🏈 Reports: James Willis hired as LB coach.

[Guest]

He's solid.

For all of those fretting about Mobile, here's your answer. He was Thompson's main "competition" there for recruits.

:lol: Great freakin' hire!!!

Yeah, I thought he was the one we always laughed at for getting burned by Lance Thompson. The one that didn't work hard enough in Mobile...didn't come around like the Alabama coaches. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly though.

Maybe it had more to do with Tubs than anything else. Heck, I'm happy about the hire right now just to watch everyone at auburn squirm. My husband was downright giddy when Willis was retained. I really thought he was playing a joke on me when he told me tonight. He's not happy.

I don't remember laughing at Willis, I remember laughing at Auburn.

There's a reason he couldn't take recruits from Alabama...because he had an orange and blue shirt on.

Please don't take this offensively Delta, but it always seems like you're searching for a way to not like things. It's almost as if that if we got Coach Bellichek to take over the defense that you'd find a way to spin it in a negative way. :?

 

[Guest]

I just hope our linebackers don't seriously injure opponents year.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

It's almost as if that if we got Coach Bellichek to take over the defense that you'd find a way to spin it in a negative way. :?

He was born in Tennessee.
He has no college experience.
He plays squash.

 

[Guest]

What a outstanding and hilarious hire. Man I had to call up some Barner friends on this one...

 

[Guest]

He's solid.

For all of those fretting about Mobile, here's your answer. He was Thompson's main "competition" there for recruits.

:lol: Great freakin' hire!!!

Yeah, I thought he was the one we always laughed at for getting burned by Lance Thompson. The one that didn't work hard enough in Mobile...didn't come around like the Alabama coaches. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly though.

Maybe it had more to do with Tubs than anything else. Heck, I'm happy about the hire right now just to watch everyone at auburn squirm. My husband was downright giddy when Willis was retained. I really thought he was playing a joke on me when he told me tonight. He's not happy.

I don't remember laughing at Willis, I remember laughing at Auburn.

There's a reason he couldn't take recruits from Alabama...because he had an orange and blue shirt on.

Please don't take this offensively Delta, but it always seems like you're searching for a way to not like things. It's almost as if that if we got Coach Bellichek to take over the defense that you'd find a way to spin it in a negative way. :?

Nah, I specifically remember comments made by one of the Mobile (or Foley) coaches about the AU guys not coming by as much as Alabama's. Again, that may have been more of a comparison of Saban's style vs. Tubby's style (instead of Lance Thompson vs. James Willis). ????

It probably does sound negative, and I don't mean it that way. I know comments and jabs were made in reference to Auburn's lack of ability to land the big ones in Mobile since Saban got here. We all know James Willis was in charge of Mobile. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he does have connections and with Nick Saban as his boss will have more success in that area.

I certainly won't worry about Mobile now. Just seems strange that certain fans/posters dogged out Auburn in Mobile, and Willis was in charge there. But now that he is with us all is well. Just interesting.

 

[rammajamma]

I know we scored 36 on them, but Auburn has had one heck of a defense and from what I am reading this coach was a key part of it.

But lets face it, the best part of this hire is that its like Saban has just given the Barn a ATOMIC wedgie, he smells blood and he goes for the throat!

 

[Guest]

Atomic wedgie

 

[pimpsahoy]

He's solid.

For all of those fretting about Mobile, here's your answer. He was Thompson's main "competition" there for recruits.

:lol: Great freakin' hire!!!

Yeah, I thought he was the one we always laughed at for getting burned by Lance Thompson. The one that didn't work hard enough in Mobile...didn't come around like the Alabama coaches. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly though.

Maybe it had more to do with Tubs than anything else. Heck, I'm happy about the hire right now just to watch everyone at auburn squirm. My husband was downright giddy when Willis was retained. I really thought he was playing a joke on me when he told me tonight. He's not happy.

I don't remember laughing at Willis, I remember laughing at Auburn.

There's a reason he couldn't take recruits from Alabama...because he had an orange and blue shirt on.

Please don't take this offensively Delta, but it always seems like you're searching for a way to not like things. It's almost as if that if we got Coach Bellichek to take over the defense that you'd find a way to spin it in a negative way. :?

Nah, I specifically remember comments made by one of the Mobile (or Foley) coaches about the AU guys not coming by as much as Alabama's. Again, that may have been more of a comparison of Saban's style vs. Tubby's style (instead of Lance Thompson vs. James Willis). ????

