Sounds like Nebraska is closing in on Arizona DB coach and a top recruiter of the LA area Donte Williams.
New Coach Donte Williams
- Thread starter Stalking Red
- Start date
I like the focus on getting a solid recruiter. and doing it so quickly if this is indeed true.
Donte Williams
from arizonawildcats.com:
remember that from everything that I've read, Bruce Read was more of a talent evaluator and someone who helped MR with admin and program management stuff more than he was some sort of great position coach (obviously)
so it might be that MR is looking to hire someone to fill that role more than anything, i.e. basically Donte Williams is being hired to be the recruiting coordinator. and maybe coach special teams?
Donte Williams
from arizonawildcats.com:
remember that from everything that I've read, Bruce Read was more of a talent evaluator and someone who helped MR with admin and program management stuff more than he was some sort of great position coach (obviously)
so it might be that MR is looking to hire someone to fill that role more than anything, i.e. basically Donte Williams is being hired to be the recruiting coordinator. and maybe coach special teams?
Huskers close to filling opening (Nate Clouse, HuskerOnline) https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/huskers-close-to-filling-opening
Sounds like a great choice--doesn't AZ have a couple of committs we have offered?
https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/huskers-close-to-filling-opening
GBR
https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/huskers-close-to-filling-opening
GBR
Definitely seems to like a lot of the same guys as our staff does. Darnay Holmes, Greg Johnson, Jaylon Johnson, Elijah Blades, all 4*+ guys he's been trying to pull to Arizona that we've also been after. Edit: Also listed as a recruiter for Nathan Tilford, Arizona's 4* RB commit who visited Nebraska over the summer. We could use a good RB recruit for this year's class.
Cdog923;94763 said:
I was thinking he could do both if that is his primary responsibility instead of coaching a position group. more likely though is that they'd have him coach safeties with Stewart's help and take the safeties away from Banker, and have him on the road and give talent evaluation to an admin position.
Holmes and he's the lead recruiter for 4* Greg Johnson who I believe is teammates with Joseph Lewis. Our chances go way up with him as well. So basically we are trading a sub par nonrecruiting ST coach with one of the PAC 12's better recruiters with big time LA connections. I'm really starting to love Mike Riley.
Toe;94768 said:Maybe we shouldn't get too excited until it's actually official. It's a tantalizing rumor, but as of now, that's all it is.
except for the other rumor that the reason we're hearing about rumor this today is because someone in the Ath Dept gave permission for the story to go out...
http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_e5ffb240-b8b8-11e6-a09d-db4020bd3799.html
Reading between the lines a bit, it sounds like it's been verified by an LJS source, independently of Clouse's article. Though they call Williams *a* leading option, not *the* leading option. For all we know, it might be pending a counter-offer from Arizona or something.
Reading between the lines a bit, it sounds like it's been verified by an LJS source, independently of Clouse's article. Though they call Williams *a* leading option, not *the* leading option. For all we know, it might be pending a counter-offer from Arizona or something.
By the way, his name has also been mentioned as a possibility for the head coaching job at San Jose State, where he was previously an assistant: http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/...ene-bleymaier-must-use-to-avoid-another-miss/
That article is just the newspaper's speculation, and the author notes that he doesn't know interest level from either party.
That article is just the newspaper's speculation, and the author notes that he doesn't know interest level from either party.
Report from 247Sports: "Can confirm Nebraska has offered a staff position to Arizona defensive backs coach Donte Williams. Williams is weighing the offer, and a decision is expected quickly."
http://nebraska.247sports.com/Bolt/Huskers-await-word-on-assistant-offer--49480394
http://nebraska.247sports.com/Bolt/Huskers-await-word-on-assistant-offer--49480394
Fantastic hire if this indeed correct. It does make one wonder however, if there won't be some future adjustments to staff and/or responsibilities.
On a side note, I still remember some discussions I had with some friends after the last Head Coaching termination. We all put our two cents in what we would like from a new coach. Our musings covered everything from the ability to have "efficient and productive practices" to being "a fair and forthright individual". Oddly enough, I can't remember anyone hoping our new coach would be a stellar recruiter. If asked, I'm sure we would have all said "Well of course", but it wasn't high on anyone's list at the time that I can remember . The group is dispersed and would be hard to reach, but I have little doubt that being a good recruiter would near the top this time.
The ability to bring talent to Lincoln is obviously not lost on Coach Riley. I'm not downplaying the ability to develop talent at all......we all want them to leave better than they come in......but at least for me, I would like a higher starting point for many of our athletes. Riley seems to be going there and this potential hire just reinforces it for me.
On a side note, I still remember some discussions I had with some friends after the last Head Coaching termination. We all put our two cents in what we would like from a new coach. Our musings covered everything from the ability to have "efficient and productive practices" to being "a fair and forthright individual". Oddly enough, I can't remember anyone hoping our new coach would be a stellar recruiter. If asked, I'm sure we would have all said "Well of course", but it wasn't high on anyone's list at the time that I can remember . The group is dispersed and would be hard to reach, but I have little doubt that being a good recruiter would near the top this time.
The ability to bring talent to Lincoln is obviously not lost on Coach Riley. I'm not downplaying the ability to develop talent at all......we all want them to leave better than they come in......but at least for me, I would like a higher starting point for many of our athletes. Riley seems to be going there and this potential hire just reinforces it for me.
