Here's an idea. We've been hearing forever how our athletic department is lazy, incompetent, and corrupt and all these other awful things. So why do we need to hire another "professional AD" who has no ties to here and may just come in and draw a check, all while keeping the status quo using the same methods that haven't worked for 20 years ?
Why not hire Zach Woodfin ? Sure he'd be inexperienced and would have to learn on the job. But after getting his feet on the ground, everything I know about the man leads me to believe he would be great at it. He's driven, high energy, humble, always looking to improve at his craft, and isn't scared to use outside the box methods. I think he would be a great fundraiser. I know he would shake up the good ole boy network within the department and only reward people who pull their weight. The man is a great leader. Ask the folks at UAB. They'd love to make him their AD. You can have a career administrator in the #2 spot to handle a lot of the administrative type stuff. Thoughts ?
(This post was last modified: 12-21-2016 12:11 AM by Eagle9.)
(12-21-2016 12:08 AM)Eagle9 Wrote: Here's an idea. We've been hearing forever how our athletic department is lazy, incompetent, and corrupt and all these other awful things. So why do we need to hire another "professional AD" who has no ties to here and may just come in and draw a check, all while keeping the status quo using the same methods that haven't worked for 20 years ?
Why not hire Zach Woodfin ? Sure he'd be inexperienced and would have to learn on the job. But after getting his feet on the ground, everything I know about the man leads me to believe he would be great at it. He's driven, high energy, humble, always looking to improve at his craft, and isn't scared to use outside the box methods. I think he would be a great fundraiser. I know he would shake up the good ole boy network within the department and only reward people who pull their weight. The man is a great leader. Ask the folks at UAB. They'd love to make him their AD. You can have a career administrator in the #2 spot to handle a lot of the administrative type stuff. Thoughts ?
BDR I know your goal is to be sarcastic with every single post. But I actually would like to know your opinion on this. You are one of very few people that might actually have some insight about it. I realize you've given up on the school and that's fine. But some us like me care deeply about it and probably will never be able to give up on it, right or wrong.
(12-21-2016 12:20 AM)Eagle9 Wrote: BDR I would like your opinion on this.
He's an up and comer from what I gather, but I see little here that says he's ready to be a Director of a flailing Division I University NOW.
I have full confidence the Institution will spend several thousand dollars it doesn't need to waste on a search firm to recommend the next Lucky Charm who'll come in, spout a few catchy phrases to rally the flock for a few months, and disappear into the Schwinn Center to see how long he can milk the gig before he moves on. I somewhat believe that given the tools to do so there are a dozen or so people who can convene, find a qualified candidate who'll come with a reasonable price tag, and recommend them to Bennett and Vinzant. Will that ever happen? No, that's even more out of the box thinking than the aforementioned Woodfin. So sit back, relax, and wait on the next whomever to get here to oversee USM athletics sink further into the abyss while the "cares deeply" crowd dwindles daily.
Experience: Named the FootballScoop 2014 Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year ... Prior to his current position, spent the 2014 at his alma mater, UAB, in the same position ... Spent three seasons with the Green Bay Packers as assistant strength and conditioning coach, before accepting the position at UAB ... Helped the Blazers improve from 2-10 in 2013 to 6-6 in their final season as a program (2014) ... Hired as a performance specialist at Athletes' Performance in Los Angeles, working with many clients who played for various organizations in the NFL, NBA, MLB, as well as Olympic athletes ... Broke into the strength industry as a volunteer at Alabama and UAB, and then spent four years working with Athletes Performance in Los Angeles.
Personal: Born on March 19 in Prattville, Ala. .... Graduated from UAB in 2004 with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science ... Following a college career in which he became UAB's all-time leading tackler (372 stops), signed as a free agent by Green Bay (2005) ... Later signed with the Baltimore Ravens and spent two seasons with the organization before a stint in the World Football League and with the Houston Texans ... Married to the former Fawn Burke and has a son, Valor.
So BDR, while I realize he's completely inexperienced, wouldn't he still be a better choice in the long run than the scenario you described (another "carpetbagger") ? While he may not be the best choice, he'd be better than the type of guy they'll probably pick right ?
(12-21-2016 12:08 AM)Eagle9 Wrote: Here's an idea. We've been hearing forever how our athletic department is lazy, incompetent, and corrupt and all these other awful things. So why do we need to hire another "professional AD" who has no ties to here and may just come in and draw a check, all while keeping the status quo using the same methods that haven't worked for 20 years ?
We briefly semi-tried this approach when we hired Hammond. He is almost exactly what you described in Woodfin on paper. I don't disagree with you however. A fresh approach is needed but they need to be given more than a year. I really don't think the General or the strength coach would do any worse than anyone else.
We need a brand! One that is supported and marketed feverishly for more than a slogan or a one-off billboard campaign. It's not easy but the solution is really quite simple. Proper branding starts at the top and covers all aspects of the organization. We ain't got that right now...
