Some things that I’ve heard while getting ready to watch the games…
- The search for Jerry Slocum’s successor at Youngstown State is starting to move. I’ve heard that the job could pay as low as $137,000-$150,000. With that being said, I’ve heard that some DII head coaches could be in the mix, including Indiana (Pa.) head coach Joe Lombardi. He has killed it as a DII coach over the past 11-seasons going 253-89 (including 28-4 this year). The Youngstown State alum has also been a DI assistant at Pitt, LaSalle, St. Bonaventure, and St. Francis.
- Yesterday, I mentioned Ryan Pedon as a possibility at Miami (OH) (Daily Dirt 3/15/16). Another name that I’ve heard is South Dakota head coach Craig Smith. The former NAIA National Coach of the Year at Mayville State won 22 games this season at USD. Interesting connection here – the associate AD at South Dakota is the son of Jeff Schemmel, the guy who runs CSS (the search firm handling the Miami search).
- Another follow-up from yesterday…I published the Morehead State finalists and mentioned that it sounds like it will come down to the two DI guys. It now sounds like that is the case, and the final two are current Morehead State interim head coach Preston Spradlin and Pitt assistant coach Jeremy Ballard. I have heard that the decision could be made within the next 24-hours.
- Three DI gigs opened in the Pacific Northwest in the past few days. Hearing some interesting names for Washington, Seattle, and Portland State. Will have a PNW update tomorrow…
- Earlier in the week, I mentioned that Arkansas State associate head coach Ross Hodge could be in line to replace Grant McCasland who recently departed for North Texas. It now sounds like Hodge and the rest of the staff could be heading to UNT with McCasland. Should have more clarification here soon.
- I can confirm that Omar Richburg is no longer the head coach at Penn State-Brandywine. He had been at the college for the past three seasons where he compiled a 13-41 record. There has been no official press release issued by the school yet.