It probably does sound negative, and I don't mean it that way. I know comments and jabs were made in reference to Auburn's lack of ability to land the big ones in Mobile since Saban got here. We all know James Willis was in charge of Mobile. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he does have connections and with Nick Saban as his boss will have more success in that area.

I certainly won't worry about Mobile now. Just seems strange that certain fans/posters dogged out Auburn in Mobile, and Willis was in charge there. But now that he is with us all is well. Just interesting.

I remember the article you brought up. I think the point that the HS coach made was that Willis wasn't being out recruited by Thompson but by Saban. He basically called out Tuberville for not having a presence in South Alabama.

I also agree with your thought that most of us got a kick out of beating Willis so badly last year and now everyone is on board with Willis. I think most of that is just being fans and feeling as though it is our duty to spin... I also think that the main reason we do it is because none of us really know how good a position coach/recruiter is. I always find it humorous when a position coach's bio is released and he's given credit for having X number of All Conference guys or putting a number of them in the NFL. I find it humorous because it implies that the position coach was the reason that Player X was so good. (See: Eddie Gran's bio) If Derrick Thomas was coached by a chemistry professor he still would have been Derrick Thomas.

 

[TerryP]

He's solid.

For all of those fretting about Mobile, here's your answer. He was Thompson's main "competition" there for recruits.

:lol: Great freakin' hire!!!

Yeah, I thought he was the one we always laughed at for getting burned by Lance Thompson. The one that didn't work hard enough in Mobile...didn't come around like the Alabama coaches. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly though.

Maybe it had more to do with Tubs than anything else.

You are remembering correctly. He was outworked by Thompson last season. Outworked, while at the same time the head coach was duck hunting in Arkansas.

So, I'll post this to you.

If you have the head coach duck hunting, what kind of responsibilities do you think we asked of the assistants on the recruiting trail at the same time?

These visits are scheduled/coordinated by the recruiting coordinator who follows the plan set out by the head coach. Tubs got to the point of comfort that he thought he could recruit the same way Mack Brown does at Texas; from his office.

Willis is going to be in for an adjustment with the amount of time and energy he's going to have to spend with recruiting. Moving from "The Plains" to coach in Tuscaloosa is a culture change, his responsibilities for his job are going to be a "culture shock;" to his culture and way of living.

All that said...

Thompson's main competition in Mobile was Willis. Auburn, before Saban arrived, had that area virtually all to themselves with the occasional visit from a rival school. We made a big impact last year taking all the talent out of that area, player wise.

Now, we've got the best recruiter Auburn used to have...who just happened to be in Mobile as well.

Recruiting aside, Willis is a fantastic position coach for linebackers. You only have to look at what they've done down there the last few years as proof.

Overall, comparing Thompson to Willis, it's a "wash" at worst replacing one with the other. Coaching wise, it's an improvement...and very likely will be as well on the recruiting trail considering the "external factors" players look at when it comes to choosing a school to play for.

 

[Swamptick]

I would like to hear what Pat Dye thinks :wink:

THIS JUST IN:
*******************************************************

Reporter: "Coach Dye, what do you think about the University of Alabama hiring Willis away from Auburn?"

Pat Dye: "Wa....gosnorfle is wubble woo'amooph. Weddlew and (unintelligble) fwoe tumph. You Wance Thompson camble fwuuuje."

Reporter: "Sir, can you please open you mouth when you speak? It sounds like you have been stuffing jock straps in your mouth and drinking whiskey all day. This is a serious move by Alabama and we would like to report your thoughts on the matter."

Pat Dye: "As I sowef, weswoogle mawph nibleedgey."

Reporter: (Under his breath)"Hell with this. I am going to Arizona to start a UFO cult."

 

[Guest]

He's solid.

For all of those fretting about Mobile, here's your answer. He was Thompson's main "competition" there for recruits.

:lol: Great freakin' hire!!!

Yeah, I thought he was the one we always laughed at for getting burned by Lance Thompson. The one that didn't work hard enough in Mobile...didn't come around like the Alabama coaches. Maybe I'm not remembering correctly though.

Maybe it had more to do with Tubs than anything else.

You are remembering correctly. He was outworked by Thompson last season. Outworked, while at the same time the head coach was duck hunting in Arkansas.

So, I'll post this to you.

If you have the head coach duck hunting, what kind of responsibilities do you think we asked of the assistants on the recruiting trail at the same time?

These visits are scheduled/coordinated by the recruiting coordinator who follows the plan set out by the head coach. Tubs got to the point of comfort that he thought he could recruit the same way Mack Brown does at Texas; from his office.

