Who Should We Hire to be Our DC Next Season?

[Side.Show.Joe]

Every rational person can see that Caponi isn't the answer. If Morris fires Caponi after the UAB game, who should we get?

 

My pick......

 

Vince Kehres, the DC at 9-1 Toledo. No Texas ties that I can find, but the dude knows defense and wins wherever he goes. I don't care about Texas ties. I care about good defense that allows us to win games. Being at Toledo, he should be affordable. 

Vince Kehres’ Coaching Experience
2020-23    Toledo – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (28-14)
2013-19    Mount Union – Head Coach (95-6)
2005-12    Mount Union – Defensive Coordinator
2004         Mount Union - Offensive Line
2000-03    Mount Union - Defensive Line

We need a guy like this.

https://utrockets.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/vince-kehres/1125

[jtm0097]

https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/jim-gush/2823

Don't look at the score today, but I didn't hate this scheme. We were able to at least get pressure on the QB and cause turnovers last year.

[MeanGreenGlory]

My top pick would be Bryant Haines, the DC at JMU.

https://jmusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/bryant-haines/3449

 

Greg Gasparato — First year DC at Troy — has also been impressive. However, he’s still a bit inexperienced compared to Haines and Kehres, so I’m not as confident he could quickly generate similar success here. 

Edited November 5, 2023 by MeanGreenGlory

[TheColonyEagle]

Can they fog a mirror? Hired. 

[Side.Show.Joe]

USC fired their Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch, even though there are only a few weeks left in the season. This is what real programs do when a coach is a total failure. Wake up Morris. 

USC Football Officially Fires DC Alex Grinch, Per Head Coach Lincoln Riley - Sports Illustrated USC Trojans News, Analysis and More

[meaniegreenie]

I was going to post this in another thread but this seems like it might be more appropriate here since this thread is already providing suggestions.  There's already a couple of suggestions that fall into category 1a.  This would be the best choice and hopefully we can find enough money to attract someone in this group.

From which source do you think we should/could hire the next DC?
(I may have missed some sources, so add any category that I may have missed.)
Also, specifically, which coach(es) from the chosen category do you think would be available?
What reasons would they have for being interested in the job at UNT?

1a) An active DC from a successful G5 or a P5 program
1b) A DC from a P5 program that has been fired (fired lately or last season)
1c) A DC from a "good" G5 program that has been fired (fired lately or last season)
1d) An active DC from an "equal" G5 or good FCS program
1e) An active DC from any other G5/P5/FCS program
2) A DC that is currently retired
3a) Someone that has not been a DC but was a good Assistant from a "better" G5 or P5 program
3b) Someone that has not been a DC but was a good Assistant from an "equal" G5
4) Someone from other sources (HS HC, lower levels, etc., pros, Rigel 7???)

Option 1a: I'm not sure how we could get one w/o a serious money offer.
Options 1b,1c: Do we want a fired DC?
Options 1d,1e: Is this where we have to look???
Option 2: Are there any retired DCs that might be interested in working again?
Options 3,4: From most opinions on GMG, I think these are out

 

[NM Green]

1. Dave Aranda - let him recoup rebuild focusing on one side of the ball.

2. Phil Bennett - is he bored yet? Is his wife ready for a break again.

3. Skip Holtz.

4. Or get that Troy guy getting experience now and bring in Patterson as a consultant.

Go Big here. Morris is building a world class offense. Get someone off the couch - send CY in for the close. 

GMG

[untphd]

On 11/4/2023 at 9:19 PM, Side.Show.Joe said:

Every rational person can see that Caponi isn't the answer. If Morris fires Caponi after the UAB game, who should we get?

 

My pick......

 

Vince Kehres, the DC at 9-1 Toledo. No Texas ties that I can find, but the dude knows defense and wins wherever he goes. I don't care about Texas ties. I care about good defense that allows us to win games. Being at Toledo, he should be affordable. 

Vince Kehres’ Coaching Experience
2020-23    Toledo – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (28-14)
2013-19    Mount Union – Head Coach (95-6)
2005-12    Mount Union – Defensive Coordinator
2004         Mount Union - Offensive Line
2000-03    Mount Union - Defensive Line

We need a guy like this.

https://utrockets.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/vince-kehres/1125

Actually we need a guy like his dad. HIs dad built that program and was hands on is all aspects.

[VideoEagle]

6 hours ago, NM Green said:

2. Phil Bennett

Not the possibility of a chance. The sole reason he was willing to take the NT job in the first place was his close friendship with Seth. We fired Seth. Phil's not coming back. 

[Big Z]

Ross Hodge 

[Green Otaku]

On 11/4/2023 at 7:48 PM, MeanGreenGlory said:

My top pick would be Bryant Haines, the DC at JMU.

https://jmusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/bryant-haines/3449

 

Greg Gasparato — First year DC at Troy — has also been impressive. However, he’s still a bit inexperienced compared to Haines and Kehres, so I’m not as confident he could quickly generate similar success here. 

180k to 475k, make it happen. These are the kinds of things we should be doing to incrementally improve. 

[TheReal_jayD]

On 11/4/2023 at 9:19 PM, Side.Show.Joe said:

Every rational person can see that Caponi isn't the answer. If Morris fires Caponi after the UAB game, who should we get?

 

My pick......

 

Vince Kehres, the DC at 9-1 Toledo. No Texas ties that I can find, but the dude knows defense and wins wherever he goes. I don't care about Texas ties. I care about good defense that allows us to win games. Being at Toledo, he should be affordable. 

