CSNbbs

Thought this discussion needs it's own thread...

I support WB as long as he is coaching my alma mater, but his recent comments have opened the door to speculation as to whether he will return in that capacity, and I think it's now an open topic to discuss.

Can anyone here think of any previous DII coach that has been hired to DI that has done extremely well? I have relatives that live in Valdosta, Ga and they go to alot of the VSU games and my uncle says that this Chris Hatcher is a great young coach. He's been talking him up to me since '02. VSU has been a very competitive program but never reached the highest level in DII until Hatcher took over. Hatcher became the head coach in 2000 and 4 years later he wins the first ever NC for VSU. I know there is a pretty good difference between DII and DIA but this guys accomplishments are pretty phenomenal, 68-10 coaching record, 59-4 in his conference. What do you guys think about taking a chance on a DII coach if WB decides to make a coaching change from his recent comments?

Contrast that with WB hiring someone with D1A experience like Jimbo Fisher or following suit with conference brethern and giving a second chance to a coach of the caliber of Neuheisal. Neuheisal, whom no doubt was a successful coach at the NCAA level and brings in name recognition among HS coaches, but also experience in the NFL as an assistant which might help in recruiting. Fisher, no doubt understand recruiting in the southeast and has shown interest by interviewing at other HC job openings last year. Is this too big for our britches? Or, will our leadership gamble by promoting from within and replace only pieces from this years coaching staff. Regardless, I think it must be changes that appeal to the fans and give boosters and the casual fans a reason to take notice and renew interest in the program.

It's sort of awkward to discuss candidates without the UAB job being open, but I suppose Watson did open the floor with his comments ...

Hatcher is going to make somebody a good coach, IMO. He has good pedigree and his teams play an exciting, pass-first style. That scheme has had mixed results in I-A. It has been very successful at Texas Tech, for example, and Hal Mumme had good initial results at Kentucky. In the end, whatever scheme you run comes down to the players you have running it. That is where I have reservations about Hatcher -- does that style fit the current players at UAB? Not sure about that, and not just on offense. I would be concerned that style would hang an already weak to bad defense out to dry. ... Also, I am not sure UAB can afford the 2-3 years it might take for him to get players that fit that style. But, hey, might be wildly successful, too.

Rick Neuheisel is going to get a job somewhere, I think, this year. That would be a hire similar to Price or O'Leary, though he comes with some NCAA baggage and those other two don't. Also, I don't think he is quite the proven commodity that either of those two are. But he's also a lot younger. I think Neuheisel thought he'd be in the mix for some bigger jobs, but I think now he's probably realizing C-USA/WAC are going to be his options. He's going to have to go prove himself at mid-level. Washington's horrible struggles after his departure hurt him, because their talent is WAAAAY down. He recruited those players.

I think Jimbo Fisher would jump all over the UAB job if it's open ...

If he removed his hat would it be for the Gamecock band?


Sorry, couldn't help it............. :D

Price - accused of sleeping with two women while drunk on a golfing trip eventhough he's married.

O'leary - lying about his education to get his dream job.

Neuheisel - participated in a March maddness bracket.

While some of us would like to get tips from Price, give advise to O'leary, I think most of us have participated in the office pool. Therefore, I don't think we should give a second thought to the so called baggage Neuheisel would bring. I think he , or someone similar like Bob Davey, is exactly what UAB needs. Name recognition, media savvy, increased interest, national attention and the ability to hold his own in recruiting while being surrounded by SEC/ACC coaches.

Neuheisel's baggage is NOT the NCAA pool. That's small potatoes.

It is the multiple NCAA violations that got Washington on probation during his watch, and the NCAA violations he left behind at Colorado that were discovered after he was gone.

Neuheisel is a walking talking case of "lack of institutional control". Where he goes, trouble follows. Think Jackie Sherrill.

We would be better off with a hungry young coordinator rising from a quality program.

UAB4EVER Wrote:Price - accused of sleeping with two women while drunk on a golfing trip eventhough he's married.

O'leary - lying about his education to get his dream job.

Neuheisel - participated in a March maddness bracket.

While some of us would like to get tips from Price, give advise to O'leary, I think most of us have participated in the office pool. Therefore, I don't think we should give a second thought to the so called baggage Neuheisel would bring. I think he , or someone similar like Bob Davey, is exactly what UAB needs. Name recognition, media savvy, increased interest, national attention and the ability to hold his own in recruiting while being surrounded by SEC/ACC coaches.

Neuheisel's baggage is a lot more than just an NCAA March Madness bracket.