Paul Chryst really likes those Wisconsin connections doesn’t he? According to Chris Dokish, he has made his hire for Running Backs Coach. He’s Eddie Faulkner, a former Wisconsin running back who played behind Ron Dayne.
Faulkner is in his thirties and has been working as a MAC running backs coach the last several years. Most of the time spent at Ball State under Brady Hoke and stayed on staff there when Hoke left for SDSU. His recruiting contacts are in Big 10/MAC country.
Last year he was the running backs coach at NIU under Dave Doren — who before taking the head job at NIU was the defensive coordinator at… Wisconsin. So now Chryst isn’t just raiding his old team. He’s raiding a team headed up by a former colleague.
Hmm. Maybe it isn’t just Chryst. Maybe Wisconsin is just some close-knit cult-like place. All who come from there must surround themselves with others from the same place.
The good news, is that Faulkner is ambitious. He wants to advance. He made that clear in a Q&A from last season.
NS: What knowledge or techniques have you learned in your field over time at your position that you can pass on to the young running backs here at NIU?
EF: I think starting at Wisconsin in particular, they drill so much in the fundamentals that it just sticks with you, and I was able to retain that knowledge and pass it along. They taught you how to run, block, tackle, throw and catch. All of those things were instilled in us as players at Wisconsin, and if you’re trying to be the best football coach you can be, as I am, then those things are going to stick with you as you rise through the ranks.
[Emphasis added.]
He wants to keep rising, then he has to coach and recruit to impress.
The position coach still open are DL, WR and DB, and apparently one of them is going to have to double as special teams. I know Huxtable has FL ties but I wouldn’t mind seeing another one from there
I’m all for ex-Wisky guys coming on board. Chryst obviously knows them and is comfortable, but I am concerned that it could result in too much of a good thing. Just wish there was more diversity in backgrounds from other successful programs particularly in ACC country.
Happy with the coaches on board now, just hoping to get a little southern comfort in there.
I always thought that inbred cult was a PSU trait,
thanks for pointing out that it transcends the B10.
House served as a defensive quality control coach with the St. Louis Rams the past three seasons (2009-11). In 2008, he was a special teams assistant with the Carolina Panthers, who went 12-4 that year en route to the NFC South Division title and the fourth-ever playoff berth in franchise history. In addition to contributing to special teams, House also served the Panthers as a strength and conditioning assistant. Prior to his NFL stint, House was defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator under Turner Gill at the University of Buffalo for two seasons (2006-07).
if we knew were the ex wisconsin players were coaching we could guess the next 3 i have been working on that as well as who is coaching in the pros have been looking at the SF team .
Frankcan, i think that faulkner should be a good one. If hes as ambitious as he sounds then that plus the fact that hes only 34 years old should make him a great recruiter.
@PK, hey, would we ever get Florida’s elite?? Plenty to go around down there, with speed and talent, I’d be happy to just get in the door and get 3 or 4 players a year.
@FRANK—Great work researching!!!!
My two cents anyway…
You want to know where WVU gets much of its speed .. check out how many southerners are on its roster .. and this has been going on since Nehlen has been there. And Morgantown isn’t much warmer than Pgh.
I know it goes a long way back but Sherrill and Pitt first saw Hugh Green in a game, when they took the trip down south, to watch Rooster Jones play.
The cold weather aspect is over-rated. It doesn’t really start getting cold until the season ends. And, the games will eventually be on TV for Mom and Dad particularly if the ACC creates their own network. And, there will be several trips south for Mom, Dad, and friends to see them play within a short drive time.
The city of Pittsburgh is also a cool place for most kids. The campus also has a high energy level. I’ve always thought of Pittsburgh as a mini NYC. My City friends have also commented. So if a recruit likes a city atmosphere, there are few places better than da burg.
Interestingly enough in your list:
Antonio Bryant – Not sure of star level but I remember the phrase “lightly recruited” almost constantly associated with his name
Romeus / Sheard – I think these guys were both two star
Session /Blades – Three star / undersized. Blades was not particularly fast if I recall.
Lee / Mustakas – Not sure
Yes TX, a 3 star Florida guy may be equal to 4 star WPIAL but Jon Baldwin turned out to be pretty solid…that being said it’s one data point. Would be fun to look at all the FL vs. WPIAL recruits over the last 5 years and track their development / on-field impact vs. star level. Doke, you reading this???
Bottom line is I think this staff needs to do three things well when it comes to recruiting:
1. Keep local talent home. They seem to have a good start with Haering and Rudolph in place
2. Strengthen our presence in Ohio and other nearby Big 10 states. I think we all agree that Chryst is laying the foundation for that.
3. Mine the diamonds in the rough out of Florida. Hopefully Huxtable can be that guy but agree that one more with FL ties would be nice..
Love Engram as a hire BTW and agree with you Frank 100%
I agree we have to keep talent at home .. lose too many blue-chippers to OSU
Which begs a question: What if you are in a mall doing some shopping and the Rapture hits – will you bump against the ceiling like a helium balloon?
Having spent six years at Purdue after my time at Pitt, you just described the majority of the B1G.