Houston Nutt out at Ole Miss

[anhil8tor]

I think Josh and Johnboy are going to know way more about this than all of us....


Just general perception to whomever is reading this thread..... If you had to bet... which coach do you think stays here longer? Marlin or Hud?

[RagnCajunRebel]

Its funny to see that you grew up a Cajuns fan and became an Ole Miss fan when you went to college because my story is the EXACT opposite. My mom and dad are Ole Miss alum and when I was little, I grew up as a huge Ole Miss fan even though I lived in Lafayette because of my parents and been to a decent amount of Ole Miss games over the years (saw a few egg bowls, saw em twice in tiger stadium once where my dad had a knife pulled on him (some of that good ole LSU hospitatility) when Eli was whippen some tiger a#$ and a few games up in Oxford), then in 2002 when I started actually attending UL, I took in a game on a whim for no reason, and since then I've only missed a handful of home games, mostly because of work.

With that said, I don't expect Hud to get the job, but his Mississippi ties make him an interesting choice. Freeze on the other hand is interesting for them because they aren't in a position to break the bank on this hire because of how much they had to pay out to release Nutt. I'd have to think that Sumlin is the front runner, with Leach high up there too, but it is far more likely that they will have to "settle" for someone like a Freeze who fits nicely into what they will want for a budget and the excitement surrounding him.

That's funny--I'm glad you ended up at UL though. While I loved Ole Miss, and my college experience, I do often wish I could have gone to UL, too. (Although I did take some summer classes here, so I guess that counts some).

One thing--I don't really think Nutt's buyout will be that big of a hurdle in regards to hiring a new coach. The buyout is $6M, which is a lot of money. BUT, it's paid out over the next 5 years. With the TV contracts (and expected bump in compensation now that aTM and Mizzou are in the SEC), the money will practically be a wash. We were paying over $2M a year for Nutt, and I would expect to be able to pay around that much for the next guy, provided he's worth it. I just don't think we'll have to "settle" for anyone. That being said, the Ole Miss administration hasn't shown me anything to expect a competent search, so who knows.

[Boomer]

On Fox news yesterday with Sheppard Smith he mentioned the deal at OLE MISS and the photos of the new B-ball complex as well as new f-ball stuff were shown----Teh Rebs are putting huge bucks into the deal!!!!

[moorecajun]

It's pretty well known that Mike Glenn is a big fan of Freeze, which is one reason you'll see Freeze's name come up a lot in the next few weeks. I personally wouldn't have a big problem with either Rich Rod or Leach, although right now I would love to see Sumlin or Kirby Smart (but only if they could hire Freeze or a similar type offensive mind as his OC).

My concern with Freeze, and with Hud, isn't that they won't be successful (although I think Hud is the better choice). My concern is that it's going to take about 3 years to turn that program into a mid-level SEC contender again, like they were when Cut was there. Houston Nutt is leaving a fairly empty depleted roster, and while there is young talent at WR, that's about it. I think the fans will be patient next year, but two years down the road there will need to be more of a turn around, and fans may not be as patient with Hud or Freeze as they would be with Smart or Sumlin (because they're a "bigger name" type hire). I know this is stupid, but I think fans, on the whole, only care about winning and sometimes forget how long things can take.

I also think that speaks to how great of a job Hud has done here. My dad and I were talking before the season started, and we both said that if Hud could win 4 of the 5 home games, we'd be overly impressed. What he and the Cajuns have accomplished this season is nothing short of amazing and bigger, AQ programs will take notice.

This isn't a shot at the Cajuns, as some here seem to think. I hope that Hud stays forever and helps continuing to build this program into the next mid-major power and beyond. And I believe that's possible. But to think that Hud--or Marlin or anyone else--will continue to stay at UL just because they love the area, well that's wishing in one hand. And the bottom line is that if we're going to be wishing in one hand, we better use the other hand to write checks, because while I'm sure Hud got into coaching to help turn boys to men and teach them about life--he can do that at other schools where they pay him a lot more cash. So we better be ready to pony up the money when it comes time to extend that contract, which will hopefully starts after the New Orleans Bowl. So get ready to donate to the RCAF or however else we're told is necessary to keep him here.

Finally--a couple of more notes about how the Ole Miss coaching search indirectly touches us. First, I think that Freeze will be hearing a lot more buzz than Hud will, for the reasons I and others said earlier. I hope that this causes a little bit of a distraction up in ASU this week...I like any advantage possible. Second, I know that Ole Miss AD Pete Boone will not have any say so in the coaching hire, and I expect him to be replaced by no later than April or so of next year. HOWEVER, I wonder how much Pete being there will influence Hud from even considering that move. As some of you may remember, our Coach David Saunders is currently suing Ole Miss and AD Pete Boone for some breach of contract issues from when David was at Ole Miss. Knowing both men in some capacity, I can say with confidence that David is on the right side of the legal fence. I have nothing but the highest regard for Sarge and I'm sure Hud thinks the same. Thus, I have to think that as long as Pete is even on the outskirts of the AD office, I can't imagine Hud even CONSIDERING going to Ole Miss. So there's that.

That was a lot of opinion and info, and I apologize for the length. As most of you know, I grew up a Cajuns fan and have been one my whole life, but I did my undergrad at Ole Miss and have a special place in my heart for Oxford and the University. I'm so thankful that I've remained a Cajuns fan, as they've saved my football season this year. (Also, I donate more money to RCAF than I do to Ole Miss, so please don't question my loyalty. I've seen some of that on here and I hate it.)

Man, you brought up some really good points.

I agree wholeheartedly about the coaches (ours) choices; I know I love Lafayette and having lived elsewhere, loved moving back. Money does talk a lot ... we do have an advantage with our people AND we are just starting to touch the tip of this giant of what we can do in Acadiana!

We have to keep letting people come on board; we don't need to make enemies, we need to encourage people to join us as we go forward. No, people that haven't gone through the pain of the last 40 years don't quite get the fulfilling enjoyment we are feeling now, but they can enjoy it anyway, and as a result, help us continue to grow!

[Hammer58]

---------------And a hiddy tiddy-ROLL ON RAGIN' CAJUNS to you sir!!!!

"hiddy-tiddy"?????

I wouldn't count on winning Wheel of Fortune any time soon, Boomer.

[Bandwagon King]

"hiddy-tiddy"?????

I wouldn't count on winning Wheel of Fortune any time soon, Boomer.

With all the double naught spies around here, has no one gone to the Ole Miss fan pages to see what kind of rumors on the mill there?

[Crawfish]

I went to thier forum, no rumors just a lot of speculation> Hud is mentioned but so are several others. I think Leach is the fan favorite.

[ragin2112cajun]

intresting

http://coachesbythenumbers.com/nutts-out-whos-in/

[RaginFan2]

intresting

http://coachesbythenumbers.com/nutts-out-whos-in/

When good people do good things, people take notice.

[anhil8tor]

where is johnboy on this situation?