App State May Lose Defensive Coordinator

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

One of my good friends in the business told me that ASU DC John Wiley is very close with Texas Tech Interim Head Coach Ruffin McNeil and to not be surprised at all if Wiley is offered the DC job if McNeil is named the HC. If that happens I was also told that both coaches are very tight and to expect Wiley to take that job. Looks like ASU may lose their OL coach and most experienced assistant in one year. You have to wonder what that will do to their recruiting.

[Appaholic]

With Elliot leaving & now this (& the graduation of Armanti), do these coaches know something about Moore's immediate future being tenuous re: retirement? Anybody heard any rumblings from Boone?

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

With Elliot leaving & now this (& the graduation of Armanti), do these coaches know something about Moore's immediate future being tenuous re: retirement? Anybody heard any rumblings from Boone?

I think if Wiley were to leave that he would be leaving because he and Ruffin are very tight. From what I am told, JM's status has nothing to do with whether or not Wiley leaves as his relationship with Ruffin would be the main reason for it. It will be interesting to see what happens. Is the ASU dynasty unraveling before our eyes with graduations of players and departures of coaches? One thing that I think could help JM fix this right off the bat would be to go do an extensive search and hire someone as the OL coach with experience in the FCS or FBS ranks or even a highly regarded D2 OL coach. Then at DC he really needs to go find someone out there who has some experience under their belt that runs similar schemes to Wiley because there is a lot of talent back on defense led by All-Americans Mark LeGree and DJ Smith along with some very good young LBs and a stacked group at DE. Nonetheless it will all be interesting.

[ASUMountaineer]

I hope you're right SCFBFan. Losing coaches like this is a sign of success, but it could definitely put us in bad shape for the next few years. I'm not sure JM is planning on retiring soon, but eventually he will. I've heard some say he is not looking to be the man to lead ASU to FBS (it seems a foregone conclusion that the admin. is thinking FBS). If that's the case, it could be sooner rather than later for JM. Best of luck to Shawn, and John (if he goes). Can't blame them for advancing their careers.

[Skjellyfetti]

It will be interesting to see who they hire to replace these guys. Do they keep it "in the family"... Dale Jones as DC, perhaps? Seems Jerry likes to promote rather than go out and find someone... and I think Dale Jones could be a great DC (I grew up watching my dad's VHS tapes of him playing for Tennessee). Hope we find capable replacements, but I wish the best to all these guys advancing their careers... can't blame them in the least.

[Appaholic]

I've heard some say he is not looking to be the man to lead ASU to FBS (it seems a foregone conclusion that the admin. is thinking FBS) . If that's the case, it could be sooner rather than later for JM.

God, I hope you're wrong...I'll have a tough time being as interested in App playing in the Sunbelt, Conf USA, MAC, etc with no regional rivalrys....just to get a chance to play in meaningless bowl in Detroit...I sure as hell aint paying to follow the team to the Tidy Bowl....isn't the Boise State fiasco proof enough that, no matter how good a team like App St became in the FBS, it would take divine intervention to be given a REAL chance at being a National Champion...a miracle since FBS teams do not control their own destiny unless they are in a BCS conference?

[ASUMountaineer]

I've heard some say he is not looking to be the man to lead ASU to FBS (it seems a foregone conclusion that the admin. is thinking FBS) . If that's the case, it could be sooner rather than later for JM.

God, I hope you're wrong...I'll have a tough time being as interested in App playing in the Sunbelt, Conf USA, MAC, etc with no regional rivalrys....just to get a chance to play in meaningless bowl in Detroit...I sure as hell aint paying to follow the team to the Tidy Bowl....isn't the Boise State fiasco proof enough that, no matter how good a team like App St became in the FBS, it would take divine intervention to be given a REAL chance at being a National Champion...a miracle since FBS teams do not control their own destiny unless they are in a BCS conference?

Yeah, I'm not a supporter for ASU making the move UNLESS it comes down to it being the right situation. By that, I mean that ASU gets into a conference with current rivals, old rivals, and/ or regional rivals. ASU's regular season games would have to make up for the lack of long time rivals and no postseasons (as most likely ASU would not play in a bowl game quickly). It will be a tough sale for the admin to put out, but even worse as time went on if ASU can't field a winner.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

I just want you guys to know I am not saying he will go for sure but to keep an eye on it if Ruffin gets the HC job because there is a chance of it. I heard this one from someone who has a very good source in this situation. I won't say who this member of the media is that told me because I don't want to out them.