Rocco Casullo

[Wildhog]

Head Coach of St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) just resigned.  He's won two state championships in the past four years as HC.  He spent the 8 years prior to that as defensive coordinator and coaching LB/S.  This is an absolute football factory in Broward County.  It would be an unbelievable connection to have down there.  He seems to be pretty much adored in the area.

If you're looking for an outside-the-box hire at LB coach, this is it.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article6672849.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/recruit-search-results?year=2015&sport_id=1&sport=football&keywords=St.+Thomas+Aquinas

[WorfHog]

Nice find

[Kenny Hawgins]

On paper, I'd be good with that.

[ricepig]

Yeah, I saw where Footballscoop had tweeted that earlier, that would be a long shot for sure.

[jgphillips3]

Hmmmm.  Young, hungry, connected to South Florida talent...not bad.  If you can't get a "big name" coach with SEC or NFL experience, I wouldn't mind a guy like that at all.  You don't have to give him a huge salary so he is low risk, high reward type hire.

[Break & Run]

Bama is looking for a LBers coach too, though, aren't they?

[ricepig]

Hmmmm.  Young, hungry, connected to South Florida talent...not bad.  If you can't get a "big name" coach with SEC or NFL experience, I wouldn't mind a guy like that at all.  You don't have to give him a huge salary so he is low risk, high reward type hire.

Speaking of salaries, outside of the SEC, it doesn't seem that the other schools are going crazy. OSU's new OC is making $525,000, and no one at Mich St makes over $387,000.

[Uncommon]

Bama is looking for a LBers coach too, though, aren't they?

Yes but they won't be looking for a regional coach like we will be.  Saban will basically get the best available with experience that can recruit nationally.  And Saban wouldn't hire a high school coach.  Just won't happen.

[JackJohnson]

Head Coach of St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) just resigned.  He's won two state championships in the past four years as HC.  He spent the 8 years prior to that as defensive coordinator and coaching LB/S.  This is an absolute football factory in Broward County.  It would be an unbelievable connection to have down there.  He seems to be pretty much adored in the area.

If you're looking for an outside-the-box hire at LB coach, this is it.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article6672849.html

If we aren't getting Inge or Woodie this guys is way way way more appealing then someone like Hargreaves or those other names thrown around with no upside potential

[Wildhog]

I've updated my OP with a list of St. Thomas Aquinas prospects.  Brace yourselves.

[Dominicanhog]

with Smith's background with LB's, would be a great opportunity for him to learn as well as allowing Smith to be a mentor... I'd be good with that.. would seem he has an offer from someone or he wouldn't have just up and quit.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

I've updated my OP with a list of St. Thomas Aquinas prospects.  Brace yourselves.

Your search results do not come up when I click on that link.  You let my anus down.

[ricepig]

I've updated my OP with a list of St. Thomas Aquinas prospects.  Brace yourselves.

No 5*, cut him......

[Wildhog]

with Smith's background with LB's, would be a great opportunity for him to learn as well as allowing Smith to be a mentor... I'd be good with that.. would seem he has an offer from someone or he wouldn't have just up and quit.

Could be us.

Alabama has two LB coach openings, unless they redistribute a little bit and only hire one. After that, we're the best LB coach opening in CFB.

http://footballscoop.com/news/open-jobs/

[Wildhog]

Your search results do not come up when I click on that link.  You let my anus down.

God, you would have clicked on that during the probably 10 seconds it wasn't working.  Click now.

[Thepigdoctor]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/recruit-search-results?year=2016&sport_id=1&sport=football&keywords=St.+Thomas+aquinas

2016 looks nice as well, excellent find

[Steef]

Nice find

[jackflash]

I  don't have any problem hiring a High School HC. Last one didn't turn out to bad. If he we hired him Smith could oversea how he coached LB. He fill the bill of recruiting Florida which I like.  Actually hope both hiring come with Florida background

[Pig in the Pokey]

WR- class of 2015 Devante Peete 6'6" 205lbs 4.55 forty, 4*Rivals top 250. Uncommitted, visits remaining.
Offers from errybody.

[Wildhog]

WR- class of 2015 Devante Peete 6'6" 205lbs 4.55 forty, 4*Rivals top 250. Uncommitted, visits remaining.
Offers from errybody.

