How about Paul Petrino for OC?

[rutgers4life11]

Makes ~$400k/yr as head coach of Idaho.

Long, extensive resume with Offensive Coordinator stops at Louisville, Arkansas, and Illinois - as well as NFL experience with the Falcons. Has done positional work at WR, QB and STs.

Big believer in a similar type of offense that Ash wants, and comes from a family of offensive minds.

Idaho is dropping down to FCS in 2018 so not a long term option for him. Petrino inherited a 1-11 team a few years ago, and now has them at 6-4 this year so far.

Ash is already hands off with offense, so perfect situation for a guy like Petrino. Could be a very symbiotic relationship.

Both Ash and Petrino spent time at Arkansas.

Trade in Moscow, Idaho for central New Jersey and B1G football. If he wants to bring his QB son on the team - why not?

Get him up to $1M/yr, which seems to be going rate for good B1G coordinator, and maybe that'd work? Drew can move to positional coach/assistant to Petrino, so he can learn from a guy who has a ton of experience.

Thoughts?

 

[Rutgersnj201]

Id love the hire but Drew's not going anywhere this year

 

[BlockR]

Id love the hire but Drew's not going anywhere this year

another shut out loss to Maryland,which is a crucial game for recruiting battles with several kids still wavering between RU and Maryland,and I wouldnt bet money on that.

 

[drewbagel423]

Makes ~$400k/yr as head coach of Idaho.

Long, extensive resume with Offensive Coordinator stops at Louisville, Arkansas, and Illinois - as well as NFL experience with the Falcons. Has done positional work at WR, QB and STs.

Big believer in a similar type of offense that Ash wants, and comes from a family of offensive minds.

Idaho is dropping down to FCS in 2018 so not a long term option for him. Petrino inherited a 1-11 team a few years ago, and now has them at 6-4 this year so far.

Ash is already hands off with offense, so perfect situation for a guy like Petrino. Could be a very symbiotic relationship.

Both Ash and Petrino spent time at Arkansas.

Trade in Moscow, Idaho for central New Jersey and B1G football. If he wants to bring his QB son on the team - why not?

Get him up to $1M/yr, which seems to be going rate for good B1G coordinator, and maybe that'd work? Drew can move to positional coach/assistant to Petrino, so he can learn from a guy who has a ton of experience.

Thoughts?

We aren't paying $1M for a coordinator. That is more than double what DM is making now.

 

[wheezer]

We aren't paying $1M for a coordinator. That is more than double what DM is making now.

----
It might be time to do something out of character at some point.... had we had a bit better offense this year it would have made a huge difference in several games.... not to mention it keeps final scores from being ridiculous in the games we will obviously lose

We will be making big money in a few years anyway.... spend what it takes now, draw a few more fans to our games along the way with better play..... stop the embarrassment as quickly as possible

I am tired of people I know asking me about our membership in the big 10.

 

[RU4Real]

another shut out loss to Maryland,which is a crucial game for recruiting battles with several kids still wavering between RU and Maryland,and I wouldnt bet money on that.

There's at least one high-value recruit who is coming here specifically because of Mehringer.

We're going to lose recruits because shitty season.

But if you fire anybody, you'll lose recruits that way, too.

 

[rutgers4life11]

$1m/yr was just a number I don't think he would turn down and trying to think outside the box. Even Drew's current salary would be a pay raise to Idaho. Maybe he takes that.

When a primetime senior night game against Penn State can't even get near a sellout, you're losing a lot of dough. Across the board in ticket sales, merchandise, licensing, concession sales, donations, season ticket renewals, on and on - we are easily losing that potential bump in salary. Another season like this on offense and we'll lose far more.

As for recruiting, you don't fire Drew. Let him stay at the positional group where the high level recruit is, and be a higher level assistant. Learning from a guy like Petrino would be huge for Drew's career, and Petrino wouldn't stay on the banks forever if he has success. Drew could be groomed to take over and learn from both an excellent offensive mind (petrino) and a defensive mind (Ash) to prepare him as a head coach in the future.

A guy like Petrino could excite the fanbase going into next year, and would more than likely help with recruiting. Most importantly, he could insert Head coaching experience into our staff, and be able to help Ash be the best HC he can be.

 

[wheezer]

There's at least one high-value recruit who is coming here specifically because of Mehringer.

We're going to lose recruits because shitty season.

But if you fire anybody, you'll lose recruits that way, too.

-----
Tough call...... if the hire is announced before signing day there is a risk.... unless that hire is so good you keep that player and add to it....

Me thinks the university keeps Mehringer because that is the RU way.

