DRC (updated with story): Jeff Koonz leaving UNT's staff for Ole Miss, source confirms

[Brett Vito]

DRC: UNT has now seen five coaches leave the staff since the New Mexico Bowl, including four who have landed P5 jobs

 

https://www.dentonrc.com/sports/unt-linebacker-coach-koonz-headed-to-ole-miss/article_0e021d81-d4d0-5e01-9aa9-6c6ff3df83aa.html

 

 

 

Edited March 6, 2019 by Brett Vito

[MeanGreenTexan]

 

I was already VERY nervous about our LB play next year with Ejiya's & Garner's departures...

Edited March 6, 2019 by MeanGreenTexan

[97and03]

[bstnsportsfan3]

Dang I thought we were past this point of the offseason. 

[Hunter Green]

Is there something going on that we're not aware of?

[MeanGreenTexan]

He must be joining the staff in a different capacity than Linebackers coach, because they hired Tyrone Nix from VATech a couple of weeks ago:
https://olemisssports.com/news/2019/2/20/football-adds-tyrone-nix-as-linebackers-coach.aspx

[UNTLifer]

7 minutes ago, Hunter Green said:

Is there something going on that we're not aware of?

Unfortunately,  this is the result of having an up and coming "G5", hate that term, program with a respected head coach.  These other programs/coaches at the P5 level know that Littrell puts together a good staff and so they come lurking when they have a need.  

While I hate to see him go, I must admit that I didn't know Koonz from Adam when he arrived and now I can't even recall who he replaced.  I will trust SL to make another great hire of a young, energetic coach that the players relate to and that is a recruiting machine.

[MGNation92]

6 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

He must be joining the staff in a different capacity than Linebackers coach, because they hired Tyrone Nix from VATech a couple of weeks ago:
https://olemisssports.com/news/2019/2/20/football-adds-tyrone-nix-as-linebackers-coach.aspx

Not sure if Koonz can coach safeties, but they currently don't have a specified coach for safeties on the website.

https://olemisssports.com/coaches.aspx?path=football

[UNTLifer]

2 minutes ago, MGNation92 said:

Not sure if Koonz can coach safeties, but they currently don't have a specified coach for safeties on the website.

https://olemisssports.com/coaches.aspx?path=football

I believe he coached safeties at Cincy prior to coming to UNT.

Isn't his Dad a JUCO coach in Mississippi?

[MGNation92]

Just now, UNTLifer said:

I believe he coached safeties at Cincy prior to coming to UNT.

Isn't his Dad a JUCO coach in Mississippi?

Yes

This might help clear up what he'll be coaching:

https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Jeff-Koonz-Expected-To-Join-Ole-Miss-Staff-As-Inside-LB-Coach-129761323/

[UNTLifer]

Well, anybody have a list of potential replacements?

[TheReal_jayD]

we are going to be fine guys.

[MeanGreenTexan]

2 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

we are going to be fine guys.

Know of any potential targets?   Or does SL already have a guy?

[UNTLifer]

10 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

we are going to be fine guys.

[TheReal_jayD]

4 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Know of any potential targets?   Or does SL already have a guy?

My List of guys I would like to see giving a look

Justin Deason = Defensive Coordinator Incarnate Word

https://uiwcardinals.com/coaches.aspx?rc=2168&path=football

Archie Mcdaniel = Texas State Co Defensive Coordinator

https://txstatebobcats.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1223&path=football

Scott Power = SFA Defensive Coordinator

https://sfajacks.com/coaches.aspx?rc=377&path=football

Zach Orr= Baltimore Ravens Assistant

 

[Mean Green 93-98]

43 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

and now I can't even recall who he replaced. 

Mike Ekeler

[MeanGreenTexan]

11 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

My List of guys I would like to see giving a look

...

Zach Orr= Baltimore Ravens Assistant

 

Can you imagine having both Zach Orr & Pat Cobbs on staff?

[NorthTexan95]

54 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

we are going to be fine guys.

Mason agrees. 

Edited March 6, 2019 by NorthTexan95

[DeepGreen]

Does Koontz leaving have anything to do with our linebacker situation heading into the 2019 season?

[MeanGreenTexan]

1 minute ago, DeepGreen said:

Does Koontz leaving have anything to do with our linebacker situation heading into the 2019 season?

Lol.  Probably has more to do with an SEC school offering him a job.

[TheReal_jayD]

8 minutes ago, DeepGreen said:

Does Koontz leaving have anything to do with our linebacker situation heading into the 2019 season?

absolutely not. It has to do with three things.

1 SEC

2 Moving back home

3 $$$

[UNTLifer]

1 hour ago, TheReal_jayD said:

My List of guys I would like to see giving a look

Justin Deason = Defensive Coordinator Incarnate Word

https://uiwcardinals.com/coaches.aspx?rc=2168&path=football

Archie Mcdaniel = Texas State Co Defensive Coordinator

https://txstatebobcats.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1223&path=football

Scott Power = SFA Defensive Coordinator

https://sfajacks.com/coaches.aspx?rc=377&path=football

Zach Orr= Baltimore Ravens Assistant

 

Impressive lists.  Thanks for providing.

My guess is Deason is a no based on the following:

Deason played two seasons as a linebacker at Oklahoma State. He was a two-year letterman at OSU and helped the Cowboys to a victory in the Houston Bowl. Deason played in both of OSU’s wins over top-ranked and Bedlam rival Oklahoma. 

 

[EagleMBA]

The timing is BAD, but SL will get a great replacement. Good luck to Koonz, he did a nice job here. 

I just hope we don't get a "steppingstone" reputation, there is a lot to be said for continuity.

[MeanGreenTexan]

39 minutes ago, EagleMBA said:

The timing is BAD, but SL will get a great replacement. Good luck to Koonz, he did a nice job here. 

I just hope we don't get a "steppingstone" reputation, there is a lot to be said for continuity.

Need to build a "steppingstone" reputation up from our previous reputation of "career killer" before we can build a "contender" reputation.

[97and03]

4 hours ago, bstnsportsfan3 said:

Dang I thought we were past this point of the offseason. 

Same here! Really surprised there was a staff change so close to spring practice.