OT: Holgorsen in at WVU - does this change future of Casteel?
There have been some posts on this board re: Casteel, but I haven't seen any since the news was confirmed that Holgorsen is going from Oklahoma State to West Virgina,. So, hopefully this forum topic is not rehashing conversation that has already run its course.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5923481
Holgorsen becomes the offensive coordinator and head coach in waiting next season, becoming head coach in 2012. Assuming that Holgorsen doesn't bolt like Muschamp did from Texas to Florida, I have to wonder how this affects Casteel.
I know he has turned down Michigan before and maybe he's only interested in leaving Morgantown for a head coaching gig. And, I don't know that Brandon feels warm and fuzzy about RR's WVU buddies on the defensive side of the ball.
Still, you have to wonder. It goes without saying that he has to by default be better than stuffed animal in the face GERG, he knows how to run the 3-3-5, has a track record of success, and just maybe he brings some defensive recruits with him.
December 15th, 2010 at 9:57 PM ^
I bet they are doing this so he keeps Casteel around after he is promoted. Otherwise he might bring in all his own guys without considering the great DC. That's my personal take anyways...
December 15th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
I'm all in for Casteel as the DC. I wish we'd go to Morgantown and pay whatever we need ot pay to get him to come to AA. He's got to know his career would be absolutely golden if (when) he turns our D into something respectable.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:15 PM ^
was really just awful. The reason their national defensive rankings were good was a result of the pathetic offenses the teams the conference had. The "best" offense in the big east was Cincinnati at #32. Yeah ... Casteel's WV was #3 in defense .... but whoa wait a minute ....... how about Syracuse at #5 in the country. Yeah ... maybe we should get their defensive coordinator ............ oops .... uhhh been there - done that !!!
Go Blue !
| Big East Rankings | |||
| Offense | Defense | ||
| Uconn | 93rd | 46th | |
| WV | 61st | 3rd | |
| Pitt | 70th | 10th | |
| Syracuse | 103rd | 5th | |
| S. Fla. | 100th | 19th | |
| L'ville | 62nd | 12th | |
| Cinn. | 32nd | 59th | |
| Rutgers | 111th | 61st | |
|
|
|||
December 15th, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^
Like any coordinator you have to look at his record not just competition in one season. He has put a top defense on the field year in and year out at WVU.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^
Did you know that 5 ... yes FIVE big east teams have better defenses than Wisconsin (#21) and Michigan State (#30). Wow .... that is one tough fucking conference !!!
Go Blue !
December 15th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^
Why don't you expand your parameters and look at what he's done with WVU's defense since, oh, say 2001 or so? Then you'd see why picking a strawman argument about the strength of the Big East this year to imply that Casteel isn't a badass DC is really stupid and shows you to be misinformed. Especially considering the fact that his defense has worked in tandem with RR's offense in the past. Quite well, actually.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:02 AM ^
If only there was a stat that adjusted for strength of schedule!
Sheesh, what you're describing is why it's bad to sortbytotaldefensebecomeexpert.
December 16th, 2010 at 8:07 AM ^
so taking strength of schedule into account ... West Virginia has the 99th best defense and Michigan the 44th best. Hmmm ... maybe we've all been fooled !!!
Go Blue !
December 16th, 2010 at 9:22 AM ^
DFEI ranks WV number 1 and M number 103. The numbers you cite are for the strength of schedule (which DFEI adjusts for).
December 15th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
Holgorsen will not be touching the defensive staff. The only changes he's making is bringing a few offensive guys with him.
Damn!
December 15th, 2010 at 11:00 PM ^
just because holgerson isn't changing the defensive staff doesn't mean some of them won't choose to leave voluntarily.
Rich Rod offered Casteel DC back in 2008 when he took the Michigan job.
Did Casteel stay out of allegiance to WVU? allegiance to Stewart? A sense of duty as to not jump ship? The possibility of ascending to the HC position?
If its either 2 or 4, there is a shot he might come to Michigan since those are no longer reasons to stay. If its 1 or 3 then probably not.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^
I thought Casteel stayed at WVU in order to be their head coach post-Stewart...I think "head coach in waiting" is also a great idea from a recruiting stand point.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
Designated head coaches in waiting are no longer permitted.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^
Also, stuffed animals have been banned from sidelines.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:15 PM ^
see Muschamp and now (apparently) Franklin.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^
Fisher and Bowden didn't really work out too hot either.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
I still think Stewart will "retire" or be released after the bowl game. This situation just seems weird. It could make the timing right for Casteel to look elsewhere. Let's hope anyway.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^
Despite what has been publicly stated about Casteel staying, I wonder if he'll be happy to stick around a program with a new HC with whom he has few ties and with an opening at a higher-profile school (UM) with an old buddy. I wouldn't be surprised if his interest wasn't piqued if/when GERG is let go.