I feel like Hammond was almost the answer, but had a few personality traits that caused him to clash with certain people and he wasn't very good at "playing the game". Also, and I hate to say this about a war hero, but the man always struck me as a little bit weird. And some stories I've heard from his time as AD led me to believe the coaches and staff had an odd relationship with him.
My hope would be that Woodfin could have the same strengths as Hammond, but without those weaknesses.
I'm not saying Hammond was or wasn't the answer. I do know that he questioned things and discussed things rather publicly and it certainly made the "followers" of prevailing thought mighty uncomfortable. He was an easy target and knew this but I think he gave people too much credit for handling the truth. I've heard rumors about him and don't know the validity. I have witnessed him working his ass off and securing donations from people he had never met before. I saw him in action at Eagle Club meetings/gatherings as well. He questioned much but didn't have all the answers. He erred by thinking the majority of the fanbase could assist him in his endeavors.
I missed an opportunity to hear Woodfin speak at a recent luncheon so I can't attest to his abilities outside of making kids bigger, faster, and more fired up.
(12-21-2016 01:00 AM)Eagle9 Wrote: So BDR, while I realize he's completely inexperienced, wouldn't he still be a better choice in the long run than the scenario you described (another "carpetbagger") ? While he may not be the best choice, he'd be better than the type of guy they'll probably pick right ?
Couldn't say probably, maybe in this case is appropriate. Had the University time and finances to allow him growing pains into the position he could turn out to be exactly what it needed. But it really doesn't, and if they've already decided to use a search firm (likely) I can't imagine them not recommending some far flung administrator with no real interest, desire, or knowledge to improve things at USM in the short or long term. In short, lather, rinse, repeat.
(12-21-2016 01:20 AM)usmstang Wrote: I'm not saying Hammond was or wasn't the answer.... I have witnessed him working his ass off and securing donations from people he had never met before. I saw him in action at Eagle Club meetings/gatherings as well. He questioned much but didn't have all the answers. He erred by thinking the majority of the fanbase could assist him in his endeavors.
That is why Hammond should have been named director of the eagle club instead of AD when Vogel retired. Nowadays an AD has to be part-time attorney, fund-raiser, contract negotiator, conference re-alignment expert, etc. I don't think hiring an old coach or an in-experienced AD is the answer. Who negotiated the contract and hired E12loss?
..he's a 33 year old kid..a damm lunkhead...He don't know the first thing about how to run a University's sports teams and finance...handle donors, fund raise, shuffle schedules... interview, hire coaches.....and a million other things...Rodney simply gave him title only so everyone could interview for the position fairly.
..you people better get your act together after the New Year....I'm past sick and tired of the ediot talk on here....I mean it.
From Rodney Mail: (for alumni of USM eyes only)
I have asked Zac Woodfin, Director of Strength and Conditioning, to serve as interim Director of Athletics and the primary point of contact for the day-to-day operations of Southern Miss Athletics. Coach Woodfin will not be a candidate for the position on a permanent basis.
I realize all the different roles an AD has to play. While I see the drawbacks that someone with no experience would bring, I think the strengths of someone like Woodfin would far outweighs the "experience" and phony "connections" of one of these do-nothing career administrators we are going to come up with.
(12-21-2016 12:09 PM)Eagle9 Wrote: I realize all the different roles an AD has to play. While I see the drawbacks that someone with no experience would bring, I think the strengths of someone like Woodfin would far outweighs the "experience" and phony "connections" of one of these do-nothing career administrators we are going to come up with.
...No, I don't think you do understand son....In fact, I know you don't..now get to class before I call up the superintendent and tell him you are on here during school hours every single damm day posting crap......people like you are the reason a Missippi publik high school education is the worst money Can't Buy.
(This post was last modified: 12-21-2016 12:40 PM by Nugget's Ghost.)
(12-21-2016 01:13 AM)Eagle9 Wrote: I feel like Hammond was almost the answer, but had a few personality traits that caused him to clash with certain people and he wasn't very good at "playing the game". Also, and I hate to say this about a war hero, but the man always struck me as a little bit weird. And some stories I've heard from his time as AD led me to believe the coaches and staff had an odd relationship with him.
My hope would be that Woodfin could have the same strengths as Hammond, but without those weaknesses.
He was a general so he was not used to having to discuss things or lay out his side of things to others. He was used to people falling into line and doing what they were told, without question, every time. That usually doesn't transition into "schmoozing" others very well. Doesn't make him a bad person, just makes it hard for everyone to work together when one is used to being in total control of everything. Plus, most career military folks are "a little bit weird", it comes with the territory.
Military officers get ahead by taking a job, finding (or manufacturing) some crisis to fix, and then conspicuously fixing it as a form of resume-building. That doesn't work in the real world, at least not unless the crisis is real. People who aren't soldiers subject to a chain-of-command will call B.S. on any manufactured crises, and that's exactly what happened to Jeff during his tenure as AD.
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Outside The Box (AD)
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