New Asst. coaches

[JAY]

OK, so bicknell stays. who is he going to bring in to help him improve this team.

i say our recievers coach and our special teams coach need to go.

i would think rose will be gone because he doesnt want to put up with bick's crap anynore.


new defensive coordinator and corners: john thompson.

new offensive coordinator and qbs: ed zaunbrecher

new linebackers coach: art kaufman

keep: jackson, hughes, perot, conroy, and malo. bicknell will probably keep bates too.

change positions: conroy-wr, bates -te?, hughes-safeties and special teams.

[hookdown]

Does it really matter who we get if JB does not let the coaches do their thing????

[Bossdawg]

OK, so bicknell stays. who is he going to bring in to help him improve this team.

i say our recievers coach and our special teams coach need to go.

i would think rose will be gone because he doesnt want to put up with bick's crap anynore.


new defensive coordinator and corners: john thompson.

new offensive coordinator and qbs: ed zaunbrecher

new linebackers coach: art kaufman

keep: jackson, hughes, perot, conroy, and malo. bicknell will probably keep bates too.

change positions: conroy-wr, bates -te?, hughes-safeties and special teams.

Whoa, That's a pretty big wish list, especially if you are counting on those guys to make lateral moves for a huge pay cut, and have to put up with bicknell.

[HogDawg]

I do hope Tim Rose stays on as our DC. I like some of his defensive schemes. He just needs some decent TALENT on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the defensive backfield.

It's really amazing that we had such poor tacklers and poor DB's on the defensive side of the ball.

HD

[Bill Pup60]

I do hope Tim Rose stays on as our DC. I like some of his defensive schemes. He just needs some decent TALENT on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the defensive backfield.

It's really amazing that we had such poor tacklers and poor DB's on the defensive side of the ball.

HD

I also hope Rose stays. As for talent, there IS a lot of RAW talent and speed. But, for God's sake---- we need some FUNDAMENTALS INSTRUCTION!!!!!!!

How can we get that mesage across??????????????

[Bossdawg]

Tackling drills in spring practice to start with.

[HogDawg]

Tackling drills in spring practice to start with.

And how about "tackling drills" during the season? We're not talking about girls here.

HD

[JAY]

Whoa, That's a pretty big wish list, especially if you are counting on those guys to make lateral moves for a huge pay cut, and have to put up with bicknell.

they did get fired. im sure they will get offers, but we should try.

we could spend an extra 20-30,000 on our coordinators and maybe win a few more games.

[JAY]

Head Coach John Thompson


05/07/2003



http://www.ecupirates.com/image_lib...ompson_150w.jpg

On December 20, 2002, a standing-room-only crowd that included media, ECU alumni, and fans filled the Murphy Center's Harvey Hall to welcome the 18th head football coach in East Carolina University history.

Enthusiasm and excitement have followed John Thompson around the Greenville campus and eastern North Carolina ever since.

One of the most highly regarded defensive coaches in the country, Thompson's appointment ushered in a new era of the storied ECU football program. The 48-year-old native of Forrest City, Ark., came to ECU from the University of Florida, where he served the 2002 season as the Gators' defensive coodinator and led his unit to a top-25 national ranking in total defense.

"We are extremely excited about having John Thompson as the new head coach of our football program," former ECU Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick said when making the announcement. "He brings an outstanding reputation as a coach, motivator, and recruiter and we are looking forward to him leading our program for many years to come."

Thompson's 23-year collegiate coaching career includes 19 seasons as a defensive coordinator with stops at four schools in the Southeastern Conference--Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU. He has also held assistant coaching positions at Conference USA members Memphis and Southern Miss, along with appointments at Louisiana Tech and Northwestern (La.) State.

In all, Thompson has coached three defensive units that have led their respective conferences in total defense, and has guided one of the nation's top 25 defensive units in four of the past six years. Twenty-five of his defensive players have been drafted or signed by NFL teams, 40 have earned all-conference honors, five have been named All-America, and one--former Northwestern State linebacker Gary Reasons--has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

"I am humbled, honored, and thrilled with this opportunity," Thompson told the throng of supporters assembled at the press conference announcing his appointment. "It is great to be at a place with such tradition and high expectations. I look forward to building upon that tradition through recruiting, through relationships, and by winning championships."

