| FTBL Jim McElwain

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RollTideRandy said:
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/012608aaa.html

I don't know if he is the "leading" candidate. Here is an old profile. FYI, Bobby Williams hired him at Michigan State while he was head coach there.
Click to expand...

Brian Curtis, the guy who wrote that article, was a name I recognized but couldn't place. Quick Google search...he co-wrote Saban's book.

Just struck me as interesting...
 
Bama Bo said:
I'm not sure how I'd feel about this if he winds up being the one.
Click to expand...

I quit "feeling" about this a week ago, Bo.

I got all gung-ho about Hatcher and then realized I was buying into all the hype. I had no clue what kind of coach he was and what kind of system he employed.

Then I got all excited the Brohm guy from Louisville. I had no clue what kind of coach he was and what kind of system he employed.

Get the trend?

I decided some time this week this OC hire would have to take place without my involvement. I decided to let Coach handle it. :wink:

I don't think anyone we hire at this point (outside of a miracle change of heart by Saban and Hatcher) will garnish near the attention and praise as Tubby's hire of Franklin. That one thing I am preparing myself for. For whatever reason everything Tommy does lately turns to gold for the media and Saban can't seem to find his nose on his face in their minds.

I don't care though. Saban has proven his worth as assistant coach and player evaluator and I will leave the ball in his court. :)
 
BamaDelta said:
Bama Bo said:
I'm not sure how I'd feel about this if he winds up being the one.
Click to expand...

I quit "feeling" about this a week ago, Bo.

I got all gung-ho about Hatcher and then realized I was buying into all the hype. I had no clue what kind of coach he was and what kind of system he employed.

Then I got all excited the Brohm guy from Louisville. I had no clue what kind of coach he was and what kind of system he employed.

Get the trend?

I decided some time this week this OC hire would have to take place without my involvement. I decided to let Coach handle it. :wink:

I don't think anyone we hire at this point (outside of a miracle change of heart by Saban and Hatcher) will garnish near the attention and praise as Tubby's hire of Franklin. That one thing I am preparing myself for. For whatever reason everything Tommy does lately turns to gold for the media and Saban can't seem to find his nose on his face in their minds.

I don't care though. Saban has proven his worth as assistant coach and player evaluator and I will leave the ball in his court. :)
Click to expand...

The "praise" for hiring Franklin? Hell, I didn't see a bit of that. It was, in my opinion, an effort to accomplish something other than move the offense to the spread. Jump over to the recruiting forum and search for Ali Smith...you'll get the picture.

They were talking about the newspapers in B-ham reporting on recruiting before the tip-off to the basketball game just a few minutes ago. It's what sells papers more than an 0-4 Bama team facing Auburn despite a sell-out crowd.

Articles about Tubs and Franklin were bound to sell a few more papers. Although, it's a shaky situation. Paper companies in Alabama suffer a bit of a loss that week because Charmin stock drops.
 
Tider 27 said:
I'll be dissapointed with anyone but Hatcher, looks like I'm going to be too. :evil:
Click to expand...

Take a little while today and do some research on him. When his name came up, out of the blue because I had never heard of him, I spent some time looking over the results he's had...making comparisons to the '06 season Fresno had and the '07 season. Better QB play, better offensive production all around. He's of the same mind-set on how to run an offense as the staff...but, has the ability to throw in a few wrinkles now and then as well.

IF we hire him, it'll be a solid hire.
 
Tider 27,

One of the things I came across when reading about him that makes him seem like a guy that would work with Saban well was the description of him bring an incredible work ethic to the Fresno State team this past season.

Saban wants dedication, and by the accounts of him missing all of his daughters volleyball games this past year and only seeing one of his son's football games (Fresno St. had the week off) there is no doubt he is dedicated (obsessed?) with his job.

Another quote from him that "clicked" with me was his comment about wanting the opposing defensive staff to spend as much time in preparation as his offensive staff.

I'll add one more thought...just for you guys to chew on.

When Applewhite was hired last year there wasn't a lot of people wondering or doubting what he would do based on his experience at his last job. But, as evidenced by some games this year, he wasn't ready for the job. Was it because he was named after Ogilvie? Was it because he wanted to play for Bama and we didn't have room?

Now, when we are looking at an upgrade in the position I see people doubting the abilities of those Saban has chosen to interview. It just doesn't make sense to me...

OH, and one of those wrinkles I was talking about earlier?

In one game this past season he lined the offense up in a 5 wide-set and didn't have a single WR on the field. 3 TE's and two FB's...

Just to add one more little point and I realize it is just about one game.

You recall both the AU and LSU fans talking about pulling Tenuta out of Ga. Tech. He's a great defensive coordinator. No doubt.

But, if you saw the game (bowl) between these to bright guys you saw Tenuta's defense simply get out played, out-schemed, beaten.
 
TerryP said:
Tider 27,

One of the things I came across when reading about him that makes him seem like a guy that would work with Saban well was the description of him bring an incredible work ethic to the Fresno State team this past season.

Saban wants dedication, and by the accounts of him missing all of his daughters volleyball games this past year and only seeing one of his son's football games (Fresno St. had the week off) there is no doubt he is dedicated (obsessed?) with his job.

Another quote from him that "clicked" with me was his comment about wanting the opposing defensive staff to spend as much time in preparation as his offensive staff.

I'll add one more thought...just for you guys to chew on.

When Applewhite was hired last year there wasn't a lot of people wondering or doubting what he would do based on his experience at his last job. But, as evidenced by some games this year, he wasn't ready for the job. Was it because he was named after Ogilvie? Was it because he wanted to play for Bama and we didn't have room?

