Have received some questions about Maryland‘s defensive coordinator vacancy, and it doesn’t seem like an answer is forthcoming just yet.
Obviously, there were reports this week in the South Carolina media about former Gamecocks assistant Ron Cooper‘s move to Louisiana State. Cooper was “in the mix” for the Maryland gig, but took a three-year deal in Baton Rouge worth $300,000 annually.
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Think about that. Louisiana State can throw around $300,000 a year on a position coach. Former defensive coordinator Chris Cosh‘s base salary was right around $151,500 (go to page 141 of the Diamondback’s salary guide). Now, that number doesn’t includes bonuses and other perks, but that’s still a significant difference from the big-boy pay grade of the SEC.
Something else to keep in mind while waiting for a hire. The annual college football coaches convention begins Sunday in Nashville. If it’s anything like the basketball coaches convention at the Final Four, the town will be swarmed with folks running around in logoed apparel. Some of them will be seeking new jobs.
In short, it is the perfect place to conduct fairly discreet interviews and conversations.
So that’s something to consider, especially since Maryland still has two vacancies remaining on its staff.
—- Patrick Stevens
