The crazy world of coaching changes hit the FCS during the playoffs and offseason. And it wasn't just head coaches moving on.
There was plenty of notable movement in coaching staffs, especially the offensive and defensive coordinators.
Just looking at the 2018 semifinal teams: Eastern Washington, Maine, North Dakota State and South Dakota State all have new coordinators. Some were promoted from within the staff. Others were brought on as outside hires.
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EWU has had a lot of turnover at the OC position in recent years with its guys moving on to impressive jobs. Bodie Reeder left after two seasons to be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at North Texas. The Eagles made another grand-slam hire in bringing in Central Washington head coach Ian Shoemaker.
Defensively, Jeff Schmedding took the Boise State outside linebackers and co-special teams coordinator positions. EWU elevated Eti Ena, who was previously the defensive front coordinator along with being the associate head coach.
Maine had its coaching staff shaken up a bit when head coach Joe Harasymiak took an assistant defensive job at Minnesota and defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman took the same position at James Madison.
Nick Charlton was elevated from offensive coordinator to be Maine's next head coach. He then promoted Andrew Dresner to the OC position after Dresner coached Maine's wide receivers. Mike Ryan, who previously coached Maine's inside linebackers, was named the new DC.
NDSU is undergoing major changes after its mostly intact coaching staff of several years split up. Head coach Chris Klieman was named Kansas State's next head man and he took four Bison assistants with him, including OC Courtney Messingham.
NDSU DC Matt Entz was hired as the new HC. His two coordinator hires were OC Tyler Roehl, who previously served as the tight ends/fullbacks coach, and DC David Braun, who was previously Northern Iowa's outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.
SDSU saw its longtime coordinators take new jobs. Offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness took the same job at Northern Illinois. DC Clint Brown did the same with Abilene Christian.
John Stiegelmeier stayed in-house for his two new coordinators. Jason Eck was promoted from run game coordinator/offensive line coach. Safeties coach Brian Bergstrom and linebackers coach Jimmy Rogers were elevated to co-defensive coordinators.
As all four of these teams face question marks about holes left on the rosters, it's also a noteworthy storyline in spring ball and preseason camp on what these new coordinators bring to the table.
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