I like Olivadotti and Wilson. However, if you were interested in the DC job, didn't get it, and were offered an opportunity to move on for a bit more money, wouldn't you?
Wilson is going to Southern Cal. While he has DC experience (Mississippi State), he was relieved of DC duties during the season, then dismissed from the staff. I think he was a good add for Georgia to replace Garner and certainly was an improvement in the coaching and teaching side of the house.
Olivadotti is headed back to the Redskins. I really like him and love how the Bulldog Nation embraced his daughter Kasyn during her battle for cancer. In my mind, this is the bigger loss of the two.
Now, Jeremy Pruitt gets a clean slate to build his own staff. Of course, I'd put one name out there immediately: Ed Orgeron. I've joked a bit about his recruiting prowess, but he is also a very good position coach. But seriously, he's already got the Glengarry leads and enough coffee to make Seattle nervous.
I'd be surprised if we don't have a Dline and at least one LB coach brought in pretty quickly. If I'm Pruitt, I have Randy Shannon on speed dial right now. Same goes for Manny Diaz and Charles Kelly. He could go with one LB coach and have separate line and D-end coaches, which is what he had at FSU.
Who'd you like to see brought in?
TD
Showing posts with label Lane Kiffin can't have the Glengarry Leads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lane Kiffin can't have the Glengarry Leads. Show all posts
January 16, 2014
September 29, 2013
May 9, 2013
What will FSU do with Matthew Thomas?
One thing that struck me about this whole thing is the timing. Thomas attended FSU's spring game and reportedly didn't say anything to his coaches or FSU's coaches. Now, his mother goes out of town and he is looking to get out of his National Letter of Intent (NLI). That is something I missed before and honestly can't figure if, or how, it plays into Thomas letting FSU know he wants out.
I'm not ready to just write him off as a diva or whatever other term that is getting thrown around. He didn't strike me that way in his recruiting, and I can think of plenty of reasons he might be re-thinking his decision now. What makes me curious is how the conversation with him mom and Fisher will go. Will he do the opposite of what his mom wants by signing with USC whenever he gets the chance to do so? I still don't
think so, but who knows.
That being said, I see this going one of two ways. One is simple: FSU releases him, either outright or with restrictions, from his NLI. Since Derek Dooley isn't coaching there, it is hard to see them putting too many restrictions on him other than currently scheduled schools. Even if they put no restrictions on him, ACC rules require him to sit out two years, so any ACC school is also probably out. BTW, FSU's currently scheduled schools include Florida, Oklahoma State, Bethune-Cookman, Nevada, Idaho, Notre Dame, The Citadel, Texas State, and Chattanooga. This Provision 6 release would allow him to participate in Fall 2013. After looking over the NLI rules, I am not sure they could place ad hoc restrictions on him, but who knows, since it is a contract.
The other isn't so simple. If FSU says no, he could stay and play. He could not enroll and enroll at the school he intends to play for in 2014, but with only three years of eligibility left. Per Provision 4, he will get dinged a year penalty plus the year he is enrolled, but can't participate. He can appeal these penalties to the National Letter of Intent Review Committee, which, not surprisingly, is based at the NCAA and is made up of Count Dooku, Verbal Kint, and Kenneth Starr. He'll need to show extenuating circumstances.
Therein lies the rub. Can he?
There is also a whole other issue about FSU allowing him to be recruited, but I don't have the time or mind power to see how that plays into this. It was mentioned to me that the only other recruiting situation that comes close to this is Seantrel Henderson, who signed with Southern Cal, then was granted his release when the NCAA dropped the hammer on the Trojans. There are a couple of key things different here. First, FSU isn't getting the hammer dropped on them, so that extenuating circumstance isn't there. Second. FSU doesn't need to free up a scholarship, like Southern Cal needed to do at that time.
So, what does that mean? I have to think one of two things happen now. The first is that Thomas' has another change of heart and still goes to Tallahassee. While that is the simplest scenario in this whole mess, I can't get my mind around why do this if momma is just going to make you stay with your (her?) pick. Second, FSU grants the release. If they grant the release, he'll come to Georgia, IMHO. I'm not saying they do; I'm not saying they won't. I just think he'll come to Athens if they do. I don't see the juice being worth the squeeze for FSU to refuse the request, long term.
