Luke Wells

**pdxclone** · 01-04-2013, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

Not sure about all the speculation, but, i can tell you that i did see someone is out there i would love to have on our staff. Rumors are floating in the Rag that Erik Campbell fro EIU is no longer on staff...

Not sure if you know him or not, but, he is a very good WR coach who has also coached the TE at iowa...furthermore, he is a great recruiter and currently has two prized recruits possibly re-opening their recruitment with his release. He developed McNutt and DJK (in football at least). If Wells is gone, this would be a great get for our staff.

Gone Baby Gone: Erik Campbell Leaves Iowa Coaching Staff - Black Heart Gold Pants

**CyBelieve** · 01-04-2013, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by SpokaneCY

We already have a topnotch experienced OC from a major power conference on staff that put up nearly top 10 offensive snaps in Todd Sturdy. CPr grabbed him at the last minute after Leach was hired.

My guess is he came in with the promise of the OC gig but it was too late in the process to make the official switch. Knowing absolutely NOTHING, I predict Mess picks up a few position groups and we see Sturdy elevated to OC in the coming weeks. I hope.

.....very interesting. Looking at the coach's bio's, one thing that jumps out at me about Mess is that he has never coached at a D1 level prior to ISU. May be a good position coach, but not an OC at this level (yet). But Sturdy has that experience (not a lot, but some) at this level. If he was going to promote from within, I would agree, he would be the guy. Very interesting, SponkaneCY......

**WhatchaGonnaDo** · 01-04-2013, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by SpokaneCY

We already have a topnotch experienced OC from a major power conference on staff that put up nearly top 10 offensive snaps in Todd Sturdy. CPr grabbed him at the last minute after Leach was hired.

My guess is he came in with the promise of the OC gig but it was too late in the process to make the official switch. Knowing absolutely NOTHING, I predict Mess picks up a few position groups and we see Sturdy elevated to OC in the coming weeks. I hope.

This theory...I like it!

**cyclo120** · 01-04-2013, 04:35 PM

I am pretty sure he wasn't coaching a position and was more an operations guy but I saw that Pat Burnham was not retained at South Florida by the new coach. I wonder if that would be an option for somehwere on the staff.

**cyfan9496** · 01-04-2013, 04:45 PM

The last I checked southern miss was division 1 football and coach mess was there for 3 years.

**KMAC_ATTACK** · 01-04-2013, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by CyBelieve

.....very interesting. Looking at the coach's bio's, one thing that jumps out at me about Mess is that he has never coached at a D1 level prior to ISU. May be a good position coach, but not an OC at this level (yet). But Sturdy has that experience (not a lot, but some) at this level. If he was going to promote from within, I would agree, he would be the guy. Very interesting, SponkaneCY......

If this were to happen - are you saying the following would shake out:

Sturdy - Offensive Coordinator - QB
K. Pope - Running Backs Coach
C. Mess. - Tights Ends and Recruiting Coordinator
B. Bliel - OL
Open - Wide Receiver (this is where you plug in Campbell)

Not sure on all this...in reading up on Sturdy's offensive philosophy, he sounds a lot like Messingham and Herman. Control time of possession and rely on balance with it slightly tipped in favor of the passing game. IMO our offensive strategy of short routes and crossing patterns is not maximizing our players ability. Which one of our receivers is physical enough to win in bump and run coverage and cross the middle like harper did over and over last night for KSU? Which one of our receivers has the flat out speed to get open on a flat cross? Furthermore, this article takes an interesting evaluation of the system the two lines used for pass protection. Its a very interesting read to say the least. Not sure you can utilize wider splits like Leachs Air raid when you intend to run the ball as much as we would. But, i love the idea of our guys not being confused by their pick ups and responsibilities. To me in watching replays of negative yards, it was our offensive line not being dominated but out schemed. It was manipulating our line to get their blitz package to work without us being able to defeat it (see tulsa).

Anyhow, take a read on the cougs evaluation of Sturdy after half of a year of Leach....interesting....

