New Offensive Grad Assistant

DMCYFAN · 02-16-2007, 09:00 AM

Both my parents went to ISU, and I am a die-hard cyclone fan, but am currently playing football at Drake (obviously didn't have that opportunity at isu). Anyway, to the point, after our morning running session this morning it was announced to us by our head coach that Tom Howe, Our Defensive Line coach for the past year, would be leaving to take a job on Gene Chizik's staff at ISU as an offensive GA:

BIO: http://www.drakebulldogs.org/football/tomhowe.php

Besides the BIO, coach Howe is a very energetic upbeat guy and probably one of the players' favorite position group coaches here at Drake. The D-linemen he coached here all liked him and respected him from what I heard from other players. While he definitely lacks the experience to be a D1 assistant at this point in time, I think he is a great get for ISU as an GA. He's very hard-nosed, but not afraid to keep things loose with the players as well.

An interesting side note: The last offensive GA for ISU was Erick Link, also the last D-line coach at Drake, the man Howe replaced. Unlike Howe, Link was not at all respected by the players here and IMO his position group (DLine) underachieved while Link was here. Over the past year, with Howe as our DLine coach, that position group was certainly much improved and everyone knew it was at least partly a result of the coaching change.

Basically Howe got everyone to play a lot harder for him.

Howe's a good guy, and I would think he would be exactly the type of guy you look for in an GA (lacking in experience but with strong work ethic and the ability to relate to players; also did a great job recruiting for us in this year's class)

Nedrick · 02-16-2007, 09:02 AM

Thanks for the scoop! Like to hear about a positive hard-nosed guy joining Chizik - sounds like they were made for each other!

joepublic · 02-16-2007, 09:04 AM

Excuse my ignorance, but what does "RA" mean?

Cyclone62 · 02-16-2007, 09:05 AM

Forgive me for the stupid question, but what exactly is RA? Is it a Recruiting Assistant? That's the only thing I could think it could stand for. Thanks in advance...

DMCYFAN · 02-16-2007, 09:08 AM

lol, sorry i meant GA, as in Graduate Assistant. Mind is pretty groggy after waking up at 6 and getting run into the ground

mjones34 · 02-16-2007, 09:08 AM

Sound like our players could use one of the "keep the mood light at certain times" coaches

ajsp · 02-16-2007, 09:08 AM

I think that he means graduate assistant...

bkurt58 · 02-16-2007, 09:42 AM

Nope, he's going to make sure the students are are minding the quiet hours and don't have any toaster ovens!

timc243 · 02-16-2007, 09:50 AM

You better be nice when talking about RA's or I will write you up. Oh, and toaster ovens are dangerous.

bmuff · 02-16-2007, 09:56 AM

So, what happend to Link? Is this an immediate change, or after the spring semester is over? Also, I wonder why a DL coach would be an Offensive GA. Is that usual?? I guess maybe a GA wants to experience as many positions as possible.

One other thing, you'd think that Chizik would be better off making an effort to bring in a former Mac player...like Jack Whitver or Mike Banks. That would mend some bridges more than a former Drake player.

clonerules · 02-16-2007, 10:57 AM

thanks for the update. thats great news as tom is one of my good friends. cant wait to here how excited he is about this move. and yes he is one heck of a coach. i am thrilled that gene gave him a chance. i know that he was real close to headin to alabama this summer to work with shula, obviously that didnt work out. we got ourselves as good of GA as you can find.awsome!

GoShow97 · 02-16-2007, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by bmuff

So, what happend to Link? Is this an immediate change, or after the spring semester is over? Also, I wonder why a DL coach would be an Offensive GA. Is that usual?? I guess maybe a GA wants to experience as many positions as possible.

One other thing, you'd think that Chizik would be better off making an effort to bring in a former Mac player...like Jack Whitver or Mike Banks. That would mend some bridges more than a former Drake player.

What bridges need to be memded?

dinger · 02-21-2007, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by DMCYFAN

An interesting side note: The last offensive GA for ISU was Erick Link, also the last D-line coach at Drake, the man (Tom) Howe replaced. Unlike Howe, Link was not at all respected by the players here and IMO his position group (DLine) underachieved while Link was here. Over the past year, with Howe as our DLine coach, that position group was certainly much improved and everyone knew it was at least partly a result of the coaching change. Basically Howe got everyone to play a lot harder for him.

why is GC retaining this link character? we already got Coach Howe who took over for him at Drake and sounds better. why would we waste a GA position? there has to be someone who will have a positive effect on the program, and this guy doesnt sound like it.

Wesley · 02-21-2007, 05:28 PM

Who is the GA for defense?

dinger · 02-21-2007, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley

Who is the GA for defense?

Floyd White is listed on cyclones.com. So Link would make 3, and I havent heard anything good about him. Just seems odd that our 3rd GA would be a guy like this...holdover, unliked by players, etc.