Finally, there is always a JUCO route, if he chooses to go that way. I'd guess he'll still have three years of eligibility when he is done there, so unless he somehow becomes untouchable due to this situation or can't qualify where he wants to go, I can't see him going JUCO. He could just enroll at the institution he intends to play for and still hold those same three years of eligibility, while practicing with his team mates and learning the system he's going to play in.
It'll be an interesting thing to watch as him mom gets back into town and those meetings with Jimbo Fisher happen. Of course, the long term fallout with this will be how top prospects handle NLIs going forward. For my money, I think we'll see fewer letters of intent signed, and more players actually dragging their recruiting out longer.
I bet Paul Johnson will love that.
TD
I'm not ready to just write him off as a diva or whatever other term that is getting thrown around. He didn't strike me that way in his recruiting, and I can think of plenty of reasons he might be re-thinking his decision now. What makes me curious is how the conversation with him mom and Fisher will go. Will he do the opposite of what his mom wants by signing with USC whenever he gets the chance to do so? I still don't
think so, but who knows.
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| (Image: USA Today, From Tallahassee Democrat) |
The other isn't so simple. If FSU says no, he could stay and play. He could not enroll and enroll at the school he intends to play for in 2014, but with only three years of eligibility left. Per Provision 4, he will get dinged a year penalty plus the year he is enrolled, but can't participate. He can appeal these penalties to the National Letter of Intent Review Committee, which, not surprisingly, is based at the NCAA and is made up of Count Dooku, Verbal Kint, and Kenneth Starr. He'll need to show extenuating circumstances.
Therein lies the rub. Can he?
There is also a whole other issue about FSU allowing him to be recruited, but I don't have the time or mind power to see how that plays into this. It was mentioned to me that the only other recruiting situation that comes close to this is Seantrel Henderson, who signed with Southern Cal, then was granted his release when the NCAA dropped the hammer on the Trojans. There are a couple of key things different here. First, FSU isn't getting the hammer dropped on them, so that extenuating circumstance isn't there. Second. FSU doesn't need to free up a scholarship, like Southern Cal needed to do at that time.
So, what does that mean? I have to think one of two things happen now. The first is that Thomas' has another change of heart and still goes to Tallahassee. While that is the simplest scenario in this whole mess, I can't get my mind around why do this if momma is just going to make you stay with your (her?) pick. Second, FSU grants the release. If they grant the release, he'll come to Georgia, IMHO. I'm not saying they do; I'm not saying they won't. I just think he'll come to Athens if they do. I don't see the juice being worth the squeeze for FSU to refuse the request, long term.
Finally, there is always a JUCO route, if he chooses to go that way. I'd guess he'll still have three years of eligibility when he is done there, so unless he somehow becomes untouchable due to this situation or can't qualify where he wants to go, I can't see him going JUCO. He could just enroll at the institution he intends to play for and still hold those same three years of eligibility, while practicing with his team mates and learning the system he's going to play in.
It'll be an interesting thing to watch as him mom gets back into town and those meetings with Jimbo Fisher happen. Of course, the long term fallout with this will be how top prospects handle NLIs going forward. For my money, I think we'll see fewer letters of intent signed, and more players actually dragging their recruiting out longer.
I bet Paul Johnson will love that.
TD
May 8, 2013
Matthew Thomas - Word on the street
I'm not much for word on the street stuff. For one, my street is fairly far from town. For two, unless you are hearing it from the actual person involved, there is always agenda. That being said, I feel pretty good about Matthew Thomas coming to UGA. As you might know, he was one of the top three OLB in the Feb signing class, and he ended up committing to FSU, propelling FSU's signing class to a top ten ranking.
Now he wants out. He is reportedly looking at Southern Cal and Georgia. He signed with FSU, at his mom's urging. Miami thought he was a sure thing until Al Golden pulled one of his best friend's scholarship offer in January. Even if he would get past that, he'd have a mandatory two year sit out per ACC rules.
