I think he should take this guy with him...

http://247sports.com/player/datavious-wilson-77310

(01-18-2016 05:53 PM)atljmualum Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 05:44 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 05:41 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  Quick turn around on the JMU Athletics Email release. Solid info in there too.

Nice closing sentence, including a clickable link to donate. Duke Club really stepping up their game lately.

“We are excited for JMU Nation to meet Mike Houston and his staff as they work to progress JMU football to bigger and better things,” Bourne said. “As he and his staff jump right into recruiting, spring ball and preparation for the 2016 season, now is a great time to make your impact by joining the Duke Club and supporting student-athletes.”

What solid info are you referring to that was in the email? I'm not trying to be a jerk but am just curious what you saw in there that you'd consider solid info, as it all seemed pretty canned to me. I didn't expect anything different, which is not a knock, but didn't see anything that I'd consider good info.

The one thing in this press release that I think many could view negatively is the following statement from Bourne...

"Mike has been a fast riser in the coaching ranks with success turning programs around at the Division II and FCS levels..."

I think many could view this as a small time hire given that we're hiring a guy whose pedigree is turning programs around at the DII and FCS level. I also think it implies JMU needs a "turnaround" guy, which isn't necessarily the case, as we've had a fairly successful program for the past decade plus. I'm sure this is not the intentions of the statement but am sharing how it may be viewed, as it was my initial reaction when reading it.

As I've said before, I am indifferent on this hire and hope he will have tremendous success at JMU. I like that he's a proven winner and liked his interview after the USC win. It was not the "splash" hire that I was expecting based on Bourne's earlier comments about how attractive the job was, but I'm not the expert here, so I'll defer judgment and give him the benefit of the doubt until I'm given a reason to feel otherwise.

Welcome aboard and best of luck, Coach Houston!

The thing is what doe people expect or want? If you get a I-A guy you're either getting:
-a P5 position coach
-a P5 coordinator or co coordinator who has been fired or is about to be (see Withers 2 years ago)
-G5 coordinator
They will either have no HC experience, or if they have, they would have been fired/resigned in lieu of being fired at some point in the past.

I'd rather have someone with HC experience. And that means either someone who's proven they can win at a lower level, or proven they can lose in I-A.

(01-18-2016 07:03 PM)arlingtonduke Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 07:00 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 03:35 PM)RootinFerDukes Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 03:33 PM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 03:28 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  You can't compare FBS to FCS (it's apples and oranges isn't that what you always say). I would rather have someone who has proven HC ability.

Not comparing , I understand the up and coming D2 coach on the rise prospect. But this board would have been more excited if we hired the LSU coach that went to UTSA. I'm speaking more status and experience than results.

Could Mike Houston get a Vad Lee at JMU? I wouldn't bet on that. ( example )

How many coaches land a 4 star QB into FCS though? Most of those guys now are taking red-shirt and staying in FBS. That's not a norm but an outlier to overall.

He's pulling a decent amount of 2 and 3 star guys to Citadel. I don't think he'll have any problems recruiting in this state with the talent.

Does he get credit for a 4 star? FWIW, Rivals & Scout had Lee as a 3 star, ESPN as a 4 star..

Lets not Quibble over Stars... Vad Lee was a man among boys at our level. That being said looking forward to seeing Houston in action.

I have to disagree. I really believe Vad was a bit of a stroke of luck. Fact is, his career was not going all that well at GT so it wasn't a shock for him to come down to FCS. And, after his first few games, there was no reason to think we acquired anything special. Then, he suddenly caught fire and was a blast to watch. But I don't think Withers did anything heroic to get him to JMU. He was going FCS either way. Why wouldn't he come to JMU regardless of the coach? Yes, Withers was able to secure him but a) he was far from a sure thing and b) there was a very tight group of FCS schools he was looking at. As I understand it, he looked at JMU, W&M, and Towson.

I guess the real question is how quickly can happen? Could we have a new coach by the end of the week?

Quality bump

(12-04-2018 01:25 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Quality bump

Everything in this thread is “unofficial” and probably driven by Russians, FWIW.

