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Carl Torbush
New Kansas University coach Turner Gill confirmed Monday, during his introductory press conference, that Torbush would run his defense. Torbush was en route to the Lawrence campus when the announcement was made and so wasn't available to the local media.
MSU head coach Dan Mullen issued a statement on the matter Monday night wishing Torbush well, but he did not say why Torbush left.
"We've already begun a search for his replacement that will be a good fit on our staff in both defensive philosophy and as an aggressive recruiter," Mullen said. "Our focus right now - as always - is recruiting the best players in the state of Mississippi to represent their state university."
Torbush did not return calls by the Daily Journal seeking comment.
So now Mullen, who led the Bulldogs to a 5-7 season capped by a 41-27 win over Ole Miss in his first year as a head coach, has his first big offseason challenge in front of him.
Mullen's statement was issued late because he was on the road recruiting all day Monday.
Scout.com's Steve Robertson said he doesn't think Torbush's leaving will have an adverse effect on recruiting. He said only two of MSU's current commitments for 2010 were recruited by Torbush.
"They'll be fine," Robertson said. "I don't see it having much of an impact at all."
Kansas will be the 10th college program Torbush, 58, has worked for. He's been defensive coordinator at five of his stops and a head coach at North Carolina and Louisiana Tech.
Torbush was MSU's oldest and highest-paid assistant at $260,000 a year.
"He has a passion about being able to teach young men about the same things we're going to do here," Gill said.
In seeking a replacement, it's likely the 37-year-old Mullen will value what Torbush brought: experience and a strong track record.
MSU's defense, which was dotted with a lot of new faces, turned in mixed results this season. It ranked 11th in the SEC and 63rd in the country in total defense, giving up 366.0 yards per game, and was also 11th in the league and 72nd in the country in scoring defense (26.8 points per game).
But it made 17 interceptions, second most in the SEC.
Defensive end Pernell McPhee was named second-team All-SEC, while defensive backs Johnthan Banks and Corey Broomfield made the All-Freshman team.
One thing that bothers me about Torbush leaving is that he actually contacted Mullen last year and inquired about the job. Mullen didn't initiate the contact. So this is how Torbush repays him?? Perhaps Mullen dropped some hints that he wasn't happy with Torbush's efforts in his first year. There must be more to the story.
There is one thing I do know. Kansas will not have a very good defense.