Auburnguy101

Yep, he was, and didn’t have the best reputation when he was here. Again, hopefully just a name being talked about and nothing more. Still think it’s Hartwell, which I think would be a solid hire…

I still believe that Hartwell is the leader for the AD position, although another name I’ve heard is that Benedict guy from UCONN which I’m really hoping it’s just talk…

Exactly. Deion must know something about football and how to coach because he is all over sports talk radio shows and national headlines. Do people really believe that if Deion was like averaging 5 wins a year we would still want him? No. For me, the proof is that he’s come in and dominated the SWAC in less than 3 years. This year they are on pace to win their second consecutive conference championship. That to me is impressive and then you add his persona and celebrity status and it makes it even more enticing to hire him…

Again, posts like these tell me you and others missing the point and actually made the point in the same breath. JSU wouldn’t be getting recognition without Deion, that is a fact. Deion has brought so much attention to not only JSU but to the SWAC because of his fame and celebrity status. No other coach could have done that. Also, no other coach would be able to recruit the type of players Deion does at a SWAC team. That’s our point. Deion is the reason they are having this success. His name recognition alone brings in the top sponsors and recruits. Also, he must be at least above average in coaching since before he arrived there JSU didn’t have a winning season in 8 years. So again, people want Deion because it’s Deion and the name recognition alone would bring in the top talent…

One of the best posts that I have ever read that pertains to the current landsacape of college football. People clamoring for this coach and that coach are forgetting that the number 1 criteria in college football is recruiting and then surrounding yourself with coaches who can recruit and coach. On top of that, with Texas and Oklahoma coming in soon, Auburn needs someone who can make an immediate impact. A coach like Grimes probably works 10 years ago, give him 3-4 years to get acclimated as a head coach and then see results. It’s not like that anymore. We need a coach who has credibility and can make an immediate impact on recruiting. Deion is the only one to me who can have an immediate impact for us the first day he is here and it’s not close…

Yea, I find it hilarious that people criticize Deion because they perceive him as being “selfish” as if no coach at this level or any level in college doesn’t have an ego. I can guarantee you those other candidates listed didn’t get Wal Mart to invest in their school’s facilities or get prominent companies to support their conference. Or how about Deion constantly preparing his players for life outside of football because he knows not all of them are going to be in the pros so he gets them ready for the real world? Again, I can understand somewhat of the argument of his inexperience but to criticize him about his perceived ego is laughable and shows clear bias…

Posts like these tell me many people on here don’t do their research before spouting out drivel like that. Look at the staff he has at JSU, imagine what kind of staff he would get here…

Even then though, I just see nothing from him that tells me with the right resources and staff we could compete with the top programs. I see him as another 8 win coach we’ve grown accustomed to at Auburn. However, with Deion, with the right staff and resources, I just have this feeling he will be special. Who knows, could be wrong. However, I did think Smart was going to be amazing and wanted him over Gus and look what happened. Just a gut instinct I guess…

I honestly believe Auburn with the right coach could be a consistent 9-10 win team. The problem is for the past 30+ years we have made some atrocious and lazy hires and the fans wonder why we are so inconsistent. And that’s another thing I guess why I’m vouching for someone different. If we fired Gus because he couldn’t win more than 8 games a year, than we need to find that coach who has the higher ceiling and I don’t really see many attainable candidates we can get besides a couple…

Oh I already have succumbed to the reality that Grimes will be our next coach, he’s the most Auburn candidate. Doesn’t mean I won’t stop vouching for Deion until it is official haha…

Exactly. I know Deion is a big risk but he’s also someone who is different than anyone Auburn would ever hire. I think that is what Auburn needs. This is a stale program and most of these candidates I believe will not bring much unity to the fan base. I stand by statement that yes, he might have the lowest floor, but I also believe he has by far the highest ceiling of any candidate…

I mean, I understand that. I just want Auburn to be a consistent championship contender instead of having 1 great season sandwiched between 6 mediocre seasons…

