Heads up for you guys from Phins' perspective Doesn't sound like anything has been decided yet. This is from a very reliable guy I've known for years. _________________________________________________________________ They told me that as it stood this morning, Jim Bates would interview this afternoon with Eddie Jones, Wayne Huizenga and Spielman. But they said that the job is Saban's. He will be installed QUITE by close of play Thursday, but more likely tomorrow. I am told that there is a strong groundswell of opinion that he will keep Jim Bates on as Defensive Co-ordinator and Assistant Head Coach, IF Bates accepts. My source told me that Bates would accept that role, as long as he was able to have a strong say over the defensive coaches that he keeps including Bill Lewis, Clarence Brooks and Mel Phillips. I'm told that Eddie Jones spoke with Saban and Jimmy Sexton yesterday evening to apprise them of the situation. My source then told me that Keith Armstrong would not be retained and that Derek Dooley would be installed as ST coach. I then asked about Jimbo Fisher, the Bayou Bengals OC and I was told Saban would LIKELY try and bring Fisher across although there seems to be some indication that LSU AD Skip Bertman is considering Fisher as the new LSU HC. The most interesting news came when I asked about Art Shell. I was told that Shell 's interview was very, very impressive and that the cognescenti at the team came away thinking that Shell would actually make a very strong candidate for Team President, something that I had wondered about over the past 48 hours myself. I think that the lines of communication between the two parties are open and that when Saban comes across, there will be a conversation with regards to a possible further "interview"/"chat" about that particular position. To my mind, he would make an excellent figurehead and his knowledge of the football side and the business side from his role within the NFL for the past 5 years makes him a very interesting candidate. And to keep you apprised with the draft, LSU LT Andrew Whitworth will declare. He's a likely 1st rounder. Miami TB Frank Gore will also declare and Roscoe Parrish is close to declaring also. _______________________________________________________________ Take it for what it's worth - nothing more than another rumor out there, but it does sound reasonable from the Phins' side. If true, it looks like the ball's about to be in Saban's court.
Well at least this is a wealth of information and in detail.....unlike all other rumors posted so far....which say stuff like...."Saban is staying".....which amounts to a bunch of BS I can't see Whitworth going 1st round. He had a dissapointing season, and he would be the first to tell you that.
no way Whitworth goes...no way. also, I will be very disappointed if Jimbo gets the HC position if Nick leaves. I feel we can do much better then that.
I don't see Whitworth going either....what is up with LSU Tigers going prematurely (first Mauck, now Whitworth)? Stay your senior season, have a shot at NC #2, have an excellent year, and be a top 12-15 draft choice. Pretty simple really. He's mid 2nd round at best.
It's only more rumor guys. I don't know how any of that sounds as far as having a ring of truth on the LSU side of the equation, but it sounds plausible from the Phins' side.
Thanks for the info Agua. A direct copy of someone's post off the fins forum, but it was a lot of info nonetheless. I was going to ask if Boomer was you, then I saw you posted later on in the thread: http://www.finheaven.com/boardvb2/showthread.php?t=59567
Boomer wouldn't mind me copying and pasting. We've sat around in game chats drinking and shooting the crap for years.
No way Saban allows that to happen. I can't believe he'll let the Fins tell him who to hire for HIS defensive staff.
