Tennessee running backs coach Eddie Gran is expected to be named the new running backs coach at Florida State
by FSUSOM on Dec 6, 2009 4:21 PM EST
in FSU Football
181 comments
Reportedly Gran's style did not mesh with Tennessee's other coaches. This is another example of FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher going after some of the best coaches in the country.
........This is mostly bad news for Tennessee. Gran, one of my personal favorites on the Chimera ever since reading this story about him and his family (and this free story), has contributed greatly to Tennessee's success in a single short year. He was largely responsible for the resurrection of the Volunteer rushing game, and his fingerprints were all over last year's recruiting class as well as the one developing for this year..........
..........Tennessee's ability to recruit Florida obviously takes a major hit. According to Rivals, Gran was the primary recruiter on four of last year's blue chips, and was a factor in landing Bryce Brown.
Coaching:
Here is some of Gran's work with RBs, courtesy of Tennessee's athletic site:
If he produces the same success in the offensive backfield that he has for the past decade, Vols fans are in for a treat. Seven NFL running backs tutored under Gran at some point in their careers, among them Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown, Rudi Johnson and Deuce McAllister. Williams was an All-America at Auburn and earned 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Brown and McAllister were NFL first-round picks and Johnson earned 2000 SEC Player of the Year.
Brown, Johnson and McAllister all have played in the Pro Bowl.
Other former Gran-coached professionals who have earned elite status include John Avery, who went from Ole Miss to the NFL to stardom in the Canadian Football League; and Brandon Jacobs, an Auburn Tiger who has compiled back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the New York Giants.
That does not include the work he has done with current Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty. Hardesty, under Gran's direction, has made tremendous strides since last year. Gran was also special teams coordinator at Tennessee and Auburn.
Recruiting:
Gran has a reputation as one of the best recruiters in the country. His expertise is South Florida, which is pretty exciting for Nole fans. Some of the prospects he was recruiting for Tennessee include Matt Elam, Jeff Luc, Chris Dunkley, and Merrill Noel. Marcus Lattmore supposedly has a great relationship with Gran, but I think that ship has sailed in regards to Lattimore and FSU. There is a chance he could be the recruiting coordinator at FSU.
Future Offensive Staff (in my opinion):
OC: James Coley
RB: Eddie Gran
WR: Lawrence Dawsey
TE: Dameyune Craig*
OL: Rick Trickett
*That is a guess. I think that Fisher will find somewhere to put Craig.
These are exciting times, people. We'll have more to come.
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I thought you were gonna wait until tomorrow for this article
Couldn’t wait I guess.
I would have thought Coley would still coach TEs, you think he will just be the OC now?
Also, will Gran be the recruiting coordinator? ST coach?
From a process point of view, no reason we can't be
Good systems require good infrastructure. Good coaches build good infrastructure (Fisher’s words about Nick Saban’s coaching strengths).
As NoleThruAndThru stated
“Gran may be the best recruiter not named Orgeron on Tennessee’s staff.” I totally agree. I see him being named recruiting coordinator/rb coach.
you are assuming its not one of the Bama Boys? Or they'll announce Sunseri or Smart prior
to the BCS title game?
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
they will announce it before the title game either way. I think at this time next week will know who are DC is
FSUn said he thinks we will know before the end of this week.
I hope he meshes with our staff because he is a hell of a recruiter.
As far as the staff goes I expect
Head Coach: Jimbo
Offensive Coordinator/QB: James Coley
Running Back: Eddie Gran
Wide Receivers: Lawrence Dawsey
Offensive Line: Rick Trickett
Defensive Coordinator/LB: Sal Sunseri
Defensive Line: Odell Haggins
Corner backs: Terrell Buckley (Maybe)
Safeties: ???
I understand, hence the maybe by his name. However why is Craig so special?
Am I missing something in regard to him? Nothing in his resume really impresses.
by Legal_Seminole on Dec 6, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
Jimbo is very fond of him as he coached him in college
I don’t think Coley will coach QB’s. That’s where I think Craig could come in. Jimbo won’t be able to devote as much time to QB’s as he has in the past, so Craig can help Jimbo and coach them while Jimbo is doing the other aspects of the HC.
figured..
T-Buck would just stay where he is as Todd Stroud’s assistant coach for Strength and Conditioning? Assuming Stroud isnt getting the boot.
Still need
a ST coach. Assume it will be Gran. Someone posted elsewhere that his units are Auburn were pretty solid. Honestly, anything other than Allen is an upgrade…
I'm still sold on Coley
great recruiter but only one year of OC experience and at FIU? Not sure how thick his playbook is
Coley will be fine
I actually expect our playcalling to become a bit more creative.
