It seems we have a consensus on our hands
Ladies and gentlemen, the Georgia Bulldogs' 2010 defensive coordinator.
Now all we have to do is convince someone with actual authority to make this move. That's always the catch, isn't it?
Maybe Will Witherspoon could help us convince him to come to Georgia? Maybe politely and respectfully worded e-mails to Damon Evans would do the trick?
Go 'Dawgs!
3 months ago
T Kyle King
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Consensus?
Just how did you come up with this consensus and of whom does it consist?
by MikeInValdosta on Oct 15, 2009 11:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do you agree or disagree?
by tankertoad on Oct 15, 2009 11:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know how much he talks to Richt any more, but David Pollack has been seeking suggestions for replacement candidates. I’ll mention this to him on twitter and see what he thinks – I’d like to see it discussed on his show.
by AdamLilly on Oct 16, 2009 12:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps Pollack
is aiming for the job himself?
by podunkdawg on Oct 16, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As far as I know he's denied any interest . . .
pointing to how much he enjoys his TV work and how much time away from family is involved in college coaching. Not to mention his complete lack of coaching experience. But there’s no doubt in my mind that David Pollack has the brains and enthusiasm to handle college coaching were he ever so inclined.
by MaconDawg on Oct 16, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is anyone else concerned about Sylvester's complete lack of experience of the defensive side of the ball?
Sure he was the HC at Miss St. And implemented some things. But his other experiences have all been as OC or running backs coach.
I love me some Sylvester and would love to shout “You just got Croomed” at the top of my lungs but don’t we want someone with a proven track record of success on the defensive side of the ball?
Then again, in this Bizarro world we are living in with Willie, maybe an offensively minded former coach of the Bizarro Bulldogs is exactly what we need at DC.
Behold, this year's College Gameday Sign:
"Joe Cox -- He circumcises ANGELS!"
by RedCrake on Oct 16, 2009 12:32 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Strike the above...
I read his NFL profile entirely too quickly.
That what happens when you condense a multi-decade career into 45 seconds…
Bring on THE CROOM!!!!
Behold, this year's College Gameday Sign:
"Joe Cox -- He circumcises ANGELS!"
by RedCrake on Oct 16, 2009 12:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Given the vast expanse of his experience,
May I suggest the following title for Croom:
Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach and Running Backs Coach.
Bobo can be QB coach so he can feed that small country he is breeding, Ball can stay as recievers coach, Searles and whoever replaces Garner after he leaves in a huff can coach the lines, and we can train a Springer Spaniel to work with the DB’s.
Anyone else retained on the staff can now focus on how to kick the ball out of the endzone and how to cover kicks.
Behold, this year's College Gameday Sign:
"Joe Cox -- He circumcises ANGELS!"
by RedCrake on Oct 16, 2009 12:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
ST? how about getting Lou Holtz?
he says he can stop any return and i also dont have to watch him sat morn
by tankertoad on Oct 16, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holtz might be ideal for the position
Given his history of not being held accountable for his words or actions.
I’m halfway kidding…but the other half is crying on the inside.
Behold, this year's College Gameday Sign:
"Joe Cox -- He circumcises ANGELS!"
by RedCrake on Oct 16, 2009 1:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
yea RED
one doesnt get to mess around in the NFL so much with a light resume – i like what you wrote because you both acknowledged the initial reaction and then said, “damn”. Good on ya for sure. Think about this legend of the NCAA at UGA kicking ass and saying “thank you” and leaving. UGA is the perfect school for an amazing man.
by tankertoad on Oct 16, 2009 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How exactly is he a receiving a consensus?
Looks to me like he has much more experience on the offensive side of the ball (including his playing career), and he wasn’t really that great at Miss St. as a head coach.
I’d rather aim for stud DC’s at other schools and put the revenue we generate through the football team to compete with the arms race that is becoming the SEC.
