Calling Kent Riddle a special teams coach is like calling Mother Teresa a good listener or Warren Buffet a budgeting wiz. Special teams only scratches the surface for what this guy does. He is running backs coach and assistant head coach and special teams all rolled into one - a Special Running Assistant Back Manager, if you will.
That job description comes in part because Bryan Harsin has so much trust in Riddle and because Riddle is so good at so many things.
- He is a special teams guru known for the famous Riddler play that helped Boise State beat TCU in the Fiesta Bowl
- He was position coach for Brock Forsey and Ian Johnson
- He tutored returners Chris Carr and Quinton Jones and helped kicker Tyler Jones become a Lou Groza finalist
In case you hadn't jumped to conclusions yet, let me jump for you. Jay Ajayi is going to rush for 2,000 yards. Bryan Douglas is going to return five kickoffs for touchdowns. Shane Williams-Rhodes is going to lead the nation in punt return average. And Dan Goodale is never going to miss a kick again.
Boise State job
Assistant head coach / running backs / special teams coordinator
Who had his job last
Scott Huff, special teams
Chris Strausser, associate head coach / run game coordinator
Bob Gregory, assistant head coach
Keith Bhonapha, running backs
Yes, it did take four people to do the jobs that Kent Riddle will hold by his lonesome. Huff stayed in Boise as O-line coach, but the rest have gone to Washington to perform various duties that will one day be held again by Riddle once he is coach of all the coaching positions at every college.
Playing history
Oregon State quarterback, 1987-1990
Coaching history
- Oregon State student assistant and graduate assistant, 1991-1994
- Army fullbacks and special teams coach, 1995-2000
- Boise State special teams coach, 2001-2005
- Colorado special teams coach, 2006-2010
- North Texas special teams coach, 2011-2012
- Arkansas State assistant head coach, 2013
He is one of these three people. Can you guess which one?
Kent Riddle's latest Tweet
@scotthuffbsu now you're just working for more followers!!! What's next, you and Metallica on stage?#RideTheLightning
— Kent Riddle (@K_Ridd) February 7, 2014
Last book he read
Behind the Scenes of the Globe of Death, America's greatest special teams moment
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ed's note: This post is part of an introductory series on the new Boise State coaching staff. Here's the rest of the group:
- Mike Sanford
- Marcel Yates
- Kent Riddle
- Steve Caldwell
- Junior Adams
- Andy Avalos
- Julius Brown
- Eliah Drinkwitz
- Scott Huff
- and oh yeah, Bryan Harsin