Eight days ago, Bowling Green athletic director Paul Krebs expressed his goal of keeping continuity within the football program here.
Yesterday, he took a large step toward accomplishing that goal, promoting offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon to head coach just a week after Urban Meyer stepped down from the position.
Brandon is the 16th coach in school history.
“We wanted to maintain as much continuity and stability as we could,” Krebs said. “We talked about the dynamic offense we have run in the past years, and that is an integral part of who we are. That was a key in what we were looking for. We also looked for someone who is an effective recruiter, believes in the value of an education, is a proven winner, and who is willing to be active and involved in our community.
“It was a brief but expansive search,” Krebs continued. “We talked to a number of candidates, and we were excited about the interest in the program.”
Meyer told Krebs last Tuesday he was leaving to take the job at the University of Utah, after just two years in town. Brandon, who Meyer hired away from the University of Colorado to coordinate his offense when he arrived two years ago, has been in the collegiate coaching ranks since 1981, when he coached at Weber State.
He has since coached receivers and been the recruiting coordinator at Northwestern University, and coached receivers, passing and been the recruiting coordinator at Colorado as well.
Brandon announced offensive line coach Greg Studrawa would be the team’s new offensive coordinator, as well. Studrawa had followed Meyer to Utah, but was concerned about the state of the program when he left.
“Urban and I talked about the state of the program last week,” Studrawa said. “We were both concerned with the program. … This is always going to be my program. When Gregg said he was going to get the job, I was relieved that we had a guy who cares about these kids.”
Brandon’s offense led the nation in scoring for much of the 2002 season, and finished the season ranked third in the country in scoring (40.8) and eighth in total offense (448.9).
“I have to thank this football team,” Brandon said. “When Urban stepped down, I was in my office, and these guys came up and asked me what was I going to do. I said, ‘Well, I’m going to apply for the head coaching job here, and if that doesn’t work out, I’m going to Utah.’
“Before I could get Utah out of my mouth, they walked out of my office and went into Mr. Krebs’ office and said we want you to hire Coach Brandon.”
Brandon said that his performance under pressure over the last two years helped him show Krebs he was the man for the job.
“In the interview process, you go out and usually see everyone’s ‘A’ game,” Brandon said. “You don’t see them under pressure, you don’t see them when the bullets are flying, you dont see them facing adversity. He’s [Krebs] seen me in those situations.”
Brandon said continuing on the recruting trail and continuing to assemble a staff are critical for him in the early stages. He has already retained Studrawa, secondary and special teams coach Tommie Thigpen, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator John Bowers and defensive line coach Mike Ward. Strength and conditioning coach Aaron Hillman will also stay.
