Blakeney to evaluate coaching staff

Published 6:21 pm Tuesday, December 13, 2011

After a 3-9 campaign in 2011, Troy head coach Larry Blakeney says that he is evaluating the entire coaching staff beginning with himself.

“I have no idea what I’m going to do (with coaching staff),” he said. “I am in the process of evaluating the all of the coaches beginning with me.”

John Supinie of GateHouse News Service reported for Peoria Journal Star that Illinois interim head coach and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning had mentioned the positions at Auburn and Troy had his interest. Blakeney said no positions are currently available.

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Illinois has offered Koenning a contract to stay with the Illini as defensive coordinator.

“We have not opened any position, yet.” Blakeney said. “We’re going to look at everybody.”

Koenning served as defensive coordinator at Troy for two seasons (2003-04) before leaving to take the same position at Clemson.

Koenning became defensive coordinator at Illinois in 2010 and interim head coach this season after Ron Zook was fired Dec. 18.

While Blakeney said he has talked with Koenning, it was strictly as a consultant.

“Vic is a great football coach,” Blakeney said. “He will do a great job wherever he ends up.”

Currently, Jeremy Rowell just finished his sixth season as defensive coordinator and  15th with Troy. Under the Rowell’s direction in 2011, the Trojans defense allowed the most yardage in Troy’s 11 years in the Football Bowl Subdivision, surrendering over 465 yards per game.

Troy’s defense has progressively worsened. From 2001-07, the Trojans allowed no more than 378 yards per game. The past three seasons, Troy has permitted an average of 424.9, 409.8 and 465 yards per contest. Troy also allowed 33.7 points per game during their 2011 campaign, good enough to rank them 102nd in the nation.

The Trojans 3-9 finish was the worst since the team went 2-9 in 1982.