Indiana University Athletics
Hoeppner Announces Coaching Staff
12/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana head football coach Terry Hoeppner has named Gerald Brown (running backs), Matt Canada (passing game coordinator/quarterbacks), Troy Douglas (cornerbacks), Brian George (co-defensive coordinator/defensive line), Billy Lynch (wide receivers), Joe Palcic (co-defensive coordinator/safeties), Bobby Johnson (offensive line/running game coordinator) and George Ricumstrict (linebackers) to the Hoosier staff. Brown, Canada and Douglas each served on the 2004 Indiana coaching staff that defeated two Top 25 teams in the same season for the first time since 1987, while George, Lynch, Palcic, Johnson and Ricumstrict follow Hoeppner from Miami (Ohio). Hoeppner and his staff led the RedHawks to two Mid-American Conference East Division titles, the 2003 MAC Championship, the 2003 GMAC Bowl Championship and the 2004 Independence Bowl.
Hoeppner said that he has one more staff slot to fill, but he did not indicate a timetable for that hire.
Hoeppner was introduced as Indiana's 26th head football coach on Dec. 17, and he spent the next 11 days balancing the transition to IU while also preparing to coach Miami's Independence Bowl game against Iowa State. Thus, he was eager to round out his staff.
"The key to this staff is continuity. Gerald Brown, Matt Canada and Troy Douglas all played a key role in the strong foundation that this program has, and Brian George, Bobby Johnson, Billy Lynch, Joe Palcic and George Ricumstrict all contributed to our success at Miami," Hoeppner said. "These guys are already meshing really well, and we're ready to hit the road recruiting next month."
Gerald Brown
Brown has spent the last three years directing the Indiana running backs, who have averaged 1,584 yards per season during his tenure. During Brown's first season in Bloomington (2002), Indiana gained 1,398 yards despite not having a back with over 90 career carries entering the 2002 campaign. In 2003, BenJarvus Green-Ellis became the seventh true freshman in Indiana history to rush for 100 yards in a game (he had four 100-plus yard efforts) and just the third freshman to eclipse the 200-yard plateau in a single game when he gained 203 yards against Penn State. In 2004, IU had at least one rushing touchdown in 10 of 11 games.
The Hoosiers return a full stable of veteran running backs in 2005 - junior Green-Ellis and seniors Yamar Washington, Chris Taylor and John Pannozzo.
Brown joined the Indiana Football coaching staff after spending a year in the professional ranks as the running backs coach with the Memphis Maniax of the XFL. Brown's featured running back was the former Heisman Trophy award winner, Rashaan Salaam. Before suffering a season ending injury at the midway point, Salaam held the rushing lead in the XFL. Despite only playing in five games, Salaam was ranked high among the league leaders in every statistical rushing category. Under Brown, the Maniax led the XFL in total offense, finished second in rushing offense and averaged over 100 yards per game.
Brown has 20 seasons of coaching experience, including 17 in the state of Tennessee. He spent 10 seasons (1989-1998) as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech University. He served as the quarterbacks, wide receivers and special teams coach during his tenure with the Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech put together two of its top seasons while Brown was a member of the staff. The Golden Eagles posted a 15-7 record, including a 13-3 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play in 1992 and 1993. As the wide receivers coach at Tennessee Tech, Brown had two receivers, Gerald Bentley and Walter Hill, who set single-season reception records, respectively. Walter Hill later became the all-time reception leader in Tennessee Tech history. While at Tennessee Tech, Brown received two minority-coaching fellowships with the New York Jets (1990) and the Miami Dolphins (1996). During those internships, he worked with some of the NFL's finest receivers: Al Toon, Rob Moore and Terence Mathis of New York Jets and Fred Barnett, O.J. McDuffie and Charles Jordan of the Miami Dolphins.
Brown got his coaching start at the University of Tennessee, where he began as a graduate assistant in 1983. During his season as a graduate assistant he worked with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. He became the administrative assistant in 1984 and served as the Volunteers' scout and computer analyst. He was a member of the Volunteers program for a total of six seasons (1983-1988). Brown was a part of five different bowl games, including a Peach Bowl victory in January of 1988 that pitted the Tennessee Volunteers against the Indiana Hoosiers, a Citrus Bowl championship in 1983, the 1984 Sun Bowl, a New Year's Day Sugar Bowl win vs. the Miami Hurricanes in 1985, a Liberty Bowl crown in 1986 and the 1987 Peach Bowl. A total of 34 Tennessee players were selected in the NFL Draft during Brown's tenure with the Volunteers. He was a part of a staff who worked with seven All-Americans including the likes of Reggie White, Tim McGee and Anthony Miller. Brown served as the liaison between student life and the coaching staff and headed the Post Eligibility Committee.
The Sweetwater, Tenn., native played wide receiver from 1979-1981 for Memphis State University and graduated as a scholar-athlete in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in Marketing/Transportation. He played both football and basketball at Sweetwater High School and was born September 4, 1959. He and his wife, Jill, have one daughter, Caitlin (14).
