.png)
Wisconsin Defensive
Coordinator Jim Leonhard. Photo courtesy of Kelli Steffes, UW Athletics
It’s only a matter of time
before they become head coaches.
These 10 assistants have emerged from the shadows and made a name
for themselves over the past couple of years.
Everyone is beginning to see the results and all of their units
have been successful stat wise. They’ve molded their players into accolade
winning, NFL Draft selections, and in hindsight they’re just getting started.
10. Brian Ferentz, OC,
Iowa: He’s an Iowa City
native and the head coach’s son, who joined the staff in 2012. Ferentz been the
Hawkeyes’ Offensive Coordinator since 2017, and it’s obvious he’s being groomed
to lead the program once his father retires. Iowa has had six offensive players
drafted under his watch, including wide receiver Ihmir-Smith Marsette last
Saturday, who was a former three-star prospect. The program is also dubbed
‘Tight End U’ for a reason. It just goes to show that Ferentz’ system works and
he knows how to develop talent. Recruits are starting to see the program as a
pipeline to get them to the next level. Not to mention the Hawkeyes lured in a
top-25 recruiting class this year.
9. Tommy Rees, OC, Notre Dame: Although
the Fighting Irish are an Independent program, they played as an ACC member in
2020. Rees has been on Brian Kelly’s staff since 2017 and last season was his
first as an Offensive Coordinator. Notre Dame finished second in the league and
26th in the FBS in total offense. The unit averaged 211 rushing yards per game,
to go along with 33 touchdowns on the ground, which also ranked second in the
ACC. Rees groomed quarterback Ian Book, who broke school records and was a
fourth round Draft pick last week. Now the 28-year old will be operating with a
new signal-caller this fall, but still has star running back Kyren Williams at
his disposal.
8. Billy Gonzales, co-OC, Florida: For
the past two seasons he orchestrated the Gators’ passing attack and coached the
wide receivers. Florida led the FBS in passing yards per game and touchdowns
through the air. Quarterback Kyle Trask was a former walk-on, who went on to be
a Heisman finalist and NFL Draft pick under Gonzales’ watch. Wide receiver
Kadarius Toney earned first-team All-SEC in 2020 and was a first round selection
in this year’s draft class. However, Trask, Toney, Kyle Pitts and Trevon Grimes
are no longer on Florida’s roster. And that’s nearly all of the Gators’ passing
and receiving production from last season’s elite unit. If Gonzales can keep
the wheels rolling in 2021, he’s the real deal.
7. Mike Elko, DC Texas A&M: The
43-year old has made a name for himself in the almighty SEC. Elko has
orchestrated Jimbo Fisher’s defense for the past three seasons in College
Station. Every year under Elko’s watch the Wrecking Crew has improved. The unit
finished 32nd nationally in total defense in 2018, to 29th in 2019 and ninth in
2020. So it’s no surprise Elko had the SEC’s No. 1 defense last season. Not to
mention six Aggie defenders have been drafted under Elko’s watch, including
Bobby Brown and Buddy Johnson in this year’s class. Having a tenacious defense
is what will eventually lead the Aggies to the promised land and Elko will be
fielding a talented bunch again this fall.
6. Graham Harrell, OC, USC: For the past two years
the Trojans have finished sixth and 11th nationally in passing offense.
Harrell’s ‘Air Raid’ attack is in full motion and he’s been calling the plays
for USC since 2019. Quarterback Kedon Slovis ranked sixth in the FBS in passing
yards per game last season. Now he’ll be a Heisman contender in 2021. The
35-year old Harrell is a former quarterback himself and a Mike Leach protege.
Harrell has played five years in the NFL, plus his coaching background includes
stints in the Pac-12 and Big 12. USC has had two wide receivers selected in the
NFL Draft under his watch, and there’s more studs on the roster. Harrell has
his unit poised for a monster season.
5. Tom Manning, OC, Iowa State: When
he took over play-calling duties in 2019, the Cyclones were coming off a season
when they finished 96th nationally in total offense. Under Mannings watch, Iowa
State made drastic improvements and finished 27th and 34th in the FBS in total
offense for the past two years. Quarterback Brock Purdy led the Big 12 in pass
completions and running back Breece Hall led the FBS in rushing yards in 2020.
Purdy, Hall, tight end Charlie Kolar, wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson and
center Colin Newell are arguably the best players in the league at their
respective positions. Manning will be fielding his best unit yet this upcoming
season. Now Cyclones must deliver.
4. Alex Grinch, DC, Oklahoma: The
Big 12 as a whole is getting defensive again, and he’s leading the Sooners in
the right direction. For the past two seasons with Grinch on the sidelines,
Oklahoma has finished second and third in the conference in total defense.
That’s light years ahead of where the unit was at under Grinch’s predecessor
Mike Stoops. Not to mention Oklahoma’s defense recorded a shutout last season
for the first time since 2015. Grinch has also done excellent work with the
secondary. The Sooners’ defense tied for third in the FBS, with 16
interceptions in 2020. Besides the Big 12, the 41-year old has experience as a
defensive coach in the SEC, Big Ten and Pac-12, which speaks volumes.
3. Phil Longo, OC, North Carolina: Mack
Brown made the right decision when he hired him to lead the offense. Longo
hasn’t disappointed for the past two seasons and the Tar Heels finished 12th
and fifth in the FBS in total offense. North Carolina had the ACC’s No. 1 unit
in 2020. Quarterback Sam Howell tied for first in the league, with 31 touchdown
tosses. Longo had two 1,000-yard rushers in Michael Carter and Javonte
Williams. Not to mention receivers Dynami Brown and Dazz Newsome combined for
109 receptions, 1,783 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches. However, they
all got drafted over the weekend and only Howell returns. He’s enough for Longo
to do damage in the ACC again.
2. Tony Elliott, OC, Clemson: The
41-year old turned down Tennessee and passed up on NFL opportunities during the
off season to remain with the Tigers. Elliott has orchestrated Clemson’s
offense since 2015, but last year was his first time leading the unit by
himself. The California native helped his alma mater finish second in the ACC
and 10th in the FBS in total offense. All five of Clemson’s players drafted
last week were from the offensive side of the ball. It solidifies that Elliott
knows how to recruit and develop his players past their potential. And a reason
why Clemson don’t rebuild, it reloads. Elliott has several players ready to
create their own legacy this fall, including quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei.
1. Jim Leonhard, DC, Wisconsin: This past
February he turned down an offer to become the Green Bay Packers’ Defensive
Coordinator. Leonhard is loyal to his alma mater and the Badgers have been a
dominant bunch on defense under his watch. The 38-year old is one of the
fastest rising assistant coaches in the FBS and he knows the Big Ten like the
back of his hand. Wisconsin has finished No. 4 and 5 in the FBS in total
defense for the past two seasons. Not to mention Leonhard has had nine Badger
defenders drafted under his watch. Leonhard is in a similar situation as Iowa’s
Ferentz, with being the likely successor to the program’s current coach.
Regardless of the matter, several teams around the Big Ten and the Power Five
would love to have Leonhard’s services in the near future.