Striker: "Surely you can't be serious!" Rumack: "I am serious... and don't call me Shirley."
Will Fisher relinquish playcalling duties?
As long as the production and clock management doesn’t take a hit I don’t care if he keeps them.
I'm saying
Coley can be OC and in charge of the offense at practices and be the eyes in the sky during games, but couldn’t Fisher still be the playcaller on the sidelines? I’m not sure I care what happens either way.
Coley's no slouch. I think he might start off calling plays, and then Jimbo will evalute and go from there...
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
Georgia Tech doesn't have a thick playbook either
but they are the 2009 ACC Champs
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
I have a bet with a buddy that we will have a big suprise with our new DC.
I told him that it would be announced by tuesday.
TJ would be one hell of a get
At any spot. He is on a hot team right now and looks like he could bring a lot of energy to the DC
According to AC, this is a done deal and confirmed
Just received confirmation from a source close to the situation that former Tennessee assistant coach Eddie Gran will in fact join Florida State’s coaching staff. Gran spent the past season coaching running backs and special teams for the Volunteers.
>-----:----:------>Spear 'em then Scalp 'em
With Coley at OC, will opposing defenses be too terrified to step foot on the field?
If that’s the case, Gran could even recruit during game time!
by basaltrock on Dec 6, 2009 4:49 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Craig could be named QB coach as well, something to consider
Co-conductor of the "Kirby Smart for DC 2010" Train!!!!
Who has Gran recruited?
Just looking to see if anyone can post some of the recruits he has pulled in over the years? I’m not too familiar with Eddie Gran at all, but having coached guys like Caddy, Ronnie Brown, and Deuce makes for a good hire.
Non Mollare, non mai mollare!
Welcome aboard buddy!
Co-conductor of the "Kirby Smart for DC 2010" Train!!!!
by NoleThruandThru on Dec 6, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
great stuff. We should link this with a brief synopsis and then take out the reportedly language. Awesome get. Also that link says he never signed that deal with UT so he doesn’t have to pay that penalty.
Gran's current commits and targets
Delvin Jones (4 star ATH), Jose Jose (3 star OL), Ted Meline (4 star WR), and Ralph Williams (3 star LB). His targets include Demar Dorsey, Quinton Dunbar, Chris Dunkley, Matt Elam, Merrill Noel, Keion Payne, and Torrian Wilson.
Does this mean ...
… that Lane Kiffin is going to run his mouth about us now for stealing his coach?
Lane Kiffin
Lane will talk trash about us. He is that type of guy. He already stole a recruit from us.
Go Noles!!
Probably not.
When Wilson went to LSU, he was very gracious about it. I don’t see why this should be any different.
So, about Jody Allen’s special teams. I remember some arguing here the last two years Gano and Garvin were saving him from being exposed. Now this year his special teams are doing well again. You could argue that now Hopkin and Reid are saving him from being exposed. It seems more likely special teams are not that difficult to coach and it comes more down to the players or that he is actually a fine special teams coach.
I must admit that
this year I didn’t cringe during pr and kr like the year before – that was just horrid. Also, after Hopkins settled down, we really haven’t done bad on ST.
by StM on Dec 6, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
Heather Dinich is saying FSU vs WVU at the Gator is a GO
http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/7557/gator-bowl-announces-fsu-vs-wvu
"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...
wow. did you read the thread of comments underneath the article? A little over-the-top with the
“what a travesty” comments! Seems like some of them were comparing this to Texas getting left out of the BCS title game last year. I mean really, who gives a crap, if you are not playing in a BCS game? I really havent cared what bowl FSU has played in for most of the past decade, outside of what time the game was at.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
I don't generally read comment sections on ESPN
I’ll get better discourse from a room of screaming monkeys.
"Your eyes can decieve you. Don't trust them." Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first sabermetrician...
by Curtain Jerker on Dec 6, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
I know. I just got caught up with them this time, and now realize why I normally have
the same policy as you.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
After finding TN i dont even worry about checking espnu
…besides, Heather Dinich just pisses me off, shes always negative about FSU no matter what the story is about
Funny how quickly
Those Clemson fans forgot how FSU got screwed over last year so they could play in the Gator Bowl, what goes around…
"No, like I said, Woo peed on my rug" - The Dude
whatever gifts God gave Heather Dinich
it’s not between her ears.
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
she looks a lot better in person
no her picture does not do her justice.
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
I have no idea what you just said.
I’m not that blogger savvy.
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
thank you for the translation
No pics. I saw her at one of the media events for the ACC Title game last year. Sorry, not my fault ESPN doesn’t have a sideline reporter and blogger swinsuit calender, but they should. She can be Mrs. August for my birthday. Only a woman (most) would find her unattractive.
