Y'all both make good points. Didn't think I would want Pelini, but Fanatic's points are good ones. Then TT points out what I've thought, too, that Pelini's D was slipping at the time of his departure, and were not that good at NEB. Maybe we had better talent when he was here? I think I liked his scheme better than Chief's.
I think his defensive schemes at the end of his tenure here was getting figured out, and he wanted to be a HC so when the opportunity arrived with Nebraska he took it. I don't blame him. But his defenses at Nebraska was ridiculously terrible. And now he took the HC job at Youngstown Univ. I believe. Good luck to him, but he'd be a step down for our D imo. I know I keep harping on this point, but I really want Pendergast. Reading up on him, he runs the kind of defense that would make us virtually unstoppable with a serviceable Offense. With the right tweaks and development on O, I could see us riding his defense in to several more SEC Championships and a NC or two.
The flip is that Pendergast's defenses are reportedly a bit complex and can be difficult for some to grasp.
But after a season or two of recruiting HIS type of players, I don't think that would be an issue. But I'm willing to bet he could develop the studs we have now in to a serious formidable D from spring to fall.
What I really like about him is his "get after the QB" mentality. And he produces tough Run/Pass defenses. If he could do it at SC and Cal, in a pass heavy conference, he could excel here with SEC caliber 4* & 5* recruits.
Still convinced Chavis isn't going to the faggies because of how much he enjoys what he's doing at LSU.