Now, when we are looking at an upgrade in the position I see people doubting the abilities of those Saban has chosen to interview. It just doesn't make sense to me...

OH, and one of those wrinkles I was talking about earlier?

In one game this past season he lined the offense up in a 5 wide-set and didn't have a single WR on the field. 3 TE's and two FB's...

Just to add one more little point and I realize it is just about one game.

You recall both the AU and LSU fans talking about pulling Tenuta out of Ga. Tech. He's a great defensive coordinator. No doubt.

But, if you saw the game (bowl) between these to bright guys you saw Tenuta's defense simply get out played, out-schemed, beaten.
Click to expand...

Good stuff TerryP, I definitely didn't have a opinion on this guy, but he sounds better then I orginally thought. What type of offense does Fresno run though? It's not a spread I would think.
 
Are telling me to keep my powder dry on this lol

There is alot smoke and you know going on to deflect what is happenig behind the scenes apparently its working very well ahem maybe too well.
 
From a blog on FS football...




We are all familiar with the offensive problems that the Bulldogs suffered throughout the 2006 football season. We are all also very familiar with the offensive improvement that was shown on the football field in 2007. Tom Brandstater looked like the QB we all hoped he would turn into. Our running game once again dominated nearly every game as the Bulldogs averaged over 200 yards on the ground per game. Receivers such as Marlon Moore, Seyi Ajirotutu, and Jason Crawley showed they can be the go to guy when the game is on the line. Fresno State raised their points per game average nearly ten points from 23 to 33 and showed the ability to not only hit on big plays but to control the clock for the entirety of a game. While it would be nice to credit the players for this improvement the fact is their offensive coordinator is the reason the Bulldogs changed their fortune during the course of the season. Many may have forgotten that this Bulldog team began the season just as the 2006 team did: 1-2 with a close loss to a top twenty five team. In 2006 the Bulldogs came unglued faltering in their next six games following their hard fought loss to Oregon. When 2007 began in the same manner with a hard fought loss at Texas A&M many worried that the Dogs would fall apart once again. However, J-Mac would not let the 2007 Bulldogs suffer the same fate as the team of year's past had experienced.

It would be unfair to credit only the offense for the 9-4 record the Bulldogs achieved in 2007. But to ignore what J-Mac did for this offense would be naive in every sense of the imagination. J-Mac took an offense with little direction and turned them into a powerful unit that would be capable of scoring each time they had the ball. In 2006 Fresno State often led with the run because the creative side of the Dogs offense had disappeared. No longer did the Dogs rely on passing the ball to gain yardage. Many Bulldog fans were left wondering if the coaches had any faith in the Fresno State offense. Steve Hagen (one of the single worst offensive coordinators to ever set foot at Fresno State) let this team fall apart right in front of our very eyes. The offensive woes culminated with one of the single most embarrassing defeats in Fresno State history: A 13-12 defeat at the hands of winless Utah State. The Aggies would go on to finish with one win in 2006 and Fresno State would be the lone victim. During their loss to Utah State it became apparent that the Bulldogs lacked any type of downfield threat. The reason for the lack of passing however did not lay in the hands of the players themselves. Fresno State had receivers capable of making plays but the offensive coordinator did not allow the Bulldogs to exploit Utah State and their horrendous pass defense. Instead Hagen chose to allow Utah State to remain in the game by constantly running the ball between the tackles. That was an experience that no Bulldog coach, player, or fan ever wanted to experience again. J-Mac made sure this became a realization in 2007.

In 2007 the Bulldogs opened the season just as they had in 2006: Leading with the run. However, something was different about the 2007 Bulldogs offense. Instead of calling 60% run plays the passing game began to make an appearance on the football field. J-Mac showed that he was the type of coach that not only would pass the ball, but if the defense allowed him to J-Mac would direct the offense to throw the ball often. The first sign of the passing game occurred against the Aggies of Texas A&M. In a game Fresno State trailed 19-0 at halftime the Bulldogs opened the second half allowing Brandstater to open the offense up. That was exactly what Brandstater did as the Dogs scored 45 points over the span of the second half and three overtimes. While the Dogs offense did not explode after this game it was only a short period of time before Fresno State fans were able to see what J-Mac could truly direct this offense to do. Three weeks later Fresno State traveled to Nevada and scored 49 followed by 37 at Idaho and 30 against San Jose State. In eight of their last nine games the Bulldogs scored at least 30 points in each game. The offense had arrived and the fans in Fresno finally were able to see what this team was capable of on the field of play.

As I stated earlier it would be foolish to think that J-Mac had little to do with the improvement the offense showed in 2007. So it should have come as no surprise that J-Mac immediately became a hot commodity to the rest of the college football world. His alma mater Eastern Washington offered him the head coaching position. While the decision was tough for J-Mac he realized that Fresno is where he wants to be for now. Once the Bulldogs offense heard the news that J-Mac was staying they exhaled and were able to breathe fresh air once again. Players such as Tom Brandstater, Ryan Matthews, and Marlon Moore know this offense is because of J-Mac's creativity. Without J-Mac these players would not show the level of confidence that they do on the football field today. it is because of J-Mac's creativity that the Bulldogs feel they can score on anyone anytime they take the field. While the Bulldogs may not be able to hold on to J-Mac for many more years into the future they seem intent on doing their best to take full advantage of his creative mind sooner than later. It is J-Mac that allows the Bulldogs to confidently realize that in 2008 they may just become the type offense that no team can shut down regardless of what conference they play in.
 

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