Plus I know another guy who was wrote an ACC blog and said after he met her he was pitching a tent for a week.
Sorry, no Erin Andews, gators need not apply.
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
I thought EA was overrated until her peephole video came out
She’s actually better looking than I thought. And I found a couple not-great-angle pics of Dinich. She’s not ugly, but not bangin. Maybe better than average.
How does this affect
The recruits who have a soft verbal to Tenn? Could they come with Gran to FSU instead?
Are there people we need? What’s the policy on this?
He's interviewing tonight so nothing's final yet.
But he is who they want and their top candidate. Seems the only ways he isn’t the next HC there is he bombs or turns them down.
"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
"But How will I know limits from lies, if I never try."
by geoffissiffoeg on Dec 6, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
So people in Louisville are progressive
and don’t mind the interracial marriage?
I can’t believe that’d prevent him from getting a job, but I can believe it at the same time.
Some schools
have old family, older, big money boosters. Not hard to that an older guy who lived a completely insular life and was raised 50-60+ years ago could have a problem with a more recent development in our country. That being said, I refuse to believe Strong couldn’t get a job somewhere, so I think he has been holding out for a quality BCS job. If that is the case I applaud him because if you get stuck at a MAC school and can’t win then it lets nay sayers say I told you so and stops you from getting jobs.
I think the guys at UL really want a national powerhouse team. They had it rolling with the coach who bolted on him (name escapes me) but since then they have fallen off the map. All signs point to them being willing to break bread for a program so that is good but I don’t know about their recruiting base. At the end of the day I could care less though as long as Strong leaves UF.
by osceolafan850 on Dec 6, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
Petrino
Had that gig til he snaked out and went to coach the Falcons. And we all know the story from there
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 6, 2009 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
That being said
I hope like hell he gets a job SOMEWHERE!. Him leaving UF would be the 3rd or 4th most important development this offseason for FSU. Only trailing BB’s departure, the recruiting uptick, and our new DC being hired. So I hope they make it happen
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 7, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
I'll offer comments on Ti-MAY!
at a later date (Can’t freaking wait). This isn’t the time. I don’t want to create the idea that UFAG needs to suck in order for us to prosper. I’ll never believe that. CFB moves in cycles
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 7, 2009 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Never said they needed to suck for us to be good
I was merely glad they won’t be contending for a national title next year.
Oh, i understand what you were saying
They are are indeed going to experience much turnover
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 7, 2009 12:45 AM EST up reply actions
a few friends
that are gayfor fans are already jumpin tebows ship and sayin brantly is gonna be a better all around QB…so i guess he will be able to play a big game and not cry like a 3 year old.
by hntdeerliv4noles on Dec 7, 2009 6:01 AM EST up reply actions
But can he will his team to victory as well as Tebow?
Will I be a better person after having spent 10 minutes with Brantley like I would with Tebow (according to Thom Brennaman)?
I just don’t see them having the same dynamic without Tebow.
It's also been said he's a bad interview
the same as been said for Norm Chow too. At some point though you would think the great resume would outweigh the bad interview but that maybe this leads us to his mixed racial marraige might (sadly) be an issue.
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
In fact
Strong says that it was brought to his attention initially by 1 or 2 people(That his marriage would serve as a detriment to him landing a HC job). He ignored it at first and though it was BS. But when 2-3 more people whom he trusted said the same think as well, thats when he went public with his frustration. A writer for a paper in Bama expressed pretty admantly on espn radio, that that would indeed be an issue for him and Turner Gill. An issue discussed behind closed doors of course!
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 6, 2009 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
It's obviously NOT a problem for them
But this isn’t the only winter that Strong has tried to get a job either(And yes,if he were smart, he’d try to get a decent job in a big conference. Not just be the HC of some directional school). Not saying that would be the only reason, just something less “progressive” people might have misgivings about (UK brass having issues Rex Chapman back in the 80’s). Besides, Louisville has long been tired of the basketball program getting all the pub and having a high profile head coach, while the football gig is just used as a stepping stone for a higher echelon BCS job. They need to make a splash and Strong would do just that.
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 6, 2009 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
Louisville is a progressive town
Also, a good family man, at least as far as we know, like Charlie Strong could balance things out with Pitino on the moralistic front.
It’s all horse sht. He should be a HC somewhere. Either his lack of interviewing skills or the color of his skin has held him back as of this point.
One of the two. His success on the field should take him to a HC gig.
