The Goat Pen

Gruden has been rumored to have been very interested in every coaching vacancy the past 5 years. He is the new Bill Cowher.

So, will Maryland be a Leader or a Legend?

Butch Davis is available...

Wasn't he fired from NC after the NCAA investigated him? We are already on probation (thanks a lot Kiffin...). We don't need any more problems.

U*NC let Davis go "without cause" and paid him $2.7mil. He's eligible for immediate hire.

What's Bill Callahan doing these days?

AugustWest wrote:U*NC let Davis go "without cause" and paid him $2.7mil. He's eligible for immediate hire.

Translation: you are currently on probation; this hire will get you bowl bans along with some scholies taken away

And I would like to take this moment to point out if and when Sal will be fired has not been announced...

Sal is a good coach. He did not have the time, leadership or personnel to affect change. Would gladly take him back in T-town tomorrow.

Dude, I won't comment on him being a position coach. I have no idea how good he did as the LB coach at 'bama although I have a feeling he did pretty good. But being a good position coach and being a defensive coordinators are two different things.

I was under the impression he brought the people in on the defensive staff. He picked them, he can't blame people for "personnel" problems unless he was not able to get his picks and had to settle for someone else's third or fourth choices. He had an experience group of players on defense as just about all of them had been here a while. I entertain the possibility a position coach or two didn't do their job (particularly the secondary coach), but he picked them all.

As far as leadership, that comes from him: he, as the DC, provides the leadership. If there was lack of that, then that was/is Sal's fault.

You have a point about time. However, as was previously mentioned, had an experienced squad to deal with. He wasn't bringing up a group of freshmen so "time" is an excuse that will only get him so far.

15 Coaches to Replace Fired Derek Dooley at Tennessee

The above is a link to a pretty good story about some possible coaches to replace Dooley. A lot of names have been mentioned before. But, this article is still a good read.

Gruden of course is mentioned in the article. Prior to reading this article, I believed he wouldn't come here, or to any other college, to coach. The article questions whether or not if he can and will put up with recruiting as he has never had to do that at a collegiate level before (as I recall...). I'm more convinced than ever hell will freeze over 100 times before he comes here. Part of me hopes I'm wrong. We will see.

One on the list (it's at the bottom) stood out to me which I have never thought of before: Florida's offensive coordinator Brent Pease. Some FL fans may get ticked, but after thinking about it a bit I'm liking that idea. Their offense sure seems potent and he has obvious SEC experience. Considering how bad our defense has been, I would like to have a candidate with a more defensive mindset.

A funny surprise in the article: Dooley's replacement at La Tech, Sonny Dykes, is mentioned as a possible candidate. LOL

When I say 'personnel' I am talking about the players on the roster at UT.

When I say leadership, I am talking about the situation that he walked in on when hired: The culture that exists at UT.

The system that he is trying to instill at UT is Saban's, top to bottom. It takes time, though.

Essentials for success:

1). A dominating NG

2). Smart players who are warriors in the weight and film room.

3) Discipline.

4) A 2-deep DL.

5) 10 LBs.

6) Time.


Alabama lost to La-Monroe Saban's first year, on the way to a 6-6 regular season. You don't want Sal? Great. I would be willing to fire any defensive coach - save Kirby -to get him back. If Kirby takes a HC job, he could be plugged in and not miss a beat as DC at Bama.

Sal could only do wo much with a pile of crap.

OF thought Sal could just walk in with his Alabama magic wand and fix things overnight. Big difference. between the talent at those schools though. UT does smell better though.

You'd think it would catch on at the other SEC schools.

Did you say Florida's offense is potent?

How in god's name did NCState lose (and badly) to UT?

DDAL wrote:Did you say Florida's offense is potent?

About as potent as wizzies smack.

hedge wrote:How in god's name did NCState lose (and badly) to UT?

We suck.