🏈 JURY IN SESSION: Coaching Changes in the SEC- UT

[CRIMSONTUSKS.COM BLOG]

Jury in Session: Coaching Changes in the SEC- UT
January 18, 2009

It seems like the spring of 2008 reincarnated.

The coaching changes around the SEC last year seemed unprecedented in volume alone. While it hasn’t been uncommon to see a change in the staffs at different SEC schools each and every year, seeing complete make-overs like SEC football fans saw in the spring of last year wasn’t common, at all.

Arkansas and Ole Miss replaced their entire coaching staff. Only four of the twelve SEC teams had the same coordinators returning for the 2008 season. It was enough shake-up within the ranks of the SEC that anyone looking at their schedule and trying to determine how their team would fair could only do so with question marks over some games.

Today, we see much of the same around the SEC. Except, the turnover going into spring camp in 2009 eclipses that of 2008 with total staff changes. Now, we see Tennessee, Auburn and Mississippi State breaking in entirely new coaching staffs but not as much change across the board with position coaches.

Jury In Session: Part One- UT

 

[Alibamoone]

Here's where my opinion falls.

Over the last 10 years, UT's recruiting classes have ranked on average as the 12th best in the NCAA. They've had a few top 5 classes.

Talent hasn't been the issue. It's been the coaching.

So, how does hiring a bunch of guys known for their recruiting skills change the situation at UT?

It all falls down to coaching. And, so far, with the exception of Monte Kiffin (good DC) and possibly Eddie Gran (did pretty well with Auburn's running backs) I don't see any hires that are known as great coaches.

 

[Argo]

I honestly believe UT's fate in the next season will hinge on Monte Kiffin's defense. Can he run his Tampa 2 without NFL caliber players? Can he adjust to the college game?

It will be very interesting.

 

[rammajamma]

This seemed like a Shula kind of hire from the start but I honestly don't know much about this dude other than he got fired UGLY by the Raiders. I say 2011 or 2012 they will be looking for another coach unless they are on probation. Same goes for Cheesit and Auburn except I think I would rather have Shula than Cheesit.

 

[imported_RollTideRandy]

I wasn’t impressed with the hire of Kiffin in the beginning, but the thought of Coach O stocking a Monte Kiffin Defense with talent is scary one to me. I don’t think it will take long for UT to build one of the top defenses in the SEC. The question is can they find enough offense to be a top team?

 

[rammerjammer]

I wasn’t impressed with the hire of Kiffin in the beginning, but the thought of Coach O stocking a Monte Kiffin Defense with talent is scary one to me. I don’t think it will take long for UT to build one of the top defenses in the SEC. The question is can they find enough offense to be a top team?

Brian I couldn't agree more with this post. One thing I do wonder is about Monte's age; he will be 69 yo next month. I know that we see JoePa and Diddy Bowden both still coaching at 108 years old, but the bottom line is both needed to retire years ago.

I saw an article a few years back breaking down all the head coaches that were/are considered greats and how their teams suffered in the W column after the age of 60. While I know that 70 is the new 60.....you still can't help but wonder how long Monte will be able to do this; especially considering the fact that these are kids and not professional paid athletes that have all the motivation in the world needed to show up and do their job.

 

[TerryP]

I wasn’t impressed with the hire of Kiffin in the beginning, but the thought of Coach O stocking a Monte Kiffin Defense with talent is scary one to me. I don’t think it will take long for UT to build one of the top defenses in the SEC. The question is can they find enough offense to be a top team?

It doesn't scare me and I don't think it should any team. Heck, it's not like it's something coaches haven't seen for over a quarter of a century. Seriously, it's a Cover-2 with more emphasis on the MLB.

 

[Guest]

I wasn’t impressed with the hire of Kiffin in the beginning, but the thought of Coach O stocking a Monte Kiffin Defense with talent is scary one to me. I don’t think it will take long for UT to build one of the top defenses in the SEC. The question is can they find enough offense to be a top team?

Brian I couldn't agree more with this post. One thing I do wonder is about Monte's age; he will be 69 yo next month. I know that we see JoePa and Diddy Bowden both still coaching at 108 years old, but the bottom line is both needed to retire years ago.