Hoeppner feels that Brown's experience will aid a veteran running back corps.
"Running back is one of our deepest positions, so it is really important to continue the progress we have made over the last three years," Hoeppner said. "Gerald has played a key role in the growth and development of these guys, and I know that will continue."
Matt Canada
Canada spent the 2004 season as Indiana's quarterbacks coach. Under Canada's direction, Indiana went from 11th to 5th in the Big Ten in passing efficiency and 10th to 4th in scoring offense. In addition, the total sacks against Indiana went from 40 to 27.
Matt LoVecchio set a single-game completion percentage record (.882) when he hit 15 of 17 passes at Illinois on Nov. 6. In addition, LoVecchio's 386 yards of total offense (329 passing, 57 rushing) at Northwestern on Oct. 9, is the sixth-best single-game effort in school history and the highest in a Big Ten game by someone other than former IU star and current Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randle El.
Canada returned to his alma mater after spending the last six years at Northern Illinois, where he served as the running backs coach (1998-2000), quarterbacks coach (2001-02) and offensive coordinator (2003). The Huskies enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons in school history last fall - finishing among the top 30 in the nation in both major weekly polls after climbing as high as No. 12 in the AP rankings and No. 10 in the Bowl Championship Series poll. Northern Illinois opened the 2003 campaign by defeating Maryland, knocks off Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Iowa State.
NIU ranked among the top 30 in the nation in scoring offense (32.2 ppg) and passing efficiency (140.01), as running back Michael Turner was named an Associated Press second team All-America. Canada coached three 1,000-yard rushers during his six years in DeKalb - William Andrews, Thomas Hammock and Turner - as Turner closed his senior season ranked among the top five in the nation in rushing (137.3 ypg) and all-purpose yards (161.4). Wide receiver P.J. Fleck was named USA Today.com National Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 4, 2003, after he had 14 receptions for 234 yards against Ohio University.
In addition to a trio of fine running backs, Canada also tutored a pair of standout Northern Illinois signal callers. Josh Haldi was among the most efficient passers in the nation in 2002 and 2003, while Chris Finlen has signed NFL free agent contracts with the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets.
Canada began his coaching career as a student assistant (1992 and 1993) and graduate assistant (1994 and 1995) at Indiana. He helped the Hoosiers to the 1993 Independence Bowl.
The New Palestine, Ind., native made his full-time coaching debut in 1996 at Butler University, where he oversaw the quarterbacks and wide receivers before moving up to offensive coordinator in 1997. Under Canada's leadership, the Bulldogs improved from last to second in the Pioneer Football League passing statistics (98.1 ypg to 211.8). The touchdown pass count doubled from six to 12 and the total offense went from 257.6 ypg to 349.8 ypg.
A three-year letterwinner in football and basketball at New Palestine High School, Canada earned all-state honors and led his team to a sectional title.
Canada and his wife, Michelle, have two children - Victoria (6) and Chris (4).
With LoVecchio's graduation, Canada will have a busy offseason grooming the Hoosiers' new signal-caller.
"I have known Matt for several years and coached against him when he was at Northern Illinois," Hoeppner said. "He's bright, energetic and constantly on the go. We are really fortunate to be able to keep Matt, Gerald and Troy."
Troy Douglas
Douglas enters his second season working with the Hoosiers' secondary, and he played a key role in helping the Hoosiers finish 2004 with the Big Ten's fourth-best turnover margin (+4). Douglas was also instrumental in the development of freshman cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Leslie Majors, as Porter was named to The Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman team.
Douglas arrived in Bloomington after spending the 2003 season in a similar capacity at South Carolina State.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Douglas was instrumental in a Bulldog defense that led the nation in pass efficiency defense (93.14). South Carolina State also ranked among the top 20 in the nation in scoring defense (19.1) and total defense (306.58).
Indiana is not Douglas' first stop in the Big Ten Conference, as he was the defensive secondary coach at Michigan State in 2001 and 2002. Despite losing four starting cornerbacks during the course of the 2001 season, the Spartans still ranked among the national leaders in pass defense (14th at 176.1 yards per game) and pass efficiency defense (19th at 105.5).
Prior to Michigan State, Douglas served on the staff at SMU from 1997-2000. After overseeing the Mustang running backs in 1997, Douglas took over the defensive backs in 1998. He tutored a pair of first team all-league defensive backs in Jacoby Rhinehart (1998) and Tracy Hart (1999), and two of his players - Rhinehart (Arizona Cardinals) and Donald Mitchell (Tennessee Titans) - were eventually drafted by the NFL.
In 1998, SMU ranked among the top 15 in the nation in pass efficiency (12th at 103.8) and total defense (14th, 297.2). In his only season as running backs coach, SMU was 26th in the nation in rushing at 197.3 yards per game.
During the 1995 and 1996 campaigns, Douglas worked at Texas El-Paso, directing the secondary in 1995 and running backs in 1996.
