New OC - Kevin Barbay

[T-Dog]

Meet the new hero and/or scapegoat



https://cmuchippewas.com/staff-director ... barbay/337

[scatman77]

Welcome to the Rock and Mountaineer Nation!

[HighlandsApp]

Awesome addition. Welcome

[AppSt94]

Meet the new hero and/or scapegoat



https://cmuchippewas.com/staff-director ... barbay/337

Pretty accurate assessment.

[APPdiesel]

Quick search it looks like Central Michigan averaged around 31ppg last year. A very narrowly focused stat but his offenses do put up points.

[AppGrad1]

I'll let you know about this hire after this coming season is finished.

[WASU 93]

Quick search it looks like Central Michigan averaged around 31ppg last year. A very narrowly focused stat but his offenses do put up points.

For 2021
444 Yards per game
about 45% run/55% pass in yardage

Ran the ball about 55% of plays from scrimmage

These were very similar stats to 2019 (just under 31 points a game/433 yards per game/similar run/pass distribution) when he was the WR coach. So, he maintained a high-performing offense. (I didn't look at 2020, as a COVID year)

[appstate77]

Welcome Home Coach!

[AppYosef!]

He spent a season as OC/QB coach at Central Michigan, before that spent 2 seasons as Asst. Head Coach/WR coach at Central Michigan. Prior to that he was OC/QB coach at Stephen F. Austin. He also has some time on the staffs of Florida, Baylor, Colorado State, and Lamar. Looks like he has recruiting background as well and is a native of Texas. Maybe he can bring us some recruits from the Lone Star State. GOOD LUCK COACH and WELCOME TO THE ROCK!!

[BambooRdApp]

Welcome to the Rock!! Hope he has a very successful year!!

[Yosef84]

Central Michigan isn't exactly a powerhouse program, but a program like that could be a better devel0pmental stop than a program full of stud athletes. I'm going to assume that Coach Clark saw something he liked (obviously) and he will be the next great thing for App State athletics. Welcome to the Rock, Coach Barbay!

[AppStateNews]

Quick research on Central Michigan shows they had the nations leading rusher last year with nearly 1900 yards from one back (Lew Nichols). He is a similar style runner as Peoples and Harrington. Nichols had over 65% of the carries so having two backs with similar skill sets can only excite Barbay. I will say the runs seems to be of an inside zone than outside like we are used to, but I did only quickly watch highlights of 3 games so that could have been just what the opposing defense was giving them.

Their QB last year was also more of a pocket passer than dual threat so good news for Brice, Tabscott, and Berger.

Scheme, overall, seems very similar (zone blocking, play action to open the deep shots, etc) with a couple noticeable differences. The main differences right off the bat for me are more presence of an inside zone on runs (but again, that could have just been what the defense was giving on the highlights I watched) and less use of a H-back in the back field for blocking. The TEs are more in-line and seemingly have more of a chip responsibility than lead blocker. Their 4th leading WR last year was a TE so good news for our TEs.

Editing to add the RBs seem to have more of a pass block role in this offense as well since it doesn't typically use an H back. Let's hope our bigger backs get better at pass pro!

[appstate24]

A quick scan of the CMU message board. Seems like they really liked Coach Barbay, and hate to see him go.

There are also some who seem to think this is a lateral move. I beg to differ, a better program, with a richer history, Sun Belt is now FAR superior to the MAC, and Boone compared to wherever the heck CMU is located. Seems like a no brainer.

Welcome Coach!

GO APPS!!

[Yosef84]

It might be a lateral move in terms of level (G5) and to some degree even pay. I would hope we gave him a raise, but I'm sure it's not like going to a P5 where you multiply your salary. From a standpoint of career development though, App is obviously a better platform for success. This is what our success gets us. GO APPS!

[asu66]

Not sure this fine gentleman has stayed anywhere longer than 2-3 years. I get vibes of a steppin' stone type. Then again, if he's successful and stays with us for 2-3 years, it might set some kind of record for our program (this century to date) given that we didn't exactly have a designated OC 'til Satt returned to the program from FIU.

[JMappfan5]

Welcome to THE ROCK Coach!!!

[Yosef84]

Not sure this fine gentleman has stayed anywhere longer than 2-3 years. I get vibes of a steppin' stone type. Then again, if he's successful and stays with us for 2-3 years, it might set some kind of record for our program (this century to date) given that we didn't exactly have a designated OC 'til Satt returned to the program from FIU.

Very true! I'm not really sure the "stepping stone" thing is something to even consider in hiring an assistant coach these days. In his case, a few of those programs were going through coaching transitions as well, but I haven't done the legwork to see if his exit aligns with those changes. To you point....if we get 2 or 3 years, and he's GOOD, that's about all we can expect.

[AppStateNews]

Not sure this fine gentleman has stayed anywhere longer than 2-3 years. I get vibes of a steppin' stone type. Then again, if he's successful and stays with us for 2-3 years, it might set some kind of record for our program (this century to date) given that we didn't exactly have a designated OC 'til Satt returned to the program from FIU.

To be fair, early in his career he didn't stay long at Colorado State and Florida because he moved around with McElwain. When a HC brings his director of player personnel (especially one with McElwain's credentials) when changing schools, that's usually a sign they are an up and comer. Barbay went to Stephen F Austin as an OC when McElwain was fired from Florida. One of the first calls McElwain made when hired at Central Michigan was to Barbay (hence the assistant head coach title before becoming OC). So, on paper, it looks like he's moved a lot (and he has) but the recent movings were more of sticking with one coach than getting the next best opportunity.

That said, we are a stepping stone and will continue to be one until we can pay our assistants more money.

Also, on the flip side of the "steppin' stone type" -- that means they are hungry and ready to prove themselves for that next step.

I am still trying to figure out Clark's connection to Barbay, but I think it's more of knowing the name as a top up and comer.

[asu66]

I checked Barbay out a bit, as well. I'm with you. He got his big break when he won a job under offensive genius Jim McIlwain, when McIlwain was HC at Colorado State. He followed McIlwain when he accepted the HC position at Florida. After being fired at UF with a 20-12 record, McIlwain took an assistant coaching position at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh for a year. Barbay went to Stephen F. Austin as OC/QB coach for a year. The next year, McIlwain took the HC position at Central Michigan. It appears that McIlwain immediately reached out and took Barbay with him to CMU.

These coaching tree things get complicated, but it seems that Barbay comes from the Jim McIlwain coaching tree. McIlwain comes from the Nick Saban tree plus time in the NFL and with Harbaugh and a few other positions over 30+ years.

Barbay comes to App influenced by some of the finest offensive minds in football. Surely, a lot of that McIlwain/Saban knowledge/experience has rubbbed off on him. We just might have something special here if/when Barbay's background meshes with the App "family" culture and talent.

[BeauFoster]

On paper this looks like a really good hire. I honestly like going outside the family sometimes, fresh perspective is often needed to evolve. I would bet he sees this as a step up, as our coaching staff seems to be in demand.