Two days ago I reported that Aaron Alford was set to join the Utah coaching staff. He had spent a couple of years coaching at Akron prior to his move here.
Yesterday the Official Utes Website released a press release on his joining the staff. You can read it here.
Some snippets from the article.
He has ties to the region, which I'm sure will help recruiting. Plus I think playing and coaching under CSU head coach Sonny Lubick is a good asset. I've always respected the job Lubick did in Fort Collins. And though Lubick's success has declined over the years, you can't deny the guy made Colorado State a powerful football program in the 1990s. Prior to his arrival, they were one of the worst programs in the west.
These are good numbers, as the Utes struggled in the secondary last season. Even with Eric Weddle, they constantly were getting burned by opposing offenses and I hope this changes with a new coach guiding the cornerbacks.
As for moving Jay Hill over to the special teams, I think this can only help. Even though the Utes are far better at special teams than they were prior to Urban Meyer, they're not at the level they were in '03 and '04. It was clear Meyer had a gift for getting the most out of special teams play and even though at the time those plays can seem minor, in the entire scheme of things, they could ultimately change the outcome of a game.
I hope these coaching moves help the team and I actually think they will. I just wish football season will get here, because this break is killing me.