This is perhaps the biggest coaching news to come out of USF, at least in my four years at the University.

Wally Burnham, who has spent nine years on Jim Leavitt’s coaching staff and eight as defensive coordinator, has left USF to take the vacant defensive coordinator position at Iowa State University.

“Wally did a great job for us, we will sorely miss him and his wife Barbara,” said Leavitt in a statement released by USF Athletics.  “I am absolutely proud of everything he has done here and the success he has brought to USF.  We wish him luck at Iowa State and I know that he will always be successful because of his tremendous character.”

This move seems a little shocking when considering Burnham’s success. He led USF to be the No. 10 overall defense in 2008.

This follows last week’s news of former offensive coordinator Greg Gregory leaving the team for South Alabama’s offensive coordinator spot. 

As spring practice nears, I’ll post any news on potential replacements. That being said, Leavitt typically hires from the inside. Later today I’ll post my top three candidates for each coordinator position based on members of Leavitt’s current staff.

J.R.