Ok, so going to do a full comprehensive list of guys this morning that appear to be on board, are close and others still in consideration. Here it goes....
Offense
- As TSR was first to break out yesterday morning, Butch Jones met with Mike Locksley yesterday and was offered an Associate Head Coach position on the Terps staff. We also learned at that time that while Jones would have the associate head coach title, he would likely not be named offensive coordinator. It seemed likely that Jones could be named wide receivers coach, but it now appears he will come on board as tight ends coach. We were told yesterday morning that Jones joining Maryland's staff was "70% likely to happen." Through some sources late last night, it appears Jones is now 100% on board, although we still have not yet gotten the final say from our original source, but we are going to go ahead and pencil Jones in as associate head coach and tight ends coach.
- The reason Jones is likely coming on as tight ends coach is because as of last night, we are now hearing there are still several possibilities left for the offensive coordinator spot and/or wide receivers coach/quarterbacks coach. We continue to hear that Tee Martin is a likely possibility at offensive coordinator. Although he could also come on as either QB or WR coach, as well. Maryland continues to sound like the front runner for Martin, although we are now hearing that Mel Tucker and Colorado could also be in the mix at this time for Martin's services. The other possibility still remains co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Chris Beatty of the previous staff. Sources have told TSR that Locksley has remained torn on whether or not to keep Beatty and he brings strong ties to the Virginia Tidewater area, something no one else currently has like he does.
Finally, Alabama co-offensive coordinator Josh Gattis' name is beginning to surface again as a possibility at Maryland. Gattis reportedly had interest in the Temple job and is in the mix at Appalachian State to replace Scott Satterfield. But a lot might need to happen for Maryland and Locksley to land Gattis. First, it is yet to be seen how things will shake out at Alabama as to who replaces Locksley as the play caller. It is also yet to be seen how badly Gattis will want to stay at Alabama. Gattis is a North Carolina native and has spent the majority of his career at Penn State under James Franklin (he was also with him at Vanderbilt). A lot of things need to break right here for Maryland to land Gattis, but we will continue to monitor his name.
- While we had previously mentioned offensive line coach Bryan Stinespring as a possible candidate for the JMU head coaching job, it appears that as of now, he is a holdover from the previous staff and still working for Maryland, at least that is what he is telling people. Current Texas WR coach Drew Mehringer (former JMU co-OC) appears to be a frontrunner for that job at this time. So for now, we think it is very possible that Stinespring could remain at Maryland under Locksley.
- As for running backs coach, we continue to hear current DeMatha head coach Elijah Brooks will come on board at this spot. Brooks has publicly denied interest in the position or that he's agreed to take any other job, but it appears to be only a matter of time before this could become official. As for who could possibly replace Brooks? We are hearing former Terp and Redskin Josh Wilson would most likely succeed Brooks at the Hyattsville school. Brooks would instantly have a huge impact on recruiting, with 2019 four-star safety and current FSU commit Nick Cross being the first DeMatha product to possibly join Brooks in College Park.
Defense
- While there hasn't been too much chatter of late about defensive coordinator, we still believe that former Terp and current NY Jets secondary coach Dennard Wilson is the frontrunner for this job. Wilson played at Maryland under Ralph Friedgen and is a DeMatha alum, where he also coached at one time.
- Cory Robinson is another name we broke out as soon as Locksley was hired. He has strong baltimore ties and is seen as a rising star in the college ranks. Although as of yesterday sources say his deal is not yet official, he is basically on board as the Terps' new cornerbacks coach. He spent this past season at Rutgers and could use his strong recruiting ties to immediately get the Terps involved with some big-time prospects. According to sources, Robinson has bee in College Park, breaking down film with Brawley Evans and current Rutgers commits are now being told Robinson will not be with the Scarlet Knights next season.
- As previously mentioned above, after hearing that former analyst Brawley Evans was seen breaking down film with Robinson, TSR has learned that Evans will remain on the new staff, possibly as safeties or linebackers coach. Evans spent four years at Good Counsel, where he coached current Minnesota Vikings WR Stefon Diggs and was defensive backs coach at Morgan State under Lee Hull. His additions to the staff in an on-field role makes a lot of sense.
- One other name we broke out a few days ago that we are now hearing is all but done to Locksley's staff is former UNC defensive coordinator John Papuchis. He is a Gaithersburg native and went to Quince Orchard high school. He also had a stint as defensive coordinator at Nebraska under Bo Pelini. Basically the only thing we are unsure of at this time is whether or not Brawley Evans will coach safeties and Papuchis linebackers, or Evans linebackers and Papuchis special teams. We should find out in short order.
- This leaves the defensive line coach. We are hearing this could be a hire left to the defensive coordinator and we are hearing one wild, out-of-the-box name in former Terps and NFL star Shawne Merriman.
Merriman played his high school ball at Douglas in PG County and was a multiple time Pro Bowler and All-NFL selection. That said, he does not have any coaching experience to his name. But Merriman is a smart guy and could be a quick learner.
One other name we are hearing with regards to the d-line job is former Terps d-lineman and longtime NFL coach Brian Baker, who both played at UMD and spent a couple of years as a grad assistant. He spent the past two seasons at Mississippi State and was part of a defense this past season that was tops in the nation.
Other odds and ends
- With regards to former DBs coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, we are hearing he could end up on Kirby Smart's staff at Georgia as a DBs coach or possible with former Terps offensive coordinator and now UMass head coach Walt Bell as his defensive coordinator.