Douglas led the defensive backs at East Tennessee State from 1992-94, where the Buccaneers ranked third in the nation in pass efficiency defense in 1993. One of Douglas' players, safety Donnie Abraham, went on to play for the New York Jets, appearing in the 2001 Pro Bowl.
Douglas began his full-time coaching career at West Chester (Pa.) University, where he worked as the defensive backs coach from 1989-91. His starting strong safety at West Chester, Lee Woodall, eventually appeared in the 1995 and 1997 Pro Bowls as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
A four-year starter at wide receiver for Appalachian State from 1983-86, Douglas led the Mountaineers in receiving as a junior and senior and still ranks among the career top five in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,401). He earned his bachelor's degree in communication arts from Appalachian State in 1988 and spent the 1987 and 1988 seasons as a graduate assistant to Sparky Woods.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Douglas and his wife, Rebecca, have two children - Tanner (5) and Taryn (3).
Majors and Porter are just two of Indiana's talented young cornerbacks, and Hoeppner knows that their futures are in good hands.
"It's always tough when you start young players in the secondary, and Troy has done a great job with those guys," Hoeppner said. "I also like the broad range of experience that he brings to the table. That will help us.
Brian George
In 2004, George and Palcic oversaw a Miami defense that ranked among the top three in the Mid-American Conference in both rushing and scoring defense. MU allowed just 108.83 yards per game on the ground (second in the MAC and 17th in the nation) and 23.42 points per game (third in the league). In 12 regular season games, the Miami defense allowed just five first downs in 17 third-and-one situations, including stopping Michigan on all three of its third-and-one plays on Sept. 4. Overall, Miami opponents converted just 34 percent of its third downs and 44 percent in third-and-three or less.
Despite spending two years helping coach Miami's offense, George has made a smooth transition to defense, coaching the defensive line. In just three years with the line, Miami's sack total has steadily climbed each year, culminating with a three-year high of 45 sacks in 2003. More importantly, George has become a coach that develops individual talent. Last year, Phil Smith, a free agent NFL signee, earned first team all-MAC honors after becoming one of the MAC's most feared pass rushers and making 9.5 sacks. The biggest story on the defensive line though was the emergence of Will Stanley, who after spending three years as a fullback and special teams contributor found a home at defensive end where he made eight sacks and 10 quarterback hurries under the tutelage of Coach George.
As a graduate assistant at Miami, he worked with the offensive line and special teams and assisted with Miami's running back corps in 1999, which featured the MAC's all-time leading rusher and current Arizona Cardinal, Travis Prentice.
He received his master's degree in education leadership from Miami in May of 2001.
George started and lettered four years as a fullback at Ohio University. He was named Ohio's Scholar-Athlete his senior year. After receiving his bachelor's degree in special education in 1994, George taught and coached running backs at Pickerington High School in Pickerington, Ohio, for three years before joining Miami's football program in 1998.
George is a 1990 graduate of Graham H.S. in St. Paris, Ohio. He was a prep all-conference performer in football, basketball and track.
George and his wife, Jasa, have an infant son, A.J.
Hoeppner has witnessed George's coaching ability on both sides of the ball, and Hoeppner is excited that George is coming to Bloomington.
"When you look at the development of guys like Phil Smith and Will Stanley, it is a testament to Brian's coaching ability," Hoeppner said. "Brian and Joe (Palcic) worked well at Miami as co-coordinators, and we are lucky to have both of them at Indiana."
Bobby Johnson
Johnson played an integral role in Miami's balanced offense in 2004 - the RedHawks averaged 125.2 yards per game on the ground and 282.8 yards through the air. During Johnson's five-year Miami tenure as the tight ends and/or offensive line coach, MU was 36-5 when it outrushed the opposition. Johnson worked with eventual NFL draft picks Jacob Bell (fifth round, Tennessee Titans, 2004) and Alex Sulfsted (sixth round, Kansas City Chiefs, 2001) and free agent signees Matt Brandt (Detroit Lions, 2004) and Ben Herrell (Carolina Panthers, 2004).
A former Miami offensive tackle who returned to his alma mater in 1999, Johnson spent four years at Mid-American Conference rival the University of Akron, two as a graduate assistant and two as the Zips' defensive line coach.
From 1999-2003, Johnson served as Miami's tight ends coach. RedHawk tight ends found a home in Miami's high-octane offense as one of the primary receiving targets. In 2003, Brandt caught 35 passes for 485 yards, the most by a Miami tight end since 1990.
During his playing career at Miami, Johnson was a three-year starter on offensive line from 1992-94. During his sophomore and senior seasons, Miami finished 6-4-1 overall and 5-3 in the MAC. Johnson played an integral blocking role for Deland McCullough for three years. McCullough, a two-time first team all-MAC selection, broke the league's all-time rushing mark during his Miami stint and currently ranks second on the MAC and Miami charts behind Travis Prentice.
Upon graduating from Miami with a degree in health appraisal and sport organization in 1995, Johnson signed on as a graduate assistant with the Akron football staff.
