Stacy Searels Reportedly Leaving Athens for Austin
If this turns out to be true, I wish Stacy Searels well. I believe him to be a good man, but, given the way the offensive line has performed the last couple of years, I can't say I'm sad to see him go.
Go 'Dawgs!
over 1 year ago
T Kyle King
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This begs the question
who’s next? I have absolutely no idea who Richt might target. I wonder if he’ll dip back into the NFL coaching pool as he did with Grantham?
I feel the same way as you do, Kyle. In our brief phone call after the Liberty Bowl, you and I sort of came to the same realization about our under performing offensive line: Could it be coaching?
I still believe that we have some very good linemen on this team. Let’s see what the next guy can do with ’em if all of this comes to fruition.
"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell
You know who built a good reputation as an offensive line coach...
Just kidding! He’s already gainfully employed.
You know who’s not, though, and who was also a great line coach…
(Hey, everybody’s hiring people with ties to our school.)
by vineyarddawg on Jan 19, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
Let everyone else say what they will but
I wouldn’t be opposed to the great pumpkin being our line coach. He played there, he coached them up at UT, he absolutely knows the SEC and he recruits VERY well. Somebody show me the downside.
Agreed.
We hired an Auburn man to be our head coach, and that worked out pretty well. Hiring a Tennessee man to coach our offensive line wouldn’t cause me a moment’s indigestion.
Go 'Dawgs!
Plus you know his lines would be some hard fighting...
knee chopping bastards against Tennessee. I assume they’ll be Ryan Pugh like, but even if Richt says no go for that, you know Fulmer will be wanting to tear into Tennessee with a motivated OL.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 22, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Could we refer to him as
CTGP? (Coach The Great Pumpkin)
Our team needs more mustache.
I don’t particularly care where it comes from… but upper lip hair is at the top of my list of requirements in a O-Line coach. And I mean 1970’s porn star mustache.
Also, so much for nobody wanting our assistants.
"If there's one thing worse than chlamydia, it's Florida." ~ Emma Stone, Easy A
by RedCrake on Jan 19, 2011 5:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Needs to be pornier
Van Gorder’s stache, while delighfully skeezy, lacks the volume I require.
"If there's one thing worse than chlamydia, it's Florida." ~ Emma Stone, Easy A
by RedCrake on Jan 19, 2011 7:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What about the...
WANNSTACHE
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
I Corinthians 9:24
by Southern Dawg on Jan 19, 2011 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
I would like to apologize for how annoyingly large it is
it bothers even myself now that i posted it. ugh (stachepalm)
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
I Corinthians 9:24
by Southern Dawg on Jan 19, 2011 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
The Wannstache is impressive.
I’d also be interested to see if Tom Selleck has any football acumen.
"If there's one thing worse than chlamydia, it's Florida." ~ Emma Stone, Easy A
On AM 680 Buck and Kincaid are
talking about how “great” it would be to bring Hugh Nall back into the UGA fold…Mr. Trucking Co. CEO himself.
How 'Bout Them Dawgs!
Buck is pushing that on Twitter, as well.
He says Hugh Nall and Mac McWhorter are in play.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Jan 19, 2011 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
For the record, David Pollack has yet to weigh in, but . . .
. . . that’s because he’s watching “The Karate Kid.”
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Jan 19, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
That is so deliciously... I don't even know the word for it.
It made me giggle like a little schoolgirl, though.
by vineyarddawg on Jan 20, 2011 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
Please no -
two older UGA players. I guess it is impossible for our football staff to realize fresh blood, and some younger blood is what is needed, and reshuffling chairs to allow UGA players to come home to retire isn’t going to win rings.
I am growing more and more convinced the good ole boy network at UGA is the reason our football program has had so many problems. We are afraid of fresh blood, afraid of change and do everything too late.
I am not saying this two men are bad people or bad coaches, and if they come I will definitely support them. This is a chance to go get someone up and coming rather than old and been there done that give me a nice fat check and a house on Oconee.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
I agree.
However, this is Buck Belue we are talking about, and, as much as I love the guy as a former player and a damn good ‘Dawg, he’s a talk radio host, not a journalist. (That’s why I followed up his Twitter post with a reference to David Pollack, who will put anything on Twitter.)
