2010 Football Coaching Candidates

[SlappyCajun]

I heard Leavitt is being talked to, but wants to much $$$.

I also heard a coach would be in place withing two weeks of 11/29.

David and Scott will handle the search just like they did for Marlin.

Longer is goes more likely that Scott will be the next AD.

[zephyr]

_ I heard Leavitt is being talked to, but wants to much $$$.

I also heard a coach would be in place withing two weeks of 11/29.

David and Scott will handle the search just like they did for Marlin.

Longer is goes more likely that Scott will be the next AD. _

I have heard the same. I'm all for a Jim Leavitt type of coach but am skeptical that we can pay him what he wants. He was making 1.6 million at USF when he was released so there will be a large gap between what he was making and what we can pay him. However, he now comes with baggage and there is/are reasons as to why he still doesn't have a job so he is going to have to take a lot less money at the onset versus what he was making. He would bring the type of toughness and hardline approach that I think this program needs though.

[cajunfan32]

_ I heard Leavitt is being talked to, but wants to much $$$.

I also heard a coach would be in place withing two weeks of 11/29.

David and Scott will handle the search just like they did for Marlin.

Longer is goes more likely that Scott will be the next AD. _

at this point I want Farmer to be the next AD b/c if he isn't, we wont be able to hire a coach utill it's very late and that will likley set us back a few more years

[Just1More]

_ There is no concrete argument against him which is why you haven't heard it. The athletic department had an opportunity to hire him at the end of last season and decided not to go down that road. He's had and continues to have some civil issues at hand and has been the source of recruiting questions from the NCAA while at previous schools. It is very risky to pay the amount of money that the Cajuns would have to pay him to potentially have some outside issues potentially set us back further. He is an intriguing figure and I'm not necessarily against the hire but the risk seems to have outweighed the positives. _

According to BOP, Orgeron is a "non-candidate". I don't think "risk" was as big as "money".

I'm not necessarily an Orgeron backer for UL, but I too consider the possibility intriguing. I think some dismiss the critical importance that a "great recruiter" at the helm could do for UL. (And he would be a great recruiter in our area)

UL, of all places, should take the accusations against Orgeron with a grain of salt. His being a big, loud, aggressive, Cajun guy has made several "outsiders" attack him and most of it is pure BS.

I don't disagree that he doesn't have the coaching experience. He was the one guy that doesn't meet my preferences in the next coach, but I still believe he would be "interesting" at UL. I am not concerned about rumored recruiting BS. Every BCS school practices questionable recruiting methods... if not outright scandalous.

The biggest question mark for Orgeron is his coaching ability. He really has nothing on his resume to state that he would make a decent HC. We would have been taking a chance on him based entirely on his recruiting upside. I still think it made him a candidate.

Personally, I am so tired of playing routine junk football at UL that I want an edgy guy in our program. I would rather we super charge the motor and win a race... or crash into the wall and end the whole mess... in football. UL football... not everything else about UL... bores the living crap out of me as a UL fan.

I think the file is closed on Orgeron at UL.

[ULGrad@HOU]

I just can't wait until we put this sad episode or series of episodes to rest and move on to a new coaching staff and new hope. It will be exciting at least for a couple of years, and who knows, maybe we will experience something we've never experienced in football before.

[Hammer58]

_ According to BOP, Orgeron is a "non-candidate". I don't think "risk" was as big as "money".

I'm not necessarily an Orgeron backer for UL, but I too consider the possibility intriguing. I think some dismiss the critical importance that a "great recruiter" at the helm could do for UL. (And he would be a great recruiter in our area)

UL, of all places, should take the accusations against Orgeron with a grain of salt. His being a big, loud, aggressive, Cajun guy has made several "outsiders" attack him and most of it is pure BS.

I don't disagree that he doesn't have the coaching experience. He was the one guy that doesn't meet my preferences in the next coach, but I still believe he would be "interesting" at UL. I am not concerned about rumored recruiting BS. Every BCS school practices questionable recruiting methods... if not outright scandalous.

The biggest question mark for Orgeron is his coaching ability. He really has nothing on his resume to state that he would make a decent HC. We would have been taking a chance on him based entirely on his recruiting upside. I still think it made him a candidate.

Personally, I am so tired of playing routine junk football at UL that I want an edgy guy in our program. I would rather we super charge the motor and win a race... or crash into the wall and end the whole mess... in football. UL football... not everything else about UL... bores the living crap out of me as a UL fan.

I think the file is closed on Orgeron at UL. _

If your last statement is accurate then I think that is a mistake. I'm not saying he is the absolute best guy out there but I think we could do a lot worse.

As you stated, the assumption is that every BCS program is cheating or at least dancing on the edge of the rules. So that would also be true of a candidate like Crowton from LSU. Lets face it we are all aware of the multi-milion dollar payouts to the tutors to keep them quiet. Now that was before Crowton got there. But how about the local, impoverished stud athletes who were a bit short on the "student" end of the equation in the past few years who suddenly woke up to find the cash to attend expensive prep schools? Like Orgeron Crowton has not been accused or convicted by the ncaa but I think you could just as easily say the taint is there as well. So if Orgeron is off limits why not any other assistant from a BCS program?