During his two years as a graduate assistant, Johnson assisted with the defensive line while fulfilling a variety of other coaching tasks. Johnson was named the Zips' defensive line coach in 1997.
Johnson was a standout at Akron Hoban High School, where he was honored as Ohio's UPI Division III Lineman of the Year in 1991. He also earned first team all-Ohio, first team all-district, all-Summit County, all-city and all-scholastic recognition. Johnson also lettered as a member of Hoban's track team.
Johnson and his wife, Kristen, have two children, Madilyn (5) and Olivia (2).
According to Hoeppner, Johnson's coaching future was evident during Johnson's playing career.
"Bobby has always had a tremendous work ethic, and he understands the game so well," Hoeppner said. "We are lucky to have four returning starters on the offensive line, and our linemen will enjoy playing for Bobby. He relates to players so well."
Billy Lynch
Lynch follows in his father, Bill's footsteps as an IU assistant coach. Bill Lynch was IU's quarterbacks coach in 1993-94. Billy Lynch joins the Hoosier staff after serving as Miami's tight ends coach in 2004 and offensive graduate assistant in 2002-03. During his tenure in Oxford, Lynch assisted with a potent RedHawk offense that led the nation at 43.0 points per game in 2003.
Lynch spent his undergraduate years as a wide receiver and three-year letterwinner at Ball State. He led the Cardinals in receptions his senior year with 40. He also lettered three years in basketball for the Cardinals. Lynch graduated from Ball State in 2002 with a teaching degree.
Lynch will play a significant role in the Hoosiers' continued in-state recruiting efforts.
"Having grown up in Indiana as the son of a respected coach, Billy is extremely well-connected throughout the state," Hoeppner said. "Billy has been around the game his whole life, and you can't help but appreciate his desire to develop as a coach."
Joe Palcic
Palcic and George spearheaded a Miami defensive effort that saw the RedHawks hold 13 of their last 26 opponents under 100 yards rushing, including seven under 50 yards. In regular season conference play, Miami held opponents to 77.5 yards rushing per game, including a season-low nine yards rushing to Ohio University on Sept. 18.
A former Miami linebacker, Palcic coached the RedHawk linebackers in his first season as a full-time assistant (2000), which was highlighted by Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year Dustin Cohen. Since Palcic switched to defensive backs coach three years ago, junior safety Matt Pusateri was named third team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News in 2001 and the last two years led Miami in tackles. In a big-play defense that forced 33 turnovers last year, 10 came via interception by the secondary. Darrell Hunter, an NFL prospect with 4.3 40 speed, led the way making four picks and returning one for a touchdown.
Palcic, a three-year letterwinner for Miami from 1994-97, used speed and quick-thinking on the field to become a vital part of a Miami linebacking corps that produced the likes of 1999 National Football League draft choice JoJuan Armour, now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Cohen, who signed a free-agent contract with the Buffalo Bills and now plays for the St. Louis Rams.
Upon receiving his degree in sociology from Miami in 1998, Palcic served as a graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan University for one season, where he worked with the offensive line.
The Palcic name is well-known in the football coaching ranks, as Palcic's father, Bob, has served as an assistant coach with Ohio State, the Detroit Lions, the Cleveland Browns and currently as the offensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints.
A prep standout at Worthington Kilbourne High School, Palcic was first team all-Ohio as a senior and amassed over 500 tackles during his prep career. He was named the defensive MVP of Ohio's North-South All-Star Game.
Like Johnson, Palcic also played for Hoeppner at Miami and will be instrumental in the staff's transition.
"I named Brian and Joe co-coordinators at Miami because I knew that they would work well together. However, they exceeded even my expectations," Hoeppner said. "We have a good nucleus of guys coming back on defense here next year, and I know Joe and Brian will have them ready to go."
George Ricumstrict
After one season as the linebackers and special teams coach at Miami, Ricumstrict will fill a similar role at Indiana. Prior to MU, Ricumstrict spent four years as the linebackers and special teams coach at Central Michigan. He was on the Chippewa sidelines for Indiana's 39-29 victory over visiting CMU on Sept. 21, 2002, and IU opens the 2005 season in Mt. Pleasant.
At Miami, Ricumstrict tutored first team all-league linebacker Terna Nande, who bench presses 500 pounds, squats 600 pounds while maintaining a 4.4, 40-yard dash time and a 38-inch vertical leap.
During Ricumstrict's tenure at CMU, the Chippewas' special teams posted many notable accomplishments, including a school record nine blocked kicks in 2001. Of the nine blocked kicks, eight were blocked by James King, who earned fourth team all-America honors from The Sporting News. Prior to Central Michigan, Ricumstrict was an assistant at Missouri Southern and Army (1997) after spending time as a graduate assistant at Michigan State (1996). He started his career as an assistant coach at Wayne State (1995) and Northwood University (1993-94).
He earned his bachelor's degree in 1990 and his master's in 1992, both from Central Michigan University, after playing four years of football for the Chippewas. He earned team MVP and second-team all-MAC plaudits in 1988.
Ricumstrict and his wife Sandy, have children Obie (6) and Anton (2).
