PROVO — Amidst all the hoopla surrounding Big12 Media Days, BYU is honing in on adding a critical part to its recruiting staff.
The Cougar football program is searching for a new Director of Football Recruiting in the wake of Patrick Hickman likely to assume the role of Director of Football Operations to replace Billy Nixon, who took a role with Built Bar, according to Ben Criddle.
There's a job opening within the BYU Football Department.
Dominoes:
Billy Nixon – Former DFO for BYU Football moves over to compete in the corporate world with Built Bar.
(Director of Sports Marketing at Built)Patrick Hickman – IMO, should become the next DFO… pic.twitter.com/4tWPt1chTY
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) July 11, 2023
Hiring a quality Director of Football Recruiting is imperative for any football program given the current climate of recruiting. Unlimited official visits on the horizon and constant transfer portal activity among several other factors necessitates a capable and active recruiting staff should any program hope to prove competitive.
So who are the likely candidates? Should BYU hire within or look to the outside ranks to fill the position?
It’s apparent the Cougars will look within first, congruent to how things are typically done within the program, and for good reason, considering a list of quality possibilities:
In-house candidates
Brandon Bradley: Former BYU defensive back who currently works as the football program’s Director of Campus Experience.
Vince Feula: Former BYU defensive lineman who is currently employed as a defensive analyst for the football program.
Mike Hall: Former BYU basketball player whose current position is Director of Player Development.
Al Pupunu: Former NFL lineman whose current position is an offensive analyst for the football program.
Jack Damuni: Former BYU defensive back who is currently employed as BYU’s Director of Football Relations
Outside candidates
Jake Langi: Former Player Personnel Analyst for Texas Football
Moose Bingham: Former BYU player who worked on BYU’s recruiting staff previously.
Aaron Amaama: Current recruiting analyst for Tennessee Football who previously worked for Utah.
James Thompson: Current Director of Internal Scouting for South Florida football who has connections with the current BYU staff.
BYU should be announcing its decision soon in hopes of not missing a beat in time for the 2023 football season the coming 2024 signing period which begins in December.
