expect significant departures.