His first season as the Pirates' head coach was one filled with obstacles and roadblocks, but one in which the Pirates' persevered through and maintained their focus and composure. Despite finishing 1-11, Thompson maintained the enthusiasm and composure to move the ECU program back among the nation's best.

Thompson began his coaching career in the high school ranks in 1977 while pursuing his bachelor's degree at the University of Central Arkansas. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in physical education in 1978 and went on to serve as an assistant coach at Conway, Forrest City, and Arkadelphia High Schools, all in his native state, before moving on to the college ranks at the University of Arkansas as a graduate assistant under head coach Lou Holtz for the 1982 season.

His first full-time assignment as a collegiate coach came at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., where he served as defensive coordinator and coached the secondary and linebackers from 1983-86. His 1984 NSU defensive unit led all of NCAA Division I-AA in scoring defense. After a one-year stint as linebackers coach under Bill Curry at the University of Alabama in 1987, he returned to Northwestern State for the 1988 and 1989 seasons, serving in the same capacity as his first tenure with the Demons and helping them to a conference championship upon his return in '88.

In 1990, Thompson moved about 80 miles north to serve as defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, and defensive ends coach at Louisiana Tech University. He served two seasons (1990 and 1991) on the Bulldogs' staff and led the defensive unit to a No. 23 ranking in total defense, No. 19 in scoring defense, and No. 8 in rushing defense.

Thompson was the mastermind behind the dominant Southern Miss defense of the mid-1990s as he took over the position of defensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles in 1992, was given the additional title of assistant head coach in 1993, and remained with that program until 1998. Along the way, Southern Miss won or shared two Conference USA titles, ranked among the top 25 nationally in scoring defense twice, and made two bowl appearances.

He had comparable accomplishments in 1999 as defensive coordinator at Memphis as his Tiger defense ranked 11th nationally in scoring defense and 20th in total defense.

In December 1999, Thompson made his move to the SEC when he was named Nick Saban's first defensive coordinator at LSU.

The move was shortlived as he took advantage of an opportunity to move back to his home state in January 2000 as defensive coordinator at Arkansas. As co-coordinator in 2000, his Razorbacks were second in the nation in pass defense and led the SEC in both pass defense and total defense. As the sole coordinator in 2001, he helped guide the team to a 2002 Cotton Bowl appearance as the Razorbacks improved in sacks, tackles for losses, and turnover margin.

He was appointed as defensive coordinator at Florida in February 2002 and helped the Gators to an 8-5 record and a berth in the Outback Bowl against Michigan. Allowing just 162.4 passing yards per game, his Florida pass defense ranked seventh in the nation and was the best by a UF team since 1989.

Thompson's playing career includes time spent as a prep quarterback at Forrest City (Ark.) High School and two seasons at defensive back at Central Arkansas.

He still maintains ties to his home town as Thompson sponsors an annual charity golf tournament in Forrest City each summer. "The Ralph," named in honor of his father who coached and played football, raises money to benefit the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as other charities. Thompson and his wife, Charleen, have two children, Cabe (8) and Hays (6).

[JAY]

Assistant Coach Art Kaufman


http://www.ecupirates.com/image_lib...mug_150x200.jpg Defensive Line

Years at ECU: Entering 2nd

Years Overall: Entering 21st

Prior to ECU:
2000-02 Arkansas Tech [Defensive coordinator]
1994-2000 Ole Miss [Defensive coordinator/LBs]
1992-94 Louisiana Tech [Defensive coordinator/LBs]
1988-92 Ole Miss [Outside linebackers/defensive ends]
1987-88 Northwestern State [Defensive coordinator/LBs]
1983-84 Northwestern State [Outside linebackers]
1982-83 Delta State [Graduate assistant]

Bowl Games Coached: 6

NFL Players Coached: 7

Of Note: During his first tenure at Ole Miss, guided the Rebels to back-to-back bowl appearances (1989 Liberty Bowl and 1991 Gator Bowl) for the school's first time since the early 1970s ... 1999 Ole Miss team ranked fourth in the nation in rushing defense ... Helped Rebels to four straight bowl berths (1997-2000) in his second stint at Ole Miss ... His 1994 unit at Northwestern State led the nation in scoring defense (9.0 points per game) ... 1986 Demons led the Gulf Star Conference in total defense, pass defense, and scoring defense ... His 1992-93 Louisiana Tech defense ranked fourth in the nation.

