Maryland Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell has accepted the same position at Florida State.
Source: Maryland OC Walt Bell expected to become the Offensive Coordinator and QB coach at Florida State.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 17, 2018
The Seminoles recently announced that Willie Taggart will become their head coach next season, and one of his first moves is bringing Bell to lead the offense. It is still not clear about a possible pay raise, or if Bell will even call the plays, but his ability to recruit should be raised with a Florida State logo.
For the class of 2018, Bell is only listed as a lead recruiter for three Maryland players, which is good for the Terrapins. Most of Maryland’s class should stay in place, depending on who DJ Durkin brings in to replace Bell.
Posing the question on Twitter of who could be next, a flurry of responses came in:
Danny Langsdorf?
— Husker Corner (@theHuskerCorner) January 17, 2018
Mike Mularkey
— Name cannot be blank (@TerpmanJT) January 17, 2018
Surely Jim McElwain will be interested.
— JH (@Hartnettecon) January 17, 2018
One big topic to ponder is how much of an overhaul that a new coordinator will bring. Bell ran a high tempo spread offense that not too many can replicate.
Terrapin fans have often seen the issue of new coaches not jiving with current players. Bringing in a coach that knows how to work with quarterbacks Tyrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill’s strengths rather than forcing them into a pro-style offense.
Whoever joins the staff will be inheriting one heck of an offense. With Pigrome and Hill returning from injury, Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison still running over defenses, and the returns of a couple major offensive linemen, the Terrapins have a bright future.
Walt Bell will surely be a head coach in no time, and Florida State is just one step closer to that happening. His vibe and connection with players was refreshing to see, and he will be missed in College Park.