It's because he's black and we all know it
How many black head coaches are in cfb? Shannon, Gill annnnnd? I’m sure there are a few more but I honestly can’t think of them.
its not just because he is black
he is also married to a white woman. I think that is actually more of a problem for the people who makes these decisions.
Live and let live man…
Dunk won't be a Nole
but Miami is making a very strong push for him… that’d be interesting
Co-conductor of the "Kirby Smart for DC 2010" Train!!!!
by NoleThruandThru on Dec 6, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
Dunkley's never been coming to FSU
Funny, because a little over a year ago when his name first surfaced WC guys said he was a huge FSU fan. fart noise-dead eyes
I don’t know who started that crap but it quickly become obvious it would be hard to pull him from UF.
And we're still in the hunt for a couple of 4* running backs
Brandon Gainer is a SFla. kid who is being recruited by Tenn. although I am not certain about whether Gran would be involved. My hunch says yes, since SFla. was his area.
The other, Rajion Neal didn’t get offered by FSU until he had already committed to some school in MS. He’s a 4* kid who wasn’t recruited by many high powered schools for some reason.
I agree
Unless they are really dynamic I’d rather just hold off until next recruting cycle. We got JT for 2 more C.Thompson for 3 and Smiley for 3. Don’t know what the future holds for Ty, he might just be “filler” for 2 more years or he might come on strong like a Charles Scott did for LSU. Plus we have Pressely for another year as well. Not to mention Lonnie Pryor could give us carries in a pinch.
am i wrong, thinking thompson should be the 1 who would get carries in a pinch and lonnie will be the star.
No
But I wouldn’t say either would only get carriers in a pinch. There are plans for each to be a big part of the future at FSU. Our offensive coaches don’t recruit kids that they only expect to play in a pinch. (Except for maybe Secord but that has different circumstances.)
Secord
The more I watch Manuel’s throwing motion the more I think Secord can eventually beat him out.
" Fisher’s approach to building a winner is lifted from Saban’s playbook. Right down to the terminology such as becoming more "process oriented" as opposed to "results oriented."
" Nick and I are friends," he said. "That guy is one of the best football coaches I’ve ever been around. God knows he’s brilliant. … A lot of the things he believes are a lot of things I believe. We’re very similar!
The process begins!
This is a joke right?
Like Yarborough for Heisman?
Secord's throwing motion is worse.
Not sure if Secord will ever see the field for FSU.
Striker: "Surely you can't be serious!" Rumack: "I am serious... and don't call me Shirley."
EJ is lightyears ahead of Secord
Dont even know how you would think that. Secord right now looks more like a Drew Weatherford with a broken arm.
If anyone is gonna be the odd man out among RB's
I’d guess Jones and Pressley. The battle will be very very interesting in the spring. That’s for sure.
If both are here next year it means they beat out
Thomas
Smiley
Thompson
Pryor
Which is possible obviously. But Like I said, I’m guessing that out of the bunch, in a sink or swim scenario, those 2 (Pressley and Jones) would be the ones that sink. Considering they both struggled to see the field this season. Thompson and Pryor will both be Sophomores with valuable experience, Thomas is the best RB we have in house now and Smiley is a beast.
So you're saying Thomas (and to a lesser extent, Jones and Pressley) will ride the pine?
If you’re saying Pryor will be the “star” next year.
sorry let me clarify, I meant from the tailback position
right now he seems to be mainly our FB and shortyardage back.
And if Smiley gets injured?
Pryor is only slightly bigger than JT. Neal is 2" shorter than Pryor and 15 lbs heavier. I love the speed, but you have to have a guy who can muscle it in on the goalline and bring the power on short yardage. He’s not as big as Smiley, but we could redshirt him. If you can get 4-5* talent at RB, I say you take one each year.
One is a JUCO transfer, the other can be redshirted.
That said, yes.
Pryor could play TB
As for Pryor not having had a year in a college S&C program yet, neither has Neal. Neal starts out 15 lbs ahead of Pryor. Put Neal through a S&C program and he’s more like Smiley, only better.
D line recruits is what we need, afterall.
Where we gonna get some big fellas and some fast one off the ends?
Chief Osceola
D line--Definitely a huge need
Lemonier please? And a qualified Deas? I’ll give up my other christmas presents this year for that…
We lost Barnes?
I hadn’t seen anything about this. That would hurt, as he seems like he has a lot of potential.
by seminoleballer on Dec 6, 2009 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
News saying both things
Some sites saying he is gone, others saying he didn’t commit. A new DC would help with the kid since he has been a soft commit the entire time and is almost using FSU as a back up school in case nothing else grabs him. Not saying anything is wrong with that from his perspective, with our old coaching staff I would have done the same thing, but he needs to be locked up so we can move to other kids.
by osceolafan850 on Dec 6, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
Lemonier is good and has the frame to add weight
Most consider him a Illinois lean, but there is a chance he swings our way.