Playing Career: Four-year starter at linebacker for University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Education: Arkansas-Monticello (1980)

Hometown: Dermott, Ark. Family: Daughters (Tara, Taylor, and Madison)

[JAY]

Ed Zaunbrecher

• Quarterbacks

Coaching Experience2004-PresentFlorida (Quarterbacks)2002-03Florida (Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks)2000-01Marshall (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)1999Marshall (Quarterbacks)1994-98Northeast Louisiana (Head Coach)1992-93Michigan State (Linebackers Coach)1991Michigan State (Quarterbacks)1984-90LSU (Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks)1980-83Wake Forest (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/ Receivers)1977-79Purdue (Offensive Backs/ Receivers)1975-76Arizona (Offensive Line)Coaching Accomplishments

• Joined the Gator staff on January 10th, 2002.
• Has 29 years experience as a collegiate coach (Florida, Marshall, Louisiana-Monroe, Michigan State, LSU, Wake Forest, Purdue and Arizona), including five seasons as head coach at Louisiana-Monroe.
• Coached in 13 bowl games, including four January bowl games.
• 68 players he has coached have garnered All-Conference recognition, including 41 All-SEC selections.
• 42 former players have been drafted in the NFL, including six first round draft picks (UF QB Rex Grossman, LSU WR Wendell Davis, Marshall QBs Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich, LSU RB Harvey Williams and Michigan State LB Rob Fredrickson).
• Nine quarterbacks he has coached have set new school passing records, including Chris Leak (Florida), Rex Grossman (Florida) Chad Pennington (Marshall), Byron Leftwich (Marshall), Tommy Hodson (LSU), Jeff Wickersham (LSU), Raymond Philyaw (ULM), Mark Herrmann (Purdue) and Jim Miller (Michigan State).
• Under his tutelage in 2003, Chris Leak broke nearly every freshman quarterback school record, including touchdowns (16), passing yards (2,435), completions (190) and attempts (320).
• 2002 Florida team set school records for pass attempts (517), completions (295) and total plays (982). The offense also led the SEC in total offense (406.9), pass offense (270.7) and first downs (301).
• Quarterbacks Tommy Hodson (LSU) and Mark Herrmann (Purdue), re-wrote their school record books over their careers. Hodson set 20 school records, including career pass completions (587), touchdown passes (69), passing yards (9,115) and pass attempts (1,163) and became the only 400-yard passer in school history. At Purdue, Herrmann finished atop the charts in career passing yards (9,946), touchdown passes (71), pass completions (772), and pass attempts (1,309).
• In two seasons as Marshall's offensive coordinator, the Herd averaged 458.6 yards of total offense per game and totaled 104 touchdowns and 790 points over 24 games during that two-year stretch. Herd quarterbacks led the MAC in passing all three seasons.
• In three years at Marshall, nine of Zaunbrecher's players earned first-team All-MAC recognition, including quarterbacks Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich, wide receivers Nate Poole, Darius Watts and Josh Davis, tight end Gregg Kellett and offensive linemen Jimmy Cabellos, Nate McPeek and Steve Sciullo.
• In 2001 as offensive coordinator, Marshall ranked third in the nation in total offense (505.0 ypg), third in the nation in passing offense (350.8 ypg), eighth in the nation in scoring offense (37.33 ppg), second in the nation in pass efficiency (165.62 rating) and fourth in the nation in TD passes (40).
• Coached Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, the MAC Player of the Year in 2001. Under Zaunbrecher's tutelage, Leftwich led the Mid-American Conference and was amongst the national leaders in eight offensive categories. Leftwich finished fifth in the nation in pass efficiency (164.57), second in total offense (352.0), second in touchdown passes (38), second in completions per game (26.25), second in completion percentage (67%) among quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts, third in points responsible for (21.0), sixth in yards per play (7.91) and tenth in yards per attempt (8.79).
• Produced one of the nation's most prolific pass catching tandems in 2001. The pair of Darius Watts and Josh Davis ranked first in the nation in receptions per game (14.16), and TD receptions per game (2.25), and fifth in receiving yards per game (198.16).
• As quarterback coach in his first year (1999) on the Marshall staff, guided Heisman Trophy finalist Chad Pennington to a record setting senior season. Pennington set school records for pass efficiency (171.4) and completion percentage (68%), along with passing for 3,799 yards and 37 touchdowns.
• Offensive coordinator for two SEC Championships (1984, 1986) at LSU and a member of the Marshall staff that participated in three Mid-American Conference Championship games, winning two (1999 and 2000).
• Went to five straight bowl games (1985-89), including the 1985 and 1987 Sugar Bowls, while at LSU.