December 16th, 2010 at 9:24 AM ^
In the old threads, there was some scuttlebutt that Casteel and RR didn't get along that well, and that was a big part of why Casteel didn't move with the rest of the crew. The other scuttlebutt was that Casteel was very settled in WV and didn't want to uproot his family.
Obviously it would be fantastic to get him...
December 15th, 2010 at 10:30 PM ^
I think WVU is trying to transition Stew out in a "nice" way, as they have come to realize what many saw with his hire after RR left - that Stew is not a head coach kind of guy, but a great assistant coach. The feeling in WV is that everyone likes Stewart, but they have come to see that he just does not have the head man charisma of a guy like RR. Even with winning records, ticket sales have dropped dramatically , there is not nearly the support or excitement among the fanbase as there was "back in the day" and some of the WVU fanbase is even looking back to the good old days when RR was there!
December 15th, 2010 at 11:04 PM ^
Cmon Casteel, WVU is going nowhere.
December 15th, 2010 at 11:12 PM ^
Casteel will be his DC
December 15th, 2010 at 11:35 PM ^
Assuming that RR is back next year, is the DC job really that attractive? RR will be on the hot seat from Day 1. Anything less than 8-4 and he won't be back in 2012 (and that might be generous).
Would a high profile DC really walk away from a decent job and get into that environment? I realize that it's Michigan and all that...but doesn't it seem kind of risky if you already have a good DC gig?
December 16th, 2010 at 12:04 AM ^
It is unfortunate, but I would have to say that the hot seat RR is sitting on would definitely have to be a factor in any rational DC's decision on whether or not to come here. Although maybe rationality and being a good defensive coordinator don't necessesarily have to be mutually inclusive. I mean, there have been some great, crazy-ass defensive coordinators. Hell, even Will Muschamp:
December 16th, 2010 at 7:22 AM ^
Who wouldn't want to be a DC for a team with an offense like ours?
December 16th, 2010 at 9:13 AM ^
8-4 is generous given the schedule. That would likely mean losses to OSU, Nebraska, MSU, and one of ND, Northwestern, or Illinois. I don't think he would survive that, unless the 4 losses were close and fluky. If RR returns, the bare minimum is 9-3.
December 16th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^
WISCONSIN
EDIT: We don't play Wisconsin. Self-negged.
December 16th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
What about Iowa?
If the minimum is really 9-3, that makes it even less attractive for a top notch DC. Who would want that kind of pressure for a defense that you only have one year (potentially) to develop? The same factors that are impacting recruiting would also most likely impact the DC options.
Just an opinion....but I think that's why RR will not be back next year. A new coach will buy Brandon a little more time. With RR, it's a one season "hit or miss" situation.
December 16th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
Anything less than 8-4 and he won't be back in 2012 (and that might be generous).
Wait. The goal for Rich Rodriguez's fourth season would be 8-4 ? Four years after Carr retired following a disappointing season, the goal for us would be to match the number of losses in that season?
December 16th, 2010 at 12:32 AM ^
Holgersen will be willing to keep him but I think there is something being overlooked. Does Casteel feel snubbed? Does he want to be there without either of the guys he had been around for a long time left? I don't have the answers but I certainly don't thing the case for him coming to Michigan has been hurt by this.
December 16th, 2010 at 8:45 AM ^
and radio interviews I've heard, seems like Casteel just loves West BG Virginia and would be willing to stay there whoever the HC is as long as he doesn't tinker with how Casteel is doing things... that's what makes Holgorson such an interesting coach-in-waiting (even though he isn't one officially) hire-- it's possible he's just the type of I'll do my offense you do your defense type of coach that would make this situation work.
December 16th, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^
Why would Holgorsen replace the coordinator of the #1 defense in the nation? That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Now, I could understand if Casteel wanted out, but someone would be crazy to bring in their own guy instead of keeping him.
December 16th, 2010 at 10:15 AM ^
Exactly...He is not going anywhere. Unless we pay him a bajillion dollars. I don't see that happening. I think we are creating rumor without any evidence to support it will happen except that RR and him were together before so why not now? Yeah you can stay at WVU with your foundation set and a lot less pressure which = job security. OR, you can go to Uof M where you may or may not be out of a job one year after you get there. I'm sure he could find a job after that but why go through the trouble?