Shakeup: Frey, Smith to West Virginia
The departure of two assistants to Big East rival West Virginia has prompted a major shakeup on the offensive side of USF's coaching staff, with tight ends coach Greg Gregory being promoted to offensive coordinator and graduate assistant Mike Simmonds becoming the Bulls' offensive line coach.
Gregory takes over for Rod Smith, who resigned Sunday night after six seasons at USF, the last two as offensive coordinator. Simmonds replaces Greg Frey, the last remaining assistant from USF's original coaching staff, who left to become offensive line coach at West Virginia.
Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez announced Frey's hire Monday. He replaces Rick Trickett, who left to become offensive line coach at Florida State.
Coach Jim Leavitt has now lost four assistant coaches -- nearly a half of his staff -- in the last month since the Bulls' win in the Papajohns.com Bowl. Frey and Smith join receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey (FSU) and defensive line coach Bernard Clark (Florida International). Coming off a 9-4 season and the program's first bowl win, Leavitt has lost six assistant coaches in the last 13 months.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
So did coach Smith. You will find out soon enough.
Posted by: | January 22, 2007 at 06:29 PM
Wow, major shakeup. Do you have any information on Gregory's past success? I know he's been a head coach and OC before but was curious why he took a temporary demotion.
Posted by: windbane | January 22, 2007 at 08:26 PM
that is so stupid!!!! coach smith is taking a step down!! I dont get it...I really really really dont!
Posted by: john nelson | January 22, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Wow, thanks for dropping this on me 5 minutes before the season premiere of Heroes!
YOURE KILLIN ME!!!
Posted by: Shoop | January 22, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Well I say good riddance to Rod. After watching how pathetic our offense has been under his tenure and watching him sacrifice Matt play after play I say it is a good thing he is gone!
Posted by: Gary | January 23, 2007 at 07:47 AM
Well I have a couple of comments. First I believe there is a lot more to this than just because we are having success. I believe there are some personality conflicts between Leavitt and the assistant coaches. I don't think most of them get along with him very well. I saw a lot of conflicts on the sidelines this year.
Second I believe promoting Coach Gregory to OC is a conflict of interest when his son is competing for the QB position. I don't know how you can have a critical position as OC and have your son that close. It has to affect decisions and feelings.
Posted by: Steve | January 23, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Hate to see coach Frey leaving. Seemed like he was a very effective recruiter and a good developer of talent.
So since coach Smith is leaving, does that mean we'll run something other than a QB draw on 2nd downs next season?
Posted by: Ryan Roark | January 23, 2007 at 09:41 AM
The mass departure of coaches for lower positions brings two concerning questions. Is it that hard to work for Jim Leavitt? Does USF underpay that badly? Coaching wise, I believe that Fry and Smith are both replaceable. However, how does it affect the rest of the recruiting year? Let's not make the same mistake we made with Seth Greenberg and let these coaches attract USF recruits to West Virginia.
Posted by: AnhVu Nguyen | January 23, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Not that USF will ever put out the money to get them, but how about getting Larry Coker and Don Strock on staff. They have names and will help with recruiting. I just had to start this rumor.
Posted by: AnhVu Nguyen | January 25, 2007 at 02:36 PM
What about Ryan Hearn for WR coach? Also, has anyone heard if Rick Kravitz found a position yet?
Posted by: Chip | January 25, 2007 at 06:33 PM