Was Mark Duffner Sniffing Ohio State?
December 6th, 2018
DC Mark Duffner
Well, the rumor was out there and being spread by a reputable newspaper.
So Joe is not going to pretend it was total BS. It was actually conceivable.
Per this Wednesday story published by NOLA.com, the online arm of the Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans, Bucs defensive coordinator Mark Duffner was a rumored candidate to replace Urban Meyer as head coach of Ohio State University.
Of course, Meyer already was replaced this week by Ryan Day, who was promoted from offensive coordinator.
For those unaware, Duffner was a Buckeyes assistant in the 1970s for legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes. Duffner also is a legend in is own right at Holy Cross, where he compiled a 60-5-1 head coaching record from 1986 through 1991. Duffner, 65, last was a head coach at Maryland (1992-1996), where he had one winning season, a 6-5 campaign in 1995.
Joe has talked to Duffner about Ohio State and he clearly holds the school in high regard.
Is it possible the genesis of the rumor had something to do with 65-year-old Duffner having his agent sniff around Ohio State opportunities that could arise from Meyer’s departure?
Per Cleveland.com, Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano is nearing the end of a one-year contract extension. Duffner certainly would be more than qualified to replace Schiano.
Yes, yes, yes. Joe knows full well The Ohio State University filled the position a full two days before the New Orleans Times-Picayune ran with this rumor — someone might want to wake up the good folks in New Orleans and hand them a strong mug of Community Coffee.
And on face value it seems a stretch to hire Duffner as head coach and likely blow up all of their recruiting efforts. What high school kid is going to play for a 65-year old coach who hasn’t been in the college game for 22 years? Half the players Ohio State recruits wouldn’t know Woody Hayes (who Duffner worked under in Columbus) from Woody on “Toy Story.” This is Ohio State, not Arizona State.
That doesn’t mean someone in Columbus didn’t call Duffner’s agent to gauge interest in a defensive assistant coaching job.
Joe’s going to do more digging on this today.
December 6th, 2018 at 5:51 am
Can’t hold that against him. That would be a primetime job and he’s almost out the door here due to no fault of his own.
December 6th, 2018 at 5:51 am
Well if that’s the case, good riddance.
December 6th, 2018 at 6:07 am
Duffner and Buckner worked well and put together a good game plan. I would like to see more from these coaches. Considering the injuries, and personnel ,They get two thumbs up from me. The change to more of an attacking defense
is needed and good results will get players buying into the system.
December 6th, 2018 at 6:09 am
Let Duffner go and hire a defensive coordinator with his own system
December 6th, 2018 at 6:32 am
Systems are only as good as the players you have. Credit the defensive staff
for adapting to a system that put players in a position to make plays.
December 6th, 2018 at 6:40 am
Collapsing the pocket from both the interior and exterior of D line is the key. Not only did they keep Cam in the pocket ,but they kept a dangerous runner contained taking away an impotrant piece piece of the Panther offense.
December 6th, 2018 at 7:06 am
It was put out there by Duffner’s agent as a tool to squeeze the Glazier boys for a healthy DC contract.
December 6th, 2018 at 7:24 am
THIS IS A HORRIBLE POST.
That site gives NO SOURCE or provides no links to other stories about Duffner rumored to be going to Ohio State. Joe linked to the Times-Picayune newspaper story. That’s the major newspaper in New Orleans. It’s right there above. You don’t have to like it, but Joe’s not going to pretend it doesn’t exist. Joe also noted not seeing anything else out there about it. Joe also waited a day to see if the newspaper edited the story, which it didn’t. –Joe
Also not a single mention on Twitter’s history.
Duffner replacing Meyer (even ever as a consideration) is a JOKE. OSU would either promote from within or hire a successful college head coach from another program.
RECRUITING is key to College Football. No way would OSU hire someone like Duffner to be head coach. [It is pretty clear you didn’t read the full story. Joe specifically wrote that in the post. — Joe] That makes absolutely ZERO sense.
December 6th, 2018 at 8:45 am
Oh Joe…….here ya go…..
Ohio State sniffin’, Woody Hayes hangin”, Mark-the Duff-Duffner.
Has he divulged a favorite snack yet?
That’s probably all you’re waiting for before you pen another award-winning moniker
Man I can’t wait….. I know I’ll be laughing my a$$ off so hard everytime I read it!!!
December 6th, 2018 at 8:56 am
only one thing to do, sign Duffner to a massive contract to make sure nobody else hires him.
That approach has always worked well for the bucs.
December 6th, 2018 at 8:59 am
CLEAN HOUSE REGARDLESS!!!!!!
KRIS RICHARD 4 HC!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 6th, 2018 at 9:05 am
I hope he is offered a college job and takes it. It would be good for him and great for us!
I give him little credit for the last two games. We played bad teams. The game against the Saints is his job interview. If he can shut them down, then I might change my tune. He’d still have to keep them looking good through the rest of the year.
All I know is that neither he nor Monken should replace Koetter, if they fire Dirk.
December 6th, 2018 at 9:35 am
bonzai
KRIS RICHARD shut the saints down…..you changing your tune about him?…lol…
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 6th, 2018 at 11:09 am
Interesting info on Duffner. The Bucs should keep him.
December 6th, 2018 at 11:49 am
Dang Bucboi813,
Your full-chub man crush for Kris Richards is starting to rival Joe’s crush/obsession for the immortal Johnny Football.
But I’ll give you the edge……. KR is sooo much dreamier than JM!
December 6th, 2018 at 11:53 am
37
Nope.. a couple of decent games doesn’t land you a job. Well hopefully.
December 6th, 2018 at 8:49 pm
He has shown to be a somewhat capable coach in a few games
Now he is the next head coach of one of the biggest programs in college football
Give me a break. This is stupid. Of course it’s coming from Nola who we play this week Fake news.