Linebackers Kyle Killion, Paul Szczesny and Jake Powers were three of the Hoosiers' top tacklers a year ago, and Hoeppner believes that Ricumstrict's arrival as their position coach only strengthens this position.
"Players really take to George. They love playing for him," Hoeppner said. "He is an excellent teacher, and the guys will really feed off his personality and enthusiasm for the game."
Hoeppner said that he has one more staff slot to fill, but he did not indicate a timetable for that hire.
Hoeppner was introduced as Indiana's 26th head football coach on Dec. 17, and he spent the next 11 days balancing the transition to IU while also preparing to coach Miami's Independence Bowl game against Iowa State. Thus, he was eager to round out his staff.
"The key to this staff is continuity. Gerald Brown, Matt Canada and Troy Douglas all played a key role in the strong foundation that this program has, and Brian George, Bobby Johnson, Billy Lynch, Joe Palcic and George Ricumstrict all contributed to our success at Miami," Hoeppner said. "These guys are already meshing really well, and we're ready to hit the road recruiting next month."
Gerald Brown
Brown has spent the last three years directing the Indiana running backs, who have averaged 1,584 yards per season during his tenure. During Brown's first season in Bloomington (2002), Indiana gained 1,398 yards despite not having a back with over 90 career carries entering the 2002 campaign. In 2003, BenJarvus Green-Ellis became the seventh true freshman in Indiana history to rush for 100 yards in a game (he had four 100-plus yard efforts) and just the third freshman to eclipse the 200-yard plateau in a single game when he gained 203 yards against Penn State. In 2004, IU had at least one rushing touchdown in 10 of 11 games.
The Hoosiers return a full stable of veteran running backs in 2005 - junior Green-Ellis and seniors Yamar Washington, Chris Taylor and John Pannozzo.
Brown joined the Indiana Football coaching staff after spending a year in the professional ranks as the running backs coach with the Memphis Maniax of the XFL. Brown's featured running back was the former Heisman Trophy award winner, Rashaan Salaam. Before suffering a season ending injury at the midway point, Salaam held the rushing lead in the XFL. Despite only playing in five games, Salaam was ranked high among the league leaders in every statistical rushing category. Under Brown, the Maniax led the XFL in total offense, finished second in rushing offense and averaged over 100 yards per game.
Brown has 20 seasons of coaching experience, including 17 in the state of Tennessee. He spent 10 seasons (1989-1998) as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech University. He served as the quarterbacks, wide receivers and special teams coach during his tenure with the Golden Eagles. Tennessee Tech put together two of its top seasons while Brown was a member of the staff. The Golden Eagles posted a 15-7 record, including a 13-3 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play in 1992 and 1993. As the wide receivers coach at Tennessee Tech, Brown had two receivers, Gerald Bentley and Walter Hill, who set single-season reception records, respectively. Walter Hill later became the all-time reception leader in Tennessee Tech history. While at Tennessee Tech, Brown received two minority-coaching fellowships with the New York Jets (1990) and the Miami Dolphins (1996). During those internships, he worked with some of the NFL's finest receivers: Al Toon, Rob Moore and Terence Mathis of New York Jets and Fred Barnett, O.J. McDuffie and Charles Jordan of the Miami Dolphins.
Brown got his coaching start at the University of Tennessee, where he began as a graduate assistant in 1983. During his season as a graduate assistant he worked with the quarterbacks and wide receivers. He became the administrative assistant in 1984 and served as the Volunteers' scout and computer analyst. He was a member of the Volunteers program for a total of six seasons (1983-1988). Brown was a part of five different bowl games, including a Peach Bowl victory in January of 1988 that pitted the Tennessee Volunteers against the Indiana Hoosiers, a Citrus Bowl championship in 1983, the 1984 Sun Bowl, a New Year's Day Sugar Bowl win vs. the Miami Hurricanes in 1985, a Liberty Bowl crown in 1986 and the 1987 Peach Bowl. A total of 34 Tennessee players were selected in the NFL Draft during Brown's tenure with the Volunteers. He was a part of a staff who worked with seven All-Americans including the likes of Reggie White, Tim McGee and Anthony Miller. Brown served as the liaison between student life and the coaching staff and headed the Post Eligibility Committee.
The Sweetwater, Tenn., native played wide receiver from 1979-1981 for Memphis State University and graduated as a scholar-athlete in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in Marketing/Transportation. He played both football and basketball at Sweetwater High School and was born September 4, 1959. He and his wife, Jill, have one daughter, Caitlin (14).
Hoeppner feels that Brown's experience will aid a veteran running back corps.
"Running back is one of our deepest positions, so it is really important to continue the progress we have made over the last three years," Hoeppner said. "Gerald has played a key role in the growth and development of these guys, and I know that will continue."
Matt Canada
Canada spent the 2004 season as Indiana's quarterbacks coach. Under Canada's direction, Indiana went from 11th to 5th in the Big Ten in passing efficiency and 10th to 4th in scoring offense. In addition, the total sacks against Indiana went from 40 to 27.
