I like him as a possible choice, but as stated in another post, I'm interested to see what "huge" names Skip speaks of. I want to know if there is more to Saban's comment during his Saturday PC about Bellicheck(?) visiting BR. As you say, we can hope.
I have nothing but respect for Del Rio, but I get the feeling he knows Saban leaving means a raise for himself - if he plays it right. It is good news he didn't deny anything outright and remove himself, but that angle could also just as easily be for creating demand for him as a coach. If there is even a remote shot that we could interest him, we should make a serious push for him. He is a very solid defensive mind, but he may very well cull Will Muschamp if he is hired. Perhaps not - but I would think he'd bring in his own guys to play the style of D he likes, which is more traditional than WM. If WM wanted to stay on as an assist. (or if he did keep him as DC), he could really learn a lot from him and help himself out. I hope our coordinators and taking that into consideration, rather than looking to jump into a HC role at this time. If we hire the right coach (Chow, JDR, etc), then they stand to help themselves a lot by staying and learning.
Some tidbits about JDR: -He coached Ray Lewis, Jamie Sharper, and Peter Boulware as LB coach in Baltimore from 1999-2001. -In his first year as Defensive Coordinator at Carolina, he took the Panthers from 31st in the league in total defense to 2nd. -In his first year as Head Coach at Jacksonville, he took the Jags from 20th in the league in total defense to 6th. They also improved from the 25th rushing defense to the 2nd. The guy can get it done defensively. If he came in and kept Jimbo on board, while letting him open up the offense a bit, we wouldn't miss a beat. I think he's a real high character guy as well, which is something I think is very important when we're talking about molding the lives of young men.
Just listened to his radio show, and there was no mention of the LSU job. Now, he very well could have instructed the host to not ask questions about it, and he could have instructed the phone operator to not accept call about the LSU job. However, one caller told him that he would be disappointed if he left and to keep his head up about the fan support. The caller then went on to ask a question unrelated to his tenure as the coach. Del Rio to his credit completely ignored the first comment from the caller and just answered the second question that he had. All in all, he sounded very happy with Jacksonville and I did not get any impression that he was leaving. From this interview, I would say that he is staying exactly where he is.
Yes, the same reason I was against Butch is the same reason Petrino scares me. Those guys were not trustworthy in any way, shape, or form. To me, there are so many more outstanding coaches out there that combine integrity and ability. I am not scared off by coordinators, no great HC was ever promoted from grad. asst. to HC....all of them were asst/coords. at one time. Mike Nolan, Romeo Crennel, Jack Del Rio, Norm Chow - all of these guys will be superb head coaches anywhere they go. And the kids they coach will be class human beings, just the way that Nick made our kids the last 5 years into class humans.
Del Rio is in my Top 5. I still think it will probably be a guy who's name was not out front in the beginning. Kinda like a Democrat/Republican presidential canidate running for election. And Del Rio is that kind of guy.
I'd love to get Del Rio, but I don't see it happening. I think Skip wants someone with major college head coaching experience.
yeah i know, he said so in sunday's paper. definitely wants a college coach who is a proven winner. sigh del rio, please. thanks. unless tedford or ferentz.
