WVU Assistant Mike Smith to return to NY Jets.

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WVU Assistant Mike Smith Decides to Return to Jets

Posted: Feb 02, 2012 12:44 PM EST <noscript></noscript><!--END wnDate-->Posted by Geoff Coyle - email<!--END WNStoryHeader--> <!--END WNStoryRelatedBox-->MORGANTOWN -

West Virginia's coaching search just took another twist as Dana Holgorsen looks to complete his staff.

Recently hired assistant Mike Smith has decided to return to the New York Jets rather than continue with the plan to join Holgorsen at WVU.

In a document obtained earlier this week, West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck offered Smith the position of "Assistant Football Coach at West Virginia University."

The document was dated Jan. 20, 2012 and would "serve as a contractual agreement between you [Smith] and the University."

Smith's annualized base salary was listed at $250,000 and both Luck and Smith signed the three-page document.

However, the New York Daily News is reporting that the job responsibility wasn't what Smith initially believed it would be, so he decided to return to coach outside linebackers with Rex Ryan's staff in New York.

A brief release from WVU came out Thursday afternoon announcing Smith's decision.

When asked if there was a projected completion date for the staff on Wednesday, newly-hired defensive coordinator Joe DeForest said he could not answer the question.

Ok this is not being ran the right way..IMO...this will be the first thing DH has done that I really don't agree with...he pushed/agreed to let casteel go to bring in his own guys and we still don't have a staff.  Not sure what is going on here, but this needs to be fixed.

I wonder what is going on with the search for defensive coaches, looks like everyone they talk to is being promised the coordinator job. Are guys not wanting to be second fiddle to the offense?  This should have all been ironed out weeks ago, Holgorsen knew well before we did that Casteel was leaving, he had to have some ideas on replacements.

Dad, how do you know all these men have been promised the coordinator position?  I doubt coach Holgerson is so bush league that he would attempt to bring in coaches on such a promise if he did not intend to make it happen.  I am not happy with the way this has been dragged out, but I do not believe it has anything to do with promises that can not be carried out.  Being second fiddle to the offense......surely you don't really think these coaches think about this when they make their choice of where they want to coach.  Most teams are stronger in one area than the other, either offense or defense.  And these coaches take jobs to do the best they can do on their side of the ball.

VAEER,  I have seen MANY reports on here as well as on media sites that say that the latest hire is to be the coordinator, they said the guy from Houston was to be a co, they said the guy from OKST was to be a co, they said the guy from the jets was to be a co.    I do not think that the coaching search has been handled well,  either Holgorsen is making too many demands , or he is not wanting to commit to a single guy. Look at some of the articles that have been posted here, they all are saying that the latest name to pop up has been promised a co coordinator job. I hope this gets handled soon,  the remaining coaches have done a good job keeping the class together, but someone needs to be the face of the defense.

Being second fiddle to the offense......surely you don't really think these coaches think about this when they make their choice of where they want to coach. 

Do YOU think they don't,   If you are a defensive coach, would you want to go work for a head coach who does not care about defense?  They most certainly do look at the philosophy of the head coach before signing on, AND they want a clear view of what their role will be.      

If you are a defensive coach, would you want to go work for a head coach who does not care about defense?v

didnt seem to concern Casteel under RR

Do YOU think they don't,   If you are a defensive coach, would you want to go work for a head coach who does not care about defense?  They most certainly do look at the philosophy of the head coach before signing on, AND they want a clear view of what their role will be.  

They must not...look at Casteel? He knows exactly what his role will be yet he still went to work for a HC obviously only worried about his offense...look at him when he was he Casteel got the rejects from offense.

I do not like the way DH is handling this, but to me he comes off as a smart enough guy to know he just can't be focused on his offense....we picked up a lot of decent talent for the D this offseason, don't think it went one way or the other.

And you are making the assumption that DH doesnt care about the defensive side of the ball..

Hard for me to see that when 13 of our current signed recruiting class is from the D side of the football

and our first commit for the 2013 class is from the D side

I think there is shift in philosophy and DH definitely has his thumb on what he wants the defense to be.. he understands the pass first Big 12 and seems to building a defense to counter that

I'm a lil frustrated with the time it's taking too but to their credit the first commit is a defensive guy and looks like a good one and yet still no complete staff so.... Definitely don't want a hasty decision, we have sucked those eggs before.

Good point rusher...the staff did hold together a pretty good class without the DC and your right they have a defensive guy in the mix for next year. 

I don't like the way it has gone, but like I said earlier I think DH is set on building a team and not just a offense....really excited to see what kind of talent we bring in next season.

they have a defensive guy in the mix for next year.

Not just any defensive guy a special defensive guy.. this kid had offers from huge programs alread and will be a great get if we can keep him in the fold to sign next year
 

really excited to see what kind of talent we bring in next season

See above

didnt seem to concern Casteel under RR     

I think Casteel wanted to leave WVU as a way toward a head coaching gig, to show that he was willing to leave,  he knows Fraud will let him run his defense, there is probably a comfort level there.  I have read that Casteel and Holgorsen did not see eye to eye and a parting of the ways was going to happen anyway.   The fact that Mike Smith came here, then returned to NY says that there is something going wrong in finding the defensive coaches. 

