2025 School Soccer Playoff, Bowl Buzz: Nebraska Hires New DC, Line Coach

[ad_1] The 2025 School Soccer Playoff is correct across the nook, and information surrounding the event is nonstop.

Here is the most recent on what's occurring across the league with the common season within the books and bowl season on the horizon:

San Diego State defensive coordinator Rob Aurich will be part of Nebraska in the identical function, and the Cornhuskers additionally employed Georgia Tech's Geep Wade to teach the offensive line, coach Matt Rhule introduced Friday. Aurich had been on the Aztecs' workers for 2 years, with this his first as defensive coordinator. The Aztecs had considered one of FBS's prime defenses this yr, and Aurich was a nominee for the Broyles Award because the nation’s prime assistant coach. He replaces John Butler.

SDSU led the nation with three shutouts and held eight of 12 opponents to 10 or fewer factors. It ranked within the prime 10 nationally in 10 classes whereas posting the fifth-best scoring protection in Mountain West historical past. The 12.5 factors per recreation allowed in 2025 ranked fifth nationally and was a 17-point enchancment from the 2024 season.

Wade, an FBS offensive line coach for 11 seasons, has developed linemen who've mixed for 23 all-conference awards, together with 9 All-ACC awards from 2023 to 2025. He replaces Donovan Raiola.

Nebraska is coming off of a 7-5 season the place it completed tenth within the Large Ten whereas permitting 312.3 yards per recreation, 171.3 of which have been dashing yards, together with 2.2 dashing touchdowns per recreation.

Utah's Whittingham stepping down After 21 seasons at Utah, head coach Kyle Whittingham intends to step down after teaching within the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31, this system introduced Friday.

Whittingham, 66, departs after a complete of 32 years with the Utes after beforehand serving as a place coach from 1994 to 2004. Utah recorded a successful file in 18 of his 21 seasons, going 177-68 in that span.

Two North Carolina coordinators will not return UNC offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and particular groups coordinator Mike Priefer will not return subsequent season. The college introduced Friday it had "parted methods" with the 2 assistants after the college's 4-8 season. UNC's offense was one of many worst within the nation, rating 119th in FBS in scoring (19.3) and 129th in whole offense (288.8 yards).

"We need to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for his or her dedication and lots of contributions to our program and student-athletes," Belichick mentioned in a press release. "We want them each nothing however the most effective of their future endeavors."

Tennessee provides new defensive coordinator Vols head coach Josh Heupel has employed Jim Knowles because the staff's new defensive coordinator. Heupel moved rapidly after firing coordinator Tim Banks on Monday, and the Vols coach mentioned Thursday that hiring Knowles was a precedence from the beginning.

"Jim has a confirmed observe file of growing elite defenses that play with an edge, and we acquired to see that first-hand through the 2024 School Soccer Playoff," Heupel mentioned of the Vols' first-round loss to Ohio State a yr in the past.

Knowles has coached 38 years in school soccer, with 18 as a defensive coordinator. He spent this season at Penn State and was at Ohio State between 2022 and 2024, serving to the Buckeyes win the 2024 nationwide championship. Throughout his time at OSU, the Buckeyes allowed solely 14.9 factors and 278.7 yards per recreation over a three-year span with Knowles. Ohio State went 36-6, and Knowles coached 11 NFL draft picks.

Michigan fires HC Sherrone Moore The Wolverines have fired Moore "for trigger" after two seasons as their head coach, in keeping with ESPN.

"Following a College investigation, credible proof was discovered that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a workers member," the college mentioned in a press release. "This conduct constitutes a transparent violation of College coverage, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such habits. Biff Poggi has been appointed head soccer coach in an interim capability, efficient instantly."

Moore had been on Michigan's teaching workers since 2018, beforehand serving because the staff's offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and tight ends coach earlier than turning into the full-time head coach for the 2024 season. Michigan is 9-3 total this season, ranked No. 18 and went a mixed 17-8 underneath Moore over the previous two seasons.

Indiana DE injured throughout Large Ten title celebration Indiana defensive finish Stephen Daley is predicted to overlook the CFP after getting injured through the top-ranked Hoosiers' Large Ten championship celebration, head coach Curt Cignetti introduced on Dec. 10.

"I can affirm that he did maintain an damage, a severe damage that can in all probability make him not accessible for the rest of the season," mentioned Cignetti, who was unaware that Daley had been damage till lengthy after the sport's conclusion.