 

[rutgers4life11]

And it doesn't have to be Petrino... my point is there are guys out there who are this damn good who currently make LESS of a salary than Mehringer. $417k/yr vs 450k/yr. There are options.

Petrino just is particularly interesting because he fits nearly every single box we would be looking for.

 

[cicero grimes]

I am not sure Ash will pull the plug after one season as awful as it has been. Ash brought in guys he had a relationship with and I see him sticking with them for at least another season.

 

[vkj91]

-----
Tough call...... if the hire is announced before signing day there is a risk.... unless that hire is so good you keep that player and add to it....

Me thinks the university keeps Mehringer because that is the RU way.

Me thinks you keep him because you can't fire a guy after one year. Even Texas gave their OC a chance to right the ship. Yes, they fired him week two last year but he was given spring and summer to get it right. Texas more talent and money than they know what to do with

 

[rutgers4life11]

I am not sure Ash will pull the plug after one season as awful as it has been. Ash brought in guys he had a relationship with and I see him sticking with them for at least another season.

I agree, but could this fanbase and recruiting handle another season in which we are once again 128th out of 128th in every single major offensive category? I mean this year wasn't even Kyle Flood/McDaniels bad. It's the worst in school history.

We were all for giving Drew a shot and hoping Ash would prove us wrong... but can we really turn away from any potential OCs with years of OC experience doing the spread at multiple schools and head coaching experience for a guy who only has 1 year of co-OC experience at JMU? Just doesn't make sense.

If Ash doesn't make a move and we're just as bad next year, it's then on him as a head coach, because he had the opportunity to fix it. He's got to ask himself if he has another year like this, he may not make it past year 3. Because there's bad offenses, and then there's 2016 Rutgers historically bad offenses.

 

[wheezer]

Me thinks you keep him because you can't fire a guy after one year. Even Texas gave their OC a chance to right the ship. Yes, they fired him week two last year but he was given spring and summer to get it right. Texas more talent and money than they know what to do with

---
The RU way would be more than two years of bad results.... much like the head coaching firings in BB and FB in the past, changes always seem to take an extra year to absolutely prove they need doing.

 

[BlockR]

Mehringher could be easily reassigned,dosent need to be fired,and RU will still run the same offense. Thre are three higher name recruits RU is battiling with vrs Maryland right now...
We tend to look at things from the inside world of Rutgers.However,
on the outside the recruits are getting pounded by other schools staffs about how inept RU offense has been along with the media,which goes a long way with 17 year olds making a pick..
Another shutout and woefull offense showing vrs Maryland and an 'advisor" or new OC is not out of the question.....

 

[madchuck]

I think we should keep Drew, but demote his to WR Coach or QB Coach. I like Drew. He seems to be a good guy, he resonates well with the kids but he's a horrendous OC. Our offense seemed to get worse. I honestly believe if we had the same exact team but coached by Flood, we would be better. Laviono went from being a mediocre game manager to the worst QB I've seen in my entire life. I know we had Carroo but even when Carroo was suspended, we were better.

 

[cicero grimes]

I agree, but could this fanbase and recruiting handle another season in which we are once again 128th out of 128th in every single major offensive category. I mean this year wasn't even Kyle Flood/McDaniels bad. It's the worst in school history.

We were all for giving Drew a shot and hoping Ash would prove us wrong... but can we really turn away from any potential OCs with years of OC experience doing the spread at multiple schools and head coaching experience for a guy who only has 1 year of co-OC experience at JMU? Just doesn't make sense.

If Ash doesn't make a move and we're just as bad next year, it's then on him as a head coach, because he had the opportunity to fix it. He's got to ask himself if he has another year like this, he may not make it past year 3. Because there's bad offenses, and then there's 2016 Rutgers historically bad offenses.

You raise some really valid points and I don't really disagree with you. I was never a fan of this style of offense and I had hoped they would stay with the pro set. That ship has sailed and we see that this changeover is going to be painful. In fairness to DM, he was installing a totally new system without a QB and any real playmakers aside from one, who he lost 4 games into the season. I am willing to give him one more season to improve this offense but another year like this and I will be advocating for a change in the O coordinator.

 

[rutgersguy1]

Me thinks you keep him because you can't fire a guy after one year. Even Texas gave their OC a chance to right the ship. Yes, they fired him week two last year but he was given spring and summer to get it right. Texas more talent and money than they know what to do with

I think you can fire after 1 year but as I say with many things it's a case by case basis. In our case I find it unlikely because you have a new coach who hired him and they're installing a new system without any of their players so that to me that lowers the probability of letting him go after 1 year.

Now say we were like a Baylor or similar humming along in a spread offense and our OC had left and a new OC came in for a year and you saw a precipitous drop in performance. In that kind of circumstance I think you can let the person go after 1 year.

