2016 FIU Football Coaching Staff

The 2016 FIU Football Coaching Staff

The 2016 FIU football coaching staff was led by head coach Ron Turner. The staff included 10 assistant coaches, including four new hires. The new hires were offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, defensive line coach Kevin Patrick, and linebackers coach David Duggan. Briles came to FIU from Florida Atlantic University, where he was the offensive coordinator for two seasons. Stoops came to FIU from Oklahoma, where he was the defensive coordinator for 10 seasons. Patrick came to FIU from Arkansas, where he was the defensive line coach for two seasons. Duggan came to FIU from Texas A&M, where he was the linebackers coach for four seasons. The rest of the coaching staff remained the same from the 2015 season. Butch Davis, who was the defensive coordinator in 2015, moved to a new role as special assistant to the head coach. The 2016 FIU football team finished the season with a 5-7 record, including a 4-4 record in Conference USA play. The team's only two wins over FBS opponents came against UTEP and Old Dominion.

Key Staff Changes

The most significant staff change for the 2016 season was the hiring of Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator. Briles, the son of former Baylor head coach Art Briles, is a highly respected offensive mind. He helped Florida Atlantic to a record-breaking season in 2015, as the Owls led the nation in total offense and scoring offense. The hiring of Briles was a clear sign that Turner was looking to improve the FIU offense, which ranked 12th in Conference USA in scoring offense in 2015. Briles' offense is known for its up-tempo style and its use of multiple receivers. Another key staff change was the hiring of Mike Stoops as defensive coordinator. Stoops, the brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, is a veteran defensive coordinator with over 20 years of experience. He helped Oklahoma to win the 2000 national championship and has coached some of the top defenses in the country. The hiring of Stoops was a major coup for FIU, as he is one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the country. He is known for his aggressive style of defense and his ability to get his players to play at a high level.

Outlook for the 2016 Season

The 2016 season was a rebuilding year for FIU football. The team lost several key players from the 2015 team, including quarterback Alex McGough and running back Alex Gardner. However, the team has a lot of potential, especially on offense. Briles' offense is expected to be one of the most explosive in Conference USA. The team also has several talented players at the skill positions, including receivers Thomas Owens and Isaiah McKenzie. On defense, the team will need to replace several key players, including defensive end Anthony Johnson and linebacker Jermaine Grace. However, the team has several talented players returning, including cornerback Isaiah Brown and safety Johnathan Cyprien. Overall, the outlook for the 2016 FIU football team is positive. The team has a lot of talent and potential, and the coaching staff is excited about the future.