Top Assistant Coaches on the College Football Recruiting Trail
No head coach becomes a college football champion alone. Title runs rely on the collaborative effort of an organized support staff featuring assistants who contribute in a variety of roles.
Game-day preparation is an obvious part of the process, as position coaches focus on developing key pieces of a complete team. Efforts to ensure those meeting rooms are filled with premier players demand a year-round recruiting approach.
While a head coach ultimately steps to the podium on national signing day, it's often his assistants logging extensive miles for scouting purposes and maintaining communication with targeted prospects. Here's a look at some of the best in the business when it comes to building a roster and making their bosses look good in February.
USC Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Tee Martin
1 of 10
There was a time when Tee Martin was known as the Tennessee quarterback who replaced Peyton Manning and led the Volunteers to a national title. While he'll always be a hero in Knoxville, the former professional passer continues to carve out a place among America's premier assistant coaches.
Martin entered the FBS ranks in 2009 as quarterbacks coach at New Mexico before moving on to coach wide receivers at Kentucky. He debuted on the USC sidelines in 2012, mentoring eventual NFL wide receivers such as Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, one of Martin's most highly rated recruiting targets, has shown the skills to potentially surpass that group when it comes to NFL draft status. His other 5-star signees include cornerback Adoree' Jackson, defensive end Oluwole Betiku, cornerback Iman Marshall and cornerback Jack Jones.
Martin managed to bring in arguably college football's finest receiver recruiting class in 2016, landing four of the top 30 prospects at the position. He was promoted to Trojans offensive coordinator following the official hiring of head coach Clay Helton.
"He broke everything down in detail for me, from what they do in practice to how things happen in games and where I would fit in," 4-star 2016 receiver signee Josh Imatorbhebhe told B/R. "Coach Martin trained Sammy Watkins and Calvin Johnson when they were preparing for the NFL combine, so obviously that's pretty big time."
Alabama Offensive Tackles/Tight Ends Coach Mario Cristobal
2 of 10
Mario Cristobal's career background includes stints in the Northeast (Rutgers) and Southeast (Miami and Florida International), so Alabama often relies on him to handle business in these regions.
He was an instrumental part of the recruiting process for recent Sunshine State prospects such as 5-star receiver Calvin Ridley, 4-star offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood and 4-star linebacker VanDarius Cowan. Cristobal also operated as the primary recruiter for 5-star New Jersey defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who made an immediate impact in Tuscaloosa, and he's currently chasing 5-star Brooklyn, New York, offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson.
No program in America has enjoyed more success stashing talent along the offensive front than Alabama. Cristobal, who joined the program in 2013 and currently carries the role of recruiting coordinator, has helped head coach Nick Saban sign 13 offensive linemen labeled 4-star or 5-star recruits in composite rankings.
Cristobal, who won a pair of national championships as a player at Miami, led Florida International to bowl games out of the Sun Belt Conference in 2010 and 2011. He spent six seasons as head coach of the Golden Panthers.
Clemson Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Jeff Scott
3 of 10
When surveying the current college football scene to designate one school as "Wide Receiver U," it's difficult to look past Clemson. That's a testament to the work of Jeff Scott, who has helped produce eventual NFL standouts like Sammy Watkins (Buffalo Bills), Martavis Bryant (Pittsburgh Steelers) and DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans).
He could soon add to that total of NFL talent with more recent recruits, including Artavis Scott and Mike Williams. Scott, a former Clemson receiver himself, helped lure the Tampa Bay tandem of Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud to campus last year, and both contributed as true freshmen.
His efforts to replenish an explosive Tigers offensive attack aided the signings of 2016 standouts such as No. 1 all-purpose back Tavien Feaster and three of the cycle's top 50 receivers (Tavares Chase, Diondre Overton and Cornell Powell).
Look for Scott's production on the recruiting trail to continue next signing day, as he's played a key role in obtaining commitments from 4-star receiver Amari Rodgers, 4-star offensive tackle Blake Vinson and 5-star quarterback Hunter Johnson.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
LSU Defensive Line Coach Ed Orgeron
4 of 10
Ed Orgeron emerged as a possible full-time replacement as head coach at USC in 2013 after taking over as interim leader following Lane Kiffin's firing. Instead, the job went to Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian, and the college football veteran was on his way out of Los Angeles.
