New OC - Kevin Barbay

[mike87]

Just go 1-0 in the next game coach.

[asu66]

Not sure this fine gentleman has stayed anywhere longer than 2-3 years. I get vibes of a steppin' stone type. Then again, if he's successful and stays with us for 2-3 years, it might set some kind of record for our program (this century to date) given that we didn't exactly have a designated OC 'til Satt returned to the program from FIU.

I am still trying to figure out Clark's connection to Barbay, but I think it's more of knowing the name as a top up and comer.

I was also, but I stumbled into the answer on appstatesports.com...

"Barbay made his debut as a college offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Stephen F. Austin in 2018, after he and current App State assistant Mark DeBastiani worked together at Florida on McElwain's staff for three seasons from 2015-17."

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Not sure this fine gentleman has stayed anywhere longer than 2-3 years. I get vibes of a steppin' stone type. Then again, if he's successful and stays with us for 2-3 years, it might set some kind of record for our program (this century to date) given that we didn't exactly have a designated OC 'til Satt returned to the program from FIU.

I am still trying to figure out Clark's connection to Barbay, but I think it's more of knowing the name as a top up and comer.

I was also, but I stumbled into the answer on appstatesports.com...

"Barbay made his debut as a college offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Stephen F. Austin in 2018, after he and current App State assistant Mark DeBastiani worked together at Florida on McElwain's staff for three seasons from 2015-17."

That’s a pretty solid referral.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Should we be checking out CM’s Oline coach?

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Should we be checking out CM’s Oline coach?

Never mind, he already left for Cincinnati

[Stonewall]

His former boss wanted our HC job at one point if I remember correctly.

[AtlAppMan]

On the 2-3 year duration for Barbay, I saw somewhere recently that they counted about 62 OC changes this year. If that is near average then you figure across the board the OC roles are flipping every 2-3 years so I would assume that is similar for other assistant coaching roles. That is just the nature of the beast in college football coaching now. Let's get 3 good years out of him and hope he knocks it out of the park for our offense. He looks good on paper.

[AppStateNews]

Not sure this fine gentleman has stayed anywhere longer than 2-3 years. I get vibes of a steppin' stone type. Then again, if he's successful and stays with us for 2-3 years, it might set some kind of record for our program (this century to date) given that we didn't exactly have a designated OC 'til Satt returned to the program from FIU.

I am still trying to figure out Clark's connection to Barbay, but I think it's more of knowing the name as a top up and comer.

I was also, but I stumbled into the answer on appstatesports.com...

"Barbay made his debut as a college offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Stephen F. Austin in 2018, after he and current App State assistant Mark DeBastiani worked together at Florida on McElwain's staff for three seasons from 2015-17."

Yup! Sounds like Clark liked the resume, did research, and saw DeBas worked with him. He asked DeBas about Barbay and DeBas said something along the lines of "we need him here tomorrow!"

[jjapp2013]

Also worth noting, connection wise: McElwain was at Louisville when Clark was a GA there. They’ve known each other a good while.

[asu66]

Also worth noting, connection wise: McElwain was at Louisville when Clark was a GA there. They’ve known each other a good while.

Speaking of those connections, here's another set of events that either directly or indirectly connect the four coaches we've been reading about today.

After McElwain accepted the HC position at Central Michigan in 2019, he hired one of his former staffers at Florida, Mark DeBastiani, to coach linebackers at CMU. DeBastiani helped the Chippewas to the second-biggest turnaround in college football with a seven-win improvement from the previous year. CMU finished 8-6 after earning berths to the MAC championship game and the New Mexico Bowl. CMU's rushing defense ranked top 25 in the country and the Chippewas led the MAC and were eighth-best in the nation with 7.9 tackles for loss per outing. McElwain also hired another of his Florida staffers, Barbay, as his assoc. HC and wide receivers coach that season.

Guess where DeBastiani coached the following season--2020? "It's a small world after all."

[Cro-Magnon App]

Using a school as a stepping stone is fine. Indicates that the coach has had success and is good enough to move on up.

[sixtoes9134]

I watched the Chippewahs play a couple times this past year, I liked what I saw with their offense.

[AtlAppMan]

I watched the Chippewahs play a couple times this past year, I liked what I saw with their offense.

Did you see some different wrinkles you would like to use at App?

Can you provide some context? I would like to hear more of takeaway.

One of the points I have said many times is that when I watch other successful OC's at college and professional level play call, they are not afraid to adjust during the game to go with what works rather than force things that don't work (against that opponent). I know you have to go into game with a game plan and you want to impose your will on the opponent. However, you have to find a way to exploit the the other team on that day because they did the same planning to oppose you.

For example, in the Super Bowl, LA went with Kupp on that last drive all the way to the end zone. The announcers said, that TD play call proved that coach trusted his QB and WR more than running when on the goal line.