That's right! According to unofficial reports, Old Forge's own RJ (You can call me Ray) Rychleski will be the new special teams coach for the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS!!!!
NFL, here we come!!!!
Various websites, including the
IndyStar.com,
StampedeBlue.com,
GarnetandBlackAttack.com, and
GoGamecocks.com, have reported that RJ will be named to new head coach Jim Caldwell's staff after the Super Bowl. The NFL asks teams that they do not make coaching annoucements during Super Bowl Week.
I did some research - OK, I typed 'Ray Rychleski' into Google - and came up with some articles from the past two years on RJ and his coaching career.
So here they are for your reading enjoyment....
From Stampedeblue.com
Meet the Colts new special teams coach: Ray Rychleski
by BigBlueShoe on Jan 28, 2009 11:11 AM EST in Colts News
Yesterday, several University of South Carolina fan sites reported what our own hoosier in sodak reported here almost ten days ago: The Colts have hired former Gamecock's special teams coach Ray Rychleski as their new ST coach. Of course, per typical Colts protocol, they haven't made an announcement yet even though everyone and their grandmother knows Rychleski was hired. It's always been a source of frustration for fans like me that in this modern world of instant access to information, it takes forever for teams like the Colts to shoot out a simple press release which reads "Colts hire Rychleski."
FromGarnetandBlackAttack.com
While we can't blame Coach Ray for leaving for a position at a succesful NFL franchise under his old colleague and new Colts coach Jim Caldwell, his departure is a tough blow to Gamecocks fans. Rychleski, known for leading stellar special teams units while at Maryland, brought instant improvement to the Gamecocks' units in his first year in 2008. We had effective kick returns units, didn't give up as many blocked kicks as we had over the prior two years, and generally looked more competent. The blocked FG against Vandy, weird kickoff return lateral against Florida, and blocked punt against Clemson weren't very memorable plays for Ray's reputation, but compared to some of the pathetic stuff we had to see in 2006 and 2007, Ray did a fantastic job.
From The State
Go Gamecocks.com
About the time USC announced Graham’s hiring, word leaked that tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski is a candidate for a position with the Indianapolis Colts.
Rychleski said he has interviewed for the special teams coordinator spot with new Colts coach Jim Caldwell, but he has not been offered the position. Rychleski, who has been at USC for a year, said he would not leave Columbia for another college position, but added the situation with Caldwell is unique.
The two have known each other for 17 years since Rychleski was a graduate assistant and Caldwell was quarterbacks coach for Penn State coach Joe Paterno. Rychleski spent eight seasons on Caldwell’s Wake Forest staff from 1993-2000.
“We’ve had discussions, but no job has been offered and no job has been accepted. But quite obviously we go back 17 years,” said Rychleski, who expects to hear back from Caldwell later this week. “I’m not looking for any college job. I’m extremely happy here.”
From GoGamecocks.com
Ray Rychleski joined the Gamecock coaching staff on Dec. 18, 2007. He will serve as the Gamecocks' special teams coordinator and tight ends coach in 2008.
Rychleski has spent the past seven years as the special teams coordinator and tight ends/H-backs coach at the University of Maryland. Over that seven-year period Maryland had zero punts
blocked, the longest current streak in Division I-A football. His special team units blocked 22 kicks and had eight returns for touchdowns in that seven-year span. In addition, Maryland led the country in kickoff return yardage defense, allowing just 16.56 yards per kickoff return in 2007. Rychleski coached an All-Atlantic Coast Conference punter for six straight years (2001-06), had one specialist selected in the NFL draft and five others sign as free agents.
During his seven-year run at Maryland, Rychleski had three tight ends selected in the NFL Draft, including Vernon Davis, the sixth pick overall in the 2006 draft, and four others who signed free agent contracts. Rychleski helped the Terrapins to a record of 56-31 with five bowl appearances during his tenure, including the 2001 ACC Championship, the 2002 Peach Bowl Championship, the 2004 Gator Bowl Championship and the 2006 CHAMPS Sports Bowl Championship. The Terps were ranked in the Top 25 three times (2001, 2002 and 2003) and appeared in their first-ever Bowl Championship Series bowl game in 2001 (Orange Bowl).
Prior to his arrival in College Park, Rychleski spent eight seasons (1993-2000) at Wake Forest University. For the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Rychleski was the Demon Deacons' tight ends coach while also serving as the team's special teams coach. For the three years prior to that, he worked with WFU's outside linebackers. During his first three seasons at Wake (1993-95), Rychleski coached the defensive line.
A veteran of 28 years of coaching, including 26 seasons at the collegiate level, Rychleski began his coaching career on the prep level in Pennsylvania in 1979 before heading to Temple University, where he took a position as a graduate assistant. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to his first full-time collegiate coaching post. He spent eight years at Temple (1981-88) before joining the Northeastern staff as a defensive coordinator/inside linebacker coach. After two years at Northeastern (1989-90), he spent a year as a G.A. at Penn State and one summer with the Toronto Argonauts as a volunteer assistant.
In 1992, Rychleski was hired as a special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at East Stroudsburg University where he helped the Warriors to their best record in 13 years. After his brief stint there, he left for Wake Forest in 1993.
A native of Old Forge, Pa., Rychleski earned his degree in social studies from Millersville (Pa.) State College (now known as Millersville University) in 1979.
From Gamecocks.com
Gamecocks.com
University of South Carolina head football Steve Spurrier has added Ray Rychleski (rich-LESS-key) to his coaching staff, he announced today. Rychleski will serve as the Gamecocks' special teams coordinator in 2008.
