My list was not based on what they have done in one game or one season, but what they have accomplished for their team over the last few years. Bud Foster has been the DC at Virginia Tech for 12 years. He has been instrumental in developing a VT defense that has been ranked nationally on an annual basis. He is considered one of the nation's top defensive coaches. In 2005 and 2006 VT led the nation in total defense. In 2004 VT was in the top 5 in total defense, pass defense, scoring defense, interceptions and turnovers gained. This year it is #5 in total defense and rushing defense, #9 in turnover margin, #2 in scoring defense, #5 in passes intercepted and #3 in 3rd down conversion defense. The only problem is I think it will be tough to blast him out of VT with anything other than a HC offer. Joe Casteel has been DC at West Virginia for six years. Last year his defense was sub-par due to losing so many starters. But in 2005 West Virginia finished #8 nationally in total defense, and in the preceding 4 years it ranked anywhere from #8 to #32 in total defense. In those same 4 years WV was ranked among the top in rushing defense and turnover margin. This year WV was #4 in total defense, #6 in rushing defense, #12 in pass defense, #7 in scoring defense, #9 in turnover margin, #1 in fumbles recovered, #14 in fewest penalties, #11 in punt return defense and #14 in sacks. Vic Koenning has been the DC at Clemson for 3 years. During that time he has increased the defensive fortunes of the Tigers bringing it to a new level. In his first two years Clemson finished in the top 2 nationally for total defense, rushing defense, pass efficency defense and scoring defense. Last year it was #13 in total defense, 18th in rushing defense, #24 in passing defense, 17th in pass efficiency defense, 20th in sacks and 16th in scoring defense. This year Clemson finished #6 in total defense, #20 in rushing defense, #13 in pass defense, #10 in the all-important category of scoring defense, #9 in turnove margin, #15 in pass efficiency defense and #25 in fewest penalties.
I've never understood why Foster's name comes up in these conversations. Yes, I think he would be great to have. But who in their right minds thinks that he would ditch his current gig for the same one down here?
I mentioned that very thing in my last post. My purpose here was to list those who I think would be the best hires irrespective of the chances of them accepting the position. Foster may not want to leave VT, but you'll never know until you ask him. All he can do is say "no."
I realize that you mentioned it, but nevertheless, I've heard his name surface an unreasonable amount of times. I just don't think it's a very wise allocation of time and resources to pursue someone that would almost certainly turn us down. We could miss out on something more plausible by doing so.
I spoke to LSU's sports information director for football today and he did tell me that there have been a few candidates interviewed. his exact quote was: "a few of them were in house, and a few flew in from other schools."
I certainly can not see Peline getting his feeling hurt. He is gone. The search committee needs to be looking and Pelini needs to be coaching. I see no problem with this.:milesmic:
Yeah I would assume the search needs to start. Coming out publicly with whom we chose is probably not necessary as we are going into a dead period in recruiting anyway.
I am surprised that they were also looking in house. No offense to the in house candidates, but are they more like courtesy interviews or backups? Who might qualify to fit into Pellini's shoes?
I noticed Phil Bennett's name being mentioned in a post in this thread. Between his time at LSU and SMU where was he?
