On Tuesday, David Bailiff made official what has been clandestinely discussed for some time when he named former Kansas assistant John Reagan to his football staff. Reagan will serve as the Owls' run game coordinator while also coaching the offensive tackles and tight ends. He fills a void left by Darin Eliot, who departed last month to join Jimbo Fisher at Florida State.
Of course Eliot served as the Owls' defensive line coach (and recruiting coordinator), so the Reagan appointment confirms what was already suspected - a current member of the offensive staff will move to defense. Bailiff will discuss staff responsibilities on Wednesday, but in naming Reagan his tight ends coach, Bailiff tipped his hand a bit. Rick LaFavers previously filled the role as tight ends/special teams coach, so his responsibilities will be altered. The same can be assumed of Darrell Patterson, the Owls' running backs coach for three seasons.
The addition of Reagan likely puts new offensive coordinator David Beaty in charge of the quarterbacks. Larry Edmondson will remain the steward of the receivers while Ronnie Vinklarek officially narrows his focus to the centers and guards on the offensive line. What happens defensively should be interesting, especially if Patterson takes over the linebackers and lightens the load for co-defensive coordinator Chuck Driesbach. Patterson played the position at TCU and coached linebackers at Stanford, SMU, Baylor and Arkansas State.
LaFavers coached defensive tackles as a graduate assistant for his alma mater, TCU. He would seem an ideal replacement for Eliot, both as a position coach and recruiting coordinator, and with Patterson potentially overseeing the linebackers, Driesbach could devote more of his time to constructing sound game plans alongside co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Craig Naivar. The additions of Beaty and Reagan appear to give Bailiff additional staff flexibility, and with so much at stake in 2010, Bailiff needs all the advantages he can generate.
Of course Eliot served as the Owls' defensive line coach (and recruiting coordinator), so the Reagan appointment confirms what was already suspected - a current member of the offensive staff will move to defense. Bailiff will discuss staff responsibilities on Wednesday, but in naming Reagan his tight ends coach, Bailiff tipped his hand a bit. Rick LaFavers previously filled the role as tight ends/special teams coach, so his responsibilities will be altered. The same can be assumed of Darrell Patterson, the Owls' running backs coach for three seasons.
The addition of Reagan likely puts new offensive coordinator David Beaty in charge of the quarterbacks. Larry Edmondson will remain the steward of the receivers while Ronnie Vinklarek officially narrows his focus to the centers and guards on the offensive line. What happens defensively should be interesting, especially if Patterson takes over the linebackers and lightens the load for co-defensive coordinator Chuck Driesbach. Patterson played the position at TCU and coached linebackers at Stanford, SMU, Baylor and Arkansas State.
LaFavers coached defensive tackles as a graduate assistant for his alma mater, TCU. He would seem an ideal replacement for Eliot, both as a position coach and recruiting coordinator, and with Patterson potentially overseeing the linebackers, Driesbach could devote more of his time to constructing sound game plans alongside co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Craig Naivar. The additions of Beaty and Reagan appear to give Bailiff additional staff flexibility, and with so much at stake in 2010, Bailiff needs all the advantages he can generate.
So who coaches RBs? Traditionally that is a dedicated job, but with a one-back system that may not be the best allocation.
Gothic R: I would assume that as the run game coordinator, John Reagan gets the running backs. That could be faulty logic in my part, though. We'll see tomorrow. - MK
I agree with your breakdown, MK. They would all make sense.
However, has Beaty ever coached QBs before? Perhaps when he was a high school coach?
Talon Owl: Not to my knowledge. But as the OC, those duties should go hand-in-hand, correct? I, for one, am anxious to see how this will all work out come spring drills. - MK