- We expect some of these names to start leaking officially as early as today and for certain tomorrow.
Offense
- As TSR was first to break out yesterday morning, Butch Jones met with Mike Locksley yesterday and was offered an Associate Head Coach position on the Terps staff. We also learned at that time that while Jones would have the associate head coach title, he would likely not be named offensive coordinator. It seemed likely that Jones could be named wide receivers coach, but it now appears he will come on board as tight ends coach. We were told yesterday morning that Jones joining Maryland's staff was "70% likely to happen." Through some sources late last night, it appears Jones is now 100% on board, although we still have not yet gotten the final say from our original source, but we are going to go ahead and pencil Jones in as associate head coach and tight ends coach.
- The reason Jones is likely coming on as tight ends coach is because as of last night, we are now hearing there are still several possibilities left for the offensive coordinator spot and/or wide receivers coach/quarterbacks coach. We continue to hear that Tee Martin is a likely possibility at offensive coordinator. Although he could also come on as either QB or WR coach, as well. Maryland continues to sound like the front runner for Martin, although we are now hearing that Mel Tucker and Colorado could also be in the mix at this time for Martin's services. The other possibility still remains co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Chris Beatty of the previous staff. Sources have told TSR that Locksley has remained torn on whether or not to keep Beatty and he brings strong ties to the Virginia Tidewater area, something no one else currently has like he does.
Finally, Alabama co-offensive coordinator Josh Gattis' name is beginning to surface again as a possibility at Maryland. Gattis reportedly had interest in the Temple job and is in the mix at Appalachian State to replace Scott Satterfield. But a lot might need to happen for Maryland and Locksley to land Gattis. First, it is yet to be seen how things will shake out at Alabama as to who replaces Locksley as the play caller. It is also yet to be seen how badly Gattis will want to stay at Alabama. Gattis is a North Carolina native and has spent the majority of his career at Penn State under James Franklin (he was also with him at Vanderbilt). A lot of things need to break right here for Maryland to land Gattis, but we will continue to monitor his name.
- While we had previously mentioned offensive line coach Bryan Stinespring as a possible candidate for the JMU head coaching job, it appears that as of now, he is a holdover from the previous staff and still working for Maryland, at least that is what he is telling people. Current Texas WR coach Drew Mehringer (former JMU co-OC) appears to be a frontrunner for that job at this time. So for now, we think it is very possible that Stinespring could remain at Maryland under Locksley.
- As for running backs coach, we continue to hear current DeMatha head coach Elijah Brooks will come on board at this spot. Brooks has publicly denied interest in the position or that he's agreed to take any other job, but it appears to be only a matter of time before this could become official. As for who could possibly replace Brooks? We are hearing former Terp and Redskin Josh Wilson would most likely succeed Brooks at the Hyattsville school. Brooks would instantly have a huge impact on recruiting, with 2019 four-star safety and current FSU commit Nick Cross being the first DeMatha product to possibly join Brooks in College Park.
Defense
- While there hasn't been too much chatter of late about defensive coordinator, we still believe that former Terp and current NY Jets secondary coach Dennard Wilson is the frontrunner for this job. Wilson played at Maryland under Ralph Friedgen and is a DeMatha alum, where he also coached at one time.
- Cory Robinson is another name we broke out as soon as Locksley was hired. He has strong baltimore ties and is seen as a rising star in the college ranks. Although as of yesterday sources say his deal is not yet official, he is basically on board as the Terps' new cornerbacks coach. He spent this past season at Rutgers and could use his strong recruiting ties to immediately get the Terps involved with some big-time prospects. According to sources, Robinson has bee in College Park, breaking down film with Brawley Evans and current Rutgers commits are now being told Robinson will not be with the Scarlet Knights next season.
- As previously mentioned above, after hearing that former analyst Brawley Evans was seen breaking down film with Robinson, TSR has learned that Evans will remain on the new staff, possibly as safeties or linebackers coach. Evans spent four years at Good Counsel, where he coached current Minnesota Vikings WR Stefon Diggs and was defensive backs coach at Morgan State under Lee Hull. His additions to the staff in an on-field role makes a lot of sense.
- One other name we broke out a few days ago that we are now hearing is all but done to Locksley's staff is former UNC defensive coordinator John Papuchis. He is a Gaithersburg native and went to Quince Orchard high school. He also had a stint as defensive coordinator at Nebraska under Bo Pelini. Basically the only thing we are unsure of at this time is whether or not Brawley Evans will coach safeties and Papuchis linebackers, or Evans linebackers and Papuchis special teams. We should find out in short order.
- This leaves the defensive line coach. We are hearing this could be a hire left to the defensive coordinator and we are hearing one wild, out-of-the-box name in former Terps and NFL star Shawne Merriman.
Merriman played his high school ball at Douglas in PG County and was a multiple time Pro Bowler and All-NFL selection. That said, he does not have any coaching experience to his name. But Merriman is a smart guy and could be a quick learner.
One other name we are hearing with regards to the d-line job is former Terps d-lineman and longtime NFL coach Brian Baker, who both played at UMD and spent a couple of years as a grad assistant. He spent the past two seasons at Mississippi State and was part of a defense this past season that was tops in the nation.
Other odds and ends
- With regards to former DBs coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, we are hearing he could end up on Kirby Smart's staff at Georgia as a DBs coach or possible with former Terps offensive coordinator and now UMass head coach Walt Bell as his defensive coordinator.
- We expect some of these names to start leaking officially as early as today and for certain tomorrow.