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 12:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Xs and Os
are Xs and Os. He was SEC COACH OF THE YEAR at MSU. Do you have any idea how bad Miss State is as a school? i was there when he got hired and people were ready to join the KKK – this is an amazingly strong man that faced the most racist, backwards state in the union and took MSU to the best year they had in forever.
by tankertoad on Oct 16, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Titles mean little to me I'm afraid
He went 7-5 one season and had nothing but losing seasons otherwise. He wasn’t a good recruiter (granted, it was Miss. St.), and in the season he was canned, his team wasn’t even particularly competitive for most of their games (except for that 3-2 slugfest with Auburn).
He is surely a strong man who has battled obstacles all his life, but I see absolutely no evidence on his resume that would indicate him being a great DC.
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
brother
taking MSU to 7-5 is like winning an NC – and he did it as a black man in Mississippi. We are talking epic stuff here. Croom is a living legend already – and sucking it up as a RB coach with the rams. Can you see the war paint in Sanford Stadium? Can you hear the chants of JUNKYARD DAWGS? Can you watch the cable talking about a living legend at UGA ?
Nick saban and 5 million a year would be lucky to go 7-5 at MSU. The Alum didnt even like him there. MS ranks like 50th in pretty much everything as a state. Its not about Wins and Losses – Croom brings knowledge,experience, wisdom. YOu mean to tell me a guy that regularly coaches in the NFL doesnt even get good luck for the NCAA? Come on.
by tankertoad on Oct 16, 2009 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tankertoad, I love your enthusiasm and I am very grateful that you are a fellow Dawg, but I have to take a more reserved approach with this one. I rooted for Sly Croom with the Bizarro Bulldogs and wish him the best wherever he goes, but hiring a guy purely because of his character and his long history in the NFL (primarily as a RB coach) does not sell me on his prowess as a potential DC.
I think he could possibly be a good fit, but it would be a massive gamble. And it’s one I believe would be based more on speculation/wishful thinking than actual track record and potential.
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d take a look at guys in our own conference for one thing…
Guys who’ve posted results against similar competition (with presumably less talent) like Ellis Johnson, Tyrone Nix, and Kirby Smart…
There’s no guarantee those guys would jump ship, obviously, so I would also look at other guys who’ve gotten it done either at lower-prestige BCS schools/non BCS schools or proven defensive assistants in the NFL.
I am just as much an expert on this process as you are. And by no means am I trying claim Sly Croom would be a failure.
I just think some of you getting a little too carried away with a “name” coach because we are all collectively so disheartened with CWM (and I know you and I have our doubts about Bobo as well).
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not one coach in the “our own conference” is coming to UGA.
your a good dude Get Swoll Yunel -thanks for the talk, sincerely
by tankertoad on Oct 16, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You too, my friend.
Best wishes to you and GATA!
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and – i think you are thinking rings or not rings. I am thinking of statues and people in 50 years talking about the JYDs of Croom. This is college. This will be in stone talked about for 100 year or more.
rings are luck -doing what is right isnt.
by tankertoad on Oct 16, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also have to point a flaw with this line of thinking:
“You mean to tell me a guy that regularly coaches in the NFL doesnt even get good luck for the NCAA? Come on.”
Bill Callahan and Mike Sherman.
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
as this editor sucks, i meant “doesnt even get a good look”. We havent hired Croom yet – but tell me he doesnt deserve a look. i challenge anyone on the “Fire X” train to give me names. All I have is TT and Croom, and Croom is brilliant
damn phones.
by tankertoad on Oct 16, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He definitely deserves a look.
I have no problem with that at all.
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good discussion
One point worth mentioning:
Lots of good assistant coaches aren’t up to the task of being head coaches. That doesn’t diminish their ability as assistant coaches.
Ed Orgeron was a lousy head coach. He was, and is, a good assistant coach. Ray Goff was a lousy head coach. He was a good assistant coach.
I think Sylvester Croom accomplished quite a lot as a head coach, considering the situation he inherited in Starkville, but he has a proven track record as an assistant coach.
Also, good coaches translate from one side of the ball to the other. Erk Russell realized that, which is why he switched one of his defensive assistants to the offensive side of the ball . . . a fellow named Paul Johnson. How’d that move work out for him?