I think Casteel wanted to leave WVU as a way toward a head coaching gig, to show that he was willing to leave, 

B.S. not calling you out Dad, cause I heard this from some other sites, but if someone wants to see if you will leave for a head coaching job, they offer you a head coaching job....what is he going to walk into interviews saying look I left to do the same job at Arizona now I am ready to be a head coach.  My opinion is he is not head coaching material or with the numbers he has put up as an assistant someone would have offered him a job by now.  My opinion Casteel made this move in the name of loyalty, but it might turn into stupidity...not knocking him as a coach, did great things here, but I do not think this move was motivated by the factors that usually come with making a good decision, especially in the coaching ranks.  All opinion based.....

 I have read that Casteel and Holgorsen did not see eye to eye and a parting of the ways was going to happen anyway.

 Now if this is true, then someone really needs to find out what the plan is....knowing that Casteel was leaving seems like you would have been prepared to bring in a staff right after the bowl game with a clear idea of what each one of them would be doing.  This situation disappoints me a bit, but DH has not even been a HC a full year so this is part of his learning curve

The fact that Mike Smith came here, then returned to NY says that there is something going wrong in finding the defensive coaches

You are way off on this one.. Tony Caridi just stated on Statewide Sportsline that Smith return to the Jets because they offered him a position at 400k per year for 3 years... WVU could not match it.

Smith was an Intern with the Jets before and then they offered him the above terms... he couldnt pass it up..

Sorry to have burst your bubble

The fact that Mike Smith came here, then returned to NY says that there is something going wrong in finding the defensive coaches.

Not only did the Jets comeback with more money and time but our offer DID NOT include Co-Defensive Coordinator in our contract offer. 

Please get your facts straight if you are going to be casting stones at Holgorsen. 

Do YOU think they don't,   If you are a defensive coach, would you want to go work for a head coach who does not care about defense?  They most certainly do look at the philosophy of the head coach before signing on, AND they want a clear view of what their role will be.

So now you think Holgorsen doesn't care about defense?  That is one foolish statement and assumption to just "throw" out there as fact. 

I now put you officially in the "Jack Wagon" category (Clueless).

Sorry to have burst your bubble     

You did NOT burst any bubble, my friend, this defensive coordinator search is going bad, and no amount of your spin will change that.  We have read numerous names that were on the way to WVU, only to see those guys end up somewhere else, we have read more that just one or two names as DC, or CO DC, that fell through, Smith was hired, then left.  

vthis defensive coordinator search is going bad,

Why because it is taking longer than you or anyone else expects? ... Now Im sure you will come back with one of your canned responses as it makes us look bad to the fine people of Columbus and in the realm of public opinion but the fact is I havent seen one defensive kid flip or decommit and lis the reason as the D Coordinator search.

I believe we lost two kids who flipped on us on signing day and one was from the D side and one was from the O side.. 

 and no amount of your spin will change that.

Hey spin doctor.. please find where I have stated anything but facts.. it is you that have thrown out and led to speculation that there just has to be something wrong that no defensive coaches want the job... when I provided you a fact stated by the head guy over at Statewide Sportsline and the play by play guy of the Mountaineers and you dismiss it as spin. 

We have read numerous names that were on the way to WVU, only to see those guys end up somewhere else, we have read more that just one or two names as DC, or CO DC, that fell through,

Where have you or I or anyone else in that matter read these names... Yep thats right message boards or blogs... Where Ill admit.. I myself have thrown a couple of names against the wall.. I looked at the situation and tried to figure out who I thought would be the D coord... Please show me anywhere that WVU released a name of who was going to be D Coord... Please show me anywhere that it was reported in a reputable news info source as to who was going to be the D Coord.... 

All you have seen is what all the rest of us have seen conjecture and speculation...

Smith was hired, then left.

First fact you have posted as to this situation yet.. but what you omit and ignore is as to why he left...

You want to make it as a big default in the program as to Smith arrived and seen there was no concern to defense and got the heck out of dodge... 

When in reality he was offered a position coach title and a contract worth 1.2 million over three years with his previous position.. WVU wasnt going to pay him that amount so he went back.  Its that plain and simple

Your assumption that DH doesnt care about D holds no water and Ill give this stat to you for a second time as proof... 13 of our commits this year came from the D side of the ball that is over or just at half the class

DH is bringing in quality assistants ( as proof Ill give you the quote from the recent K/P commit when ask why he chose WV over the other offers he received..he named DeForrest reputation as one of the finest ST Coaches in the land )

Just because he isnt doing it at the pace that you, I  or anyone else prefers doesnt mean its not being handled correctly

Oh and if you want to talk obsessions... cause we all know its coming..

I find it funny that DC and Mounties Rule both took opposing views to your opinion but it was my post that chose to respond to....

Our ace in the hole is Dunlap IMO,as far as credentials for a DC he has that covered, add JoD and his Emphasis on special teams and creating turnovers on defense and we have a strong foundation for a good staff, add in a great recruiting guy or two to get the athletes we will need to be able to play in space and we will be fine, especially when you consider what this offense is supposed to do. I don't have the rankings ect.. But seems that Dunlap had his fair share of good defenses through the years, and a few special groups that I would have liked to have had an offense to back them up.