Coach Funk not leaving

Submitted by ish on

scout tweet:

Forums: Rumors about Darrell Funk possibly going to Washington State... bit.ly/wzkYxe #goblue

hope it isn't true as we have some critical OL prospects making decisions in the next few days.

[ED:BISB -  this rumor has been debunked by Sam Webb. Return to your Purdue-related celebratory drinking]

*edit (ish) - funny that sam webb would debunk this rumor and yet scout would still send that tweet out hours after he debunked it.

michWolves2580

January 25th, 2012 at 10:44 AM ^

I believe Coach Funk would be their OC. Leach just hired Clay McGuire on Jan 13 to be his Offensive Line coach. They currently don't have an OC on board and it would make sense. Funk is a respected coach who understands offense at an extremely high level (because  obviously hes a coach but more specifically because of the incredibly complex protection schemes. Hes never really had a bad season ever. Joined Ball State in 08 when they went 12-0, then went to SDSU where they struggled in year 1 but never failed to put up great offensive numbers. 

Don

January 25th, 2012 at 1:47 PM ^

That contradicts what the WSU football website is saying, which is that Leach has completed his staff:

"Jan. 13, 2012

PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University Head Football Coach Mike Leach announced Friday he has completed his coaching staff, reuniting with several coaches and players who have worked with or played for him in past years.

New to the Cougar staff will be Dave Emerick (chief of staff), Mike Breske (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Jeff Choate (linebackers), Jim Mastro (running backs), Clay McGuire (offensive line), Eric Morris (inside receivers), Eric Russell (assistant head coach/special teams coordinator), Joe Salave'a (defensive line), Dennis Simmons (outside receivers), Paul Volero (outside linebackers) and Antonio Huffman (director of football operations)."

Full article here: http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011312aaa.html

I'd bet that Leach will serve as his own OC.

Funk would hardly be an obvious OC for Leach, given his resume which lists OL, ST/TEs, TEs, DC, and OL for the last 12 years. Funk's single stint as an OC was at Mesa State College in 95-97. Sure, he probably knows enough to be an OC somewhere again, but there's no evidence of any personal experience with Leach's particular offensive schemes. If I were Leach, or any other HC at a BCS conference team, I'd only be interested in guys who have immediately recent experience as OCs.

mark5750

January 24th, 2012 at 11:06 PM ^

I agree and was going to post something similar.  This reeks of negative recruiting with all of the important O-Line decisions that are being made in the next couple of days and Diamond reportedly dropping tsio from consideration.

 

Let's get a threefer with Kozan the center of the future.

FreddieMercuryHayes

January 24th, 2012 at 10:06 PM ^

If he were leaving to go to Washington State, what position would he take? Whether it's OL or a promotion to OC, he doesn't even seem to fit in with the type of offense that Leach wants to run.

MichiganPoloShirt

January 24th, 2012 at 10:07 PM ^

Another dirty rotten lie from our friends at you know who (ohio). A last ditch effort to sway the last few components to what could possibly be the best o line class in the history of college football. I mean the timing of this rumor is jus too suspicious

JT4104

January 24th, 2012 at 10:29 PM ^

Urbie must be bothered that he couldn't pull Diamond, switch Kalis or really make any headway with anyone but Dodson.

Not surprised that school would bust out some rumors like this though...gonna be hard to urn a spread when you cant block anyone.

Don

January 24th, 2012 at 11:23 PM ^

Funk has absolutely no connection to Leach, WSU, or any of the assistants that Leach has hired. Funk is a Colorado native, and played for Colorado State under Sonny Lubick.

Funk's bio: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/funk_darrell00.html

Leach's new staff: http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011312aaa.html

You'd think that if somebody was going to make up a rumor that they'd at least try to make it plausible. The fact that it's so bizarre convinces me it's a product of a Spartoon or a Buckeye's best attempt at sabotage.

RedondoWolverine

January 24th, 2012 at 11:50 PM ^

If Funk is being mentioned for big jobs elswhere and then goes on to profess his love for Michigan and Hoke and his dedication to being a member of this staff, it will elevate him in the eyes of recruits with whom he deals. 

 

Played correctly, this shall be fortuitous indeed!