Defensive Coordinator Candidates: I believe the DTN user I need to credit is FilemonG (but I can't find the comment or link at this point), but I believe that Filemon commented that per a website (that I cannot remember, but think it was FootballScoop) there are three finalists for the defensive coordinator spot: current defensive line coach Sam McElroy; University of South Florida co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach David Blackwell; and Air Force associate head coach, defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Matt Wallerstedt. Shout-out to Filemon.
There are a couple of things to note, which is that I cannot find where Blackwell is currently coaching, as he was hired by former USF head coach Jim Leavitt as the defensive coordinator for 2009 and was previously at Clemson as a position coach and he also spent some time at Pitt. While coordinating the defense, USF was 24th in the country in total defense and tied for 19th in scoring defense. As far as style, I honestly have no idea as to what type of defense we could expect from Blackwell.
Regarding Wallerstedt, you can check out his bio, but he's a former player for Dan Bill Snyder at Kansas St. and began coaching since 1994 (he started with Fort Hays (Kansas) State) and has spent time at Wyoming, Akron, Kansas St. and is currently at Air Force. I do know that Wallerstedt and Air Force runs the 3-4 defense, so there would be some continuity there, but I really want whoever is going to be the best coach.
I've also been informed by an anonymous, but trusted, emailer that there may be additional candidates in Georgia defensive line coach, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner and Kentucky co-defensive coordinator Rick Minter. I'm running late today so I'll let you guys and gals find links on each of them.
Any opinions on any of these candidates?
Recruiting Stuff: LAJ's Don Williams reports on the four football players who went to class yesterday and also mentions that WR Derek Edwards and CB Jeremy Reynolds will be on campus shortly . . . Pennsylvania DE/QB Desimon Green is apparently down to Texas Tech, Michigan St. and Pitt . . . Mesquite Horn WR Jakeem Grant has de-committed from my law school alma mater, Tulsa, and is now down to Texas Tech and Pitt (where Tulsa head coach Todd Graham is at now) . . .
Miscellaneous: Team Speed Kills looks into why the Cam Newton scandal isn't going away (good read and excellent summary of what might happen) . . . Smart Football's Chris Brown thinks about how to predict whether someone will be a good college football coach . . . SI.com's Andy Staples and ESPN's Mark Schlabach have their too early look at the top 25 . . . per the LAJ, the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association is going to be making college-themed jeans, do we have any cotton farmers on DTN? . . .