New Staff Alignment

[Really Clark?]

Just saw it will be Co-OC for Hevasey and Gonzales, QB Coach Johnson and Knox has added Special Teams to his responsibilities.

[DownwardDawg]

I approve this message.

[state66]

Dont feel like looking it up but im sure knox is qualified to be a special teams coach but how much background does he have with it? Has he been a ST coordinator anywhere else?

[mjh94]

his bio on hailstate.com said he was WR/ST coach at Stephen F. Austin 92-94... so he has experience.. i guess.

[Todd4State]

According to his profile, Knox coached special teams at Stephen F. Austin.

I'll take it.

[bluelightstar]

Dont feel like looking it up but im sure knox is qualified to be a special teams coach but how much background does he have with it? Has he been a ST coordinator anywhere else?

I believe he did special teams at Stephen F. Austin and TCU.

[codeDawg]

Dont feel like looking it up but im sure knox is qualified to be a special teams coach but how much background does he have with it? Has he been a ST coordinator anywhere else?

I wonder if the title is really "Manager of the GA in Charge of Special Teams".

[Really Clark?]

Dont feel like looking it up but im sure knox is qualified to be a special teams coach but how much background does he have with it? Has he been a ST coordinator anywhere else?

Early in his career at TCU (assistant that helped on ST) and was the Special Teams and WR coach at Stephen F Austin for 2 years. That's the last time his Bio shows ST assignments.

[Offshore Dawg]

Hey " it is a start calling him a ST coach ". I will wait until this fall and see if this set up works.

[Sacrifice]

ST coach at Stephen F. Austin... That's good enough for me. I would think this would be the easiest coaching position because there's nowhere to go but up...

[engie]

Don't like. Really, really wanted to hire from outside on this one and shuffle Sallach. He may have coached them before, but it has been 20 years.

I'll reserve the right for Knox to prove me wrong -- and I hope he does...

[deltadawg99]

Don't like. Really, really wanted to hire from outside on this one and shuffle Sallach. He may have coached them before, but it has been 20 years.

I'll reserve the right for Knox to prove me wrong -- and I hope he does...


I was also hoping to see Sallach get moved to an office job, but I do think that having one coach to focus on special teams will make a big difference.

[ShotgunDawg]

Don't like. Really, really wanted to hire from outside on this one and shuffle Sallach. He may have coached them before, but it has been 20 years.

I'll reserve the right for Knox to prove me wrong -- and I hope he does...

Perhaps your right in that its not exactly what we hoped for, but it is better nonetheless. At least now there will be some accountability with special teams instead of us hoping that Dan will look in the mirror and scream at himself.

Having accountability can make make an enormous difference because, with Mullen as the ST coach, it was like Jerry Jones being the GM of the Cowboys. No accountability and the fanbase can only hope he yells at himself. At least now we shouldn't have that issue.

[maroonmania]

Don't like. Really, really wanted to hire from outside on this one and shuffle Sallach. He may have coached them before, but it has been 20 years.

I'll reserve the right for Knox to prove me wrong -- and I hope he does...

Very much agree. Still feel like with the restrictions on staff size to use a whole spot to do nothing more than coach a TE is a big waste.

[state66]

Yea but we need a real coach for our kickers. Devon Bell has all the potential wit the leg and what not but I dont think we have the coaches to coach him up with kicking mechanics. I never will forget that interview gene posted with derek depasquale and asking about mullen and derek said mullen isnt really a kicking coach we work with ourselves as a group. So I was hoping we could get these guys someone to work with them better one on one with their mechanics.

[bully99]

So all you have to do is add special teams title to an existing coach, and everybody is happy.

[Coach34]

Very much agree. Still feel like with the restrictions on staff size to use a whole spot to do nothing more than coach a TE is a big waste.

Well, here's the deal on that. TE's are a pain in the ass at practice.

They have to work with QB's, RB's, and WR's to run routes in skeleton drills- and need someone watching them to critique what they are doing. The WR coach is watching WR's, the RB coach is watching the RB's, and the QB coach is watching the QB's- etc

They have to work on catching and other ball drills in group- and the WR coach already has 10-12 guys with him


They have to work with the OL in blocking drills- and the OL coach and his GA already have 15 guys they are working with

So, in short, on the outside it may seem like the TE coaching position is waste unless you have worked in a large program

[Really Clark?]