As to Texas' OC, well as I said in the another thread that to me was Charlie Strong's biggest undoing there. He first brought over his offense from Louisville with Shawn Watson his OC there. Finally realized he needed to switch to a spread as it was better suited with Texas highschool talent but still kept Watson who wasn't familiar with the spread. He ended up having to switch to someone on staff who hadn't been an OC for 8 years and only worked at OU prior but didn't call plays and then finally Gilbert this year. He mucked up the offensive side of the ball with his OC hires IMO.

Realistically, for us I think a co-OC setup is possible because I don't think Mehringer will be let go. The only thing is Ash would have to deem it necessary, let someone else on staff go and likely get a few hundred thousand more in budget to put the salary on par with Mehringer because I don't see any reduction there. Mehringer is also on a 2 year contract as well, which is more reason I don't think he'll be let go.

As to names, it all depends on which HCs get fired for what could pop up. I've mentioned maybe a Noel Mazzone if rumors of Sumlin being let go come to fruition or maybe a Mark Lubick who took over at Oregon after Frost left and if Helfrich is let go. He's been an OC for this year though, he'd be light on experience too but they've done okay on offense. There could be changes at Baylor and other schools similar but they don't run the type of spread we do so not sure how good a mesh that would be.

 

[rutgers4life11]

I think you can fire after 1 year but as I say with many things it's a case by case basis. In our case I find it unlikely because you have a new coach who hired him and they're installing a new system without any of their players so that to me that lowers the probability of letting him go after 1 year.

Now say we were like a Baylor or similar humming along in a spread offense and our OC had left and a new OC came in for a year and you saw a precipitous drop in performance. In that kind of circumstance I think you can let the person go after 1 year.

As to Texas' OC, well as I said in the another thread that to me was Charlie Strong's biggest undoing there. He first brought over his offense from Louisville with Shawn Watson his OC there. Finally realized he needed to switch to a spread as it was better suited with Texas highschool talent but still kept Watson who wasn't familiar with the spread. He ended up having to switch to someone on staff who hadn't been an OC for 8 years and only worked at OU prior but didn't call plays and then finally Gilbert this year. He mucked up the offensive side of the ball with his OC hires IMO.

Realistically, for us I think a co-OC setup is possible because I don't think Mehringer will be let go. The only thing is Ash would have to deem it necessary, let someone else on staff go and likely get a few hundred thousand more in budget to put the salary on par with Mehringer because I don't see any reduction there. Mehringer is also on a 2 year contract as well, which is more reason I don't think he'll be let go.

As to names, it all depends on which HCs get fired for what could pop up. I've mentioned maybe a Noel Mazzone if rumors of Sumlin being let go come to fruition or maybe a Mark Lubick who took over at Oregon after Frost left and if Helfrich is let go. He's been an OC for this year though, he'd be light on experience too but they've done okay on offense. There could be changes at Baylor and other schools similar but they don't run the type of spread we do so not sure how good a mesh that would be.

Great points all around, and 100% agree on what happened at Texas.

I think we all expected a rough system change transition, but for many us, the glaring issues are in playcalling and player development. Can we afford another season like this? Under normal circumstances of a rough year, I wholeheartedly agree in giving 2 years to install a system, but we had an offense that couldn't even muster up to 7 pts/game average (if you take out Howard). If it wasn't for 3 separate scoring drives in 3 games, we would have been shutout in 7 of 10 D1 games! We only have 1 rushing TD all year. Last 2 years with same talent ... we had 35. Many times we're going against 2nd string and can't even move down field. This is more than just system transition and talent. Looks like inexperience.

But here's my biggest concern... if we have another year like this, do we even realistically have a chance to pull in a competitive OC? Who would want to come here after 2 bad years to a place where the fans are calling for Ash's head? Which is already happening. And while it's certainly not warranted yet, that's what you get when you give the fans the worst statistical year in school history.

Right now, you can still pull in a great OC because he knows he'll at least get 2-3 years. Probably not the case next year. More importantly, a guy with HC experience could help Ash with those demands.

I just think this is an unprecedented scenario simply because Drew was such an unprecendented hire in terms of inexperience. And when your head coach has no experience on the offensive side of the ball, it's even more troubling.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Haven't we fired the OC every freaking season? That is the type of track record that gives us a 100% chance of never being able to hire an elite OC, because why the hell will they came here with that track record? Lets see what he can do with good WRs and a good duel threat QB to run his system, if he still sucks after that, then fire him.