Striker: "Surely you can't be serious!" Rumack: "I am serious... and don't call me Shirley."
Great hire imo.
The Tennessee folks seem upset over losing this guy. He seems like a hell of a recruiter, along with being a great rb coach.
Nice
My father in law will be pissed, he is huge UT fan and was just talking about how good this guy was the other day.
"No, like I said, Woo peed on my rug" - The Dude
it's about time someone else gets pissed.
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
by Okinole on Dec 6, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
no but I heard about it on Twitter
perhaps he came to his senses
It probably was recorded at the start of the year, they probably don't do new intro's
each time their on NBC, could be wrong though.
i cant think of who it is off the top of my head...
…but theres one player who always says “FSU in the 90s” …it lets you know hes BA and also shows you where the program is now….
Chris Hope
Co-conductor of the "Kirby Smart for DC 2010" Train!!!!
by NoleThruandThru on Dec 6, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
He said FSU
both Boldin and McFadden said Florida State
"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary." Vince Lombardi
boldin
finally stepped up and had a great game. Glad warner decided to look at him for a few passes. This guy is a beast if he can stay healthy. Great to see a former player stand out on national television.
by hntdeerliv4noles on Dec 7, 2009 6:20 AM EST up reply actions
What happened with Barnes?
Isn’t that the linebacker who’s coached by Brian Allen?
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 6, 2009 10:25 PM EST reply actions
I saw you say it but not him confirm it
I don’t frequent that site so I may have missed it. I thought you broke the news. Only reason I mentioned you
WOW
I believe one of his former teammates plays for South Carolina. I wouldn’t mind too much normally, because that does happen. But DL is an area of crazy need
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 6, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply actions
YEP
Don’t know if that had anything to do with it, or other forces are at play. Like the situation with Brian Allen being upset at BB no longer being at FSU. I know he coaches a kid that we were after. Not 100% sure it’s Barnes though
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 6, 2009 10:44 PM EST reply actions
If you hit the reply button
to the person you’re talking to it’ll keep your comments aligned better.
Beats me what’s going on. Brian Allen and everyone else won’t care in a few years when we’re good again. It’s not like we are kicking Bobby out on the streets.
Got it!
I agree about some of the “upset” alums.Sometimes it’s kinda hard keeping up with these kids and whats going on with certain situations. Especially with me being out here in Cali. But as long as we can get a stud rush end and a DT who commands double teams at the POA, we’ll be cool.
by westcoastnolefan on Dec 6, 2009 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
I've checked all the major recruiting sites and various Cocks blogs and I can't find any mention of Barnes going to become a Cock
Except for some stuff buried in verious threads on TN. I think one of them said something about it being reported by tharinger.com, but I can’t find any indication there either. I am sure it wasn’t just pulled out the sky, but I’d like to see it reported somehwere. Anyone have a link?
Mad or not, I don’t know why anyone would send a Florida kid to play for Spurrier over Fisher. I could understand if we were going to keep our current coaches, but this doesn’t make any sense, and the lack of noise about it from the Cocks and anywhere else is less easy to understand.
You’d think that before we let this one get away, Coley & Dawsey would be driving to Jax and Barnes would be getting calls from his former teammates who are now playing for the Noles. If this news were happening a month ago it would be understandable, but not on the eve of us naming the next DC.
USCe
The Cocks keeps a great defense year in and out. If you want to win championships don’t go there, but if you want to play on a great defense it is one of the best places to go in the Nation. Hopefully once the new staff is out and about we lock Barnes back in.
by osceolafan850 on Dec 6, 2009 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
I guess this is what all the hype is about
I am not convinced. I hope TN does a tweet about the rumor since TN is one of the few Coley follows and he needs to get the news so he can spear this big fish before it jumps and throws the hook.
What can you say
http://www.southernpigskin.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/3790/
" Fisher’s approach to building a winner is lifted from Saban’s playbook. Right down to the terminology such as becoming more "process oriented" as opposed to "results oriented."
" Nick and I are friends," he said. "That guy is one of the best football coaches I’ve ever been around. God knows he’s brilliant. … A lot of the things he believes are a lot of things I believe. We’re very similar!
The process begins!
You're battles with TBE are epic...lol
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
Guy telling us to win the ACC first?
Okie doke
I know he’s talking about win the ACC, then start talking about national championships again, but coming from a Hokie? Coming from anyone other than a Florida, Texas, LSU or USC is ridiculous (add Alabama if they win).
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