His mom wants him closer to home than farther. Plus, mom still likes UGA more than Southern Cal (or still doesn't trust the coaching staff at SC; this is the word on the street stuff I was talking about), and Thomas isn't going to go against her this time either. Unless another school gets into the mix, he'll come to Georgia....if FSU releases him from the LOI, which they don't have to do.
I haven't spent a lot of time digging into the scenarios if they don't, but I'll do so tonight. However, I do think he comes to play for Georgia, eventually.
TD
February 9, 2013
Kiffin screwing with the entire UCS fanbase
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| (h/t @Michael__Booker) |
Based on the player's comments, he was also the most loved. Which probably is cause for firing if you work for Kiffin.
TD
December 11, 2012
Tee Martin turns down offer to return to Tennessee
| (Image: Eleven Warriors) |
And he didn't have that pesky NCAA to hinder him.
Now, does Martin's decision to stay at Southern Cal mean Tennessee isn't the program it once was? Probably will be seen that way. However, let's just call this what it is: Lane Kiffin is a better recruiter than Butch Jones. Lane Kiffin has a long memory and will likely find some way to take a swipe at UT about this as well. Kiffin could fire Tee Martin next week, but he wasn't going to lose a coach to Butch Jones at Tennessee.
Vols, bitch!
TD
This little bit of drama has been brought to you by Mike Hamilton.
November 5, 2012
Can you fire your Daddy?
Looks like Lane Kiffin is going to have to if he wants to keep his job. Southern Cal's defense is currently ranked 66th nationally (8th in the Pac-1X) in total defense. Yes, they just played Oregon who is probably the better team to see a spread against Kansas City on, but damn. They gave up over 350 to Colorado which is the Buffaloes second highest output this season.
Kiffin might be able to recruit like nobodies business, but he coaches likeshit Ron Zook. Something tells me he did Tennessee a favor by leaving.
TD
Kiffin might be able to recruit like nobodies business, but he coaches like
TD
August 9, 2012
The Real Outrage: Why isn't Dooley Losing Control of His Team
If you follow me on Twitter (wow, two begs in a day), you know I go way overboard on the 'Mark Richt has lost control of...' meme. I do that because it helps me from going medieval on folks over the ridiculousness of the idea that he has lost control of his team...or controls the independent actions of college aged men. But I do have to ask, with appropriate props to Corbindawg at The Grit Tree for getting me thinking about this, why isn't [fill in your favorite media hit troll] outraged at what is going on in Knoxville?
If Aaron Murray had two Tier 2 police interactions in one month, ESPN would be doing stand-ups in Athens. The AJC's unholy duo would have used countless column inches decrying the lack of accountability in Mark Richt's football program/discussing how clean/awesome Georgia Tech is. Missouri fans would proclaim themselves Archdukes of the SEC East. South Carolina bloggers and fans would have had meltdowns over how unfair the schedule is. Tech fans would have used Klingon to spell 'tUga' in Morse code.
In short, it would be a big deal. Yet Tyler Bray starts acting like he is a quarterback for South Carolina and it isn't a big deal. Imagine if in the past two years Georgia football would have had a bar room brawl that putsomeone a police officer in the hospital. Imagine if you had another player in that time arrested for domestic violence. Imagine if another was rung up for beating down a dude for talking to his woman in a bar. Imagine if another was busted stealing laptops from team mates. Imagine if Georgia had signed Da'Rick Rogers.
For the record, I don't blame Dooley for what is going on with his college students. Now, we can have the debate over how the two universities handle suspensions or how the local constabularies handle arrests, but under no circumstances do I think either Mark Richt or Derek Dooley are responsible for creating a culture that encourages these behaviors.
Tell me where that outrage is. Maybe it has more to do with where Tennessee's football program is. Maybe it because Dooley is a good interview. It could be Lane Kiffin just recruited bad character guys. It could also be that fans tend to regurgitate whatever tripe the media is feeding us instead of thinking about issues on our own.
TD
If Aaron Murray had two Tier 2 police interactions in one month, ESPN would be doing stand-ups in Athens. The AJC's unholy duo would have used countless column inches decrying the lack of accountability in Mark Richt's football program/discussing how clean/awesome Georgia Tech is. Missouri fans would proclaim themselves Archdukes of the SEC East. South Carolina bloggers and fans would have had meltdowns over how unfair the schedule is. Tech fans would have used Klingon to spell 'tUga' in Morse code.