 

[rutgers4life11]

Haven't we fired the OC every freaking season? That is the type of track record that gives us a 100% chance of never being able to hire an elite OC, because why the hell will they came here with that track record? Lets see what he can do with good WRs and a good duel threat QB to run his system, if he still sucks after that, then fire him.

But that's my point. Who would want to come here after another awful year? Nobody.

Right now, you have a chance to pull in someone good, excusing this year as a failed experiment.

And from a pure statistics perspective, this is the worst performing OC we have ever had, by a mile. From an experience perspective, least experienced OC we've ever had.

 

[WhiteBus]

Ok let me get this straight. We want to dump the OC who has won 2 games in his first 11 for a guy that went 2-21 in big first two seasons??? Huh? A guy that has a 12-33 record, 3 losing seasons of 4.
So just because he is barely over .500 for the first time ever, he a better choice and an upgrade??
Where do you guys come up with this crap.

 

[rutgers4life11]

Ok let me get this straight. We want to dump the OC who has won 2 games in his first 11 for a guy that went 2-21 in big first two seasons??? Huh? A guy that has a 12-33 record, 3 losing seasons of 4.
So just because he is barely over .500 for the first time ever, he a better choice and an upgrade??
Where do you guys come up with this crap.

Shows how much you know. Petrino was sought after for OC job by many of the top programs in the country.

You're comparing HC experience to OC for some reason.

And disregarding when he took over Idaho, they were arguably the worst program in the country, barely an FCS team, and has them now with a winning record.

Nice try.

 

[NotInRHouse]

If Mehringer remains OC how many season tix will be renewed?

if Mehringer is OC next year I can promise you Ash will be gone a year or two later. This nonsense has to stop.

I hate the idea of a new OC every year but aside from Cignetti and Fridge every last one has ranged from god awful to disaster.

 

[MYHATINTHERING]

Id love the hire but Drew's not going anywhere this year

if he's next year, no way I donate and no way I buy season tix

 

[WhiteBus]

Shows how much you know. Petrino was sought after for OC job by many of the top programs in the country.

You're comparing HC experience to OC for some reason.

And disregarding when he took over Idaho, they were arguably the worst program in the country, barely an FCS team, and has them now with a winning record.

Nice try.

You are doing the same. Who cares that his team is 6-4 after 3 crappy seasons?
Aren't you disregarding what Ash and company took over? You want instant results at Rutgers but look past the first 3 years Petrino was at Idaho.

 

[rutgers4life11]

You are doing the same. Who cares that his team is 6-4 after 3 crappy seasons?
Aren't you disregarding what Ash and company took over? You want instant results at Rutgers but look past the first 3 years Petrino was at Idaho.

Dear lord, it was a tiny sub note of my entire argument. Once again, head coach vs OC.

The guy has already been an OC at louisville, illinois and Arkansas! And coached in the NFL. How on earth could you even remotely equate that to Mehringer?

And for the record I am comparing our team this year to last year, because it's best comparison talent wise. We are drastically worse than last year, which is saying something:

Want a fun little tidbit tho? Near FCS-level Idaho under Petrino with 1 star talent scored MORE against the same Washington team, only 1 week after us.

 

[BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine]

Charlie Weis for OC? NOOOOOOOOOOOO, not HC potential or in-waiting, but Jersey guy with recruiting connections and a strong resume coaching an offense.

 

[cicero grimes]

Let's compromise and get Bobby Petrino as the OC.

 

[WhiteBus]

Dear lord, it was a tiny sub note of my entire argument. Once again, head coach vs OC.

The guy has already been an OC at louisville, illinois and Arkansas! And coached in the NFL. How on earth could you even remotely equate that to Mehringer?

And for the record I am comparing our team this year to last year, because it's best comparison talent wise. We are drastically worse than last year, which is saying something:

Want a fun little tidbit tho? Near FCS-level Idaho under Petrino with 1 star talent scored MORE against the same Washington team, only 1 week after us.

This year is the same talent level as last year?? No these are all Flood kids. Also minus Grant.
So using the Washington argument, you have to admit that Rutgers is better than Stanford.

 

[LotusAggressor]

Can he create an offensive system that doesn't need anyone to block, throw the ball accurately, or get open?

 

[rutgers4life11]

This year is the same talent level as last year?? No these are all Flood kids. Also minus Grant.
So using the Washington argument, you have to admit that Rutgers is better than Stanford.

It is roughly the same. We didn't have many contributing seniors who graduated when you actually evaluate the roster. Lumpkin. Gause. Paul James was perpetually injured. Who else?

Carroo and Longa hurt for sure. But every team has turnover, and Longa technically could have stayed.

Compartively, we weren't senior heavy like many other squads and had a lot of starters come back this year. But yes, Flood's recruiting for depth really has screwed us.