Playing Career

• A three-year starter at center for Middle Tennessee State.
• Won the team's Scholar-Athlete Award and later received the 1972 NCAA post-graduate award scholarship.

http://www.gatorzone.com/ronzook/im...unbrecher_1.jpghttp://www.gatorzone.com/ronzook/im...unbrecher_3.jpgProminent Players Coached

FLORIDA

• QB REX GROSSMAN - 2002 All-SEC Second-Team. Set school-records with 503 attempts and 287 completions in a season. 3,402 yards passing is the most ever by a UF junior and ranks third most in school-history. A first-round draft selection by the Chicago Bears in 2003.
• WR TAYLOR JACOBS - 2002 First Team All-SEC. His 6.45 catches per game ranks second best in school history. Finished with a record 71 receptions by a senior, third in school history. Ranks fifth in UF history with 98.9 receiving yards per game and seventh with 1,088 receiving yards in a season. Led the SEC and UF in receiving yards per game (98.9) and receptions per game (6.45). A second-round draft choice by the Washington Redskins in 2003.
• OG SHANNON SNELL - Sporting News first team All-American in 2003. Second team All-SEC selection in 2002. Started 36 games and played in 46 games in his career. A free agent signee by the Denver Broncos in 2004.
• OT MAX STARKS - First team All-SEC selection in 2003. Started 36 games at three different positions (LT, LG, RT) and played in 43 total games as a Gator. A third round choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2004 NFL Draft.
• TE BEN TROUPE - 2003 finalist for the John Mackey Award, Second team All-America selection, First team All-SEC selection in 2003, Became the first tight end to lead UF in touchdown receptions in 23 years, Led UF with 15 "Big Plays" in 2003, Led UF in both catches (39) and receiving yards (638) in 2003. Selected in the second round in 2004 by the Tennessee Titans.
• TE AARON WALKER - 2002 First Team All-SEC. 42 catches was most by a Gator TE since 1990 (Kirk Kirkpatrick in 1990). A fifth-round draftee by the San Francisco 49ers in 2003.

MARSHALL:

• QB BYRON LEFTWICH - 2001 Mid- American Conference Player of the Year. Averaged 30 touchdown passes and 3745 yards passing in both starting seasons with Zaunbrecher. In 2001, broke MAC season records for completions (315), passing yards (4,132) and total offense (4,224). Was the seventh overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• QB CHAD PENNINGTON - Won the Sammy Baugh Award as college football's top passer with 3,799 yards passing and 37 TDs in 1999. Heisman Trophy finalist also that year. Also a finalist for the Davey O'Brien and Johnny Unitas Awards. Set season school records in three categories in 1999: first downs (168), total offense (3,902 yards) and passing yards (3,799). First-round pick of the New York Jets in 2000.
• WR DARIUS WATTS - A second-team All-America by Football News, ABC Sports. Biletnikoff Award semifinalist in 2001. First-team All-MAC in 2001.

