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Iowa State University Athletics
McCarney Names New Offensive Coordinator
01.18.2002 | Football
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State passing game coordinator Steve Brickey, who in just two seasons in Ames, has coached two different quarterbacks to a pair of the finest seasons ever enjoyed by any Iowa State signal caller, was named Iowa State's new offensive coordinator Friday by ISU head coach Dan McCarney. Brickey replaces Steve Loney, who is now the offensive line coach of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
Brickey, a 24-year college coaching veteran, joined Iowa State as quarterbacks coach for the 2000 season. That fall he tutored ISU quarterback Sage Rosenfels to the second most productive season by a quarterback in school history. Rosenfels rolled up 2,679 yards of total offense in 2000, leading the third most productive offense in school history at 424.6 yards per game. Rosenfels' 2,298 passing yards rank third in the ISU single-season record books. Rosenfels now plays for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.
A new success story was crafted by a different quarterback under Brickey's guidance in 2001. Junior college transfer Seneca Wallace compiled 2,519 yards of total offense this fall, ranking No. 3 behind Rosenfels on the all-time ISU single-season list. Wallace's 2,044 passing yards ranks sixth in school history.
"What Steve Brickey has done at Iowa State with two different quarterbacks can't be underplayed," McCarney said. "His success with offensive strategy and personal teaching demeanor with many outstanding quarterbacks over the years will serve him well."
The offensive coordinator at North Texas in 1999, Brickey, 47, schooled four of the all-time career offensive leaders in Southwest Conference history during his 12-year tenure as a coach in the Lone Star state.
"I am excited about building upon what we have all accomplished here at Iowa State," Brickey said. "I look forward to working with Dan McCarney in a new role. Everyone is excited about next season."
As an assistant coach at Texas from 1987-91, Brickey tutored quarterback Peter Gardere, who amassed 7,407 career yards of total offense. He also coached Longhorn quarterback Bret Stafford, who compiled 5,378 total offensive yards. Gardere and Stafford rank second and third all-time, respectively, in Longhorn history in total offense. Brickey was offensive coordinator at Indiana State in 1992.
As quarterbacks coach at Texas Tech in 1986, Brickey worked with Red Raider signal-caller Billy Joe Tolliver, who finished his career with 6,475 yards of total offense. As quarterbacks coach at Texas Christian from 1993-97, he coached Horned Frog quarterback Max Knake, who finished his career with 7,150 total yards. Brickey recruited TCU tailback and current San Diego Charger LaDainian Tomlinson, the nation's leading rusher in 1999 and 2000.
While at Indiana State from 1978-85, Brickey worked with quarterbacks Jeff Miller (7,559 yards) and Reggie Allen (6,102 yards), who finished first and third, respectively, in career total offense in the Missouri Valley Conference. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Missouri (1976-77).
Brickey has been on staffs that have been to six bowl games at four schools, including the 1986 Independence Bowl (Texas Tech), the 1987 Bluebonnet Bowl (Texas), the 1991 Cotton Bowl (Texas), the 1994 Independence Bowl (TCU), the 2000 Insight.com Bowl (Iowa State) and the 2001 Independence Bowl (Iowa State). While an assistant at Indiana State, he helped the Sycamores to their only NCAA I-AA playoff berths (1983, 1984).
At North Texas, Brickey was in charge of an offense that saw running back Ja'Quay Wilburn become the school's all-time leading rusher.
Brickey was an all-metro quarterback at Affton High School in suburban St. Louis, graduating in 1972. He played both quarterback and defensive back at Missouri and received his degree in 1976. He and his wife, Patti, have three sons: John (16), Mike (14) and Chris (27).
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