I put very little stock in Buck’s indication that Hugh Nall and Mac McWhorter are in the mix.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Jan 19, 2011 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
But Buck told us...
wait, what was it he was correct about again?
Thing is - would you be surprised if we did hire on one those two? I sure wouldnt at this point.
I can see CMR is making a statement = changing S&C, changing O Line Coach. But the statement falls flat if we do what we did with S&C reshuffling chairs, or hire on more UGA Letterman. I want the statement to be “WE GAVE THE BEST COACH IN THE NATION 20% OVER WHAT ANY OTHER POSITION COACH MAKES BECAUSE WE ONLY ACCEPT THE BEST.”
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
I also heard Buck say that Searels wasn't to be criticized...
because the downward slope the line has been on was attributable to a lack of talent in Athens. I’m sorry, but that’s just ridiculous. For one, I think comparing talent in the SEC (when you’re talking about the big boys…not Vandy, obviously) is largely an exercise in futility. You’re trying to say that Team A, who has an average star rating of 3.76 is so much more talented than Team B, who has an average star rating of 3.64, and that’s just not the case. Might they be marginally more talented? Yes. Do I think it makes a difference? Rarely.
Buck praised Searels for his early work (namely 2007 and 2008 when the line was young or ravaged with injuries) but then says 2009 and 2010 were due to a lack of talent? That doesn’t make sense, largely because most of the guys who were on the line in 2007 and 2008 are still on the line now. Boling, Sturdivant, Glenn, Davis, Jones, all those guys are veteran guys who have been starting for a while.
Here’s my take: Searels does a great job getting young guys ready to play offensive line in the SEC, but as they progress, he hits a ceiling. Expectations certainly play a part in this as well. How much of the praise heaped on Searels was due to the line play and excellent juggling job he did with young players in 2007 and 2008? Now after he’s had guys in the system a few years and the expectations go up (we were what, the number 1 overall line going into last year according to Phil Steele?) the players just don’t deliver like they should. Who was one of the surprises of last year’s line, however? Kenarious Gates. What year was he again? That’s right, a true freshman…a guy that no one thought would even see the field. Again…Searels does a great job getting a young guy ready to play, but he hits a ceiling with his older guys (Glenn, Boling, Sturdivant, Jones).
by hailtogeorgia on Jan 20, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
Who exactly does Buck think recruited the talent to Athens?
"If there's one thing worse than chlamydia, it's Florida." ~ Emma Stone, Easy A
My immediate thought when I saw this was
that if a program and coach of Texas and Mack Brown’s caliber want Searels, it probably WASN’T the coaching. And if the guy is making an apparent lateral move to Austin, he probably feels like there’s something keeping him from getting the most from his players. Now, before the “Fire Richt” crowd jumps on this and points to this as further evidence I’ll make it clear: I believe the root of the OL’s problems has been S&C and, sadly, a decline that took years to become evident can’t be fixed overnight. Texas has a rock solid reputation for getting and making solid O linemen, so the grass probably is greener…
As to who to replace Searels with, I don’t know about his OL coaching pedigree but Robbie Caldwell’s out of job last I heard…… Or, it’s hard to go against RedCrake’s porn ’stache suggestion.
Friedgen is out a job too...
and for college kids, S&C can be fixed almost overnight, or at least over 8 months (between now and game 1). Kids 18-23 can make huge strides in 8 months, especially with a renewed focus. We’ve made changes in that, but I’m not sure if this is a sign that Searels didn’t care for the change? I hope not, and it’s just Texas calling, which can be a huge, huge call for a coach. I hate thinking we’d lose a pay battle, but Texas can probably double his salary without blinking, plus give better compensation in retirement benefits, health benefits, etc, and then the no state income tax thing too. So iyam, it’s probably a money move and he’s getting much, much more in compensation from the Longhorns.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 19, 2011 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Excellent points.
There are very, very few programs that could win a bidding war with Georgia . . . but Texas absolutely is one of them.
Go 'Dawgs!
The lateral move can be explained by a forceout
Richt watches tape, talks it over, and lets him quietly walk. I don’t see who else to blame for poor play with the line prospects Georgia gets year in and year out. Look at the Falcons and the job Paul Boudreau has done with undrafted, practice squad talent. It’s the coaching.
by TheAreopagite on Jan 19, 2011 7:11 PM EST up reply actions
I don't know man...