Now with his fifth university since 2005, Oregon brings an extensive defensive line background to the LSU staff. He's heading into his second season with the Tigers and previously served on SEC staffs at Tennessee (defensive line coach/assistant head coach under Kiffin) and Ole Miss (head coach).
Orgeron, a player favorite, has always provided a spark in the pursuit of prospects. He served as recruiting coordinator during the development of Pete Carroll's USC dynasty and coached a star-studded defensive line during two national title runs at Miami (1989 and 1991).
During his short stint at LSU, he's helped the Tigers secure top-tier talents such as Atlanta pass-rusher Arden Key (five sacks as a freshman), three blue-chip 2016 defensive tackles (Glen Logan, Edwin Alexander and Rashard Lawrence) and 5-star 2017 commit Tyler Shelvin (No. 2 tackle in class).
"I like the man that he is," top-ranked 2017 defensive tackle Marvin Wilson told B/R's Damon Sayles. "You can look at the track record of all the players he's coached. I also like that he's a dude who actually cares. He's not going to shoot you any bull. He really cares about his players; that really caught my attention."
Oklahoma Defensive Backs Coach Kerry Cooks
5 of 10
Kerry Cooks carries clout among defensive backs after a standout career at Iowa earned him multiple NFL roster opportunities. He transitioned into college coaching 13 years ago as a Kansas State graduate assistant, working his way through stints at Western Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin before becoming a mainstay on head coach Brian Kelly's staff at Notre Dame.
Cooks spent five seasons with the Fighting Irish, working his way up to co-defensive coordinator. During his stay in South Bend, he helped secure signatures from recent blue-chip prospects such as cornerback Shaun Crawford, offensive tackle Jerry Tillery, receiver Torii Hunter Jr. and cornerback Nick Watkins.
Oklahoma hired him in February 2015 and the move has paid immediate dividends. Cooks led the Sooners' charge for incoming freshmen cornerback Jordan Parker and is well underway with enhancing his secondary in the 2017 cycle, carrying commitments from 4-star defensive backs Justin Broiles, Robert Barnes and Tre Brown.
The Sooners have surged to No. 2 overall in 247Sports' composite 2017 class rankings.
Florida State Defensive Tackles Coach Odell Haggins
6 of 10
Odell Haggins is a beloved figure at Florida State, where he was an All-American defensive tackle. The Seminoles staff has undergone immense changes over the years, but Haggins has remained a staple, patrolling the sidelines since 1994.
Several eventual first-round NFL draft selections thrived under his tutelage, including Corey Simon, Broderick Bunkley, Travis Johnson and Andre Wadsworth. En route to cementing his status as a legendary Florida State figure, he's played vital parts in more than 20 recruiting cycles that helped set the foundation for national championship runs.
The list of Haggins' top-rated targets this decade features Derwin James, Karlos Williams, Timmy Jernigan and incoming freshman Levonta Taylor, who is considered the 2016 cycle's No. 1 cornerback recruit. Moving toward next national signing day, he was a central figure in acquiring 2017 commitments from defensive tackle Ja'len Parks, defensive end Cory Durden and receiver D.J. Matthews.
Michigan Linebackers/Special Teams Coach Chris Partridge
7 of 10
Just two years ago, Chris Partridge was preparing New Jersey powerhouse Paramus Catholic High School for the 2014 season. Today, he's a major part of the equation behind the scenes of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh's headline-grabbing recruiting success.
Partridge, who had no previous experience recruiting at the FBS level, was a force throughout the 2016 recruiting cycle in his home state. He spearheaded efforts to land six New Jersey recruits on national signing day, headlined by Paramus Catholic defensive tackle and No. 1 overall prospect Rashan Gary.
"Coach Partridge knows how my mom is and knows how I am, so our visit was smooth," Gary told B/R after one of several visits to Ann Arbor. "He showed us everything we needed to see.”