Yea but we need a real coach for our kickers. Devon Bell has all the potential wit the leg and what not but I dont think we have the coaches to coach him up with kicking mechanics. I never will forget that interview gene posted with derek depasquale and asking about mullen and derek said mullen isnt really a kicking coach we work with ourselves as a group. So I was hoping we could get these guys someone to work with them better one on one with their mechanics.

I agree with part of what your saying but you won't find many if any college coaches who understand kicking mechanics. They will have to go to special camps and coaches for that. One of the main things is to make it more of a priority in practice as far as coverages and blocking and schemes. But for actual kicking mechanics, the kicker has to go elsewhere.

[DownwardDawg]

So all you have to do is add special teams title to an existing coach, and everybody is happy.

No. You have to actually let that person coach the special teams. Not Dan.

[War Machine Dawg]

Don't like. Really, really wanted to hire from outside on this one and shuffle Sallach. He may have coached them before, but it has been 20 years.

I'll reserve the right for Knox to prove me wrong -- and I hope he does...

Agree 100%. Why the hell did we try to shuffle Sallach last year if we weren't going to make the effort to do it this year? And 20 years between ST gigs for Knox? Holy shit, we might actually get worse. That said, hope he is a pleasant surprise and we kick ass on STs next season.

[engie]

I agree with part of what your saying but you won't find many if any college coaches who understand kicking mechanics. They will have to go to special camps and coaches for that. One of the main things is to make it more of a priority in practice as far as coverages and blocking and schemes. But for actual kicking mechanics, the kicker has to go elsewhere.

I agree with this.

[The Croom Diaries]

Agree 100%. Why the hell did we try to shuffle Sallach last year if we weren't going to make the effort to do it this year? And 20 years between ST gigs for Knox? Holy shit, we might actually get worse. That said, hope he is a pleasant surprise and we kick ass on STs next season.

I don't think we'll get worse than our current situation of having GAs coach special teams. At least now there will be some oversight, however, I would have liked an outside hire as well.

[The Croom Diaries]

Agree 100%. Why the hell did we try to shuffle Sallach last year if we weren't going to make the effort to do it this year? And 20 years between ST gigs for Knox? Holy shit, we might actually get worse. That said, hope he is a pleasant surprise and we kick ass on STs next season.

I don't think we'll get worse than our current situation of having GAs coach special teams. At least now there will be some oversight, however, I would have liked an outside hire as well.

[The Croom Diaries]

I agree with part of what your saying but you won't find many if any college coaches who understand kicking mechanics. They will have to go to special camps and coaches for that. One of the main things is to make it more of a priority in practice as far as coverages and blocking and schemes. But for actual kicking mechanics, the kicker has to go elsewhere.

I don't think it's his kicking mechanics. We need to get him a sports psychologist. We have a psych department, take advantage of it.

[Offshore Dawg]

Well "CAN THE KANG WALK IN ON KICKING PRACTICE". sorry to yell, but not everybody listens.

[Goat Holder]

Scott Westerfield should be involved in doing this. He used to help with Dick Pierce camps.

[Really Clark?]

I don't think it's his kicking mechanics. We need to get him a sports psychologist. We have a psych department, take advantage of it.

I don't know what his entire issue is, was just responding to the poster wanting to bring a ST coach in to help with mechanics. They are just not out there. I have no expertise but would think its similar to a lot of athletic movements that requires a repetitive skill set like hitting, golf swing, etc. Which came first the mechanical issue that effects the mental or vice versa? You correct one and a lot of times the other goes away. If he has the yips, then your talking something else and a psychologist may help. No guarantee though.

[ShotgunDawg]

I can tell from the player introductions on the jumbotron that Bell lacks confidence. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out if you have ever watched the starting lineup introductions at the game.

The problem isn't mechanical. If it was, Bell wouldn't be hitting all his field goals at practice every week and continuing to earn the starting job. The problem is 100% mental, and we need a positive coach that makes him feel comfortable to be coaching him.

[CooterDavenport]

...and we need a positive coach that makes him feel comfortable to be coaching him.

Well, Knox is a pretty positive guy. Who knows. Maybe he can help him out.

[Really Clark?]

I can tell from the player introductions on the jumbotron that Bell lacks confidence. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out if you have ever watched the starting lineup introductions at the game.