He was hot stuff there for awhile. I don’t think he forgot how to coach. I’m inclined to agree with some of the aforementioned posts wondering about S&C. From what I saw this season, it seems a very likely explanation. And I think we’ll soon find out that it was all about the money—a substantial raise for SS.
How 'Bout Them Dawgs!
by Marshmanslim on Jan 19, 2011 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
There's no question strength and conditioning has been a huge problem.
That said, Stacy Searels had two areas of responsibility: the offensive line and the running game. We were bad, and have been getting worse, at both.
I wish him well, but two of the most marked declines were in his two areas of responsibility. Whether he walked on his own or was given a golden parachute and a push, I’m glad we have the opportunity to make a change there. Another season of the line and the running game heading in that direction, and he’d have been the new Willie. That’s harsh, but can anyone say it isn’t true?
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Jan 19, 2011 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
If I recall correctly...
… there was some consternation in some quarters when we hired Stacy Searels because the LSU folks weren’t really too sad to be rid of him.
And now, if he’s going to tea-sip land, there won’t be loud wailing and gnashing of teeth in Athens, either.
That sounds an awful lot like damning with faint no praise to me.
by vineyarddawg on Jan 20, 2011 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
I have a hard time with this theory.
You don’t just “let someone walk” to a job at Texas. Not to mention the fact that Texas reportedly talked to Searels several weeks ago and he turned them down. This was apparently their second go at him. If he were being quietly let go, why would he have turned them down a few weeks ago?
As for the lateral move part, it’s not a lateral move. For one, Mack Brown’s job is much more secure than Mark Richt’s. Two, from a recruiting standpoint, Texas gets the cream of the crop from the most talent laden state in the country, whereas Georgia has to compete with Florida, Auburn, Bama, and so on. This doesn’t even bring into account the new ESPN Texas deal they garnered.
It’s just like dating. Let’s say I’m trying to land Kristin Davis. To do this, would it be more productive for me to try to entice her while I’m surrounded by several other guys who are going to make me look marginal by comparison, or am I going to have more success by placing myself in a position where I’m obviously the best choice? That’s what Searels did. His only real competition at Texas is Oklahoma, whereas here he’s fighting against the past four teams to win the national championship.
by hailtogeorgia on Jan 20, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
We could always bring Neil Callaway back...
sits back and awaits the soothing serenade of crickets
"If there's one thing worse than chlamydia, it's Florida." ~ Emma Stone, Easy A
by RedCrake on Jan 19, 2011 5:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions
My HOPE is that our scandously under-performing O-line
..of the past 2-3 years is due to coaching. My FEAR is that the rot in our S&C program that took place when it became a summer vacation hammock for Van Halanger began with the spineless performances of 2008 against Bama and Florida, continued apace in 2009 vs Okie State, Tennessee, Florida and second-half Kentucky (then briefly masked by matchups against even weaker D-lines from Tech and TX A&M) and this past season was exposed against the majority of teams on our schedule. I hope that as with last year’s purge of cronies from the D-staff, this year’s shake-up with S&C is not too late.
ALSO hope that the endlessly whining Mackster and his Whorns fall even further behind this year and begin to resemble a coaching graveyard. Just tired of reading about these wealthy Texas schools swooping in everywhere like buzzards right and left (unless it’s at the Barn).
I consider this good news
The real question is: Can he take Bobo with him?
Kidding (not really) aside – this is a chance for CMR to hit a home-run. I tell you this: if we hire within or get another UGA Letterman, I will consider it a massive failure. I am sure CTG knows a dozen great coaches for this position.
For the “is it coaching, or is it S&C” question: It’s both. Everyone knows our S&C stinks, and I frankly think our linemen were unmotivated or prepared.
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
by tankertoad on Jan 19, 2011 7:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I think it is notable that the S&C program worked just fine for many of the D-linemen.
This year was likely a matter of lack of fit for the position, it would seem. But I don’t recall our defensive lines getting pushed off the ball regularly in the last 3-4 years before 2010.
off topic -
We are iced in already
"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker
Hopefully part of Searels' responsibilities as "Run Game Coordinator"
included the decisions to run Thomas up the middle.