In short, it would be a big deal. Yet Tyler Bray starts acting like he is a quarterback for South Carolina and it isn't a big deal. Imagine if in the past two years Georgia football would have had a bar room brawl that put
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| Jetsking allows Bray to sport his art (Image:NOBOC) |
Tell me where that outrage is. Maybe it has more to do with where Tennessee's football program is. Maybe it because Dooley is a good interview. It could be Lane Kiffin just recruited bad character guys. It could also be that fans tend to regurgitate whatever tripe the media is feeding us instead of thinking about issues on our own.
TD
July 13, 2012
Friday Roundup
Stuff that caught my attention this morning:
- Blutarsky has his take on Vandy's new uniforms...and Jay Franklin's bluster about the New Vandy™. My take is that Jamie is still trying to convince the locals that it is really different. No really.
- Speaking of, "Look Good, Play Good™" is very close to good job, good effort, amirite? (yes, a two ™ post)
- Bernie invokes physics, philosophy and high grade meth cooking in advocating keeping players too tired to fish. I'm a bit uncertain about that.
Straight cash, homie!Garner(oh, my) Trooper out Sabans Saban to get Foster.- Lane Kiffin definitely can have some coffee.
- Notre Dame to the ACC? I guess it could happen. Actually, it makes sense from a "'hey, we are still relevant!'/throws sucker in dirt" rant standpoint.
- Florida students, ever vigilant in not wanting to fall behind Georgia, think showing up late for games is so 1980s. They just won't go.
- After watching Millen go on about JoePa, I couldn't help but to think about Frank Chirkinian in Tin Cup asking someone, anyone to 'tackle that guy.'
A little music to ease you into the weekend. Here's hoping you aren't one belt loop from the Sunday night news.
TD
February 10, 2012
Explain the Franklin/Vandy Love to Me
The non-sense around James Franklin's "men of honor" quotes (or misquote, if you have any reason to believe him) continues. We all know it was Kiffin level douchebaggery when he said it. Also, he knew exactly what he was saying, when he said it, and that he did so intentionally. We all thought it interesting on the day he said it, since he had gotten one of those men to leave North Carolina after the kid began orientation.
Yeah, Larry Fedora isn't impressed:
My question is this: What about Franklin's actions suddenly make him some cult hero or actually make Vanderbilt a force to be reckoned with? Just talking to the casual Georgia (or SEC, for that matter) fan, you would think he signed a Top 10 class. He did...Top 10 in the conference. Yes, they were more competitive than normal, but they beat no team with a winning record. The closest they came was their game against Georgia.
Someone is going to have to explain to me why Franklin isn't Lane Kiffin, but with a lesser coaching pedigree. Is it because of his 'We aren't going to take it' attitude and the fact he wanted to fight Todd Grantham?
What I saw was a team that was undisciplined to the point of danger and that had the inability to close. Definitely sounds like Kiffin to me.
TD
Yeah, Larry Fedora isn't impressed:
“What does [Franklin] say about the kids that were committed elsewhere and de-committed from their places to go to his place? That’s my comment. What is his comment on those people? He’s got someone in his recruiting class that did that very thing. He’s saying those guys are not men of honor? Basically, he’s saying he has got kids in his own recruiting class that are not men of honor. He said that, and I didn’t.”Hey, I love me a good pissing contest. My money is on the guy who is named after a hat, as opposed to an asshat. Blutarsky, as per usual, has a good take on that side of it.
My question is this: What about Franklin's actions suddenly make him some cult hero or actually make Vanderbilt a force to be reckoned with? Just talking to the casual Georgia (or SEC, for that matter) fan, you would think he signed a Top 10 class. He did...Top 10 in the conference. Yes, they were more competitive than normal, but they beat no team with a winning record. The closest they came was their game against Georgia.
Someone is going to have to explain to me why Franklin isn't Lane Kiffin, but with a lesser coaching pedigree. Is it because of his 'We aren't going to take it' attitude and the fact he wanted to fight Todd Grantham?
What I saw was a team that was undisciplined to the point of danger and that had the inability to close. Definitely sounds like Kiffin to me.
