The Fugitive

February 7th, 2024 at 3:43 PM ^

A guy who has coached Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and has a UM connection with Mike Dana.

Hopefully that will be good enough to keep Grant and Graham around.  And a bag full o cash 

Mich1993

February 7th, 2024 at 3:44 PM ^

Sounds great.  I'm glad he's pushing for great hires rather than accepting whoever even though it has meant we haven't gotten everyone he tried for (ND recruiting guy).  I don't mind if it takes longer if we bring in good coaches.  

I think this is a great hire, and I'm a fan of the TE coach.  Special teams, no idea, but he's a known commodity to Moore so probably good.

907_UM Nanook

February 7th, 2024 at 5:52 PM ^

Brendan Daly was the DL coach for years, then moved to LB's. And the improved play at LB this year has been one of the biggest reasons for the improved defense - just behind lock down secondary with a bunch of year 2 guys.

I'm not very knowledgable on what Cullen has been doing, how much he's been involved with Spags in play designs. But he's got both Ravens & Chiefs backgrounds - which is very good.

Robbie Moore

February 7th, 2024 at 4:15 PM ^

 "As I always say, there is nothing more intelligent than intelligence!"

"I was not shouting hysterically and stomping my feet, I was just shouting hysterically!"

"Yes, Herr General, I heard the news. A most regrettable business, 20 men escaping from Stalag 9. The Kommandant, Colonel Schmeckler, is a personal friend of mine. I must telephone him immediately to express my deepest sympathy. Yes... What? (Frowns) Oh, yes, long distance to Russia is very expensive."

Robbie Moore

February 7th, 2024 at 3:47 PM ^

No question Cullen is a good coach. He has been in the Ravens system before joining the Chiefs so we could probably run the same defense.

But

The guy is 20 years removed from coaching college ball. A LOT has changed. Can he recruit? Can he relate to 19 year olds?

Also

Every time I hear the name Joe Cullen I think of Jim Bob Cooter.

BTB grad

February 7th, 2024 at 4:12 PM ^

Mike Macdonald had zero on-field coaching experience in college (was just a GA & staffer in college) and loathed recruiting, worked out alright? A veteran coach as DC who’s schematically sound when breaking in a new head coach whose expertise is on the offensive side of the ball is exactly what we needed. You can make up for a coordinator not being a voracious recruiter when the rest of the staff is all made up of energetic recruiters and because Sherrone will reportedly be a lot more involved as an active recruiter at the HC position than Harbaugh was. Also, this is likely a one year stop gap for Cullen (like Macdonald) to get a DC job in the NFL (Macdonald wanted him as DC in Seattle but Macdonald wants to call plays which swayed Cullen to us) so recruiting chops aren’t that big of a deal.