The problem isn't mechanical. If it was, Bell wouldn't be hitting all his field goals at practice every week and continuing to earn the starting job. The problem is 100% mental, and we need a positive coach that makes him feel comfortable to be coaching him.

I disagree partially. There are too many instances where the mechanics are flawed in an athletic movement but without pressure the athlete can preform in a practice environment. The pressure causes the mechanical issue to become more pronounced leaving the less than desired result. The more it happens, the more the mental issues become. I have seen too many people correct a flaw mechanically and it erases the mental problem. As soon as they preform on the field during a pressure environment and have success, then they are fine. Just like getting out of a slump in baseball. It may be mental, it may be physical, could be both. If the mechanics are sound, address the metal approach. If the mechanics are flawed, address the physical.

[WinningIsRelentless]

Just saw it will be Co-OC for Hevasey and Gonzales, QB Coach Johnson and Knox has added Special Teams to his responsibilities.

We just need a sports psychologist for our damn kickers. It's in the guys head nothing a coach can do about that

[Todd4State]

I don't think it's his kicking mechanics. We need to get him a sports psychologist. We have a psych department, take advantage of it.

This may sound crazy but it seems like a lot of our problems on special teams are from sloppiness with the blocking or some other aspect.

For example- the blocked punt in the Egg Bowl- Christian Holmes blocked the wrong guy and the punt got stuffed.

The Liberty Bowl where we had the extra point blocked- that was a high snap.

That's not on the kickers and their mechanics. We just need to clean things up a little bit.

[Todd4State]

Don't like. Really, really wanted to hire from outside on this one and shuffle Sallach. He may have coached them before, but it has been 20 years.

I'll reserve the right for Knox to prove me wrong -- and I hope he does...

It's certainly not what I would have done. If it were me, I would have brought in James Shibest from Memphis. Who knows if Dan interviwed him and got turned down or if there are hard feelings from his days at Ole Miss towards Dan?

At the same time, I'm happy that this is at least being addressed even if it isn't my ideal choice.

[The Croom Diaries]

This may sound crazy but it seems like a lot of our problems on special teams are from sloppiness with the blocking or some other aspect.

For example- the blocked punt in the Egg Bowl- Christian Holmes blocked the wrong guy and the punt got stuffed.

The Liberty Bowl where we had the extra point blocked- that was a high snap.

That's not on the kickers and their mechanics. We just need to clean things up a little bit.

I agree to the extent of the special teams as a whole, I was referring to Devon Bell specifically.

[MS_half-step]

If Devon Bell doesn't blow asshole then all the sudden ST are fixed in the eyes of many.

[Political Hack]

fix one foot and and everything will be ok, but I hope our return game adds some juice too. We we're awful on punt returns and with a run first offense having a stout defense and solid ST across the board is critical.

[esplanade91]

Maybe true about none of these guys knowing jack shit about kicking footballs, but even I know that kickers/punters don't do weight training. Inclined running and maybe low weight training, but I know for a fact our staff had our kickers/punters doing the whole bit of weight training our skill guys were doing.

Story goes that Heath Hutchins' leg was so overworked in practice that he was having to come in at 4 am before the rest of the team on weekdays to see trainers for soreness but eventually figured out he could get an extra 2 hours of sleep if he lied about being fine. Every measurable stat of his dropped off when all that started, which could explain how our two specialists went from JUCO studs to average at the same thing they were doing in years past.

Give me a summer to talk to some former kickers and watch YouTube videos on special teams ediquette and I could tell our players the same thing Knox or any of those guys are. Would be nice to have a guy who knows what he's taking about firsthand. John Carney is looking for a job. Hell, somebody pay Ray Guy's bar tab and I'm sure he'd be game too.

[Todd4State]

If Devon Bell doesn't blow asshole then all the sudden ST are fixed in the eyes of many.

Maybe, but I don't really get that impression from reading the message boards. Regardless, the bottom line is special teams have been an issue for Dan's five years. We had to do something.

[Esmerelda Villalobos]

Well, here's the deal on that. TE's are a pain in the ass at practice.

