[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”3249″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]We spend a lot of time shedding ink on head coaching and coordinator hirings every year during the coaching carousel, and rightfully so. As with any organization, success is going to start at the top. But the truth is that players spend far more time on a day-to-day basis with their position coaches (not to mention strength and conditioning coaches). So while they may go under the radar as hirings, there are a couple of schools that have done a fantastic job getting outstanding position coaches this offseason.
Bob Bostad, OL, Wisconsin
The leader of some of the best offensive lines in Wisconsin history, Bostad returns to his former job after a stint in the NFL and for the past five seasons as the Badgers’ inside linebackers coach. He’s developed talent on both sides of the ball, but his bread and butter is offensive line. Bostad takes over a unit that has disappointed over the past couple of seasons under now Virginia Tech OL coach Joe Rudolph.
Keary Colbert, WR, Florida
Colbert spent the last six seasons at USC where he developed guys like Drake London, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyler Vaughns, Michael Pittman, and more. He’ll help bring a physicality to the receiver room that just wasn’t there under the last staff, and that’s key in Billy Napier’s offense. He’s got his work cut out for him in Gainesville, as they don’t have a ton of guys returning outside of Justin Shorter and the talent level brought in during the Dan Mullen regime just wasn’t up to snuff.
Harry Hiestand, Notre Dame OL
After a couple of years in the pros with the Chicago Bears, Hiestand returns to South Bend where he had a huge run of success. He was the guy who developed some of the best linemen to ever come through Notre Dame, including Quentin Nelson, Zach Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Nick Martin, Mike McGlinchey, and more. This was a fantastic hire by Marcus Freeman – Hiestand knows the school and will bring the Irish’s offensive line back to the top of the college game.
Kiel McDonald, RB, USC
McDonald has been one of the best running backs coaches in the country for the past five seasons at Utah, where he’s routinely churned out 1,000-yard backs despite injuries and the tragic death of 2020 Pac-12 freshman of the year Ty Jordan last offseason. The addition of McDonald also hurts one of the Trojans’ biggest competitors in the Pac-12 South, which is an added bonus.
Alex Mirabel, OL, Miami
This was the most predictable coaching move of the offseason once Mario Cristobal was hired by the Hurricanes. Mirabel and Cristobal have been extremely close since high school, and they’ve stuck together as coaches for years. Despite his small stature, Mirabel is a monster of a coach, building up guys like Penei Sewell to become top-10 draft picks. Another South Florida native, Mirabel will be key to re-establishing the Hurricanes’ recruiting in the “State of Miami.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
