[socalstanfan1]

The biggest loss here is Pep's recruiting prowess in the DC/Virginia area.

Agreed, losing Pep as a recruiter will hurt.  But, we survived the loss of recruiter-extraordinaire Willie Taggart, and the well-regarded recruiter Brian Polian, in part by replacing him with young, dynamic recruiters like Mike Sanford, and Derek Mason has taken over the Southeast region that Taggart used to work, and done quite well.  I suspect the hiring of Koutalski as LB coach last year may have been, in part, to bring someone on staff with links to the Northeast. (Though, obviously, he does not fit my description of a young coach.)

I'm guessing at this point Stanford would be considered a plum spot for fast-risers in the coaching ranks, particularly since the housing issue seems to have been addressed.  The school has everything else going for it: a recent run of success matched by only a few programs; relatively drama-free relations with the NCAA; high character kids who very rarely encounter problems with authorities; and a chance to live in the beauty of the Bay Area.  Shaw should be able to have his pick of any number of assistant coaches from the college or NFL levels.  I'm looking forward to seeing who he chooses.

[socalstanfan1]

The biggest loss here is Pep's recruiting prowess in the DC/Virginia area.

Agreed, losing Pep as a recruiter will hurt.  But, we survived the loss of recruiter-extraordinaire Willie Taggart, and the well-regarded recruiter Brian Polian, in part by replacing him with young, dynamic recruiters like Mike Sanford, and Derek Mason has taken over the Southeast region that Taggart used to work, and done quite well.  I suspect the hiring of Koutalski as LB coach last year may have been, in part, to bring someone on staff with links to the Northeast. (Though, obviously, he does not fit my description of a young coach.)

I'm guessing at this point Stanford would be considered a plum spot for fast-risers in the coaching ranks, particularly since the housing issue seems to have been addressed.  The school has everything else going for it: a recent run of success matched by only a few programs; relatively drama-free relations with the NCAA; high character kids who very rarely encounter problems with authorities; and a chance to live in the beauty of the Bay Area.  Shaw should be able to have his pick of any number of assistant coaches from the college or NFL levels.  I'm looking forward to seeing who he chooses.