Nawww. Bobo's got CT running wall drills at his house right now trying to figure out why he can't get through.
Perhaps, when CT discovers the door, Bobo will discover it only opens one way and then follow him through…
The Pillar of Pessimism, the Narrator of Negativity, and the Dictator of Doubt is here to rain on your Utopian Parade.
uconn o line coach
THIS IS WHO WE NEED >>>> COACH Mike Foley
It’s business and pleasure," Olivier said. “We all know when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. … He is a really good coach. He really is.”
There are examples that verify that. Donald Thomas went from walk-on to a starter for the Miami Dolphins. Will Beatty, who had a reputation of not being hard worker, became second-round pick of the New York Giants.
Junior center Moe Petrus was named a freshman All-American. State products Dan Ryan and Mike Hicks are hoping to get drafted next week.
Then there is the 6-foot-7, 323-pound Hurd of Waterford. He could be drafted next year. And some younger players behind him.
UConn coach Randy Edsall rarely allows his assistant coaches to speak with the media, so Edsall spoke about Foley.
“Mike’s done a great job … still got plenty to do,” Edsall said, half laughing. "But again, no, I think like all the coaches, all the coaches have done a good job, but the offensive line … when you rush the ball the way we’ve rushed, it’s a combination. It’s not just backs, it’s the offensive line. He’s a good teacher. He does a good job of teaching technique and getting the kids to understand what we’re doing and trying to put them in the best position that they can be in.
“The other thing, too, is when you have guys like a Donald Thomas, who he coached, and Donald had that success, and Donald went to the NFL, and then you see a guy like Will who was here and what he’s done… "
Enough said. Foley is getting things done.
Here Is what a Player for him Said
“Zach Hurd, a senior guard on the UConn football team, has made up his mind about offensive line coach Mike Foley.
“He’s the best O-line coach in the nation,” Hurd said Tuesday. “If you ask all of our players that have been through here, they’ll tell you he knows his stuff. I mean, think about it. [Senior guard] Matt [Olivier] and I weren’t big recruits. None of the people he has are big recruits. But how do we still have a 2,000-yard rusher [Donald Brown in 2008], two 1,000-yard rushers [Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon in 2009]. That’s not because he’s a bad coach. That’s because he’s the best coach in the nation. He’s taken players that these big schools didn’t want … we came here for a reason; we came here for him”
Good points.
My one reservation is that the jury very much remains out on our last hire from UConn (Scott Lakatos).
Go 'Dawgs!
Seems like the secondary has improved quite a bit no?
Just looking at the main numbers 09 vs 10
35 pass yards per game better
6 more interceptions
11 fewer touchdowns
Which they did with 6 fewer sacks by the front 7.
I suppose one might be inclined to point out that
a) a 3-4 is inherently better against the pass and those gains aren’t due to coaching
b) 2009 pass defense was awful, and there is still a very long way between 2010 and good.
c) Arkansas
d) Still some Evansian/Jonesian angles of pursuit that need to be worked out.
e) those are average numbers and the creampuffs or very run heavy teams (notably Tech and Auburn) disguise deficiencies that would be shown against the Arkansas’s of the world.
Wait a minute….I think I’ve convinced myself that you’re right. Crap.
I hadn’t even been worrying about them, perhaps I should start.
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 20, 2011 8:38 AM EST reply actions
Shoot - meant to reply to Kyle's point above. Fail.
Broadcasting live from a secure location underneath the Hell Gate Bridge
by The Quincy Carter of Accountants on Jan 20, 2011 8:39 AM EST up reply actions
there you are
and here i’ve been wondering if we can get you to analyze the data and determine the W/L percentages when the game is being played in close proximity to tankertoad…..
I can bake like a demon.
If I recall, we thought Searls was hot stuff when we had injuries on the line his first season.
Our expectations were low and the fact that he could get anything out of what we perceived to be a desperate situation seemed impressive. But it seemed once we got healthy on OL, the line never acheived to what we thought was it’s potential based on the caliber of athlete recruited.
Best of luck in Texas, I think it is time for a change. But no former AQ head coach worth his salt is going to step in as a position coach.
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