http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0312/01/wcroom.html *(mod edit- The 2 Croom threads have been merged)
has Croom officially accepted the MSU position yet? I was just wondering if Croom has become the first African American head coach in the SEC? I thought the official word would have come out today.
Good for Coach Croom? Good for State? This will be a closely watched hire by the people at Alabama, who passed on Croom. He may regret taking the job at State, but I might be suprised by a MSU turn around. He need improve very little to best the 2003 Bulldogs. This could make recruiting in Mississippi and Alabama very interesting for those kids from families concerned about race. Ole Miss might really take a hit from small town kids in Mississippi. They are going to have to start paying their players and their players' families better to keep up with State.
This is a very interesting hire. I've never heard of this guy, kinda funny. It'll be interesting to see how he does at state.
I think MSU is a great place to hire the first African-American coach in the SEC. Here's my reasoning: MSU isn't a powerhouse in the respect that an Alabama is. If Croom is even mildly successful, it will prove he's a good coach and propel him to a bigger job. If he fails, it can be blamed on the situation there (NCAA investigation, location, history, etc.) I wish him the best of luck there...except when they play LSU.
At the time of his candidacy for Alabama, he was the running backs coach for the Green Bay Packers. I'm wondering if he's still doing that. I wouldn't have gone with Croom. I would've hired Charlie Strong, DC for Florida. Maybe they went after him and he turned them down, who knows? In any event, I wish him good luck. He's gonna need it. Miss. State is just a tough place to win. They've played football a long time and the only period of time during which they were truly successful was 1996-2001, the "Golden Years" under Jackie Sherrill.
Interesting pick... I'm glad they didn't pick Jimbo but that seemed more logical than going after a NFL coach no one has heard of. But I guess thier smarter than Nebraska , At least they didn't fire Solich and go after a lesser coach. Which reminds me if i'm Miss St Ad I'd go for Frank Solich.
Jimbo turned down MSU before they offered to Croom. Also, I agree with Jetstorm...I'd have gone with Charlie Strong. He definitely wants to be a head coach, from what I've heard. Maybe he just saw MSU as a losing situation?
