Tuesday August 01, 2006

ACC Coaching Staff Rankings

1. Virginia Tech
Frank Beamer is one of the top head coaches in the nation. I love his hard-nosed approach and his attention to detail. Beamer usually gets the most out of his players. He has also had stability. Bud Foster might be the league?s best defensive coordinator and has been at Tech for all 19 seasons Beamer has been in Blacksburg. I love Charlie Wiles as a coach and a recruiter. He is another high-energy guy. The offensive staff includes coordinator Bryan Stinespring who enters his 15th year with the program and Billy Hite who enters his 29th year. Mike O?Cain is one of four new coaches for the Hokies.

2. Wake Forest
No one gets more out of their talent than Jim Grobe and Wake Forest. Grobe?s teams are known for toughness and it all starts upfront with their offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke. The Deacs usually control the line of scrimmage despite not being as talented as the opponent. Defensively, Dean Hood would be higher thought of if he had more talent. They will have more deep and talent this season and this will be an improved defense.

3. Boston College
Stability is the best word to describe the staff at Boston College. Like his mentor George Welch, Tom O?Brien has been able to keep the key members of his staff together for several years. O?Brien is entering his 10th year at Boston College. They have done something no team in the ACC has as they have had the same offensive and defensive coordinators for the last seven seasons. Seven of their assistants are entering at least their sixth year with the program. Dana Bible is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and is considered one of the top coordinators in the country. His NFL experience has helped this program. Frank Spaziani has had ties to O?Brien for over 20 years.

4. Clemson
For complete Clemson coaching staff analysis see yesterday?s blog.

5. Georgia Tech
Chan Gailey is a good football coach but I did not think he was a great play caller. Patrick Nix takes over the play calling duties this year. Jon Tenuta is another of the top defensive coordinators in the country. He prepares terrific games plans and seems to have a knack for calling good defenses throughout a game. Tech has not been known for recruiting well but they have changed recruiting coordinators and have added Jeep Hunter to help recruiting.

6. Duke
I roam the visitor?s sidelines taking picture of each home game at Clemson. I know it sounds crazy but no one is more impressive on the sidelines than Duke?s Ted Roof. I know he has not won at Duke but come on its Duke. I firmly believe that he is a terrific football coach. I thought he was a great defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. Roof has energy and enthusiasm. He is positive and upbeat. He works officials and his players. I think he is a wonderful motivator. Again, I know a lot of you will question this but if it was anywhere other than Duke I think Roof could be very successful. Bill O?Brien is another former Georgia Tech assistant that is the offensive coordinator. Roof has co-defensive coordinators in Jerry Azzinaro and Scott Brown.

7. Florida State
Bobby Bowden is entering his 31st year at FSU. He has forgotten more football than most coaches know. Unfortunately he has forgotten a lot though. Bowden is nothing more than a figurehead now that has not hired well in the last few years. Jeff Bowden has been criticized as the offensive coordinator and rightfully so. Mickey Andrews is one of the nation?s top defensive coordinators. The rest of the staff is solid but I am not a big Kevin Steele fan.

8. Miami
Larry Coker has made major shakeups in his staff going into this season. Five new coaches will roam the sidelines in Coral Gables. Rich Olsen is the new offensive coordinator. He is a former NFL assistant who has a big task in turning around a stagnant offense. Randy Shannon returns as the defensive coordinator but I am not all that impressed from a scheme standpoint. Miami usually doea not fool you, instead they have tons of talent of defense to work with.

9. Maryland
Ralph Friedgen is an offensive mastermind but for the first time in his head-coaching career he has two new coordinators. I thought Charlie Taffe did a great job with their offense until last season. I also thought defensive coordinator Gary Blackney was one of the most underrated defensive coordinators in America. He did an incredible job in College Park. The drop off to new coordinator Chris Cosh is a huge deal. Friedgen will call the plays for the Terps this season. Dave Sollazzo is one of the most energetic assistants in the country and a true pleasure to watch work a game.

10. North Carolina
I am not a big John Bunting fan. I know he loves the Tar Heels but I question whether he is the old school, former dumb jock type coach. He did make a great hire in new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. His Fresno State teams feature a very balanced attack. Marvin Sanders is an average coordinator. They did improve their staff with the hiring of former Clemson tight end Danny Pearman.

11. Virginia
Everyone should know by now that I think Al Groh is a farce. This year he had to replace four assistants including both coordinators. Mike Groh is a much better guy than his old man and will do a decent job with the offense. Mike London takes over the defense. I think everyone also knows that Thomas Jefferson is still the recruiting coordinator and has been for 200 years.

12. NC State
Turnover is the word to describe the staffs in recent years at NC State. Chuck Amato is known as a hard guy to work for and the turnover among his staffs have proved that. He has had three offensive coordinators and four defensive coordinators in his six seasons at NC State. Offensive coordinator Marc Testerman is a good mind but why did it take him so long to figure out his personnel was more suited for a running game last year? Steve Dunlap is a solid defensive coordinator but not one of the top ones in the nation. Dick Portee is the one mainstay on the staff as he has been in Raleigh for 16 seasons.

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