Rychleski, 50, has spent the past seven years as the special teams coordinator and tight ends/H-backs coach at the University of Maryland. Over that seven-year period, Maryland has had zero punts blocked, the longest current streak in Division I-A football. His special team units have blocked 22 kicks and have eight returns for touchdowns in that seven-year span. In addition, Maryland is ranked second in the country in kickoff return yardage defense, allowing just 16.34 yards per kickoff return in 2007. Rychleski coached an All-Atlantic Coast Conference punter for six straight years (2001-06), had one specialist selected in the NFL draft and five others sign as free agents.
"I believe Ray is one of the best special teams coaches in the country," said Coach Spurrier. "Maryland has not had a punt blocked since he has been there. I believe we're in good hands with him coordinating our special teams."
Rychleski helped the Terrapins to a record of 56-30 with five bowl appearances during his tenure, including the 2001 ACC Championship, the 2002 Peach Bowl Championship, the 2004 Gator Bowl Championship and the 2006 CHAMPS Sports Bowl Championship. The Terps were ranked in the Top 25 three times (2001, 2002 and 2003) and appeared in their first-ever Bowl Championship Series bowl game in 2001 (Orange Bowl).
Rychleski is expected to coach the Terrapins in their Dec. 28 Emerald Bowl game in San Francisco against Oregon State before joining the Gamecock staff in Columbia.
"This is an outstanding opportunity for me to coach in the SEC at what I consider one of the top jobs in the country," said Rychleski. "I've had a great opportunity at Maryland working under head coach Ralph Friedgen, but I'm looking forward to the challenge that is presented at South Carolina and working for another outstanding coach in Steve Spurrier. Since attending the Carolina-Clemson game in 1997, I've wanted to coach at South Carolina because of the tremendous fan base and the excitement that's generated at Williams-Brice Stadium."
Prior to his arrival in College Park, Rychleski spent eight seasons (1993-2000) at Wake Forest University. For the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Rychleski was the Demon Deacons' tight ends coach while also serving as the team's special teams coach. For the three years prior to that, he worked with WFU's outside linebackers. During his first three seasons at Wake (1993-95), Rychleski coached the defensive line.
A veteran of 28 years of coaching including 26 seasons at the collegiate level, Rychleski began his coaching career on the prep level in Pennsylvania in 1979 before heading to Temple University, where he took a position as a graduate assistant. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to his first full-time collegiate coaching post. He spent eight years at Temple (1981-88) before joining the Northeastern staff as a defensive coordinator/inside linebacker coach. After two years at Northeastern (1989-90), he spent a year as a G.A. at Penn State and one summer with the Toronto Argonauts as a volunteer assistant.
In 1992, Rychleski was hired as a special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at East Stroudsburg University where he helped the Warriors to their best record in 13 years. After his brief stint there, he left for Wake Forest in 1993.
A native of Old Forge, Pa., Rychleski earned his degree in social studies from Millersville (Pa.) State College (now known as Millersville University) in 1979. He is single.
From the Washingtonpost.com
Washingtonpost.com
U-Md. Assistant Rychleski Takes Job at S. Carolina
By Marc Carig
Washington Post Staff Writer _Wednesday, December 19, 2007; Page E07
Maryland assistant coach Ray Rychleski, who has presided over the Terrapins' special teams the past seven seasons, has been hired as the special teams coordinator at South Carolina. Rychleski will coach the Terrapins in the Dec. 28 Emerald Bowl before moving to his new role as an assistant to Gamecocks Coach Steve Spurrier.
"I had to do it," said Rychleski, who came to Maryland as part of Ralph Friedgen's original staff in 2001 and also coached tight ends and H-backs. "It's a great opportunity. I've never coached in the SEC, and I wanted to see what's out there."
Through a mutual friend, Spurrier contacted Rychleski on Monday. Rychleski, 50, said he hopes the job leads to a head coaching position.
Rychleski's move could have an impact on another critical staff decision -- whether Friedgen will hire an offensive coordinator. Friedgen, who has handled play-calling duties the past two seasons, has said that creating a staff opening has been one hurdle in hiring an offensive coordinator.
"I really haven't addressed that yet," said Friedgen, who isn't expected to make a decision until after the Terrapins' bowl game. "But it does leave a spot open for me now."
During Rychleski's tenure at Maryland, special teams has been one of the program's strongest areas. Former Terrapins kick returner Steve Suter set an ACC record with 1,271 career punt return yards, a mark that stood until this season. Rychleski also coached Nick Novak, Maryland's career leader in field goals made.
Between Brooks Barnard and Adam Podlesh, Terrapins punters have earned all-ACC honors in six consecutive seasons beginning in 2001. In Rychleski's time, the Terrapins never have allowed a punt to be blocked.
"We've been very sound on special teams," Friedgen said. "He's done a phenomenal job with it. We're going to miss him. It's a great opportunity for him. They've paid him a lot of money, and I'm happy for him."
Rychleski, who made nearly $117,000 in guaranteed salary this season, will be receiving a pay raise to join the Gamecocks, though he refused to disclose the terms of the deal.
Special teams were a question for the Terrapins entering this season, but Obi Egekeze made 17 of 22 field goal attempts and Travis Baltz averaged 41.3 yards per punt. Maryland also was second nationally in kickoff return defense.
Rychleski praised Friedgen for his emphasis on special teams and outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson, who doubled as a special teams assistant.
"When you have a head coach thinking like that, and you have very good assistants helping you, and you have outstanding players in the special teams area, it's hard not to be good," he said.
CONGRATS RJ!!!!
I am Feeling kinda Sunday right NOW!!!!!
On June 12, 1992 the Old Forge Blue Devils baseball team won the PIAA Class 2A Baseball Championship, beating District 9 champ Ridgway, 15-5. The Blue Devils were decided underdogs.