Willis is going to be in for an adjustment with the amount of time and energy he's going to have to spend with recruiting. Moving from "The Plains" to coach in Tuscaloosa is a culture change, his responsibilities for his job are going to be a "culture shock;" to his culture and way of living.

All that said...

Thompson's main competition in Mobile was Willis. Auburn, before Saban arrived, had that area virtually all to themselves with the occasional visit from a rival school. We made a big impact last year taking all the talent out of that area, player wise.

Now, we've got the best recruiter Auburn used to have...who just happened to be in Mobile as well.

Recruiting aside, Willis is a fantastic position coach for linebackers. You only have to look at what they've done down there the last few years as proof.

Overall, comparing Thompson to Willis, it's a "wash" at worst replacing one with the other. Coaching wise, it's an improvement...and very likely will be as well on the recruiting trail considering the "external factors" players look at when it comes to choosing a school to play for.

I agree for the most part Terry. I assumed the trouble began at the top. My first thought (other than stealing this guy from Auburn) was he's probably a better coach on the field than LT. My hubby sure thinks he does a great job, and AU linebackers haven't been exactly lacking lately.

Granted this is just one opinion, but this doesn't share your take on Willis as AU's best recruiter. I don't really know and it probably doesn't matter. We know Willis has great connections throughout the state. Now he'll just be bringing them to our side.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3656681&name=Southeast_Recruiting

 

[Guest]

From al.com today.....

"He's second to none," Vigor High coach Kerry Stevenson said of Willis. "Kids tend to lean toward good people, and James is a good person. Even when he was recruiting (eventual Alabama signee) Burton Scott last year, he told him 'I want you to come play with us, but if you don't I'll still be your biggest fan.' That means a lot to kids."

Wow, I'm impressed.

 

[rammajamma]

They should get us back for this. They should hire Dubose! That would show us!

 

[Swamptick]

They should get us back for this. They should hire Dubose! That would show us!

Lol! Maybe they should just see what Mike Price is up to these days.

 

[BamaGradinTN]

It probably does sound negative, and I don't mean it that way. I know comments and jabs were made in reference to Auburn's lack of ability to land the big ones in Mobile since Saban got here. We all know James Willis was in charge of Mobile. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he does have connections and with Nick Saban as his boss will have more success in that area.

I certainly won't worry about Mobile now. Just seems strange that certain fans/posters dogged out Auburn in Mobile, and Willis was in charge there. But now that he is with us all is well. Just interesting.

Let's not forget that while Thompson and Willis may be the salesmen, Saban is the closer, and Tubs could never compare with him as a closer.

 

[alagator]

They should get us back for this. They should hire Dubose! That would show us!

Not sure how it stands now, but heard something a week or so back that Houston Nutt at Ole Miss was giving Dubose some serious thought to replace Rocker.

 

[Guest]

They should get us back for this. They should hire Dubose! That would show us!

Not sure how it stands now, but heard something a week or so back that Houston Nutt at Ole Miss was giving Dubose some serious thought to replace Rocker.

Let us not forget that while DuBose was a disaster as a HC for us, he was a highly respected position coach and did a credible job as a coordinator.

 

[alagator]

Let us not forget that while DuBose was a disaster as a HC for us, he was a highly respected position coach and did a credible job as a coordinator.

Was making NO commentary on his coaching skills, just passing along something I was told for a little FYI. Not really sure how far this will or did or can advance for him and Ole Miss however - the unstated penalty for Memphis and all.

But, if you want me to get into commentary, I would rate his performance as DC as barely marginal, BARELY. Not sure how this compares to your 'credible.' But as to his position skills and results, he was just outstanding.

I know it is a much lower level, but it appears Dubose learned a lot from his failed time as the UA Head Coach and is doing a much better job at his present term at Millsaps.

 

[Guest]

Didn't mean to nip at you, Alagator. Several posts had made light of DuBose in the context of them getting even with us, but as a position guy, as you said, he was very good indeed. My assigning him a credible rating as a DC was based on the defensive performance in his one year there, in circumstances where we were dealing with fewer bodies because of round one of probation. I grant that Gene Stallings had a great deal to do with what success that unit had. He was a defensive guy first and foremost.

 

[alagator]

Psychojoe...

No offense taken here. Was just clarifying that I was not taking a shot a Dubose - can see where it might have been perceived that way given the post to which I was responding.

I was underwhelmed with the schematic performance of our defense in 1996 when Dubose was the DC. I know this might sound like '50/50' :lol: hindsight, but I never bought into the argument his performance as the DC merited his promotion.