I saw an article a few years back breaking down all the head coaches that were/are considered greats and how their teams suffered in the W column after the age of 60. While I know that 70 is the new 60.....you still can't help but wonder how long Monte will be able to do this; especially considering the fact that these are kids and not professional paid athletes that have all the motivation in the world needed to show up and do their job.

Joe Pa and Bowden don't smoke 2 packs a day.

 

[Guest]

It wasn't Tennessee's defense that was getting them beat. It was an inept offense that kept putting a fairly good defense back on the field. I have no doubt about Monte Kiffen's skills, but Chavis wasn't chopped liver either. I don't see any reason at this point in time to expect them to be more than marginally better in 2009 than they were in 2008. Maybe 7-5 and a trip to the Music City Bowl.

 

[ORANGEADDICT]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :lol:

 

[Guest]

Jury is still out for me.

Lane has zero college experience and Monte looks rough for his age. Someone said he was 69...I was shocked. He looks eighty something.

Yes Tenn needs more help on O than anything else. The UT defense was pretty darn good last year.

 

[ilovemoose]

I honestly cannot understand how anything cannot be impressed with this staff...unless your a rival school, of course. :roll:

 

[Guest]

I honestly cannot understand how anything cannot be impressed with this staff...unless your a rival school, of course. :roll:

I'm not impressed but I don't hold it against you. :lol:

Nice sig :roll:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KChSpOlRFUM[/youtube]

 

[TerryP]

I honestly cannot understand how anything cannot be impressed with this staff...unless your a rival school, of course. :roll:

It's not the staff, it's the guy in charge. When the staff is talked about more than the head coach, when the assistants names are pointed to instead of the head coach, you don't have a head coach.

Minnesota is one, but for another Pac-10 school to say no to Kiffin, Washington of all places...and that isn't telling you something?

Geez, it's not like he couldn't have done better than what they've fielded...but they turned him down?

This Lane train you've referred to...the one you are riding...powered by a lot of wet, hot air.

 

[Guest]

Shula was the "Favorite Son" riding in to rescue "Momma" when we were blindsided by the Mike Price disaster.

Kiffin is new to the family and just as unproven, thus not prone to be given as much benefit of the doubt for a slow start.

Both surrounded themselves with former HCs, and in Kiffin's case ol' Daddy dearest. IMFO, after what I saw from him in Oakland I don't see him allowing those around him to help shape him (save Dad, and Dad can't teach him how to be a college HC).

I see trouble for Orange Sherbert U.

 

[Guest]

I honestly cannot understand how anything cannot be impressed with this staff...unless your a rival school, of course. :roll:

It's not the staff, it's the guy in charge. When the staff is talked about more than the head coach, when the assistants names are pointed to instead of the head coach, you don't have a head coach.

Minnesota is one, but for another Pac-10 school to say no to Kiffin, Washington of all places...and that isn't telling you something?

Geez, it's not like he couldn't have done better than what they've fielded...but they turned him down?

This Lane train you've referred to...the one you are riding...powered by a lot of wet, hot air.

Don't be so hard on the kid, he obviously has no clue what he's talking about. :lol:

 

[Guest]

I honestly cannot understand how anything cannot be impressed with this staff...unless your a rival school, of course. :roll:

That reads like Charlie(It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) posted it.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Ji8RRiREs[/youtube]

 

[BamafaninHell]

I voted yes, because he has assembled an impressive staff. I agree with a previuos poster that they already had a good recruiting staff. What that translates to on the feild is yet to be seen. I can only hope that all the hype is just that hype.

 

[ORANGEADDICT]

How can you not be impressed???He is unproven..but his staff has proven alot.

 

[TerryP]

How can you not be impressed???He is unproven..but his staff has proven alot.

There's a subject of debate. One, maybe, if you consider Ogeron's DL at USC.

The thing you have to consider about Ogeron's DL at USC is it's Carroll's defense. So, again, the focus isn't on the position coach but the HC.

That's the main point here...

If your position coaches are getting more attention than your head coach, you don't have a head coach.