Matt LoVecchio set a single-game completion percentage record (.882) when he hit 15 of 17 passes at Illinois on Nov. 6. In addition, LoVecchio's 386 yards of total offense (329 passing, 57 rushing) at Northwestern on Oct. 9, is the sixth-best single-game effort in school history and the highest in a Big Ten game by someone other than former IU star and current Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randle El.
Canada returned to his alma mater after spending the last six years at Northern Illinois, where he served as the running backs coach (1998-2000), quarterbacks coach (2001-02) and offensive coordinator (2003). The Huskies enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons in school history last fall - finishing among the top 30 in the nation in both major weekly polls after climbing as high as No. 12 in the AP rankings and No. 10 in the Bowl Championship Series poll. Northern Illinois opened the 2003 campaign by defeating Maryland, knocks off Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Iowa State.
NIU ranked among the top 30 in the nation in scoring offense (32.2 ppg) and passing efficiency (140.01), as running back Michael Turner was named an Associated Press second team All-America. Canada coached three 1,000-yard rushers during his six years in DeKalb - William Andrews, Thomas Hammock and Turner - as Turner closed his senior season ranked among the top five in the nation in rushing (137.3 ypg) and all-purpose yards (161.4). Wide receiver P.J. Fleck was named USA Today.com National Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 4, 2003, after he had 14 receptions for 234 yards against Ohio University.
In addition to a trio of fine running backs, Canada also tutored a pair of standout Northern Illinois signal callers. Josh Haldi was among the most efficient passers in the nation in 2002 and 2003, while Chris Finlen has signed NFL free agent contracts with the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets.
Canada began his coaching career as a student assistant (1992 and 1993) and graduate assistant (1994 and 1995) at Indiana. He helped the Hoosiers to the 1993 Independence Bowl.
The New Palestine, Ind., native made his full-time coaching debut in 1996 at Butler University, where he oversaw the quarterbacks and wide receivers before moving up to offensive coordinator in 1997. Under Canada's leadership, the Bulldogs improved from last to second in the Pioneer Football League passing statistics (98.1 ypg to 211.8). The touchdown pass count doubled from six to 12 and the total offense went from 257.6 ypg to 349.8 ypg.
A three-year letterwinner in football and basketball at New Palestine High School, Canada earned all-state honors and led his team to a sectional title.
Canada and his wife, Michelle, have two children - Victoria (6) and Chris (4).
With LoVecchio's graduation, Canada will have a busy offseason grooming the Hoosiers' new signal-caller.
"I have known Matt for several years and coached against him when he was at Northern Illinois," Hoeppner said. "He's bright, energetic and constantly on the go. We are really fortunate to be able to keep Matt, Gerald and Troy."
Troy Douglas
Douglas enters his second season working with the Hoosiers' secondary, and he played a key role in helping the Hoosiers finish 2004 with the Big Ten's fourth-best turnover margin (+4). Douglas was also instrumental in the development of freshman cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Leslie Majors, as Porter was named to The Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman team.
Douglas arrived in Bloomington after spending the 2003 season in a similar capacity at South Carolina State.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Douglas was instrumental in a Bulldog defense that led the nation in pass efficiency defense (93.14). South Carolina State also ranked among the top 20 in the nation in scoring defense (19.1) and total defense (306.58).
Indiana is not Douglas' first stop in the Big Ten Conference, as he was the defensive secondary coach at Michigan State in 2001 and 2002. Despite losing four starting cornerbacks during the course of the 2001 season, the Spartans still ranked among the national leaders in pass defense (14th at 176.1 yards per game) and pass efficiency defense (19th at 105.5).
Prior to Michigan State, Douglas served on the staff at SMU from 1997-2000. After overseeing the Mustang running backs in 1997, Douglas took over the defensive backs in 1998. He tutored a pair of first team all-league defensive backs in Jacoby Rhinehart (1998) and Tracy Hart (1999), and two of his players - Rhinehart (Arizona Cardinals) and Donald Mitchell (Tennessee Titans) - were eventually drafted by the NFL.
In 1998, SMU ranked among the top 15 in the nation in pass efficiency (12th at 103.8) and total defense (14th, 297.2). In his only season as running backs coach, SMU was 26th in the nation in rushing at 197.3 yards per game.
During the 1995 and 1996 campaigns, Douglas worked at Texas El-Paso, directing the secondary in 1995 and running backs in 1996.
Douglas led the defensive backs at East Tennessee State from 1992-94, where the Buccaneers ranked third in the nation in pass efficiency defense in 1993. One of Douglas' players, safety Donnie Abraham, went on to play for the New York Jets, appearing in the 2001 Pro Bowl.
