Football Scoop 'link' on coaching jobs

[NavyCrimson]

<A HREF="http://footballscoop.com/scoop.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://footballscoop.com/scoop.htm</A>

interesting link...fun to follow

[PonyPower]

footballscoop.com now reports "McCollum - HC MTSU- we hear is the front runner. Jeff Horton (QB - Wisconsin) has been contacted. We also hear John Pearce-QB- UCLA may be in the running. We also hear Turner Gill (QB - Nebraska) is in on it. We also hear Bruce Chambers- Texas- has been contacted. "

If that's Andy McCollum of Middle Tennessee State, here's his official bio from the school's website:

ANDY McCOLLUM
Middle Tennessee Head Coach

2000 TSWA Coach of the Year

Unfathomable. Amazing. Incredible. Astounding. Exceptional.

These are just some of the words used to describe the job Andy McCollum and his staff did in 2000. In just their second year of I-A football, the Blue Raiders put together a 6-5 season, received national recognition by various media outlets, had a 1,000-yard rusher, an offense that finished ranked 16th nationally and a defense that improved 31 spots in the rankings from 1999. McCollum and the Blue Raiders, who now have their sights set on a Sun Belt title and a postseason berth, accomplished a winning campaign last year despite facing a schedule that included road games against Illinois, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi State and UAB.

“I have always instilled in our players that Middle Tennessee will back down from no one,” McCollum stated. “Last year we didn’t. We went toe-to-toe with some of the top teams in the country and I think we grew from the experience. We will continue playing a challenging schedule because that is how you become better and win championships.”

One of the most fierce recruiters in the nation, Andy McCollum completed his second season as head coach by making Middle Tennessee just one of 63 I-A schools to record a winning record in 2000 and the only program with fewer than five years of I-A experience to register a winning mark.

McCollum, known for his ability to bring in top notch talent, has not let any of the Blue Raider faithful down during his two seasons. On the job for just two months, McCollum brought in what was determined to be the best class in school history in 1999, then the following February he one-upped himself by signing a 2000 class that was rated among the top half of the 114 Division I-A programs. The class included four of Georgia’s top 75 recruits, including the entire state’s player of the year.

To prove even further the type recruiter he his check out his most recent haul. In 2001, McCollum inked five JuCo all-Americans, four top 30 recruits, five top 60 players and a state Defensive Player of the Year.

A former coach and player under legendary Blue Raider coach Boots Donnelly, McCollum has brought with him an exciting offensive strategy and a defensive scheme predicated on speed. In his first year, the Blue Raiders set four team records and 15 single-game and/or single-season marks. The Middle Tennessee passing offense ranked 32nd in the nation, while two receivers were rated among the top 26 in catches per game. In his second season, the offense set a school record with five 40-plus point games, and then added three individual single-game marks, five individual single-season records and five individual career marks.

“Even though they have been a I-A program for only a short time, Middle Tennessee is fast proving they belong,” recruiting analyst Forrest Davis said. “They have really pulled off some amazing recruits.

“Andy and his staff wasn’t just here and there. When that staff was out recruiting, they really seemed to go at it and get to know the high school coaches and players. And it has paid off.”

McCollum, who was at Middle Tennessee in the mid ‘80s, made his way back to Murfreesboro after nine years as an assistant at Baylor and UTEP.

In 1989, McCollum, 41, left Middle Tennessee to become wide receivers coach under offensive coordinator David Culley at Texas-El Paso. That year, UTEP was rated 10th nationally in passing. From 1990-93, McCollum was in charge of the linebackers, while doubling as the special teams coordinator.

In 1993, McCollum joined Chuck Reedy’s staff at Baylor as linebackers coach and immediately earned a reputation as an outstanding recruiter and top-flight tactician. In 1995 and 1996, McCollum was rated among the top ten recruiters in the nation by Max Emfinger.

In the spring of 1995, he left for the University of Tennessee to serve as linebacker coach but returned seven weeks later to take over the role of assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Baylor. As defensive coordinator in 1995, the Bears ranked No. 5 nationally in total defense, No. 5 in pass defense, No. 9 in scoring defense and No. 12 in rushing defense. As special teams coordinator that same season, the Bears were deemed as having the SWC’s top unit after recording eight blocked punts and converting four of those into touchdowns.

McCollum, who was named Middle Tennessee’s 13th head coach on Dec. 8, 1998, got his start in coaching when Donnelly picked up the phone in 1981 and asked him to be a graduate assistant. After just one year as a graduate assistant in which he was head coach of the junior varsity squad, McCollum was named full-time in 1982.

From 1981-84, McCollum served as an assistant coach working with wide receivers, tight ends and special teams. In 1985, MT was ranked No. 1 in I-AA going 11-0 in regular season play. In 1988, McCollum’s Blue Raider secondary led the nation in pass defense and set three new NCAA records.

During his time as an assistant at Middle Tennessee, McCollum recruited or coached the likes of Dwight Stone, Tony Burse, David Little, Don Griffin, Vince Hall, Kenny Tippens, Marty Carter, Walter Dunson, Steve Dark and Ricky Martin. All of the above are former Blue Raider greats who are either playing in the NFL or did at one time.

McCollum, from Marietta, GA, graduated from Austin Peay in 1981, where he was a four-year letterman as an offensive guard and tight end and later earned his masters degree from MT in 1983. A four-year starter, McCollum played offensive guard in 1977, then was a tight end/receiver from 1978-80. He led the Governors in receptions in 1979 and was named honorable mention all-OVC.

As a prep player at Marietta High School, McCollum was a three-year starter at quarterback. As a senior, he earned third team all-state honors, while also being selected Cobb County Player of the Year, North Georgia Athlete of the Year and Most Valuable Player at Marietta. In his final year, McCollum led the Blue Devils to a 10-2 record and the region championship.

McCollum, who has coached eight all-Americans, 29 all-conference picks and 24 players who have moved to the NFL, is married to the former Gwen Wilkinson. The couple has one son, Drew, and a daughter, Andrea.