Shortly after Mike Breske was fired as defensive coordinator on Nov. 30, athletic director Bill Moos said he expected a short and quick search for WSU's new defensive coordinator. Now, nearly a month later, the search continues. Maybe the Cougars are still waiting on their guy to coach in a bowl game, or maybe they are having trouble filling the spot. Regardless, one thing is for sure; it could be worse.
If you need proof, look no further than the Utah Utes. Oregon State poached defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake last week. Now, word comes that offensive coordinator is leaving to become the offensive line coach at Texas A&M. Christensen's departure comes after just one season with Utah and with two years at $500,000 left on his contract. Replacing both coordinators, especially when neither is fired, is a rough offseason.
At least the Utes have experience changing coordinators. With Christensen gone, Utah will bring in an eighth offensive coordinator in eight seasons. The turnover is almost incredible. The Salt Lake Tribune broke it down:
In 2015, the Utes will have had a different offensive coordinator than the previous season for an eighth straight time: Dave Schramm succeeded Andy Ludwig after Utah's Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama in 2009 (and went 54th in total offense), followed by Aaron Roderick and Schramm in 2010 (52nd), Norm Chow in 2011 (109th), Johnson in 2012 (108th), Johnson and Erickson in 2013 (76th), and Christensen in 2014 (74th).
A month-long search for a defensive coordinator isn't ideal, but at least WSU isn't losing coaches left and right to lateral moves or steps down.
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