Douglas began his full-time coaching career at West Chester (Pa.) University, where he worked as the defensive backs coach from 1989-91. His starting strong safety at West Chester, Lee Woodall, eventually appeared in the 1995 and 1997 Pro Bowls as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
A four-year starter at wide receiver for Appalachian State from 1983-86, Douglas led the Mountaineers in receiving as a junior and senior and still ranks among the career top five in receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,401). He earned his bachelor's degree in communication arts from Appalachian State in 1988 and spent the 1987 and 1988 seasons as a graduate assistant to Sparky Woods.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Douglas and his wife, Rebecca, have two children - Tanner (5) and Taryn (3).
Majors and Porter are just two of Indiana's talented young cornerbacks, and Hoeppner knows that their futures are in good hands.
"It's always tough when you start young players in the secondary, and Troy has done a great job with those guys," Hoeppner said. "I also like the broad range of experience that he brings to the table. That will help us.
Brian George
In 2004, George and Palcic oversaw a Miami defense that ranked among the top three in the Mid-American Conference in both rushing and scoring defense. MU allowed just 108.83 yards per game on the ground (second in the MAC and 17th in the nation) and 23.42 points per game (third in the league). In 12 regular season games, the Miami defense allowed just five first downs in 17 third-and-one situations, including stopping Michigan on all three of its third-and-one plays on Sept. 4. Overall, Miami opponents converted just 34 percent of its third downs and 44 percent in third-and-three or less.
Despite spending two years helping coach Miami's offense, George has made a smooth transition to defense, coaching the defensive line. In just three years with the line, Miami's sack total has steadily climbed each year, culminating with a three-year high of 45 sacks in 2003. More importantly, George has become a coach that develops individual talent. Last year, Phil Smith, a free agent NFL signee, earned first team all-MAC honors after becoming one of the MAC's most feared pass rushers and making 9.5 sacks. The biggest story on the defensive line though was the emergence of Will Stanley, who after spending three years as a fullback and special teams contributor found a home at defensive end where he made eight sacks and 10 quarterback hurries under the tutelage of Coach George.
As a graduate assistant at Miami, he worked with the offensive line and special teams and assisted with Miami's running back corps in 1999, which featured the MAC's all-time leading rusher and current Arizona Cardinal, Travis Prentice.
He received his master's degree in education leadership from Miami in May of 2001.
George started and lettered four years as a fullback at Ohio University. He was named Ohio's Scholar-Athlete his senior year. After receiving his bachelor's degree in special education in 1994, George taught and coached running backs at Pickerington High School in Pickerington, Ohio, for three years before joining Miami's football program in 1998.
George is a 1990 graduate of Graham H.S. in St. Paris, Ohio. He was a prep all-conference performer in football, basketball and track.
George and his wife, Jasa, have an infant son, A.J.
Hoeppner has witnessed George's coaching ability on both sides of the ball, and Hoeppner is excited that George is coming to Bloomington.
"When you look at the development of guys like Phil Smith and Will Stanley, it is a testament to Brian's coaching ability," Hoeppner said. "Brian and Joe (Palcic) worked well at Miami as co-coordinators, and we are lucky to have both of them at Indiana."
Bobby Johnson
Johnson played an integral role in Miami's balanced offense in 2004 - the RedHawks averaged 125.2 yards per game on the ground and 282.8 yards through the air. During Johnson's five-year Miami tenure as the tight ends and/or offensive line coach, MU was 36-5 when it outrushed the opposition. Johnson worked with eventual NFL draft picks Jacob Bell (fifth round, Tennessee Titans, 2004) and Alex Sulfsted (sixth round, Kansas City Chiefs, 2001) and free agent signees Matt Brandt (Detroit Lions, 2004) and Ben Herrell (Carolina Panthers, 2004).
A former Miami offensive tackle who returned to his alma mater in 1999, Johnson spent four years at Mid-American Conference rival the University of Akron, two as a graduate assistant and two as the Zips' defensive line coach.
From 1999-2003, Johnson served as Miami's tight ends coach. RedHawk tight ends found a home in Miami's high-octane offense as one of the primary receiving targets. In 2003, Brandt caught 35 passes for 485 yards, the most by a Miami tight end since 1990.
During his playing career at Miami, Johnson was a three-year starter on offensive line from 1992-94. During his sophomore and senior seasons, Miami finished 6-4-1 overall and 5-3 in the MAC. Johnson played an integral blocking role for Deland McCullough for three years. McCullough, a two-time first team all-MAC selection, broke the league's all-time rushing mark during his Miami stint and currently ranks second on the MAC and Miami charts behind Travis Prentice.
Upon graduating from Miami with a degree in health appraisal and sport organization in 1995, Johnson signed on as a graduate assistant with the Akron football staff.
During his two years as a graduate assistant, Johnson assisted with the defensive line while fulfilling a variety of other coaching tasks. Johnson was named the Zips' defensive line coach in 1997.
Johnson was a standout at Akron Hoban High School, where he was honored as Ohio's UPI Division III Lineman of the Year in 1991. He also earned first team all-Ohio, first team all-district, all-Summit County, all-city and all-scholastic recognition. Johnson also lettered as a member of Hoban's track team.
Johnson and his wife, Kristen, have two children, Madilyn (5) and Olivia (2).