LOUISIANA-MONROE:

• WR MARTY BOOKER - Set school records with 75 receptions and 1,168 receiving yards during the 1998 season. Chosen in the third round by the Chicago Bears in 1999.
• DE STEVE FOLEY - Three-time All-Independent from 1995-97. Set school record for quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. Chosen in the third round of the 1998 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
• QB RAYMOND PHILYAW - School record holder for career touchdowns responsible for. Second in career passing yards (7,061) and third in career pass attempts (924) and completions (477).
• WR STEPFRET WILLIAMS - School record holder in career receiving yards (3,177), touchdown receptions (33) and 100-yard receiving games (16). Also set NLU records for touchdown receptions in a season (12), in a game (4) and receiving yards in a game (264). Chosen in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.

MICHIGAN STATE:

• QB JIM MILLER - All Big-Ten performer who ranked among the top Spartan quarterbacks in school history. Miller finished first in completions (629) and completion percentage (63%) and fourth in passing yards (5,037) and pass attempts (746). Chosen in the 6th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994 and starter for the Chicago Bears in 2001.
• LB ROB FREDRICKSON - Two-time All Big-Ten per-former. First round draft pick of the Los Angeles Raiders in 1994.
• LB REGGGIE GARNETT - Big-Ten Freshman of the Year.

LOUISIANA STATE:

• C NACHO ALBERGAMO - Two-time Academic All-American (1986-87). First-team All-American and All-SEC in 1987.
• WR WENDELL DAVIS - SEC MVP in 1987. First-team All-America (1986-87). Established SEC and school records for career receiving yards (2,708). Also set LSU records for receiving touchdowns and receptions. First round pick of the Chicago Bears in 1988.
• RB DALTON HILLIARD - First-team All-SEC in 1984 and 1985. Second round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1986. Uncle of former Gator receiver and first-round pick Ike Hilliard.
• QB TOMMY HODSON - All-SEC performer all four years at LSU (1986-89). Set 20 school records, including career pass completions (587), touchdown passes (69), passing yards (9,115) and pass attempts (1,163). The only 400-yard passer in LSU history. Set eight SEC records, including most passing yards in a career. SEC Freshman of the Year in 1986. Chosen in the third round by the New England Patriots in 1990.
• RB HARVEY WILLIAMS - Second-team All-SEC per-former in 1990. Eight 100-yard rushing games, including one 200-yard performance. First round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1991.

WAKE FOREST:

• TE PHIL DENFELD - All-ACC performer in 1981 and 1982. Led Demon Deacons in receptions in both the 1981 (51) and 1982 (42) seasons.
• QB JAY VENUTO - All-ACC performer in 1980. Led ACC in passing in 1980, with 2,623 yards and 21 touchdowns.
• WR KENNY DUCKETT - Finished Demon Deacon career second in career touchdown receptions with 19 and among the top three in career receptions with 108. Chosen in the third round by the New Orleans Saints in 1982.

PURDUE:

• QB MARK HERRMANN- All-Big Ten performer who finished his career tops among Boilermaker quarterbacks in passing yards (9,946) and touchdown passes (71). Chosen in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos in 1981.
• TE DAVE YOUNG - All Big-Ten in 1979. Finished Boilermaker career first in career touchdown receptions with 27. Second round pick of the New York Giants in 1981.

ARIZONA:

• OL BRIAN MURRAY - All-WAC selection in 1975.
• OL BILL SEGAL - All-WAC selection in 1976.

http://www.gatorzone.com/ronzook/im...unbrecher_2.jpgNFL Players (Round drafted)

