I don't know if he'd accept the job but Brian Leonard would be a fantastic choice as the RB coach. He's a link to the best era of RU. He played both FB and RB and had a good career in the NFL; where he probably learned some advanced techniques. He's also the son of a coach a a great character guy who would probably "align" with Ash.
Please offer the RB job to Brian Leonard
- Thread starter ScarletStateofNJ
- Start date
Brian Leonard has probably used all of his eligibility. RB is not an option. Plus he's like 30 now and too old for playing productive college football.
He's too young.
He doesn't have enough experience.
He's too Midwestern and Southern from playing in St Louis, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay to connect with NJ recruits.
Did I miss any?
He doesn't have enough experience.
He's too Midwestern and Southern from playing in St Louis, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay to connect with NJ recruits.
Did I miss any?
If he were honestly interested he should be a graduate assistant first. Then he could be judged on whether he should get promoted to a position coach down the road.
Seriously? A guy with 8 years at the top of his profession should work for no pay?
Love the guy but he has never coached and has no experience playing a spread offense.
Is this suggestion prompted by South Carolina hiring Marcus Lattimore for a non-traditional role?
http://www.sportal.co.nz/article/ne...n-traditional-role/1b97ngzybm9s71r2c7alel0gdz
http://www.sportal.co.nz/article/ne...n-traditional-role/1b97ngzybm9s71r2c7alel0gdz
He just might - because he could - he would not be the first - ... he knows the situation ... he knows that if he wants to coach he has to start somewhere - and he knows that it could be here - but since he has never coached a day in his life, he will need to earn his coaching credentials.
Deservedly (sorry). You start a coaching career as a GA and work your way up the ladder. I mean there were people on this board suggesting Shaun O'hara for head coach :joy:
Yes
And let's hire Eric Foster as our D-line coach because he did the Chop and was a great player for RU and played in the NFL for the Colts.
People are ripping Ash's hires for not having enough coaching experience, but you are suggesting a guy who has none.
We all love Leonard.
If he wants to coach, he has to pay his dues and work his way up.
Even Scott Vallone, who has coached a bit, is not a serious D-Line coach candidate. At least not at this time.
Maybe someday for both of those guys!
Exactly.
How many of us had teachers who knew their subject in & out and perhaps even had substantial and relevant real-world experience -- only they couldn't do the one thing they were hired to do: teach...
He paid his dues. He played the sport at the top for 8 years. He would be well respected by the players for sure. I have little doubt that he knows more than some ex d2 player who spent 2 years as a GA. Now whether he has a teacher's mindset or way about him, that's a different matter. That comes out in the interview.
I much preferred to be coached by someone who has done it. They start with a huge advantage and can bring an insight others just can't have. Coaches who have not played at a high level - that's many college coaches - are going to tend to repeat what they have heard from others, rather than provide real insight. And a position coach that has actually played the position should certainly have an advantage over someone who has not.
The argument that someone with Leonard's experience should be treated like someone who played a few years at Nowhere State is non-sensical to me.
The guy is a high character guy and would represent RU very well. He spent 7 years in position meetings in the NFL. I think he could probably handle being a position coach.
The big question is, can he recruit? Can he connect with kids and build relationships and get them to visit? He's never done it before so that would be my biggest concern.
The big question is, can he recruit? Can he connect with kids and build relationships and get them to visit? He's never done it before so that would be my biggest concern.
Unionst: I'm sure you're excellent at whatever it is you do. Could you teach it to someone who needs to be doing it in the top 1% of their field by the time you're through? Further, would you be able to do it in an uber stressful atmosphere alongside people you've never worked with before?
There is a reason coaches prefer to bring their own people in. It's because you spend so much time with these people with so much on the line that it's practically a marriage. So the same basic rule applies: Know who you're marrying.
There is a reason coaches prefer to bring their own people in. It's because you spend so much time with these people with so much on the line that it's practically a marriage. So the same basic rule applies: Know who you're marrying.
I know it's not likely to happen since they're entrenched in the NFL now but I'd much rather have Bernie Parmalee or Marcel Shipp. Two pretty young, African-American coaches who both played the position and just so both happen to be from Jersey also. Would love it if they could pry Mike Hart away from Western Michigan though.
I'm actually not arguing that Leonard should be hired and I agree with your point above. I just think a background like Leonard's should be respected at a level that is different than that of a guy who has limited playing experience. In other words, if you would want to hire him, it shouldn't be as a GA.
Just hired him as a "face of the program" guy a la Marco Bataglia. With all these new coaches coming in there is no reason for all the present and former NFL players to come back. We need to emphasize our pro connection to recruits. Geez, we've only had two losing seasons in the last ten. Some of you act like we're Kansas.
This ^^^^^ That's why I also hated the perception of disaster comment. This year was horrible but geez stick up for the program a little. Eight bowls in ten years not too shabby. Lots of wins under Schiano and lots of guys in NFL! If we had finished 5-7, guess who was getting in due to superior academics. Where's that perception?
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Did you happen to read Ash's quote that the "outside perception is that Rutgers football is a disaster"?
A lot of good coaches weren't much as players. And a lot of great players turn out to be busts as coaches or front office guys. The two things don't always translate. Does anyone remember the playing careers of Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, or Bill Belichick?