According to Hoeppner, Johnson's coaching future was evident during Johnson's playing career.
"Bobby has always had a tremendous work ethic, and he understands the game so well," Hoeppner said. "We are lucky to have four returning starters on the offensive line, and our linemen will enjoy playing for Bobby. He relates to players so well."
Billy Lynch
Lynch follows in his father, Bill's footsteps as an IU assistant coach. Bill Lynch was IU's quarterbacks coach in 1993-94. Billy Lynch joins the Hoosier staff after serving as Miami's tight ends coach in 2004 and offensive graduate assistant in 2002-03. During his tenure in Oxford, Lynch assisted with a potent RedHawk offense that led the nation at 43.0 points per game in 2003.
Lynch spent his undergraduate years as a wide receiver and three-year letterwinner at Ball State. He led the Cardinals in receptions his senior year with 40. He also lettered three years in basketball for the Cardinals. Lynch graduated from Ball State in 2002 with a teaching degree.
Lynch will play a significant role in the Hoosiers' continued in-state recruiting efforts.
"Having grown up in Indiana as the son of a respected coach, Billy is extremely well-connected throughout the state," Hoeppner said. "Billy has been around the game his whole life, and you can't help but appreciate his desire to develop as a coach."
Joe Palcic
Palcic and George spearheaded a Miami defensive effort that saw the RedHawks hold 13 of their last 26 opponents under 100 yards rushing, including seven under 50 yards. In regular season conference play, Miami held opponents to 77.5 yards rushing per game, including a season-low nine yards rushing to Ohio University on Sept. 18.
A former Miami linebacker, Palcic coached the RedHawk linebackers in his first season as a full-time assistant (2000), which was highlighted by Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year Dustin Cohen. Since Palcic switched to defensive backs coach three years ago, junior safety Matt Pusateri was named third team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News in 2001 and the last two years led Miami in tackles. In a big-play defense that forced 33 turnovers last year, 10 came via interception by the secondary. Darrell Hunter, an NFL prospect with 4.3 40 speed, led the way making four picks and returning one for a touchdown.
Palcic, a three-year letterwinner for Miami from 1994-97, used speed and quick-thinking on the field to become a vital part of a Miami linebacking corps that produced the likes of 1999 National Football League draft choice JoJuan Armour, now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Cohen, who signed a free-agent contract with the Buffalo Bills and now plays for the St. Louis Rams.
Upon receiving his degree in sociology from Miami in 1998, Palcic served as a graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan University for one season, where he worked with the offensive line.
The Palcic name is well-known in the football coaching ranks, as Palcic's father, Bob, has served as an assistant coach with Ohio State, the Detroit Lions, the Cleveland Browns and currently as the offensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints.
A prep standout at Worthington Kilbourne High School, Palcic was first team all-Ohio as a senior and amassed over 500 tackles during his prep career. He was named the defensive MVP of Ohio's North-South All-Star Game.
Like Johnson, Palcic also played for Hoeppner at Miami and will be instrumental in the staff's transition.
"I named Brian and Joe co-coordinators at Miami because I knew that they would work well together. However, they exceeded even my expectations," Hoeppner said. "We have a good nucleus of guys coming back on defense here next year, and I know Joe and Brian will have them ready to go."
George Ricumstrict
After one season as the linebackers and special teams coach at Miami, Ricumstrict will fill a similar role at Indiana. Prior to MU, Ricumstrict spent four years as the linebackers and special teams coach at Central Michigan. He was on the Chippewa sidelines for Indiana's 39-29 victory over visiting CMU on Sept. 21, 2002, and IU opens the 2005 season in Mt. Pleasant.
At Miami, Ricumstrict tutored first team all-league linebacker Terna Nande, who bench presses 500 pounds, squats 600 pounds while maintaining a 4.4, 40-yard dash time and a 38-inch vertical leap.
During Ricumstrict's tenure at CMU, the Chippewas' special teams posted many notable accomplishments, including a school record nine blocked kicks in 2001. Of the nine blocked kicks, eight were blocked by James King, who earned fourth team all-America honors from The Sporting News. Prior to Central Michigan, Ricumstrict was an assistant at Missouri Southern and Army (1997) after spending time as a graduate assistant at Michigan State (1996). He started his career as an assistant coach at Wayne State (1995) and Northwood University (1993-94).
He earned his bachelor's degree in 1990 and his master's in 1992, both from Central Michigan University, after playing four years of football for the Chippewas. He earned team MVP and second-team all-MAC plaudits in 1988.
Ricumstrict and his wife Sandy, have children Obie (6) and Anton (2).
Linebackers Kyle Killion, Paul Szczesny and Jake Powers were three of the Hoosiers' top tacklers a year ago, and Hoeppner believes that Ricumstrict's arrival as their position coach only strengthens this position.
"Players really take to George. They love playing for him," Hoeppner said. "He is an excellent teacher, and the guys will really feed off his personality and enthusiasm for the game."
FB: Bryant Haines Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28
FB: D'Angelo Ponds Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28
FB: Isaiah Jones Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28