I think that's actually a different St. Thomas Aquinas.  Two of the guys on that list are from a different STA.  But it's still just an absurd number of prospects for one school. 

[JackJohnson]

I think that's actually a different St. Thomas Aquinas.  Two of the guys on that list are from a different STA.  But it's still just an absurd number of prospects for one school. 

It's the same one.  I think kids come from all over the county which is even better.  Also notice Joey Bosa's lil bro is a Jr. next year though I'm sure we have no shot

This is an article after they won state- at the very bottom it says Peete caught a TD

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/football/broward/fl-aquinas-osceola-title-game-recap-1213-20141212-story.html

[jcul28]

Isn't be a UCF alum?

[Wildhog]

It's the same one.  I think kids come from all over the county which is even better.  Also notice Joey Bosa's lil bro is a Jr. next year though I'm sure we have no shot

This is an article after they won state- at the very bottom it says Peete caught a TD

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/football/broward/fl-aquinas-osceola-title-game-recap-1213-20141212-story.html

Ah, good lookin' out.  I was thrown off by the different city name in the link.

[redeye]

Speaking of salaries, outside of the SEC, it doesn't seem that the other schools are going crazy. OSU's new OC is making $525,000, and no one at Mich St makes over $387,000.

And that's why SEC football has ruled the past 10 years.

Yes but they won't be looking for a regional coach like we will be.  Saban will basically get the best available with experience that can recruit nationally.  And Saban wouldn't hire a high school coach.  Just won't happen.

Are you sure about that?  I thought Saban had hired a high school coach before.

Alabama has two LB coach openings, unless they redistribute a little bit and only hire one. After that, we're the best LB coach opening in CFB.

Why does it seem like Alabama has more coaches then everyone else?  I know they have an inside and outside linebacker coach, but who else does this?  Is there a limit to the number of coaches you can hire?

[SkeeterHawg]

I don't know if he is going to be here or not, but Rocco Casullo is an epic name.

[JackJohnson]

Isn't be a UCF alum?

If he is then that could be where he is headed since they have no DC, lb or DB coach I believe

[Wildhog]

If he is then that could be where he is headed since they have no DC, lb or DB coach I believe

[Hogarusa]

Hogville doesnt mess around when it comes to a LB coaching search

[hardtimes79]

Its being said he has some issues he has to workout, but the people in Miami seem to think a likely destination is Syracuse if he goes the college route this year.

[jackflash]

That would be away for Syracuse to replace MacDonald the WR coach and give them a in back into FL

[Wildhog]

That would be away for Syracuse to replace MacDonald the WR coach and give them a in back into FL

Or a way for us to replace Shannon and give us an in back into FL.

[DoctorSusscrofa]

It's only been a week and change and already our fans are hoping against all hope we can just get a high school coach to come here.

[Mike Irwin]

Head Coach of St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) just resigned.  He's won two state championships in the past four years as HC.  He spent the 8 years prior to that as defensive coordinator and coaching LB/S.  This is an absolute football factory in Broward County.  It would be an unbelievable connection to have down there.  He seems to be pretty much adored in the area.

If you're looking for an outside-the-box hire at LB coach, this is it.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article6672849.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/recruit-search-results?year=2015&sport_id=1&sport=football&keywords=St.+Thomas+Aquinas

Good thing Reggie Herring is not a moderator. He'd ban you for that. #wedon'tneednohighschoolcoach

[lilRockNDubb]

Good thing Reggie Herring is not a moderator. He'd ban you for that. #wedon'tneednohighschoolcoach

High school OC and a high school LB coach? I can see Herrings swearbands coming off

[26.2Hog]

Reggie Herring's name keeps popping up in a number of threads.

So here's my take on Herring.  After he was hired and before he ever coached a game at Arkansas, he spoke at the Little Rock Razorbacks club in the summer before the Hogs opened the season at Southern Cal.

Herring ranted and raved about how some might be nervous playing the highly touted Trojans.  But not him.  No sir. Because he exclaimed that he would have the defense prepared and there was nothing to worry about.

Well, Reggie, we see how that turned out:

8 plays
4 TD's
260 yards
1:32

Yeah, they scored so fast it just messed you up. 

[jackflash]

just for the Heck of it does any one know where Robinson or Herring at

[ThundrHawg]

Chicago Bears LB coach for Herring.

[thebignasty]

Florida Lunney.