As for recruiting, we had that discussion yesterday and one of the participants who is very knowledgeable (and who has qualms about Orgeron) stated that he felt having a "name" and local ties within the state to be able to effectively recruit was very important. He pointed to the coaches in our league who are successful and the fact that they have deep roots in the states in which they coach and recruit successfully. Using that criteria Orgeron has to be one of the leading candidates. Adn besides hi ties to HS coaches he also has the backing of media guys like Detillier. If Orgeron is the next hire you get immediate publicity whenever Detillier is interviewed. that may sound silly to some but I think it can have a positive effect in turning around the perception of UL football.

I think our AD should at least hear Orgeron out. Let him make his case and let our AD lay its cards on the table regarding how they expect him to conduct himself with regard to ncaa violations. Put it in his contract that ncaa sanctions are a cause for voiding any contractual obligations and grounds for immediate dismissal. Like you, I too am tired of playing routine junk football at UL. Maybe it time to stop going after the good ol' nice guy coaches and get that edgy aggressive guy that gets after it.

[03cajunalum]

I know this much: Before we even consider offering anything to an assistant coach from Ok St., they better check to make sure the ink is dry on his college degree.

I love the idea of going after the SFA coach based on the success he's had at that level and his recruiting ties to Texas and Louisiana.

[cajun4life]

_ If your last statement is accurate then I think that is a mistake. I'm not saying he is the absolute best guy out there but I think we could do a lot worse.

As you stated, the assumption is that every BCS program is cheating or at least dancing on the edge of the rules. So that would also be true of a candidate like Crowton from LSU. Lets face it we are all aware of the multi-milion dollar payouts to the tutors to keep them quiet. Now that was before Crowton got there. But how about the local, impoverished stud athletes who were a bit short on the "student" end of the equation in the past few years who suddenly woke up to find the cash to attend expensive prep schools? Like Orgeron Crowton has not been accused or convicted by the ncaa but I think you could just as easily say the taint is there as well. So if Orgeron is off limits why not any other assistant from a BCS program?

As for recruiting, we had that discussion yesterday and one of the participants who is very knowledgeable (and who has qualms about Orgeron) stated that he felt having a "name" and local ties within the state to be able to effectively recruit was very important. He pointed to the coaches in our league who are successful and the fact that they have deep roots in the states in which they coach and recruit successfully. Using that criteria Orgeron has to be one of the leading candidates. Adn besides hi ties to HS coaches he also has the backing of media guys like Detillier. If Orgeron is the next hire you get immediate publicity whenever Detillier is interviewed. that may sound silly to some but I think it can have a positive effect in turning around the perception of UL football.

I think our AD should at least hear Orgeron out. Let him make his case and let our AD lay its cards on the table regarding how they expect him to conduct himself with regard to ncaa violations. Put it in his contract that ncaa sanctions are a cause for voiding any contractual obligations and grounds for immediate dismissal. Like you, I too am tired of playing routine junk football at UL. Maybe it time to stop going after the good ol' nice guy coaches and get that edgy aggressive guy that gets after it. _

Hammer, I am starting to jump on the Orgeron bandwagon for the reasons you have stated. He is a polarizing figure and get the national and regional attention that we need for UL football. At UL's level we need better athletes to win more often than better coaching. I'd take Orgeron as tied for my 3rd choice.

1st choice: tie Kirby Smart
2nd choice: Dana Holgorson
3rd choice: tie Coach O or Mark Hudspeth
4th choice: Gary Crowton.

If we would hire Coach O, I'd like to see JC Harper as the OC.

[cajun4life]

_ Hammer, I am starting to jump on the Orgeron bandwagon for the reasons you have stated. He is a polarizing figure and get the national and regional attention that we need for UL football. At UL's level we need better athletes to win more often than better coaching. I'd take Orgeron as tied for my 3rd choice.

1st choice: tie Kirby Smart or Karl Pellini
2nd choice: Dana Holgorson
3rd choice: tie Coach O or Mark Hudspeth
4th choice: Gary Crowton.

If we would hire Coach O, I'd like to see JC Harper as the OC. _

Kirby Smart Bio

Kirby Smart begins his fourth spring with the Alabama football staff and third as defensive coordinator. A former standout defensive back and scholar-athlete at Georgia, Smart brings an impressive blend of college and pro coaching experience to the Crimson Tide. The 2009 season was a special one for Smart as he not only helped lead UA to the National Championship, but also took home the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the country. Smart will have a busy spring as Alabama returns just one player on defense, safety Mark Barron, who started seven or more games last season.

The Alabama defense was again regarded as one of the top units in the country in 2009, leading the SEC and ranking second nationally in scoring defense (11.7 ppg), pass efficiency defense (87.7), rush defense (78.1 ypg) and total defense (244.1 ypg). In the BCS National Championship Game against Texas, the Tide recorded four interceptions and scored a defensive touchdown. Three players on Smart's defense earned first-team All-America honors - Rolando McClain, Javier Arenas, Terrence Cody - while Barron was a third team Associated Press All-American. McClain captured the Butkus Award and Cody was a finalist for several national awards as well.

