Obviously, the job had a special place in Ellerson’s heart.
According to Army’s news release, while at Arizona, Ellerson “assisted then-Army head coach Bob Sutton in installing his ‘Desert Swarm’ defense at West Point.”
And Army athletic director Kevin Anderson said he’d “expressed strong interest in this position when it has been open in the past.”
The Tribune also reported Cone expects “much of the current coaching staff” to accompany Ellerson — an exodus Cal Poly senior-to-be linebacker Carlton Gillespie told the newspaper he foresees, as well.
If indeed Cal Poly chooses to go with an outside candidate in light of such a development, who could it be? And who would make the most sense?
Ellerson addresses the media at a Cal Poly news conference Sept. 17, 2007. — Mustang Daily file photo by Graig Mantle
Some speculated possibilities from Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) and NFL programs include, in no particular order:
Dave Fipp — San Francisco 49ers special teams assistant — played for Ellerson at Arizona from 1994-95 and in 1997; coached defensive backs at Cal Poly in 2001; elevated to defensive coordinator from 2002-03
Jeff Hammerschmidt — Arizona special teams coordinator/defensive ends assistant; coached under Ellerson at Arizona as a graduate assistant in 1992, safeties coach in 1993 and defensive backs coach from 1994-95, at Southern Utah as a defensive coordinator in 1996 and at Cal Poly as a linebackers coach in 2005
Joe Seumalo — Oregon State defensive line assistant — played under Ellerson at Hawaii from 1987-88; coached at Cal Poly as a defensive line assistant from 2001-04
David Brown — Ohio cornerbacks assistant — played at Cal Poly from 1994-95; came back as a linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator from 2001-03 and was the Mustangs defensive coordinator and secondary coach from 2004-05
Joe DuPaix — Navy slotbacks assistant — played for Ellerson at Southern Utah in 1996; was Cal Poly’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2001 to 2007
Duane Akina — Texas assistant head coach/defensive backs assistant — coached with Ellerson at Hawaii from 1981-83, with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 1986 and at Arizona from 1992-95 and 1997-2000; son Keoni played at Cal Poly from 2005-07
LeCharls McDaniel — San Diego State receivers assistant — was a cornerback on Cal Poly’s 1980 Division II national championship team and inducted into Cal Poly Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002; special teams and secondary coach at Cal Poly in 1992
Jeff Jordan — Butte College head coach — Granted, the competition level would be a huge step up, but he might make an interesting assistant. He played for Cal Poly from 1989-91 and returned as a defensive assistant in 1992. In 2008, Jordan was named the 2008 American Community College Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year after leading Butte to a 12-0 mark and a national title. When current Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers played for Butte, Jordan was his quarterbacks coach.
Brian Stewart — Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator — Stewart, who coached Cal Poly’s receivers in 1993 and running backs in 1994, must have been instrumental in the Cowboys taking Mustangs safety Courtney Brown in the seventh round of the 2007 draft. He’s a California native. Perhaps the constant circus in Dallas would make someone want to leave, if Jerry Jones doesn’t overhaul the staff, anyway. Crazier things have happened … or could happen … such as …
Mike Martz — San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator — Why? Well, he may not be a 49er much longer. And he’s already tried his luck at several stops in the NFL in recent years, changing on a seemingly annual basis. Martz, a Fresno State graduate, played at UC Santa Barbara before the school dropped football in 1971, and his nephew Tynan Murray plays for Cal Poly. Hey, if Jerry Glanville can find a home at Portland State, anything is possible, right?
Who do you think would be a good fit? Or would it be best to hire from within the program?
