Heather A. Dinich: What both coaches are doing now is hiring the people who can do it for them. Ralph said yesterday he is taking recruiting into consideration when he hires his next offensive coordinator, and that's one of the top things that prompted him to hire Chris Cosh as his defenisve coordinator. Cosh is a native of Washington and a graduate of Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville - not to mention a former recruiting coordinator at Maryland.
As for hoops, assistant Rob Moxley is also a local guy (Fauquier High in Va.) and earned a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the country. He was recruiting coordinator for seven years at Charlotte, where four of the classes he helped land were ranked in the top 20 nationally. His recruiting class in 2000 was 14th in the nation, and included 2001 National Freshman of the Year and
Brad, Baltimore: Hi, Heather. During postgame press conferences do any journalists ever ask
Heather A. Dinich:Hi Brad. No, that question hasn't popped up yet, but it's an interesting one. If I had to guess, I'd say it's because the way Maryland is running its flex offense doesn't inherently call for screens for outside shooters. It doesn't seem like they're looking for a three, they're just looking for the open man. If it happens to be Mike Jones, so be it. I'm just not so sure Gary wants to rest his offense on Jones shooting threes, although he has said that next to
Tim, Baltimore: Why do Gary and his staff continue to recruit second and third tier high school players after the national championship?
Heather A. Dinich:Hot topic these days, Tim. In the previous set of questions, I dug up some of the hype that surrounded this senior class and pointed out that had Gary NOT recruited Travis Garrison, a
Gene, Tampa: Is there a problem working with Coach Friedgen? It seems strange that a coach would lose both coordinators in the offseason. The one to retirement is explainable, however, not the one with spring practice just around the corner.
Heather A. Dinich: Yes, it is strange, but like you said, Gary Blackney's retirement is explainable, and it really wasn't a secret that Charlie Taaffe wanted to return to the head coaching ranks. The timing can be easily explained if Taaffe has something else in the works, but he didn't return a message I left on his cell, so I don't want to speculate any further.
Mike, Chambersburg, Pa.: Over the past few years, several big-time recruits for football (Kent Hicks) and basketball (Shane Clark) have been denied entry at Maryland, only to turn around and enroll at another major university and play that year. What gives? Are the academic standards at Maryland hindering the success of their teams?>
Heather A. Dinich: To some extent, yes. Maryland's admissions standards are higher than the
The first year I covered the
Bill, Hanover, Pa.: Are there any plans that you are aware of to have Terp games that are broadcast by RJSplit expanded to include the Hanover Pa. area? There are more than a few Terp fans here that have moved from the Baltimore/Washington area and are faithful followers of the Terps.
Heather A. Dinich:Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you on this one, Bill. I had to get in touch with Fred Barakat of the ACC to answer it and then I got swamped. Anyway, there aren't any plans because it's a regional network and Hanover just isn't in the "region," so you're going to have to rely on