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 16, 2009 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not Orgeron?
If the concern is that Garner goes in the post-Martinez carnage, Orgeron gives you a choice with – I assure you – a great deal of energy and top-notch recruiting prowess. He also immediately returns the sharp X’s and O’s of the up-front defense. He doesn’t, however, really help with DB game-planning.
Of course, he’s also crazy.
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
by Ivory Tower on Oct 16, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, there's that whole crazy thing
He’s a tireless recruiter and a good position coach, but I wouldn’t want to hand over the entire defense to Ed Orgeron.
The defensive coordinator butting his bald head against the players’ helmets? Si! The defensive coordinator turning into the Tasmanian Devil in the third quarter and going berserk shirtless? No!
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 16, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and I meant to reiterate
that the discussion of Sylvester Croom is nutso.
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
by Ivory Tower on Oct 16, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about Sly Croom's resume . . .
. . . suggests that he wouldn’t be an excellent choice for any position on the staff other than head coach?
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 16, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The most glaring ...
… is that Croom hasn’t coached on the defensive side of the ball since Spurrier was still waiting on the call from Duke. And the last time he coached a game as the head man, his defense gave up 45. In fact, the whole post-Johnson era was a general regression for the State defense.
I think that hiring Croom would be a public relations dream, as it certainly was for Mississippi State. But Georgia does not need a story line; it needs, as you noted, innovative coaching on the defensive side of the ball. How can someone who hasn’t coached defenses since the ’80s be expected to suddenly become innovative?
Think about Georgia’s most glaring problem, which is, in my opinion, pass defense. Now, think about the regression of Derek Pegues, all-SEC safety under Ellis Johnson. Undrafted after his senior season without Ellis Johnson.
As I’ve said before, Georgia has my close secondary allegiances. Perhaps its my primary allegiances talking, but I think this talk about Croom is all hype and will soon deflate.
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
by Ivory Tower on Oct 16, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"He did it as a black man in Mississippi"
To me, that comes off as incredibly racist. And I’m a Mississippian; digest that one for a second.
Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Oct 17, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you really that Fu#*King STUPID?
Obviously.
by Captain WhupAss on Oct 17, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to say, Cap'n . . .
. . . your career as a Dawg Sports commenter has not gotten off to an auspicious start.
If you have something to contribute, you’re more than welcome to join the conversation. If all you have to offer are insults rather than insights, however, there are some very good bad message boards that could use your kind of commentary.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 17, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The strength of Croom's teams at MSU was DEFENSE.
Had he been able to generate offense, he would still be there. He is a no nonsense guy who makes the kids go to class__even sitting in on classes himself to check up on the guys. It would be idiotic not to talk to him. He is 55 yoa and would likely make this his last stop__moving from the imitation Bulldogs to the real Dawgs! Here, he could pay back the Tide who shafted him by hiring Shula.
by Jujdog on Oct 16, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This would be a good move.
Either way, y’all keep your grubby paws away from Kirby Smart. He’s ours now.
by Crimson Daddy on Oct 16, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We make no promises, however...
I don’t see Smart going anywhere away from Saban unless someone drops a Brinks truck on his front lawn or he’s offered a HC job though.
http://hobnailboot.wordpress.com/
by AuditDawg on Oct 16, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What suggests...
that Croom would be a good defensive coordinator? LIke many others have pointed out his experience is on the offensive side of the ball. If everyone is so convinced his Miss. St. defense was so good maybe we should be looking at whoever his DC was while he was the coach at the Bulldogs.
by mdhenshaw on Oct 16, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Let me answer my own question...
Croom’s DC was Ellis Johnson who is now Assistant Head Coach and DC at South Carolina.
by mdhenshaw on Oct 16, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DING DING DING
mdhenshaw with the correct answer! I know I’m obviously very, very biased against the Western Division Dawgs and anyone who has ever associated themselves therewith, but Ellis Johnson deserves a significant majority of the credit for the defensive prowess of Croom’s teams, not Croom.
UGA can do better.
Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Oct 17, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking about Croom the other day. Seems more likely than Tubberville, which gets thrown around much more. But then I thought about this, if Richt did fire Martinez, wouldn’t Garner have to be a candidate? And if he didn’t get the DC position wouldn’t it be such a slap in the face that he would leave? So essentially, we might lose 2 people, one who is noted for being a strong recruiter.
by fotodog on Oct 16, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Garner is the recruiting coordinator...
… so we’d probably take a big hit in recruiting for a year if we hired anyone but him to replace CWM. (I’m assuming that if he’s not hired to replace CWM, he’d probably leave.)
by vineyarddawg on Oct 16, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you're correct . . .
and to me this is a major undercurrent to the “Fire Willie” discussion. It’s a bit dated now, but when the drums first started rumbling in the distance my friend and occasional MaconDawg’s Blawg contributor Darius Dawgberry and I examined that precise angle. If Martinez is replaced, and it’s not by Rodney Garner, we’re not just talking about replacing a defensive coordinator. We’re talking about replacing a DC, a defensive backs coach, a defensive tackles coach and a recruiting coordinator.
by MaconDawg on Oct 16, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmmm
that could be a problem. What do we think about Garner as DC?
by podunkdawg on Oct 16, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bad, bad, bad idea.
If the choices promote Garner to DC or lose him, then I think the team would have to let him walk and take the hit. If they come up with a good coach to replace both Martinez and Garner, the team would be able to work around it.
Driving the "Fire Willie Martinez" bandwagon since 2006
by SG Standard on Oct 16, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know everyone is scared of losing Garner; however, maybe it’s time we figure out a backup plan. There’s no reason why in a talent rich state like Georgia the Dawgs have to cower to a recruiting coordinator. It would be a huge risk to make Garner DC.
by mdhenshaw on Oct 16, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
Give the Recruiting Coordinator gig to John Lilly and get some fresh blood throughout the defensive coaching staff.
The DTs, for the all of the hype they’ve received coming into this season, sure haven’t made a whole lot of noise (Kade Weston has been coming on, though).
This would also allow us to hire an actual defensive line coach (instead of our current DT and DE coach set-up) which could then allow to hire a full-time special teams guy.
by get swoll yunel on Oct 16, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's worth about 500 cocktails, get swoll yunel
Just as the hiring of Tony Ball as running backs coach clearly was designed to prepare for the day when John Eason no longer was Georgia’s wide receivers coach, the hiring of John Lilly clearly was designed to prepare for the day when Rodney Garner no longer was Georgia’s recruiting coordinator. While Mark Richt deserves criticism for his failure to tell underperforming assistants to hit the bricks, he deserves credit for making hires in the last three or four years that have displayed a great deal of forethought.
I’m not anxious to lose Rodney Garner, but Coach Richt can’t base his decisions on what’s best for the program to hinge on what one assistant will do. It’s about what’s best for the program overall.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 16, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Croom would likely be just as good a recruiter as Garner
although he couldn’t be the recruiting coordinator and DC, I wouldn’t think. Croom also would make it less likely that Garner would leave than if some other coordinator were hired. He probably would leave but less likely.
by Jujdog on Oct 16, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I don’t want Rodney Garner to go, but the combination of Sylvester Croom as defensive coordinator and John Lilly as recruiting coordinator would, on balance, be an upgrade from the combination of Willie Martinez as defensive coordinator and Rodney Garner as recruiting coordinator.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Oct 16, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the most ridiculous thread I've ever seen on an SBN blog.
Croom never touched the defense — which is why it was okay. Croom was an offensive coach the majority of his career, yet couldn’t once design an offense that was better than #103 in the nation. In comes Dan Mullen, taking the same players plus some frosh and the MSU offense is now #44, and 10th in rushing offense.
As a fan of a team that plays UGa next season, I hope Georgia is stupid enough to hire Croom as a DC.
by hailstate on Oct 17, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Croom never smothered any offense
quite as well as he smothered his own. ZING!
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
by Ivory Tower on Oct 17, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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