Middle Tennessee has gone the past six seasons with Jimmy Ray Stephens as its offensive line coach. That won’t be the case when the Blue Raiders suit up for spring practice.
The Murfreesboro Daily News Journal reports that Stephens resigned from his position after being informed Tuesday night by head coach Rick Stockstill that Stephens would be sharing O-line duties with a yet-to-be-determined assistant coach. Stephens, who has coached at O-lines at Tennessee and Florida, said “pride” and his disagreement with the decision led to his resignation.
“His pay was not going to be cut, and it was explained over and over that it was not a demotion,” Stockstill said of his decision to bring in another coach. “I really thought having a second set of eyes on the offensive line would help us, and I explained that. Jimmy Ray balked at it because he didn’t want to give up the responsibility of coaching all five (linemen).”
Former MTSU offensive lineman Glen Elarbee has been rumored to be coming back to coach under Stockstill, possibly for center/guards while Stephens was moved to exclusively tackles. Whatever the plan, Stephens didn’t want any part of it.
The resignation leaves three open spots on the MTSU staff, the others being offensive coordinator/running backs coach and defensive line coach.
(Photo credit: MTSU athletics)
In the recent recruiting class, Middle TENNESSEE State did not sign anyone from the state of Tennessee. Granted, TN is not known for its wealth of football talent; still, there are players that sign at the D1 level from the state every year. Does Stockstill not believe any of them can play at Middle? Now, he runs off J. R. Stevens. Coach Stock has only had one really good year in his time at Middle, and people are getting impatient. He is not helping himself.
Ben,
You out did yourself this time. LMAO
imaduffer,
It’s the offseason. That’s what happens.
Well, they can always have Robbie Caldwell, from Clemson, maybe he would be happier back in TN.
Why would anyone be “losing patience” with a football coach at MTSU? Outside of the team itself, the circle of people who car must measure in the low hundreds…..or even dozens!
Bring back Boots now!!!!!!!!!!!!1
If Stockstill had concerns about the performance of the offensive line and wanted to bring in another coach, that is certainly his right, but at least look the man in the eye and tell him the truth.
If the AD had brought in a “co-head coach” for Stockstill and then proceed to tell him he wasn’t being demoted, Stockstill would, understandably, laugh at him.
Let me get this straight…
Employer asks you to do less work for the same pay and your move is walk away in disgust?
Interesting approach.