He also played a significant role in signing 4-star running back Kareem Walker, a former Ohio State Buckeyes commit. Expect him to help reel in at least a few more Garden State products moving forward, with Paramus Catholic duo Drew Singleton (No. 3 outside linebacker) and Corey Bolds (No. 28 defensive tackle) topping the list, along with 4-star offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz (No. 1 center), who transferred from New Jersey to IMG Academy (Florida).
"I'm very close with Coach Partridge," Bolds told B/R. "He's someone I can text or call anytime, and it doesn't have to be about football. He's there to listen and help me any way he can."
Scout.com named Partridge the 2016 National Recruiter of the Year following his first full cycle at Michigan.
Georgia Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach Mel Tucker
8 of 10
Mel Tucker, a former Wisconsin Badgers defensive back, brings a wealth of college and NFL coaching experience into his new gig at Georgia. He's served as a Michigan State graduate assistant when Saban led the Spartans before taking on defensive assistant roles at LSU, Ohio State and eventually Alabama, where he reunited with his old boss.
Before heading to Tuscaloosa, Tucker spent a decade in the NFL. He rose to defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars, with whom he took on responsibilities of interim head coach in 2011.
After coaching the secondary during another Crimson Tide championship chase last season, Tucker followed former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to Athens. His effectiveness on the recruiting trail quickly became apparent, as he helped the Bulldogs seal the deal with 5-star cornerback Mecole Hardman on signing day.
Georgia has a strong opportunity to build college football's most impressive defensive secondary haul in the 2017 cycle with William Poole III (No. 9 cornerback) already on board and elite talents like JaCoby Stevens, DeAngelo Gibbs and Jamyest Williams taking long looks at the Bulldogs.
Ohio State Running Backs Coach Tony Alford
9 of 10
Tony Alford brought an eclectic background to the Buckeyes when head coach Urban Meyer hired him in February 2015. A former star running back at Colorado State, he spent his post-playing days in offensive assistant roles at Iowa State, Washington, Louisville and Notre Dame.
His presence in the national recruiting landscape started to shine in South Bend, where he was initially brought in as a member of former head coach Charlie Weiss' staff. Alford was the lone coach retained by Kelly when school administration opted for a leadership change, and he helped the Fighting Irish sign blue-chip recruits such as running back Dexter Williams, running back Tarean Folston, tight end Aliz'e Jones and wide receiver Corey Holmes.
He hasn't skipped a beat since relocating to Columbus, drawing rave reviews from recruits and assisting Meyer in assembling one the nation's top-rated 2016 recruiting classes. His primary signing-day achievements in February featured H-back Demario McCall, defensive end Malik Barrow and running back Antonio Williams.
Looking forward, he has Ohio State in good shape with current top commits like Texas running back J.K. Dobbins and Colorado offensive tackle Jake Moretti, who are both considered top-tier talents at their respective position.
Efforts still in motion include No. 1 overall 2017 running back Najee Harris, and Alabama commit who visited Columbus this spring, 5-star 2017 wide receiver Trevon Grimes and elite 2018 in-state athlete Jaelen Gill.
"I'm getting closer and closer with Urban Meyer and Coach Alford," Gill told B/R. "They've made it clear they're going to recruit the heck out of me. Coach Alford has even come to watch me play baseball."
Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Mike Sanford
10 of 10
Notre Dame netted a rising coaching star in Mike Sanford, whose father once served as an offensive assistant in South Bend. The former Boise State quarterback previously called plays at his alma mater before joining the Fighting Irish in 2015.
Sanford, who also spent three seasons as an assistant at Stanford, is fresh off his latest recruiting victory. He landed a commitment this week from Pennsylvania quarterback Phil Jurkovec, who is considered the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in 2018 by 247Sports.
"I like [Coach Sanford]—a lot," Jurkovec told Andrew Ivins of Rivals.
Sanford also served as primary recruiter for top-rated 2017 tight end Brock Wright, a Texas product who is committed to Notre Dame. His other headliners so far with the Fighting Irish include California receiver Javon McKinley, Illinois wide receiver Isaiah Robertson and Texas quarterback Avery Davis.
It's also worth noting Sanford targeted Colorado product Christian McCaffrey on behalf of Stanford years before the running back became a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.
Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
