When it comes to receivers coaches, Campbell a catch
Erik Campbell, Iowa
Go ahead, take your shots at Michigan. But when Lloyd Carr left, some fairly talented coaches were scattered to the four winds. Hawkeyes everywhere should be thanking their chosen deity that one of those gems landed in Iowa City.
Do the names Braylon Edwards, Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington, Amani Toomer, Steve Breaston and David Terrell ring a bell? Those are receivers Campbell coached during his 13 seasons at Michigan. There were more -- so many that Michigan (and Campbell) produced a 1,000 receiver eight consecutive seasons from 1998-2005. During that time, Edwards became the first Big 10 player to post three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Yes, Michigan attracted some freakishly good receivers during Campbell's time at Michigan. But they also got better after getting there. God knows Iowa could use Campbell's talents. The program has fallen into the second division of the Big Ten and coach Kirk Ferentz is under fire. The Hawkeyes haven't had so much as a 500-yard receiver since 2006.
"We don't believe in balls on the ground,"
Campbell said. "We don't want balls dropped. We want every ball caught and you have to make every play."
That would be a change at Iowa.
Five others to consider:
Billy Gonzales, Florida: Four words: Percy Harvin, national championship. Not too bad for Gonzales in his first three seasons at Florida. One was the 2006 SEC Freshman of the Year. The other is what Florida is playing for every year. Deonte Thompson, a 2007 signee, should make things even tougher for opponents.
Darrell Hazell, Ohio State: Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez, Brian Robiskie, Ray Small. Some coaches go an entire career without having that kind of talent. Hazell has had those four in his four years as Ohio State receivers coach.
Andy Hill, Missouri: Through two head coaches and 12 seasons, Hill has hung around long enough to be a part of a major turnaround in Missouri fortunes. Last year, he coached All-American Jeremy Maclin and NFL draft picks Will Franklin and Martin Rucker. Hill, a former walk-on receiver for the Tigers, went on to be part of three bowl teams at Missouri as a player. His receivers helped Mizzou qualify for three consecutive bowls for the first time since the early 1980s.
Ron Lee, Hawaii Lee moves up to offensive coordinator this season but for the past nine years, he has coached some of the most productive receivers in the country. From Ashley Lelie to Chad Owens to Ryan Grice-Mullen to Davone Bess, Lee has cranked out pass catchers and NFL prospects. The top receivers in the program's history have played under Lee.
Paul Petrino, Arkansas: This is a fudge because Bobby Petrino's brother also is the Hogs new offensive coordinator. But for the past five years, he also had responsibility for the receivers at Louisville and the Atlanta Falcons. We don't have to tell you how productive Louisville has been. Joshua Tinch and Harry Douglas were All-Big East performers at Louisville under Paul Petrino's watch.