The Alabama defense was rated among the nation's best in 2008. The Tide finished third in total defense (263.5 ypg) and seventh in scoring defense (14.3 ppg) in the final NCAA stats. Senior captain Rashad Johnson earned first-team All-America honors as well as first-team All-SEC recognition after intercepting five passes, including that were returned for touchdowns. Alabama recorded 15 interceptions in 2008 and brought back four of those for scores.

Under Smart's guidance in 2007, Johnson led the SEC with six interceptions and earned first-team All-SEC honors along with cornerback Simeon Castille. A third member of the Alabama secondary, Kareem Jackson, was honored at the end of the season as a second-team Sporting News Freshman All-American.

Smart joined the Tide after spending the 2006 season as safeties coach with head coach Nick Saban and the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Prior to his stint with the Dolphins, Smart spent six years on the collegiate level with Georgia (1999 and 2005), LSU (2004), Florida State (2002-03), and Valdosta State (2000-01).

As the running backs coach at Georgia in 2005, the Bulldogs averaged 162.2 yards per game, the third-best mark in the SEC. Smart spent the 2004 season as defensive backs coach under Saban at LSU, where he tutored two NFL draft picks: Corey Webster (2nd round, New York Giants) and Travis Daniels (4th round, Miami Dolphins). That season, the Tigers allowed 157.2 passing yards per game, which ranked second in the SEC and fifth nationally.

Smart was a graduate assistant coach under Bobby Bowden and Mickey Andrews at Florida State in 2002-03, having served as defensive coordinator/linebackers coach (2001) and defensive backs (2000) coach at Valdosta State the two previous seasons. He began his coaching career as an administrative assistant at Georgia in 1999.

As a player, Smart was a four-year lettermen at defensive back for the Bulldogs, where he was a first-team All-SEC pick as a senior. He finished his career with 13 interceptions, fourth in Georgia annals, and led the Bulldogs with six interceptions in 1997 and five in 1998. A four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Smart earned his undergraduate degree in finance from Georgia and his master's degree from Florida State in 2003.

A native of Bainbridge, Ga., Smart is married to the former Mary Beth Lycett of McDonough, Ga. The couple became the proud parents of twins (Weston and Julia) on February 8, 2008.

[ragin91cajun]

_ Hammer, I am starting to jump on the Orgeron bandwagon for the reasons you have stated. He is a polarizing figure and get the national and regional attention that we need for UL football. At UL's level we need better athletes to win more often than better coaching. I'd take Orgeron as tied for my 3rd choice.

1st choice: tie Kirby Smart or Karl Pellini
2nd choice: Dana Holgorson
3rd choice: tie Coach O or Mark Hudspeth
4th choice: Gary Crowton.

If we would hire Coach O, I'd like to see JC Harper as the OC. _

Do you still think Orgeron is a candidate? Jay emphatically dismissed the possibility, but I don't understand why we would already be dismissing candidates.

I agree with you on the JC Harper thing. I'm not so sure he would be willing to do that, but his offensive put with the talent Orgeron could bring in would be incredible.

[cajun4life]

_ Do you still think Orgeron is a candidate? Jay emphatically dismissed the possibility, but I don't understand why we would already be dismissing candidates.

I agree with you on the JC Harper thing. I'm not so sure he would be willing to do that, but his offensive put with the talent Orgeron could bring in would be incredible. _

I think Jay is so against him for the same reasons that I am for him. He is polarizing and controversial. Much like Doucher Tooley, I mean Derrek Dooley was at La Tech. I have heard that he botched his interview last time around, but I think that is mostly hearsay anyway. I am pretty confident that he could win here.

Coach O was coaching against the best coaches in the country going up against Les Miles, Houston Nutt, Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Mark Reicht and Steve Spurrier. Hard to consistently win against those guys when you are not at a legacy program.

You are probably right about JC Harper not stepping down as a head coach to become an OC.

[Boomer]

_ Ok Boomer, why don't you tell us why he should be hired as the UL Coach. What has he done to convince you that he is so great of a hire? What exactly has he done, besides being called "a great recruiter"? And who is calling him that anyway? How has USC done this year? Oh yeah, not that great. Why are you and a few others pushing for him? What exactly has he accomplished as a coach? _

OK --here goes----Assistant coaching experience---Miami where he lectured at coaching clinics all over the country and everybody loved his motivational and informational talks----USC,Tenn.,Saints---Do I get a OK as far as an assistant???? Head Coach----Only at Ole Miss and I guess you can ask the present coach who was fired at Arkansas if he was given a gold mine---Well just ask LSU who has played against Bebe's guys for the last 3 years-----In an article I read the other Tenn coach asked where he (Bebe) was and the HS coach said that he was pumping weights with all the PE kids and was trying to recruit the entire student body to go to Tenn--------The guy is a natural and being a Cajun and coaching the Cajuns would be a super fit---See my other posts----He has so much experience and like Pete Carroll said about him --the greatest Def. line coach ever!!!!! I think he could do us well!!!! How about the fact that HE WANTS THE GIG?????