Update on Defensive Coordinator search?
I was just wondering if anyone has any information about the DC search. Any candidates off the table? Any new candidates surfaced? I have heard rumors that Kirby Smart is thought to be unobtainable at this point. Anyone else heard this? If he is off the table then who does the focus turn to?
9 months ago
BhamSeminole
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Smart
is basically off the table. He’s not going anywhere next year. I’ve heard FSU offered the job and he wasn’t interested. I think he is waiting for a head coaching position to come along. I do think FSU tries to get the next best thing at Alabama i.e. Sunseri and we do have an outside shot at him. Hopefully he doesn’t like being the bridesmaid at Alabama, since obviously he will know we targeted Smart first. Jones from New Orleans seems the most likely pick however and I have heard that this is the pick FSU is leaning towards. His run in the playoffs with New Orleans could be a problem though in terms of when he can get to campus.
RE:Smart
Doe he think he’s Lane Kiffin and is going to get a head coaching job in his 30’s?
Yes
Smart will get a head coaching job. Bank on it. He is well respected, has some NFL experience, is a great recruiter, has the pedigree, and is actively involved in the communities he coaches in. Plus his name is on everyone’s radar. I think he will be a head coach within 3 years.
What if Alabama loses the SEC Champ. game?
If the Alabama D has a slightly less than stellar performance against UF, then who will be the fall guy? Does Nick turn his wrath on Kirby or is Nick S. too fond of Kirby’s coaching acumen to do that? Would such events revers Kirby’s interest in FSU? Could his lack of interest indicate that the problems with FSU’s D run deeper than coaching?
I would imagine that if initially he showed zero interest then we would be better off going after someone who shows interest and passion, anyway.
I would rather have the title of the thread read, "When will Amato and Allen no longer be employed by FSU"
If we go to a bowl now, that means they get to stay on just that much longer.
I like Smart as much as the next guy but he seems to be waiting and looking for the next move…imo FSU needs to find a good DC that can COACH and wants to be here for 5+ years…Jimbo will put recruiters around him to bring top notch talent in
we have recruites and talent already. we just need someone that can get those one or 2 top guys
but if we get someoen that sucks at recruiting that shuts down everyone Ill take it.
Why is the sky blue? Because, God Loves the Infantry
Can you name 1 defensive coach that sucks at recruiting and still shuts down everyone?
It doesn’t matter how good of a coach you are , if you can’t recruit good talent then you won’t be elite.
by nolesblogger on Nov 15, 2009 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
Yes
Dunbar is definitely a name being thrown around a lot. Jones and Dunbar are the only 2 NFL coaches with a chance at the position. I would prefer Jones.
Travis Jones?
It makes me a little nervouse that FSU appears to be going after someone that has never been a DC. I dont know much about Jones, he may become the best DC we have ever had if he gets the gig. It just makes me a little nervouse that possibly our next DC has never had the full reigns of a defense, never had to create a defensive game plan or make in-game adjustments to a game plan. Can someone tell me why FSU is so high on Jones? (again, not saying Jones is not the right guy, just hoping for some info to fill in the holes on him.)
Jimbo has never been a HC either...
But watch the interviews and you can tell he has got the right stuff… just have to trust his judgement of coaching talent on that side of the ball equals the other.
Yeah
Jones never being a DC I think is a non-factor. The guy has the goods. He played defense in college(Georgia) and also in the CFL so besides coaching that side of the ball he has also played it. He’s also passionate as hell and smart. The main reason I like him over Dunbar is his recruiting. He is known as an outstanding recruiter and was recruiting coordinator at 2 of his stops(LSU, Appalachian State) while coaching in college.
Bad analogy, Jones DLs-->DC is not the same as Jimbo OC-->HC
Play-calling is hugely important, and bringing in someone that is not tested in this respect is very worrisome to me. I might go for an arrangement of Co-DCs with Jones + Diaz (who has such experience), but bringing someone in that has never had the specific responsibility of managing the full defensive scheme, and asking them to fly solo, does not sound like a good idea.
Probably glad about that, too.
Co-DC doesn’t sound great either, but better than a little-too-green solo DC.
Do you have specific insight into this, or just an assumption? I hadn’t even considered it prior to seeing the prospect posted elsewhere on here.
Let's call it a specific insight assumption...