(01-18-2016 02:52 PM)JMU Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 02:44 PM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  IMO it's a gamble, I never compare D2 to FCS so i won't start doing that now. I just think he needed more time at Citadel to prove he can coach and recruit on this level. And now he might have to experiment with installing a new offense because no one I know at JMU wants to see the TO. And his defense's are not great.
And will he be able to recruit 757 and 804 ?

This.

Kinda funny to look back now. That Houston guy did not receive a lot of props when he was chosen.

(01-06-2016 08:43 PM)jmu007 Wrote:  So I'll go ahead and kick off the search committee for the newly opened position of head ball coach at James Madison University...

I would like to nominate KC Keeler to the top of the search list... is there a second?

No you didn't

(01-07-2016 01:08 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(01-07-2016 12:35 AM)JMU1987UVA1998 Wrote:  

(01-07-2016 12:14 AM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  Jamie Chadwell at Charleston Southern is a great up and coming coach. If you can win at CS, you can win anywhere. He was on the short list for the Ga Southern gig a few weeks ago.

Mike Houston at Citadel or Turner Gill at Liberty.

Chadwell's a great thought, but we ain't running option (Cit) and no way we can outbid LU.

Man props to JMU1987UVA1998 - Jan 7 2016 he was the first to speculate on Houston, and Purple Streamers was the first to say no way.

(12-04-2018 02:06 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 08:43 PM)jmu007 Wrote:  So I'll go ahead and kick off the search committee for the newly opened position of head ball coach at James Madison University...

I would like to nominate KC Keeler to the top of the search list... is there a second?

No you didn't

We can become known as The Fighting Douches

(01-18-2016 12:57 PM)JMU13 Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 12:53 PM)Potomac Wrote:  In case you're not reading the other threads, a citadel writer in charleston and some citadel fans on their message board are claiming their HC Mike Houston has accepted the JMU HC position.

That's disappointing to hear. JB just lost my support.

Will we ever get JMU13's support again after the brutal Mike Houston hire?

(01-18-2016 01:41 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 01:31 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 01:29 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 01:25 PM)JMUDuke25 Wrote:  

(01-18-2016 01:22 PM)atljmualum Wrote:  Agree, and the SoCon of last year was hardly the SoCon of old without App St and Ga Southern. He likely would have had a much less successful season if those teams were still around and may not have even made the playoffs.

That said, he could very well be a great hire. I just don't see it as much of a slam dunk as some on here are suggesting.

Nobody is a slam dunk until they win something. He's our coach. I'm supporting him until there is a reason not to support him.

Ditto that. I would add until they win in the playoffs (as in playoff run).

Well at least Houston has proven that he can win in the playoffs.

I'm with you on that.....

Watched his YouTube video after the South Carolina win. He was there with his son in the press conference. I liked that.

Also like some of the post game locker room videos.

Certainly seems like he can handle the press and talks family and doing the right thing off the field.

He's not really had lack of success in his career I can see.


All and all I'm good with the hire if he accepts.

I was worried what I might have said, but it looks I had a positive opinion on Mike.

Now if you find my Lou Rowe reaction, that was a little different - but what do I know?

(12-04-2018 02:12 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(01-07-2016 01:08 AM)PurpleStreamers Wrote:  

(01-07-2016 12:35 AM)JMU1987UVA1998 Wrote:  

(01-07-2016 12:14 AM)Libertygrad01 Wrote:  Jamie Chadwell at Charleston Southern is a great up and coming coach. If you can win at CS, you can win anywhere. He was on the short list for the Ga Southern gig a few weeks ago.

Mike Houston at Citadel or Turner Gill at Liberty.

Chadwell's a great thought, but we ain't running option (Cit) and no way we can outbid LU.

This was a great bump. For the record, we didn't run option ha!
Man props to JMU1987UVA1998 - Jan 7 2016 he was the first to speculate on Houston, and Purple Streamers was the first to say no way.

a nice find and trip down memory lane - this is precisely why I've stayed quiet all this week. I was reminded of my feelings towards MH when he was announced and how I was sure that JMU football had seen it's pinnacle with ESPN CGD, Vad, back to back trips to the playoffs.

I'm hopeful, for now, that we have enough checks and balances and pieces in place (read - returned starters) that one person doesn't make the whole house crumble.