Vince Kehres’ Coaching Experience
2020-23    Toledo – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (28-14)
2013-19    Mount Union – Head Coach (95-6)
2005-12    Mount Union – Defensive Coordinator
2004         Mount Union - Offensive Line
2000-03    Mount Union - Defensive Line

We need a guy like this.

https://utrockets.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/vince-kehres/1125

Matt Caponi

Current position
Title	Defensive Coordinator/CB Coach
Team	North Texas
Biographical details
Born	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Playing career
2000–2003	Mount Union
Position(s)	Safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2004	Mount Union (SA)
2005	Mount Union (LB)

It's almost like these guys might run the same defense.....

[El Paso Eagle]

On 11/4/2023 at 8:48 PM, MeanGreenGlory said:

My top pick would be Bryant Haines, the DC at JMU.

https://jmusports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/bryant-haines/3449

 

Greg Gasparato — First year DC at Troy — has also been impressive. However, he’s still a bit inexperienced compared to Haines and Kehres, so I’m not as confident he could quickly generate similar success here. 

Here is the last reported information on his salary

[97and03]

34 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

Matt Caponi

Current position
Title	Defensive Coordinator/CB Coach
Team	North Texas
Biographical details
Born	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Playing career
2000–2003	Mount Union
Position(s)	Safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2004	Mount Union (SA)
2005	Mount Union (LB)

It's almost like these guys might run the same defense.....

Well then the answer is that it isn’t the defensive scheme but the coaching? 

[El Paso Eagle]

34 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

Matt Caponi

Current position
Title	Defensive Coordinator/CB Coach
Team	North Texas
Biographical details
Born	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Playing career
2000–2003	Mount Union
Position(s)	Safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2004	Mount Union (SA)
2005	Mount Union (LB)

It's almost like these guys might run the same defense.....

Slightly different results. Better players at Toledo or better coaching?
Toledo gives up 19.3 points per game, and 318 yards
We give up 36.7 and 469

[TheReal_jayD]

11 minutes ago, 97and03 said:

Well then the answer is that it isn’t the defensive scheme but the coaching? 

 

10 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Slightly different results. Better players at Toledo or better coaching?
Toledo gives up 19.3 points per game, and 318 yards
We give up 36.7 and 469

Kehres is in 4th year. So I am assuming he has the player in postions to fit scheme. 

[97and03]

1 minute ago, TheReal_jayD said:

 

Kehres is in 4th year. So I am assuming he has the player in postions to fit scheme. 

It’s the portal era. Few excuses for not being able to bring in what fits your needs. 

[TheReal_jayD]

10 minutes ago, 97and03 said:

It’s the portal era. Few excuses for not being able to bring in what fits your needs. 

It does when you arrive in January. Spend spring evaluating. Lose key guys after spring ball. Yes I have stated they should have been more aggressive. But I don't think they realized the cupboard on the defensive side of ball was so empty until it was too late. 

[VideoEagle]

Wait, people want to fire Caponi because he runs a 3-3-5 "which cannot work" and replace him with a coach that runs a 3-3-5!?!?! 

From what I've seen in our games, we need better, more consistent tackling. There were a LOT of plays where guys were in position but didn't tackle well. If you can't tackle, it does not matter what scheme you run it won't work! Fix the tackling and the defense will improve! 

[MeanGreen_MBA]

So, you fire our current DC in less than 1 season.  What coach of any caliber would hire on to that situation.  I want you to come on and “fix” our defense….and if you don’t do it immediately, we will fire your ass and go find somebody else. 
 

great incentive to come here

 

dont throw that USC fired their DC.  How long has he been there??  SC was supposed to be competing for a Natty….not rebuilding under a new staff. 

Edited November 7, 2023 by MeanGreen_MBA

[Side.Show.Joe]

6 hours ago, TheReal_jayD said:

Matt Caponi

Current position
Title	Defensive Coordinator/CB Coach
Team	North Texas
Biographical details
Born	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Playing career
2000–2003	Mount Union
Position(s)	Safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2004	Mount Union (SA)
2005	Mount Union (LB)

It's almost like these guys might run the same defense.....

Looks can be very deceiving....

Caponi's UNT defense #133

Kehres' Toledo defense #32

Apparently, Kehres actually knows how to run the 3-3-5, and Caponi doesn't. The numbers don't lie. 

[Green Lantern]

32 minutes ago, MeanGreen_MBA said:

So, you fire our current DC in less than 1 season.  What coach of any caliber would hire on to that situation.  I want you to come on and “fix” our defense….and if you don’t do it immediately, we will fire your ass and go find somebody else. 
 

great incentive to come here

 

dont throw that USC fired their DC.  How long has he been there??  SC was supposed to be competing for a Natty….not rebuilding under a new staff. 

It’s FBS football. Limited HC, OC and DC opportunities. There will always be good coaches available & ready to take these roles.

[greenminer]

53 minutes ago, MeanGreen_MBA said:

So, you fire our current DC in less than 1 season.  What coach of any caliber would hire on to that situation.  I want you to come on and “fix” our defense….and if you don’t do it immediately, we will fire your ass and go find somebody else. 
 

great incentive to come here

I think this point carries more weight when you're talking about hiring experienced coaches.  Coaches that already know the game and have established their legacy/

If you're willing to go young and unproven, there's a seemingly unlimited pool of candidates that would love to move up the ladder for any chance to prove themselves.

[Cr1028]

I’ve heard he is really good at slowing G5 offenses.

[Green Otaku]

14 hours ago, Side.Show.Joe said:

Looks can be very deceiving....

Caponi's UNT defense #133

Kehres' Toledo defense #32

Apparently, Kehres actually knows how to run the 3-3-5, and Caponi doesn't. The numbers don't lie. 

 

Kehres also had success from the start

2020: 4-2

2021: 7-6 with a bowl game loss to MTSU

2022: 9-5  MAC championship, and a bowl win vs Liberty.

2023: 8-1 so far