They have to work with QB's, RB's, and WR's to run routes in skeleton drills- and need someone watching them to critique what they are doing. The WR coach is watching WR's, the RB coach is watching the RB's, and the QB coach is watching the QB's- etc

They have to work on catching and other ball drills in group- and the WR coach already has 10-12 guys with him


They have to work with the OL in blocking drills- and the OL coach and his GA already have 15 guys they are working with

So, in short, on the outside it may seem like the TE coaching position is waste unless you have worked in a large program

This is why we pay $9.99 a month. It may be bullshit but it sounds good.

[Todd4State]

Maybe true about none of these guys knowing jack shit about kicking footballs, but even I know that kickers/punters don't do weight training. Inclined running and maybe low weight training, but I know for a fact our staff had our kickers/punters doing the whole bit of weight training our skill guys were doing.

Story goes that Heath Hutchins' leg was so overworked in practice that he was having to come in at 4 am before the rest of the team on weekdays to see trainers for soreness but eventually figured out he could get an extra 2 hours of sleep if he lied about being fine. Every measurable stat of his dropped off when all that started, which could explain how our two specialists went from JUCO studs to average at the same thing they were doing in years past.

Give me a summer to talk to some former kickers and watch YouTube videos on special teams ediquette and I could tell our players the same thing Knox or any of those guys are. Would be nice to have a guy who knows what he's taking about firsthand. John Carney is looking for a job. Hell, somebody pay Ray Guy's bar tab and I'm sure he'd be game too.

We have so many fans that want Brett Favre to come and be a QB coach or be a part of our program, but if I'm going to poach someone from USM, no question it would be Ray Guy.

And I'll admit that I don't know anything about conditioning for kickers and punters- but I also think that's where a special teams coach is valuable because that's the kind of thing I would expect him to know. It does make sense to me that their conditioning would be different than the skill players. I would imagine that for them their conditioning would be more like what you would see for a soccer player.

[Esmerelda Villalobos]

No. You have to actually let that person coach the special teams. Not Dan.

I guess we will see.

And btw, that is an interesting sig. I like that.

[Esmerelda Villalobos]

Maybe true about none of these guys knowing jack shit about kicking footballs, but even I know that kickers/punters don't do weight training. Inclined running and maybe low weight training, but I know for a fact our staff had our kickers/punters doing the whole bit of weight training our skill guys were doing.

Story goes that Heath Hutchins' leg was so overworked in practice that he was having to come in at 4 am before the rest of the team on weekdays to see trainers for soreness but eventually figured out he could get an extra 2 hours of sleep if he lied about being fine. Every measurable stat of his dropped off when all that started, which could explain how our two specialists went from JUCO studs to average at the same thing they were doing in years past.

Give me a summer to talk to some former kickers and watch YouTube videos on special teams ediquette and I could tell our players the same thing Knox or any of those guys are. Would be nice to have a guy who knows what he's taking about firsthand. John Carney is looking for a job. Hell, somebody pay Ray Guy's bar tab and I'm sure he'd be game too.

Im friends with rob bironas. I can assure you he can destroy anyone on this board in squats.
He works his legs pretty darn hard.

I know our qbs dont lift upper body and work with ropes but ive never heard of kickers not doing squats, etc.

[Coach34]

Wow

I'd be surprised is there is one kicker or punter in D-1 football that doesnt lift and do squats. That's sounds like it came from the Ron Polk and Rick Standsbury book of training.

[DownwardDawg]

I guess we will see.

And btw, that is an interesting sig. I like that.

Thanks.

[rtdawg]

Coach-I can assure you that under Coach Polk we ran our asses off and lifted just as much as anyone else in the other sports on campus, if not more. There were T-shirts made for surviving it.

[Really Clark?]

Maybe true about none of these guys knowing jack shit about kicking footballs, but even I know that kickers/punters don't do weight training. Inclined running and maybe low weight training, but I know for a fact our staff had our kickers/punters doing the whole bit of weight training our skill guys were doing.

Story goes that Heath Hutchins' leg was so overworked in practice that he was having to come in at 4 am before the rest of the team on weekdays to see trainers for soreness but eventually figured out he could get an extra 2 hours of sleep if he lied about being fine. Every measurable stat of his dropped off when all that started, which could explain how our two specialists went from JUCO studs to average at the same thing they were doing in years past.

Give me a summer to talk to some former kickers and watch YouTube videos on special teams ediquette and I could tell our players the same thing Knox or any of those guys are. Would be nice to have a guy who knows what he's taking about firsthand. John Carney is looking for a job. Hell, somebody pay Ray Guy's bar tab and I'm sure he'd be game too.