This is where I disagree with so many people who use this comparison. Kirby was literally Saban’s right hand man and was Saban’s protégé. He wasn’t going anywhere unless it was at Auburn or Georgia or another big time program. Also, as you can see, UAT’s defense has never been the same since Smart has left. Smart was also known as Saban’s top recruiter. So yes, technically he had no head coaching experience, it was pretty obvious that Smart was going to excel and that he was going to be successful, at least to me. As for Venables, I was never really high on him to begin with but to be fair, the first year I usually give most coaches a pass. Now, if they still play like they are this year, then it’s time to say he was a bust…

As I said, I would still follow Auburn football but I guess nothing really jumps out at me when I read about him. It just seems like the same Auburn hire we’ve had for the past 30+ plus years. I have read his background and I have watched his offenses and I come away with “meh, probably gets us to 8 wins a year”. I don’t know, I guess I’m just tired of the retreads and coaches that have had similar backgrounds as him. It’s just my opinion, nothing against others. It’s really personal preference. I feel like I’ve watched this movie before: getting someone with Auburn ties who has had no head coaching experience and then 4 years later we’re wondering what went wrong. I don’t know how he will recruit against the top programs. I mean, when you have Smart, Swinney and Saban in the room then Grimes, I reallly don’t like our chances for that one bit. I also feel like people are missing what is happening to college football and with our depleted roster for next year, we need someone with name recognition who could immediately go to the portal and get top rated guys. I feel like a lot of kids will be a wait and see with Grimes before committing to us. He’s unknown unless you really really follow college football. Again, just my opinion, I would really just have no expectations with him. But again, with most of the candidates I wouldn’t have any expectations as well, which tells you how shallow the coaching talent is for this year…

This is where a coach like Deion would immediately bring in talent and depth to a depleted roster. He’s really the only one I think that could make an immediate impact on our roster…

As I’ve said before, it’s just a huge red flag to me that he’s never been a head coach at any capacity for as long as he’s been coaching and there has to be a reason. I’m not totally against him, but it just doesn’t really excite the average fan base either…

I understand, I know you’re not the only one who has said that about Grimes. I just don’t see eye to eye about his potential I guess. Like I said though, I would come to accept him as I do most Auburn coaches. As long as it is not Freeze, I’m good hahahaha

Which of those coaches that are attainable do you believe can have us competing in recruiting against Georgia and UAT? That’s where I begin to struggle…

Ok so first, I really love the names. Second, I would love Lincoln Riley at Auburn. People at USC adore him. And I’m glad you brought up up Lanning. I have actually heard his name being brought up and that would actually intrigue me. My question is would he actually be attainable?

Hmmm, how about both?

Oh that went over my head then haha. I figured I had to clarify because it’s probably rare having someone on this board that went to the University of Southern California. Although, I was pretty upset we lost to Utah, still stings…

If you were the AD and had 3 calls to make to coaches, who would they be?

Haha, no University of Southern California…

No, I didn’t receive any notifications so I’m sorry I didn’t see your response! Honestly, that’s the toughest thing about this year’s coaching cycle. I would have Kiffin up there, and the other names I have seen, such as Joe Whitt Jr. or even Chadwell from Coastal might give a call. But that’s the thing, there’s just no coach that I see who seems like a definite difference maker for us. I wouldn’t mind Grimes if I’m being truthful, it would just be more of a “well this is the best we can do” hire it seems. That’s why I’m intrigued by Deion. I’ve been following him for a while and I just see something in him that is so different than any of the other coaches I hear about. I’m tired of the same 7-8 wins a year with every 5-6 years being a special year. I’m also tired of seeing us so outmatched athletically that I just think Deion could bring those types of guys to make us competitive again. In saying that, Freeze is the one coach I could never ever support and I would have to root for my grad school at USC full time…

Oh I graduated grad school a few years ago from USC (the real USC)…