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First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:13 pm
by BGSUFanatic7
Mike Bajakian (OC, Tennessee) is the first name that BG has a confirmed interest in. It has been hitting the twittersphere very hard this morning.

Not only did he have the same position as Clawson at Tennessee, but he also attended the same college, Williams (Not sure if they attended together). He was the OC at Central Michigan from 2007-2009, the Dan LeFevour years. He then followed Butch Jones to Cincinnati, and served as the OC from 2010-2012 before moving with Butch again to Tennessee. From what I've read, he runs an up-tempo, no huddle offense. This intrigues me given how potent our offense should be next year. Bajakian also was the WR's coach for the Chicago Bears from 2004-2006 and was the QB coach at Michigan from 2000-2001. He's also served as the QB coach, as most coaches do, at his various gigs as OC at Tennessee, Cincinnati and Central Michigan. Obviously has worked with some good QB's in LeFevour and Tyler Brey, this excites me about the potential and development of Matt Johnson as well.

LINKS:
Tennessee's SB Nation site: http://www.rockytoptalk.com/2013/12/10/ ... ling-green

VolNation.com thread: http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennesse ... akian.html

Coaching search's post: http://coachingsearch.com/coaching-search-ticker

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:25 pm
by slashba33
He seems like a viable candidate for us. I think someone who has had SOME head coaching experience would be nice or at a minimum has coached both offense and defense in their careers. With the talent that we have coming back, we need to make a solid hire and not rushing to make the quick hire.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:26 pm
by hammb
Interesting candidate. Fan of the offensive philosophy.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:27 pm
by MarkL
UC was fun to watch under Jones. Even in his first year when they went 4-8, the O was a blast. They had a shootout win over Rutgers that probably set half of the current game offensive records.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:28 pm
by OSUFALCON
This appears to be a very good candidate. Good experience in the Midwest.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:29 pm
by mscarn
BGSUFanatic7 wrote: Bajakian also was the WR's coach for the Chicago Bears from 2004-2006
Coaching offense under Lovie Smith is like advocating for nuclear disarmament inside North Korea. Pass.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:45 pm
by kdog27
I like this guy and Durkin the most so far.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:48 pm
by Globetrotter
yeah this guy seems ok. You can see an interview of him http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl ... 32301.html

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 3:15 pm
by Flipper
mscarn wrote:
BGSUFanatic7 wrote: Bajakian also was the WR's coach for the Chicago Bears from 2004-2006
Coaching offense under Lovie Smith is like advocating for nuclear disarmament inside North Korea. Pass.
That's a really myopic view of his resume...are you Mike Elko's dad or something?

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 3:18 pm
by Falcon137
I know most of us like Clawson and are happy for him. But, this line made me chuckle from SBNation's link.

"Dave Clawson, the gift that keeps on giving."

I always forget how much, UT fans hate him.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:19 pm
by Warthog
If Bajakian gets the job, seems likely that Azziani could come along as the OC and former Falcon and also UT assistant Derrick Lett takes over the WRs.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:52 pm
by BGSUFanatic7
Warthog wrote:If Bajakian gets the job, seems likely that Azziani could come along as the OC and former Falcon and also UT assistant Derrick Lett takes over the WRs.
+500000.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 10:08 pm
by daspollak
Warthog wrote:If Bajakian gets the job, seems likely that Azziani could come along as the OC and former Falcon and also UT assistant Derrick Lett takes over the WRs.
Azziani would probably get the bump to OC at UT.

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:50 am
by orangeandbrown
One caveat, the items that come up on those coaching rumor websites are not necessarily "confirmed"

Re: First Confirmed Candidate

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:17 am
by Flipper
True...sometimes guys float a rumor about a job because they want to stir the pot and work their own little agenda. I would think the real names will be out...and Bajakian and Durkin might be among them...in a couple or three days.