A social media video confirmed Daley showing to land awkwardly on his proper leg whereas high-fiving followers moments after the Hoosiers accomplished a 13-10 victory over Ohio State to seize their first Large Ten title since 1967.

Daley was a frivolously recruited participant in his residence state of Virginia however performed a key function for Cignetti after transferring from Kent State to Indiana this season. He had 38 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two compelled fumbles and one move breakup this season, incomes all-Large Ten honorable point out honors.

Indiana has a first-round bye and can face both No. 8 Oklahoma or No. 9 Alabama within the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

Ole Miss will get teaching increase 5 Ole Miss coaches who're becoming a member of Lane Kiffin's teaching workers at LSU will likely be staying in Oxford via the CFP. These coaches are offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., assistant quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, tight ends coach Joe Cox, large receivers coach George McDonald and slot large receivers coach Sawyer Jordan, in keeping with ESPN. Kiffin introduced his intention to go away Ole Miss for LSU on Nov. 30, with the Rebels not permitting their head coach of six seasons to teach them within the postseason.

The Rebels (11-1) are the No. 6 seed within the CFP and host No. 11 seed Tulane on Dec. 20.

Tulane names Corridor subsequent head coach Tulane has determined to make passing recreation coordinator and receivers coach Will Corridor its subsequent head coach after this season ends within the CFP underneath the outgoing Jon Sumrall, who just lately accepted a suggestion to take over at Florida however has been permitted to proceed teaching the Inexperienced Wave via their postseason run.

"I’m really honored," Corridor mentioned. "Tulane has been a particular place for me. I’ve felt the distinctive spirit of Tulane and the power of its tradition. I’m excited to guide this program with a deep respect for its historical past, its folks, and the town of New Orleans."

The 45-year-old Corridor will turn into the third Tulane coach since Willie Fritz left for Houston of the Large 12 after the 2023 season. Fritz's tenure included a convention title recreation victory in 2022, adopted by a landmark Cotton Bowl victory over USC and one other league championship recreation look in 2023.

"(Corridor’s) character, integrity, and management qualities are evident each on and off the sphere," Tulane athletic director David Harris mentioned. "With in depth head teaching expertise and a confirmed observe file of success at each stage, Will embodies the qualities we worth in our program. We consider he's the appropriate particular person to guide Tulane Soccer into its subsequent chapter."

Tennessee fires defensive coordinator earlier than bowl recreation Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel fired defensive coordinator Tim Banks on Dec. 8, a yr after the assistant was a finalist for the Broyles Award. Banks had been with Heupel all 5 seasons at Tennessee after being employed away from Penn State in Feb. 2021. With Banks, the Vols reached the 2024 CFP and ranked fourth nationally in scoring protection, holding opponents to 13.9 factors per recreation; Tennessee misplaced within the opening spherical to eventual champion Ohio State.

This season, the Vols dropped to 91st within the nation, giving up 28.7 factors a recreation. They gave up not less than 33 factors in every of their losses, the final a 45-25 loss to Vanderbilt that dropped Tennessee out of the AP Prime 25 ballot.

"These are robust selections however one I in the end felt was essential for the way forward for our program,' Heupel mentioned in a press release. "We're totally dedicated to figuring out our subsequent defensive coordinator who will uphold the usual that Tennessee has traditionally been identified for."

Linebackers coach William Inge would be the interim defensive coordinator for Tennessee within the Music Metropolis Bowl on Dec. 30 towards Illinois in Nashville. Inge was co-defensive coordinator at Washington from 2022-23 and was defensive coordinator at Fresno State from 2020-21.

Baylor names new athletic director Baylor athletics administrator and graduate Doug McNamee was named the college's athletic director on Dec. 8. He replaces Mack Rhoades, who stepped down for private causes final month after 9 years; Rhoades had additionally been chairman of the School Soccer Playoff choice committee.

McNamee was the senior affiliate athletic director for exterior affairs at Baylor in 2018, when he was accountable for all main revenue-generating and brand-facing items, together with fundraising, advertising and marketing, communications and premium ticketing. He performed a key function within the fundraising, planning and opening of McLane Stadium over a decade in the past.

"My connection to Baylor College runs deep, and its tradition, historical past, and expectations have profoundly formed my life,' McNamee mentioned in a press release. "I consider the breadth of my experiences has ready me for this second at Baylor and inside the evolving panorama of school athletics. Moving into company management allowed me to domesticate the entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, starvation, and monetary self-discipline required to thrive in immediately’s atmosphere and the one forward.

"Returning to my alma mater on this capability is a profound honor and accountability. I don't take it frivolously."

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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