How is Mike Leach's offense different from Todd Sturdy's? - CougCenter

**Cyclophile1** · 01-04-2013, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by CyBelieve

.....very interesting. Looking at the coach's bio's, one thing that jumps out at me about Mess is that he has never coached at a D1 level prior to ISU. May be a good position coach, but not an OC at this level (yet). But Sturdy has that experience (not a lot, but some) at this level. If he was going to promote from within, I would agree, he would be the guy. Very interesting, SponkaneCY......

He's already the co-offensive coordinator and we could (emphasize could) see a switch that is a below-the-radar move to help save face in which Sturdy takes a larger role and at some point CPR drops a throwaway line in an interview about "Sturdy and Mess" calling a great game. A low-key transition to Sturdy calling the plays. Probably won't happen, but I could see it going down that way to help ease the "demotion" feel.

Cheers

**Tre4ISU** · 01-04-2013, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by KMAC_ATTACK

If this were to happen - are you saying the following would shake out:

Sturdy - Offensive Coordinator - QB
K. Pope - Running Backs Coach
C. Mess. - Tights Ends and Recruiting Coordinator
B. Bliel - OL
Open - Wide Receiver (this is where you plug in Campbell)

Not sure on all this...in reading up on Sturdy's offensive philosophy, he sounds a lot like Messingham and Herman. Control time of possession and rely on balance with it slightly tipped in favor of the passing game. IMO our offensive strategy of short routes and crossing patterns is not maximizing our players ability. Which one of our receivers is physical enough to win in bump and run coverage and cross the middle like harper did over and over last night for KSU? Which one of our receivers has the flat out speed to get open on a flat cross? Furthermore, this article takes an interesting evaluation of the system the two lines used for pass protection. Its a very interesting read to say the least. Not sure you can utilize wider splits like Leachs Air raid when you intend to run the ball as much as we would. But, i love the idea of our guys not being confused by their pick ups and responsibilities. To me in watching replays of negative yards, it was our offensive line not being dominated but out schemed. It was manipulating our line to get their blitz package to work without us being able to defeat it (see tulsa).

Anyhow, take a read on the cougs evaluation of Sturdy after half of a year of Leach....interesting....

How is Mike Leach's offense different from Todd Sturdy's? - CougCenter

I truly don't believe scheme or playbook is our problem. I think it's adjustments and play calling.

**Cyfan4good** · 01-04-2013, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by isufan

So you're saying there is a chance?

That's how i'm reading it.
And by the way....your avatar cat's assault weapon is likely to be banned soon.

**pikecy10** · 01-04-2013, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Cyfan4good

That's how i'm reading it.
And by the way....your avatar cat's assault weapon is likely to be banned soon.

And now this was just tweeted...

Brett McMurphy ‏@McMurphyESPN
Montana State OC Kevin McGiven named Utah State OC/QB coach

Thats 1 position off the Utah State coaching staff

**IHavNoCyCash** · 01-04-2013, 05:42 PM

listened to the radio and they said Luke Wells was fired, not left on his own.

Thought everyone said he left on his own, so not sure what it is.

**Cyclophile1** · 01-04-2013, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Tre4ISU

I truly don't believe scheme or playbook is our problem. I think it's adjustments and play calling.

Agree and I would add fundamentals and assignment soundness to our list of problem areas - in multiple position groups - but we know that the scheme works when coached and taught well and properly called and executed in-game.

**Cyclophile1** · 01-04-2013, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by IHavNoCyCash

listened to the radio and they said Luke Wells was fired, not left on his own.

Thought everyone said he left on his own, so not sure what it is.

It's very common face-saving tactic in business to give someone the chance to find something else, so it's not a really too bad of a black mark on the resume.

**exCYtement** · 01-04-2013, 06:14 PM

If this makes a difference, we are friends of the Wells family and they told us they are selling their house and moving. I didn't hear about it being Utah St, and I wasn't gonna ask, but I'm assuming that is it. He may not have been a fantastic coach in terms of what he produced, but Luke is great man and we will miss their family greatly.

**Tre4ISU** · 01-04-2013, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by exCYtement

If this makes a difference, we are friends of the Wells family and they told us they are selling their house and moving. I didn't hear about it being Utah St, and I wasn't gonna ask, but I'm assuming that is it. He may not have been a fantastic coach in terms of what he produced, but Luke is great man and we will miss their family greatly.

From what I've heard Luke Wells was one of the nicest guys on the staff.