Some you tube videos and talking with kickers over a summer and you to can become a kicking guru. Sounds the beginning of an informercial. You know you would probably make more money doing that for golf or hitting or tennis. Except nobody would come for instruction from someone who learned that way for just one summer. That would work maybe for junior high or some high school but at the college level you think that is all it takes to learn to be a kicking coach. Crap, with all those Butch Harmon videos I watched over the years I have to be a master instructor by now.

[smootness]

I disagree partially. There are too many instances where the mechanics are flawed in an athletic movement but without pressure the athlete can preform in a practice environment. The pressure causes the mechanical issue to become more pronounced leaving the less than desired result. The more it happens, the more the mental issues become. I have seen too many people correct a flaw mechanically and it erases the mental problem. As soon as they preform on the field during a pressure environment and have success, then they are fine. Just like getting out of a slump in baseball. It may be mental, it may be physical, could be both. If the mechanics are sound, address the metal approach. If the mechanics are flawed, address the physical.

I'm certainly no expert, but I'd guess in most instances that 'mechanical fix' was mostly a placebo. If someone gains confidence that a small mechanical fix has addressed the reason they were struggling, regardless of how well the mechanical fix actually fixed any real problem, they're more likely to have a positive outlook going forward and will probably perform better.

Take CT Bradford. My guess is that there was no real problem in Bradford's swing that meant getting his hands higher would make a noticeable impact on his ability to hit a baseball well. But if he feels comfortable with it, and if he thinks that will fix his problems and make him a better hitter, that belief in and of itself will probably make him a better hitter. So if he has success due to a more positive outlook, he is likely to completely buy in that his problems have been fixed and continue to have a more and more positive outlook on his chances for success...and that will continue to lead to better and better results.

Sports is, in a lot of ways, a lot about confidence, especially for disciplines in which you repeat the same movement over and over and are always in the same spot. Golf, kicking, hitting...people have gotten the same job done in myriad different ways, but if you believe in your way and practice it enough that you can repeat it consistently, you will probably do well.

[Really Clark?]

I'm certainly no expert, but I'd guess in most instances that 'mechanical fix' was mostly a placebo. If someone gains confidence that a small mechanical fix has addressed the reason they were struggling, regardless of how well the mechanical fix actually fixed any real problem, they're more likely to have a positive outlook going forward and will probably perform better.

Take CT Bradford. My guess is that there was no real problem in Bradford's swing that meant getting his hands higher would make a noticeable impact on his ability to hit a baseball well. But if he feels comfortable with it, and if he thinks that will fix his problems and make him a better hitter, that belief in and of itself will probably make him a better hitter. So if he has success due to a more positive outlook, he is likely to completely buy in that his problems have been fixed and continue to have a more and more positive outlook on his chances for success...and that will continue to lead to better and better results.

Sports is, in a lot of ways, a lot about confidence, especially for disciplines in which you repeat the same movement over and over and are always in the same spot. Golf, kicking, hitting...people have gotten the same job done in myriad different ways, but if you believe in your way and practice it enough that you can repeat it consistently, you will probably do well.

Yeah you are running the gambit with what your talking about. It could be something small fixes the issue and it be a mechanical flaw. What you are talking about as well could be a mental fix. Giving someone something to do physically may be the key to getting someone on track mentally or it could be what gets the person in the right position mechanical. Two different things but may seem minor to you. I stated that a mental problem could be address at times with just the approach. I don't know Bradford's issue, but the getting the hands higher could have been a fix for either mechanical or mental. It was the key to mentally prepare for a better swing or it is what put is swing back on track. You think pros are not constantly looking at videos of themselves to make sure the mechanics are sound and that doesn't help the mental? It goes hand in hand.

I have seen and beat the crap out of a lot of confident people with bad mechanics. You keep the pressure on them and stay relentless. And here is the flip side, the ones who were better than me did the same to me. Confidence is great and yes you have to have it, but that can pretty quickly when you run into someone who is superior. Then you better figure out how to compete and win when you are on equal footing or behind. At this level, more so pro, everybody is good and there is always someone better and/or more confident than you. Confidence will not overcome hard work and good mechanics. Because the one with good mechanics and has put in the work they are confident in the process.