Comments on: Why They’ll Work And Why They Won’t: The SEC’s Rookie Coaches

By: RT77

RT77 — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 20:52:26 +0000

I cannot help but wonder how many people in Arkansas will call their new coach “Coach Bolemia” for years to come. That could be hard to stomach. LOL

By: RT77

RT77 — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 20:50:55 +0000

If you really knew anything about Malzahn’s offense, you would know that he does not run a traditional spread offense. His offense is a run-first offense. In 2009 at Auburn, Ben Tate rushed for nearly 1400 yards, other backs added to that with another 900 yards rushing, not including QB rushing plays. In 2010, the AU team rushed for over 2000 yards outside of Cam’s rushing numbers. Michael Dyer accrounted for nearly 1100 or those rushing yards. As for QB play, Schott Loeffler did nothing to help Keihl Frazier. Frazier will look like a different kid next year/

By: NatanElias

NatanElias — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:23:10 +0000

Congratulations to John Pennington for a well-written, reasoned article. I don’t normally look to see the authors, but always find the articles on Mr. SEC are high quality like this in grammar and content. They are realistic and balanced. Great job.

By: aubieman2002

aubieman2002 — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 02:08:47 +0000

I like the upside of the Malzahn hire. I think he can create an oregon east with his pace. It may not work out but if it does Auburn will be back to the top.

By: SevierVol

SevierVol — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:50:21 +0000

Everyone in Tennessee is a great AD and an even better Head Coach. Most of those making fools of themselves likely didn’t even know who Butch Jones was, where he coached or what his track record was because they only watch a few SEC games each year. The only thing a lot of these big-mouths know about football is that they were never very good at playing it. A lot of the more vocal fans wear orange-tinted glasses and think every coach in the nation should beg to come here. They just don’t realize that there are many other attractive programs and that you are not always successful at luring coaches away from a successful situation, especially when the money is relatively the same and fans have realistic expectations. I don’t think Butch Jones was anyone’s first choice but he seemed to be the only coach campaining to come and attempt to get us out of the sewer we are drowning in. Jones has won where ever he has been, is fiery on the sidelines and, by all indications, runs a tight ship. We at least should get behing him and give him a chance. Considering that the football program is in shambles, the Athletic Department is broke and the unrealistic expectations of many of the fans, I believe Jones was about as good as we could have realistically hope for. When all things are considered, I’m not sure we deserve Butch Jones.

By: spitfires

spitfires — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:16:22 +0000

@JamieThornton @viciousdawg
And one player from TN, one from NJ, and Monte Ball from Missouri. Also, numerous players from OH, a couple from California. And what about bringing some corn fed yellow hair boys down from the midwest? Recruiting just became national.

Bielema stated in his pess conference that aout half of his juniors are NFL draftable. And lets not forget JJ Watt of the Houston Texans up for NFL MVP in his second year.

So, if not a good recruiter, then Bielema is a good devleoper.

Hope he can run up the score on some of the teams that kicked the Razorbacks while they were down.

By: lodger16x

lodger16x — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:51:09 +0000

The last guy who coached at Cincy is playing in the national championship game. Hart could not force Gruden, Gundy, or Strong to sign on at gunpoint. Big-time programs usually don’t get their first choice. Part of the problem with bringing coaches to TN are the fans who think they are Nostradamus, who are ready to give up before the first game is played. A few idiots on Twitter are not indicative of the entire fan base. Hope springs eternal in the off season, and the fans will be there, at least for a while.

By: JamieThornton

JamieThornton — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:28:41 +0000

SPORTSNATION
Which of the four SEC head coaching hires was the most impressive?
50%Bret Bielema, Arkansas 15%Butch Jones, Tennessee 18%Gus Malzahn, Auburn 17%Mark Stoops, Kentucky
(Total votes 17,370)

By: Dnayew

Dnayew — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:59:52 +0000

Stoops will be fired in 3 years. Jones will be fired in 4 years. Bielema may actually be good – the lack of recruiting prowess worries me though; and Mulzahn will be good for Auburn, but will probably be wrongfully fired like Tuberville was, because Auburn is not Alabama, yet they think they are.

So my picks are Bielema to work – the rest to be out of work in 4 years

By: JamieThornton

JamieThornton — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:20:24 +0000

@viciousdawg He has 11 players from Florida on his roster at Wisconsin. All the talk about not recruiting the south is ridiculous. On top of that, he had to get players to come from the nice weather south, to the dreadful Wisconsin. Not where everyone wants to be in the winter. He also has 4 players from Texas and 1 from Texarkana. Funny how he can’t get anyone from the south.

By: viciousdawg

viciousdawg — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:15:58 +0000

I think Auburn got the best coach but he will have a hard road to follow with the NCAA breathing down their necks. Tn has to change the culture around their program, if it don’t, not even Nick Saban could win there.Tennessee need a D there short coming wasn’t the Offense this past year. Ky made a good hire, he will need a lot of support and patience from the fans .Arkansas is going to be a wait and see. Can Bielema recruit in the south? We shall see and it won’t take long.

By: KY_Daktari

KY_Daktari — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:12:49 +0000

John,

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on grading the ADs, the search process, and the hires for the school and maybe a prediction on how it will be viewed in 2-3 years (since that’s all people give coaches anyways).

Matt Jones posted about Mitch Barnhart and the UK search in particular on KSR, but I’d like to hear more of an outside opinion.

Thanks,
James

By: atnvol

atnvol — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:57:55 +0000

It is all speculative at this point, but I also think that TN made the best hire after viewing the Jones presser….I think AR and TN made the better hires and I have a feeling that it will work out well for the Vols finally.

By: BillRauhuff

BillRauhuff — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:33:28 +0000

I think when all is said and done Tennessee got the best coach. They hopefully will be bowling again next year and win 6-8 games