Too many chiefs already if you know what I mean…
PC to DC to HC
I agree the two transitions are not the same, but that doesnt mean you start crossing every candidate without DC experience off the list. Obviously the ideal candidate would be a monster recruiter – specifically so. fl., a proven schemer with or without talent, young, energetic, willing to work for free? Im just saying you have to pick and choose.
I think the entire staff is really what needs to be the topic, not just the DC. And frankly, until someone at the top grows some “MARBLES” FSU will have to live with hiring concessions forced upon by 2.5M$ in dead weight.
Fair enough.
Indeed, you have to weigh all things in concert. And viewing the full defensive unit together certainly could change the outlook.
I just put a premium on demonstrated prowess for the candidate in managing the full unit/scheming/play calling within a game. It might turn out that T. Jones is a prodigy in this regard and hits the ground at full speed, but it’s a definite gamble. I just don’t want to be add on an additional learning curve for the staff, when we already know the players will have a steep enough curve to handle themselves.
Diaz
might be a candidate to be the head coach at Middle Tennessee State (his current employer). Rick Stockstill, the current MTSU coach, is getting some attention for his success there, and may be moving up the ladder to a more prestigious schools. He’s already being discussed for the Memphis job – and may be in the running for even more prominent jobs depending on who else is canned this year and where the jobs are.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 16, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
Co-DC's will never happen
and yeah Jones is a DL coach and his scheming ability might come into question due to the nature of that job. Still I think he is the lead candidate from the NFL and Sunseri is the lead candidate from the college ranks.
Assistant DL coach...
But he was the D-line coach at LSU for 2 years. Whie he’s not my first choice, I don’t think he’s a bad one. He’s young, has NFL experience, and was the Coley of LSU while he was there for a few years. He also comes from the Saban coaching tree….
Still don't like the idea.
Calling the right set in the right situation is an art. Throwing someone into that role that has never managed an entire defense is closer to promoting JB to OC than any of the other analogies that’s being thrown around here. (He did have a pretty good track record as a position coach, if you recall.)
Don’t get me wrong.. T. Jones resume is tantalizing, and would be an invaluable asset towards shoring up our biggest current weakness as well as the defensive apathy on the recruiting trail…. but that’s a BIG hole on the resume.
Makes me think Sunseri is the only truly feasible candidate remaining among the names most commonly being tossed around (assuming, as rumored, that Smart is off the table). Why, again, isn’t Reggie Herring deeper in this discussion? Purely a price tag? Perhaps fall-out related to Amato?
actually
the analogy with JB doesn’t hold much water. JB had been an OC before – in 1985 at Salem College and from 1987-1990 at Samford.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 16, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Reggie Herring
What are the odds he would leave the pro ranks to come back to FSU to help Bowden have a swansong season? I can imagine money is the issue. Is there a chance and if so, would he be a good fit?
It can't be a one season gig
If Herring comes in, its got to be long term. I don’t think Herring gets much mention due to the assumption of a connection to Jimbo, or a more recent connection to FSU (Herring played at FSU around 1980). I think Herring would be an excellent choice, but I don’t see it happening if Bowden stays – Herring would likely demand/deserve enough salary that FSU couldn’t afford to pay for Bowden, Herring, and a decent defensive staff around Herring.
As DC for Arkansas 4 years ago, Herring made $330K by some reports. The Cowboys hired him one month after Texas A&M hired him as DC. Probably it will take a minimal of $600K annually to pull in Herring at this point, though if the Cowboys collapse and do some staff changes that dump Herring and put him on the open market, market forces might get that to $500K.
The other aspect that might undermine his candidacy is that Herring has a track record that would justify him demanding a certain amount of authority and decision making on defense, including recruiting. Would Jimbo be comfortable in what he’d have to agree to to get Herring?
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 17, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks for the knowledge.
Reggie played when i was in school there. Used to run into him at class, mostly at Publix.
Less hair, more weight and a pretty darned fine resume.
Didn’t know how deep his loyalty to Bowden and the program went.
Two new names?
One of those rumor sites is reporting contact between FSU and two names not earlier mentioned:
Tommy West, the former CLemson HC and recently fired Memphis coach.
Probably more realistic – Jeff Casteel, the current WVU DC. FSU’s connection to him is supposedly a strong recommendation from former WV peer Rick Trickett.
by Wild@Heart Nole on Nov 17, 2009 3:14 PM EST reply actions
Jeff Casteel
Not a bad resume if what is on wikipedia is correct. Appears to be able to do a lot with a little, much like Trickett.
by BhamSeminole on Nov 18, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
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