https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1867601442443276634?s=46&t=91kudqUdAKY7_I6pel-Quw
Now confirmed by Valpo that Florence is the OC and Feltrop is the DC. Great start for Waddle in building some continuity in his move to Valpo.
https://twitter.com/tvboren/status/1867623527270023173?s=42
An update from Paul - appears Valpo has retained 5 coaches from last season’s staff.
Really great to see the Athletic Department and Waddle move quickly here. Gives them a long winter break to plan so they can hit the ground running in January with Winter Workouts.
I wonder if Waddle will try to bring over some of his players as well.
I honestly thought the others were probably one year rentals. I like the continuity, hopefully that helps with retention.
Aside from Florence and Jarnigan (TE) and Bosch at WR, iit appears that OL and RB coaching slots need filling. On the D side can we assume that Feltrop, a former LB, will do DC+LBs? RJ (new title: Ass’t Head Coach) will have DL, and Marquis will resume defensive responsibilities with Matthis at QC again? Right now, it’s enough to start the off-season program off and hit the recruiting trail.
Aside from Florence and Jarnigan (TE) and Bosch at WR, iit appears that OL and RB coaching slots need filling. On the D side can we assume that Feltrop, a former LB, will do DC+LBs, RJ (new title: Ass’t Head Coach) will have DL, and Marquis will resume defensive responsibilities with Matthis at QC again? Right now, it’s enough to start the off-season program off and hot the recruiting trail.
Seems well ahead of last year and with a coherent OC onboard it may be beyond well ahead.
Ahead of last year in assistant coaches , yes
ahead of last year in roster composition (60+ departures from first day of camp in 2024) no
hoping this first weekend of OVs adds a few beacons. About 55 slots open
One thing I noticed in reviewing Marietta's individual stats during the Waddle years is that once the program started to win, it developed some quality stability at the QB position, with two guys starting for three seasons and each posting consistently impressive numbers. I don't know what their stories were, but I'm assuming each could've attracted attention in the portal.
This may be Naive or completely off. But it seems that D3s do not lose quality starters to the portal. They lose the All-Americans/All-Conference types.
Valpo and really the PFL is having a hard time retaining any young starting talent. Many are landing on scholarship programs for lesser roles.
Is this due to being the highest talent non scholarship league non Ivy? Most likely
A little related to 16’s observation above: FWIW, even little DIII Marietta College with a 1,122 enrollment, has a prominent NIL tab on its athletics home page. Sheesh.
Good to see for Givens. Did he receive a scholarship? I agree that he was gone after this season, regardless of HC change. I believe that he was first into the portal, which was just after the Fox announcement, which would likely mean that he had already started the process.
Aside from Florence and Jarnigan (TE) and Bosch at WR, iit appears that OL and RB coaching slots need filling. On the D side can we assume that Feltrop, a former LB, will do DC+LBs? RJ (new title: Ass’t Head Coach) will have DL, and Marquis will resume defensive responsibilities with Matthis at QC again? Right now, it’s enough to start the off-season program off and hit the recruiting trail.
Looks like Bosch to RB, new WR coach Terry Geiger from Marietta
https://valpoathletics.com/sports/football/coaches
Seems like the staff is getting closer completion now with the hiring of Terry Geiger and OL coach Pete Nank, both from Marietta. Definitely bringing the Marietta offense over with these two along with Florence at OC/QB. Offense position coach holdovers are Jarnigan (TE/recruiting), Bosh (RBs). Only one Marietta add on defense (so far) in DC Feltrop. Still missing though is the secondary.
In comparison: In 2023, Fox had 10 position coaches on staff. So far, Waddle has 7. So probably one to three more hires?
I noticed Marquis disappeared from the website. He is now HC at Otterbein.
I noticed Marquis disappeared from the website. He is now HC at Otterbein.
So, it turns out that Valpo has traded Marquis to the OAC for Waddle. I think we got the better of the deal.