[hoglady]

Casullo's Dad had 2 coaching stints at Syracuse - so that's where that connection is.

[31to6]

Speaking of salaries, outside of the SEC, it doesn't seem that the other schools are going crazy. OSU's new OC is making $525,000, and no one at Mich St makes over $387,000.

That's why SEC schools have former head coaches and coordinators as position coaches.

[Prestworthy]

I'd be a huge fan of this hire.  Good find OP. +1

[East TN HAWG]

If he would make an excellent recruiter, it might not be a bad hire.  You get him cheap, and Smith has a lot of experience coaching LBs so he would make an excellent mentor. 

[jackflash]

I like posts like this. Its fun, you get to here how other Razorbacks fans are thinking. To me this is what Hogville is all about giving us fans a chance to give our opinion. We all know coach BB will do the hiring.

[Hogg_Phan]

I read where one of his students said that he didn't go to the Coaches Convention. Not saying that CBB didn't talk to him, just saying that if he did, it wasn't there.

[East TN HAWG]

I like posts like this. Its fun, you get to here how other Razorbacks fans are thinking. To me this is what Hogville is all about giving us fans a chance to give our opinion. We all know coach BB will do the hiring.

Actually, you can learn a lot on this board.  After you have been on a while, you know what posters to ignore, and who to read.  There typically is a lot if good information amongst some BS.

[urkillnmesmalls]

Realistically, with the stats showing how heavy the 250 mile radius weighs on recruiting, how many kids do you think we could pull from FL with the addition of Casullo?  Is the suggestion that there are so many kids from that one high school that it could outweigh hiring an experienced LB coach with experience putting kids in and/or playing in the NFL?  Would St. TA be loyal to at least giving us 100% shot at every kid as long as he was at the UA?  How long does that last? 

Hey, I'm all for bringing in deserving, talented coaches, but surely we don't want to start hiring a staff of all high school coaches with the premise that we'll get enough talent to overcome proven coaching, do we?  That doesn't seem like a solid long term strategy to me.     

[IBleedRazorbackRed]

Realistically, with the stats showing how heavy the 250 mile radius weighs on recruiting, how many kids do you think we could pull from FL with the addition of Casullo?  Is the suggestion that there are so many kids from that one high school that it could outweigh hiring an experienced LB coach with experience putting kids in and/or playing in the NFL?  Would St. TA be loyal to at least giving us 100% shot at every kid as long as he was at the UA?  How long does that last? 

Hey, I'm all for bringing in deserving, talented coaches, but surely we don't want to start hiring a staff of all high school coaches with the premise that we'll get enough talent to overcome proven coaching, do we?  That doesn't seem like a solid long term strategy to me.   

Probably not all the time, but for a defense where the dc has experience coaching the same position, I say go for it. Smith can coach the coach in this situation.

[incHOGnito]

And that's why SEC football has ruled the past 10 years.

Are you sure about that?  I thought Saban had hired a high school coach before.

Why does it seem like Alabama has more coaches then everyone else?  I know they have an inside and outside linebacker coach, but who else does this?  Is there a limit to the number of coaches you can hire?

Probably because Saban coaches the defensive backs himself. At least I heard that somewhere.

[urkillnmesmalls]

Probably not all the time, but for a defense where the dc has experience coaching the same position, I say go for it. Smith can coach the coach in this situation.

I'll be surprised if it happens, but I see your point.  Just not sure why anyone who wasn't a LB would follow him.  Not that we can't always use some LB's, but if he's the LB coach, why would a top WR prospect follow him to the UA?  There wouldn't be a lot of interaction between the two, and the kid would still be choosing the UA over a lot of schools that are closer and more successful (recently, at least). 

If it happens...I just hope it works.  I won't hold my breath on it happening though. 

[IBleedRazorbackRed]

I'll be surprised if it happens, but I see your point.  Just not sure why anyone who wasn't a LB would follow him.  Not that we can't always use some LB's, but if he's the LB coach, why would a top WR prospect follow him to the UA?  There wouldn't be a lot of interaction between the two, and the kid would still be choosing the UA over a lot of schools that are closer and more successful (recently, at least). 

If it happens...I just hope it works.  I won't hold my breath on it happening though.

They won't follow him, but it gets our name into that area even more. He opens the door, and then the program sells them.