Chizik Names Coordinators

[Jeremy]

Chizik Names Coordinators
Media Relations

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik announced Monday the hiring of successful offensive and defensive coordinators who have both held those positions at two previous schools as the first coaches named to his Iowa State football staff. New offensive coordinator Robert McFarland has spent the last two seasons as head coach at Stephen F. Austin. The new defensive coordinator, Wayne Bolt, has most recently been at Alabama-Birmingham and Troy.

McFarland comes to Ames after two years as head coach at Stephen F. Austin, where his Lumberjacks tied for second-place in the Southland Conference in 2006. He previously was offensive coordinator at Central Florida and Stephen F. Austin. New defensive coordinator William Bolt served in that position at Alabama-Birmingham and Troy State.

“Robert McFarland has had tremendous success as an offensive coordinator and I think he is the best offensive line coach in the country,” Chizik said. “He has head coaching experience and I’ve seen his one-on-one mentoring ability with student-athletes.”

McFarland was hired in 2004 to rebuild the Stephen F. Austin program. After going 5-6 and winning only one Southland Conference game during his first season, SFA showed marked improvement during McFarland’s second campaign. SFA won twice as many conference games in 2006 (four) than in the previous two years to finish tied for second in the league. Despite the fact the SFA depth chart consisted of 28 true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores, SFA led the league in scoring defense, rushing defense, total defense and total offense during conference games. The Lumberjacks faced one of the toughest schedules in the country, which included trips to NCAA Division I-A opponents Tulsa and Arizona.

“I’m here because of one person, Gene Chizik,” McFarland said. “This is a great opportunity for us at a school with a great reputation in a great conference. I have known Gene for a long time. I have coached with him and that experience was a big factor in joining his staff.”

As offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Central Florida from 2000-2003, McFarland oversaw an offense that featured one of the nation’s top passing attacks. The Golden Knights ranked 12th nationally in passing in 2000 and ninth and sixth in NCAA Division I-A in 2001 and 2002, respectively. UCF averaged 436.08 offensive yards per game in 2002, ranking sixth nationally. Under McFarland, Central Florida quarterback Ryan Schneider threw for 3,770 passing yards and 31 TDs in 2002, breaking school records set by NFL quarterback Daunte Culpepper (3,690/28) in 1998.

Prior to assistant coaching stops at Stephen F. Austin (1992-99) and Kent State (1991), McFarland earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from McNeese State in 1985 and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Clemson in 1989.

Bolt has coached on seven teams that won conference titles during tenures at UAB (2003-05), Troy (1990-2002), Clemson (1986-89) and Auburn (1981-85). He coached on nine bowl teams and three Troy squads that won Southland Conference crowns.

“I’ve coached with Wayne Bolt and we have had similar defensive philosophies,” Chizik said. “He has a great defensive mind and is an exceptional teacher. The players he coaches gravitate to him because of his personality. I am gratified to start my staff with two coaches with proven track records of success.”

Most recently, Bolt was defensive coordinator at Alabama-Birmingham from 2003-05. He coached on the 2004 Blazer squad that earned a Hawaii Bowl berth, the first postseason invitation in UAB history.

In 67 games with Bolt as Troy’s defensive coordinator, the Trojans allowed less than 110 yards rushing per game and just over 290 yards of total offense per contest.

“I have known coach Chizik since our days at Clemson, when Gene was a graduate assistant and I was coaching tight ends and kickers,” Bolt said. “We have always kept in touch through the years and have a strong sense of mutual respect. I’m excited to be here.”

In 2002, Troy, in only its second season competing at the NCAA I-A level, produced one of the nation’s top defenses under Bolt’s guidance. The Trojans ranked No. 4 nationally in total defense, yielding only 276.8 yards per game. Troy was No. 13 in rushing defense (105.3 ypg.), No. 30 in scoring defense (21.0 ppg.) and No. 33 in pass efficiency defense (112.42).

Bolt was an All-American offensive lineman at East Carolina, where he played under the legendary Pat Dye. He began his coaching career a year later as a graduate assistant at ECU and then followed Dye to Wyoming and later to Auburn, where Bolt served as tight ends coach. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from East Carolina in 1980.

[redrocker]

Sounds like we will have people with connections all over the south east.

[Nothingman]

Sound like a couple of interesting hires. McFarland is a little more exciting but with Chizik as the headcoach we should be in good shape on the defense whoever the DC is.

[benjay]

Everyone seems to think he is hiring a token DC or and unqualified DC, but such is not the case. This man knows what he is doing and he will teach the players well.

[Wesley]

Looks like we will be recruiting heavily all across the South. In the South, they play football twelve months a year. With Alabama head coach in turmoil, we might get some of those Bama boys.

[Wesley]

At Nebraska, expect some changes after oklahoma game. Kevin Cosgrove may be available. Possibly Jay Norvell. Bill may defer calling plays to someone else next year. The west coast offense needs better players. Mo Purify was taken out of his game.

Barney is available.

[AirWalke]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

“Robert McFarland has had tremendous success as an offensive coordinator and I think he is the best offensive line coach in the country,” Chizik said.

Oh no!! :(