TD
June 10, 2010
Well....so much for a boring off season
The entire college football universe may change more in the next 48 hours than it has at any other compressed period of time in history with a likely end to the Big 12, and the trickle down impacts of that decision. Along with a much shorter term impact, but loud in the near term slapping of Southern Cal.
The latest on USC appears to be 20 lost scholarships, a two year bowl ban, and the optional penalty free release of upperclassmen to transfers. Bama fans still won't be pleased because it's not quite as bad as they got. But then again....the link tying the football staff at Bama to the Means saga was more concrete than the link tying Bush to the USC staff. I expect that much of this initial probation from the NCAA is for show. About a year later, they'll come back and soften the punishment a little.
Here's the big question on USC. Will the scholarship reduction begin immediately, or will it begin after the appeal? Ideally for Southern Cal haters, the penalty will begin after the appeal. Which means, they could damage an additional recruiting class before the sanctions even start while in limbo.
PWD
The latest on USC appears to be 20 lost scholarships, a two year bowl ban, and the optional penalty free release of upperclassmen to transfers. Bama fans still won't be pleased because it's not quite as bad as they got. But then again....the link tying the football staff at Bama to the Means saga was more concrete than the link tying Bush to the USC staff. I expect that much of this initial probation from the NCAA is for show. About a year later, they'll come back and soften the punishment a little.
Here's the big question on USC. Will the scholarship reduction begin immediately, or will it begin after the appeal? Ideally for Southern Cal haters, the penalty will begin after the appeal. Which means, they could damage an additional recruiting class before the sanctions even start while in limbo.
PWD
December 9, 2009
NY Times Investigating Vol Recruiting
The New York Times reports tonight that the NCAA has launched an investigation into the Tennessee Vols use of hostesses for the recruitment of student athletes including Marcus Lattimore, Brandon Willis, Corey Miller, Chris Dunkley, Chris Dunkley, JaWuan James and others (per the article).
The hostesses are alleged to have been involved in recruiting players off campus...as far away as 200 miles. University representatives can't recruit off campus.
The article is an intriguing read. Developing.
PWD
The hostesses are alleged to have been involved in recruiting players off campus...as far away as 200 miles. University representatives can't recruit off campus.
The article is an intriguing read. Developing.
PWD
March 7, 2009
Mark Richt drinks the Coffee
For a staff that "can't close well," they did pretty damn well. Orson Charles picked UGA yesterday. Scout lists Georgia's signing day or later kids as a 5 star WR, a 4 star DT and a 5 star defensive tackle. Blake from Mitch & Murray is impressed.
Scout lists UGA as having signed the #6 class in the nation. Rivals has the class at #8. Georgia is the only SEC East school in the Scout.com Top 10 final recruiting ranking. The class only has 19 signees so its ranking isn't as high as other larger classes. However, the class has the 2nd highest "average star rating" for Scout.com and is tied for 4th highest average star rating on Rivals.
(Update: They updated both Scout and Rivals rankings since I first published this. We're up to 4th and 6th respectively. All the other stats have been updated as well. See links above.)
I say all of this to say this....
I really don't care about ratings. Other than DE, I think they got everything they needed in this class. All of the bitching and moaning about "closing well" on signing day never made any sense to me to start with. What difference does it make if they commit in Feb. or Sept?
Anyway...it's a strong class, and I'm eager to see what we do with them.
PWD
Scout lists UGA as having signed the #6 class in the nation. Rivals has the class at #8. Georgia is the only SEC East school in the Scout.com Top 10 final recruiting ranking. The class only has 19 signees so its ranking isn't as high as other larger classes. However, the class has the 2nd highest "average star rating" for Scout.com and is tied for 4th highest average star rating on Rivals.
(Update: They updated both Scout and Rivals rankings since I first published this. We're up to 4th and 6th respectively. All the other stats have been updated as well. See links above.)
I say all of this to say this....
I really don't care about ratings. Other than DE, I think they got everything they needed in this class. All of the bitching and moaning about "closing well" on signing day never made any sense to me to start with. What difference does it make if they commit in Feb. or Sept?
Anyway...it's a strong class, and I'm eager to see what we do with them.
PWD
