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http://footballrumormill.com/2013/12/29/...ay-dec-29/

"Reports surfaced Friday that Washington defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox was expected to accept the same position on Steve Sarkisian’s USC staff.

Now, DuckTerritory is reporting that Oregon has targeted Wilcox to replace the longtime outgoing DC Nick Aliotti. If the Ducks miss on Wilcox, they more than likely promote John Neal to the position."

I think John Neal coming back to Birmingham is a pipe dream.

(12-29-2013 06:28 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I think John Neal coming back to Birmingham is a pipe dream.

Sadly we have a lot of them.

And not that rational of a pipe dream.
Exhibit A) We had defensive coordinator who led a top 15 nationally ranked defense 3 years in a row. I'm of course talking about Wayne Bolt, who was an amazing defensive coordinator when he was coaching a series of NFL players who got to play against Sunbelt competition.

John Neal being a good defensive coordinator for us had a whole heck of a lot to do with coaching a series of NFL players who were getting to play against CUSA competition. If he decided to come to back to UAB for some strange reason, he isnt going to suddenly turn our current players into a top 15 defense. It's not the X's & O's it's the Jimmy's and Joe's.

John Neal has been out west for many years now. I would guess his recruiting base is in that region now and he is not likely to move into the south at this late date in his career. I would guess that if he is dissatisfied with things at Oregon, he would have several alternatives out west that would be more than appealing. Being on the Oregon staff out there is a lot like being on the Bama staff in the southeast - you would come well recommended.

I would agree that it is a pipe dream now, especially if he gets the DC position. He is by far the best coach I ever played for and the best coach UAB has EVER had on staff. Glad to see Oregon recognizes his talents and abilities.

He was interested before Callaway was hired and before McGee was hired. Neither time, was he officially contacted by UAB Admin.

(12-30-2013 08:07 AM)boze Wrote:  I would agree that it is a pipe dream now, especially if he gets the DC position. He is by far the best coach I ever played for and the best coach UAB has EVER had on staff. Glad to see Oregon recognizes his talents and abilities.

He was interested before Callaway was hired and before McGee was hired. Neither time, was he officially contacted by UAB Admin.

They were too busy interviewing coaches that nobody else wanted as a HC (Curtis Luper, Paul Petrino, Tyson Helton, etc.).

Oregon's defense sure took care of Texas last night. If Texas had a TD pass for its lone (star) score, the Texas QB had 3 TD passes for the night -- one for his side and two for Oregon. I wish Mack Brown had had a better exit game for his sake.

BTW, At 62 do you think we will see Mack Brown on some other school's sidelines in the near future?

(12-31-2013 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Oregon's defense sure took care of Texas last night. If Texas had a TD pass for its lone (star) score, the Texas QB had 3 TD passes for the night -- one for his side and two for Oregon. I wish Mack Brown had had a better exit game for his sake.

BTW, At 62 do you think we will see Mack Brown on some other school's sidelines in the near future?

Texas said they were going to keep him for an administrative position. If the right school comes calling I think he would go.

(12-31-2013 03:39 PM)uab blazer 01 Wrote:  

(12-31-2013 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Oregon's defense sure took care of Texas last night. If Texas had a TD pass for its lone (star) score, the Texas QB had 3 TD passes for the night -- one for his side and two for Oregon. I wish Mack Brown had had a better exit game for his sake.

BTW, At 62 do you think we will see Mack Brown on some other school's sidelines in the near future?

Texas said they were going to keep him for an administrative position. If the right school comes calling I think he would go.

Wasn't that the way AU eased Pat Dye out of FBHC?

(12-31-2013 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Oregon's defense sure took care of Texas last night. If Texas had a TD pass for its lone (star) score, the Texas QB had 3 TD passes for the night -- one for his side and two for Oregon. I wish Mack Brown had had a better exit game for his sake.

BTW, At 62 do you think we will see Mack Brown on some other school's sidelines in the near future?

when Franklin gets another job, Mack to Vandy with Watson as his OC

(12-29-2013 08:39 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  And not that rational of a pipe dream.
Exhibit A) We had defensive coordinator who led a top 15 nationally ranked defense 3 years in a row. I'm of course talking about Wayne Bolt, who was an amazing defensive coordinator when he was coaching a series of NFL players who got to play against Sunbelt competition.

John Neal being a good defensive coordinator for us had a whole heck of a lot to do with coaching a series of NFL players who were getting to play against CUSA competition. If he decided to come to back to UAB for some strange reason, he isnt going to suddenly turn our current players into a top 15 defense. It's not the X's & O's it's the Jimmy's and Joe's.

+1

(12-31-2013 09:53 PM)Motley Blazer Wrote:  

(12-31-2013 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Oregon's defense sure took care of Texas last night. If Texas had a TD pass for its lone (star) score, the Texas QB had 3 TD passes for the night -- one for his side and two for Oregon. I wish Mack Brown had had a better exit game for his sake.

BTW, At 62 do you think we will see Mack Brown on some other school's sidelines in the near future?

when Franklin gets another job, Mack to Vandy with Watson as his OC

I think our job is a better fit.
I'd take that combo all day.

I played with 3 DBs that were drafted. Dainon Sidney was not an NFL player when he transferred from Tenn State (ETSU, or whoever). He was a very fast athlete. Izell Reese was a freak (tall, athletic, fast), but was not an NFL safety. Rodregis Brooks was a small, very athletic corner. There are hundreds of athletes that never become NFL players because they lack the mental aspects of the game that are needed to succeed in the NFL. John Neal taught football IQ and that is what turned those athletes into NFL draft picks.

John Neal being a good defensive coordinator for us had a whole heck of a lot to do with coaching a series of NFL players who were getting to play against CUSA competition. If he decided to come to back to UAB for some strange reason, he isnt going to suddenly turn our current players into a top 15 defense. It's not the X's & O's it's the Jimmy's and Joe's.
[/quote]

I'll add this: Coach Neal didn't coach me directly, but as a player on the team, I saw the way he handled all of us at UAB, and he was a guy that everybody wanted to play for. A simple talk or even a comment from him could get you fired up about getting yourself better. He had/has an uncanny ability to get through to players.

He is a great football coach, and I'm disappointed that we've never really considered bringing him back.

I agree that it takes great players, and Neal would need time like anyone else, but he is still a great coach.

http://footballrumormill.com/2014/01/03/...day-jan-3/

"DuckTerritory reports that Randy Shannon and Clancy Pendergast are among the possibilities for the defensive coordinator job at Oregon.

Secondary coach John Neal was believed to be a serious candidate, but it now appears head coach Mark Helfrich is intent on bringing someone in from the outside."

Is McGee even going to give Coach Neal a look ?

(01-04-2014 01:19 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Is McGee even going to give Coach Neal a look ?

Since FBHCs generally bring in assistants with whom they have past experience, it may be that A- Mcgee doesn't personally know Neal; B- Neal has been contacted (through his agent) and expressed no interest in what he may see as a lateral move back to UAB; C- McGee may have another coach in mind that has agreed to come to UAB after this weekend.

We are all speculating and just hope we get it right this time.

there is little reason for neal to come to UAB unless he is let go

what blad said…the only way neal would consider coming to uab would be as a head coach