LSU with Les beat his ass with Tebow before Saban was a problem. You gumps claim it was all Saban who ran him out but he had to play us every year and then in the title game he had to see us again or Saban. He chose to go. I don't blame him, but it wasn't all just Nick. Though if you ask Terry playing Tennessee is just as tall a task as playing Florida every year. lol. By the way, I agree Saban was a massive part of him leaving, that's reality. It's also reality he hated playing us yearly cause even with his best teams we ruined his life. Gumps also like to ignore that Saban regrets leaving LSU and would if he could do it over have accomplished everything he has at Bama in Red Stick instead. It is what it is. He didn't. Though... Imagine if it had been Rich Rod. Or imagine if Skip Bertman had the balls enough to fire Les and bring Nick back when Saban asked Skip for his job back.
Has anyone actually researched Fickell? He has gone on record as saying he was an incredibly young coach then, he didn't really want the job, he felt overwhelmed and unable to really establish anything he wanted. He was looking to grow as a coach and it was thrust on him. He had turned down big jobs since. When he got to Cincinnati he had learned and studied lots of styles and hesd coaches and philosophies and chose his own style of program he wanted to bring.. He recruits kids to be different. Stay home and play in Ohio than just go to the big school. Represent your hometown with pride. Be different and be part of a family there. His own DC that turned us down last year for the ND job is said to be head coach in waiting behind Brian Kelly.. he didn't want to leave Fickell. Their wives were bffs, their families were together, he'd been coached by Fickell as a player then as a coach then when he left Fickell still fields an incredible defense so there's no drop off. Fickell is doing it different. LSU pounded Saban at Michigan State.. so what? Great coaches shine wherever they go. I'm all on board Fickell. Family and doing things the right way when you're genuine and sincere plays ANYWHERE in every living room because it's rare. Think it's legit with Luke and his program. Napier might better salvage the recruiting class with his local ties and I do think he'll do well at a bigger school, but he's far more a gamble. Kiffin is a wild card to me.
Kiffin is too risky. We’re just as likely to end up in the same spot with him. Fickell is the only no brainer other than Meyer, but Bellichick is also a no brainer, and no one is talking about him for a reason. Fickell or bust, although I’m not sure he’d leave Cincinnati. If he’s not interested, I honestly might keep O and see if we can get a better option the following year. The cupboard is not going to run dry under O at least.
It changes, so my opinion doesn't mean much. Like I really liked him at first, but then his row the boat thing is apparently not a gimmick. That's his actual genuine personality. Personally I would find it annoying and eventually disingenuous as a player and I would eventually tune it out. That's just my own take, I think it works at the plucky underdog school where all the kids have chips on their shoulders but try that with the 5 star guys and the creme de la creme and I don't think it gets you great results especially over time. However I could be totally wrong on that. Those too fired up always happy personal trainers just, for me, they eventually grate on you. I'd rather a Saban who is monotone and consistent with occasional humor and outbursts than the jazzed up excitable guy in my ear yapping. What's your take on PJ?
Originally high on him, but Minn.’s rise has stalled. Maybe hit their ceiling do to recruiting vs the big boys. Which makes me wonder what he could do with the talent we have (except on OL).
I don’t really want a flash in the pan hire. I would like to see stability come back to LSU with a career guy. I know the landscape has changed but a great disciplined coach who knows he wants to be at LSU for a while will fair better for us. Saban was that guy and we whiffed, he knows now he belongs in college and we should have taken him back and sent les packing. There’s got to be another one out there. The pee is already in the pool time to drain, clean, and refill.
Just hire one of Sabans assistants. They mostly do well. When Saban is gone then it’s time. We just need some tread on the tires when he is gone.
Think you could add Jeff Hafley whom I really like as well as Matt Campbell. Add Jamey Chadwell to that list. Throw in Neal Brown, too. I still think Lincoln Riley is a play you try to make at all costs. Lincoln is only 37 and most all of those guys are 4+ years older than him.