OG Eric Andolsek (5th) -
LSU '88- Detroit Lions
DE Lionel Barnes (6th) -
Northeast Louisiana '99- St. Louis Rams
WR Marty Booker (3rd) -
Northeast Louisiana '99- Chicago Bears
RB Ran Carthon (FA) -
UF '04 - Indianapolis Colts
WR Wendell Davis (1st) -
LSU '88- Chicago Bears
CB Patrick Dennis (5th) -
Northeast Louisiana '00- Kansas City Chiefs
WR Kenny Duckett (3rd) -
Wake Forest '82-New Orleans Saints
DE Steve Foley (3rd) -
Northeast Louisiana '98- Cincinnati Bengals
LB Rob Fredrickson (1st) -
Michigan State '94- LA Raiders
RB Eddie Fuller (4th) -
LSU '90- Buffalo Bills
QB Rex Grossman (1st)-
UF '03- Chicago Bears
TE Ronnie Haliburton (4th) -
LSU '90- Denver Broncos
LB Ty Hallock (7th) -
Michigan State '93- Detroit Lions
QB Mark Herrmann (4th) -
Purdue '81-Denver Broncos
RB Dalton Hilliard (2nd) -
LSU '86- New Orleans Saints
QB Tommy Hodson (3rd) -
LSU '90- New England Patriots
WR Taylor Jacobs (2nd)-
UF '03- Washington Redskins
RB Garry James (2nd) -
LSU '86- Detroit Lions
WR Kelvin Kight (FA) -
UF '04 - St. Louis Rams
TE Brian Kinchen (12th) -
LSU '88- Miami Dolphins
DT Shawn King (2nd) -
Northeast Louisiana '95- Carolina Panthers
QB Byron Leftwich (1st)-
Marshall '03- Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Rogie Magee (9th) -
LSU '88- Chicago Bears
WR Eric Martin (7th) -
LSU '85- New Orleans Saints
WR Sam Martin (4th) -
LSU '88- New England Patriots
C Blake Miller (7th) -
LSU '91- New England Patriots
QB Jim Miller (6th) -
Michigan State '94- Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Tony Moss - (4th) -
LSU '90- Chicago Bears
OT Ralph Norwood (2nd) -
LSU '89- Atlanta Falcons
QB Chad Pennington (1st) -
Marshall '00- New York Jets
WR Carlos Perez (FA) -
UF '04 - Philadelphia Eagles
FB John Skibinski (6th) -
Purdue '78- Chicago Bears
OT Lance Smith (3rd) -
LSU '85- St. Louis Cardinals
OG Shannon Snell (FA) -
UF '04 - Denver Broncos
OT Max Starks (3rd) -
UF '04 - Pittsburgh Steelers
TE Ben Troupe (2nd) -
UF '04 - Tennessee Titans
TE Aaron Walker (5th)-
UF '03- San Francisco 49ers
WR Slip Watkins (11th) -
LSU '91- Detroit Lions
QB Jeff Wickersham (10th) -
LSU '86- Miami Dolphins
RB Harvey Williams (1st) -
LSU '91- Kansas City Chiefs
WR Stepfret Williams (3rd) -
Northeast Louisiana '96-Dallas Cowboys
TE Dave Young (2nd) -
Purdue '81- New York Giants

http://www.gatorzone.com/ronzook/im...unbrecher_5.jpgPersonal Information

Birthdate: March 1, 1950
Hometown: Rayne, La.
Education: 1972 - B.S. in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State; 1974 - Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Arizona
Marital Status: Married to the former Bobbi McKinney
Children: Ann Lindsay (23), Emily (19) and Zach (16)

http://www.gatorzone.com/ronzook/im...unbrecher_4.jpgBowl Games as a Coach/Player1978Peach1979BlueBonnet1985Sugar1985Liberty1987Sug ar1987Gator1989Hall of Fame1993Liberty1999Motor City2000Motor City2001GMAC2003Outback2004Outback

[Designated Hitter]

I do hope Tim Rose stays on as our DC. I like some of his defensive schemes. He just needs some decent TALENT on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the defensive backfield.

It's really amazing that we had such poor tacklers and poor DB's on the defensive side of the ball.

HD

HD, I agree with your assessment on defensive talent needs. However, I don't think Rose has worked long for anyone in his past....moves around a lot is my perception and this was just a stop when he was unemployed. Even if Rose stayed, it would probably only be for 1 more year at most.