Just based on the absolute radio silence, this is between veterans, guys who respect one another, and guys vying for something more important. I will be extremely surprised if the hire isn't from a current playoff team - regardless of DC or position coach.

500,000ags said:

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Just based on the absolute radio silence, this is between veterans, guys who respect one another, and guys vying for something more important. I will be extremely surprised if the hire isn't from a current playoff team - regardless of DC or position coach.

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IF your theory is correct then it is probably Tosh Lupoi. I capitalized "if" for a reason. However, think about it. Saban brings the UTSA DC to Tuscaloosa. Of the four teams he is the only one setting things up for hiring a new DC externally. If he were hiring Pruitt's replacement from within, i don't believe he would have done that. Even now they are talking on the Bama board about the UTSA guy being named DC and Lupoi being named co-DC.An explanation for that would be that Bama is unwilling to pay at A&M's same level for Tosh's services -- so Lupoi has let them know he is off to greener pastures after post-season play is over.

500,000ags said:

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Just based on the absolute radio silence, this is between veterans, guys who respect one another, and guys vying for something more important. I will be extremely surprised if the hire isn't from a current playoff team - regardless of DC or position coach.

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The DC is not from a playoff team per Liucci.

cbates85 said:

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500,000ags said:

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Just based on the absolute radio silence, this is between veterans, guys who respect one another, and guys vying for something more important. I will be extremely surprised if the hire isn't from a current playoff team - regardless of DC or position coach.

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The DC is not from a playoff team per Liucci.

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This is he reason i think it is Foster. He almost came here before, he wants to go out with class because he was there for so long and wants to go out with class.

TexanJeff said:

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cbates85 said:

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500,000ags said:

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Just based on the absolute radio silence, this is between veterans, guys who respect one another, and guys vying for something more important. I will be extremely surprised if the hire isn't from a current playoff team - regardless of DC or position coach.

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The DC is not from a playoff team per Liucci.

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This is he reason i think it is Foster. He almost came here before, he wants to go out with class because he was there for so long and wants to go out with class.

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It is not Foster either. Looch ruled him out also.

Lupoi is already a co-DC with non-play calling duties. He received a $500k dollar raise last year and makes $950K as basically a recruiter (and a very good one). He was also paid $300k by Washington (Woodward) to take his potential NCAA violations and go away. He's also an LB coach, and not a DB coach. He has very little DC experience. And as cbates said, he's not coaching a playoff team. For those reasons, it's not Lupoi.

Talking all Looch's clues into account (assuming their accuracy), and given what else has been said here (also assuming accuracy), then by process of elimination I can say it is probably Schiano.

I have a real question because I just do not know. How often is Liucci incorrect about projecting A&M hires? My understanding is that he tends to be vague about facts and names.

If Liucci is correct that the DC not in the playoffs, here are the viable options:

Virginia Tech / Bud Foster
Auburn / Kevin Steele
Notre Dame / Mike Elko
South Carolina / Travaris Robinson
Ohio State / Greg Schiano
Miami / Manny Diaz
Penn State / Brent Pry
USC / Clancy Pendergast
LSU / Dave Aranda
tu / Todd Orlando

Why has no one been speaking about T. Robinson or Steele? Is there a public source saying these two are not options? Robinson probably needs DC experience away from Muschamp before moving up to HC and he's only making 700K. Steele typically only stays with a team for 2-3 years, then moves on.

You can cross Foster, Steele, and Robinson off that list.
Robinson is considered, but not as a top choice. More of a "if things fall through".

The problem with predicting these decisions is that they are fluid. If you've ever hired people, you know that things change, candidates back out, companies counter offer, contracts have to be negotiated, etc. It's not a done deal until they show up to the office in day one. Looch also has to balance protecting and respecting his sources, while also appeasing his subscribers. For what he has to do, I think he does a great job and provides as much info as he can without jeapordizing things. Certainly better info than other sites who have less to lose. He's much more calculated and thorough before making his claims, which is why I tend to believe his clues.

DM44 said:

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I have a real question because I just do not know. How often is Liucci incorrect about projecting A&M hires? My understanding is that he tends to be vague about facts and names.

If Liucci is correct that the DC not in the playoffs, here are the viable options:

Virginia Tech / Bud Foster
Auburn / Kevin Steele
Notre Dame / Mike Elko
South Carolina / Travaris Robinson
Ohio State / Greg Schiano
Miami / Manny Diaz
Penn State / Brent Pry
USC / Clancy Pendergast
LSU / Dave Aranda
tu / Todd Orlando

Why has no one been speaking about T. Robinson or Steele? Is there a public source saying these two are not options? Robinson probably needs DC experience away from Muschamp before moving up to HC and he's only making 700K. Steele typically only stays with a team for 2-3 years, then moves on.

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I just don't see Steele coming here since is is already in a great situation at Auburn. Same for Pry and Pendergast. As to Diaz, do you think Jimbo would hire a guy to come to Texas A&M as the DC who had failed and got fired as the DC at tu just a few years ago? Surely not.

This leaves us with possibly Foster, Elko, Robinson or Schiano.

Cappy407 said:

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You can cross Foster, Steele, and Robinson off that list.
Robinson is considered, but not as a top choice. More of a "if things fall through".

The problem with predicting these decisions is that they are fluid. If you've ever hired people, you know that things change, candidates back out, companies counter offer, contracts have to be negotiated, etc. It's not a done deal until they show up to the office in day one. Looch also has to balance protecting and respecting his sources, while also appeasing his subscribers. For what he has to do, I think he does a great job and provides as much info as he can without jeapordizing things. Certainly better info than other sites who have less to lose. He's much more calculated and thorough before making his claims, which is why I tend to believe his clues.

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Thanks for the info.

I don't see Diaz leaving the turnover change unless it's for a head coaching position.

Cappy407 said:

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You can cross Foster, Steele, and Robinson off that list.
Robinson is considered, but not as a top choice. More of a "if things fall through".

The problem with predicting these decisions is that they are fluid. If you've ever hired people, you know that things change, candidates back out, companies counter offer, contracts have to be negotiated, etc. It's not a done deal until they show up to the office in day one. Looch also has to balance protecting and respecting his sources, while also appeasing his subscribers. For what he has to do, I think he does a great job and provides as much info as he can without jeapordizing things. Certainly better info than other sites who have less to lose. He's much more calculated and thorough before making his claims, which is why I tend to believe his clues.

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Basically then, if what everyone is saying here that is objective is correct and if Looch's clues are accurate it looks it will be GS. We'll see.

Mike Elko, Greg Schiano, and Don Brown. One of those guys is the likely target is my guess - in that order. I would think Diaz would fall below T.Robinson in the list.

Seems like Jimbo had a couple guys in mind from day one, and he hasn't had to go any father than that. It's just a waiting game now. We didn't hire Chavis until after the bowl game and even that got sticky.

If it's Schiano, what reason is there for him to be so secretive and wanting to stay until after the bowl game? He only has a one year contract and owes OSU nothing for leaving after December 1. He has not been a long time coach at OSU nor been a long time assistant to Meyer? Seems it would be more important for him to be present at A&M helping with recruiting.

Also, how much blow back will there be if A&M does hire him? It wouldn't be anything like Tennessee but many would accuse Fisher of hiring 'Art Briles Jr.'.

DM44 said:

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If it's Schiano, what reason is there for him to be so secretive and wanting to stay until after the bowl game? He only has a one year contract and owes OSU nothing for leaving after December 1. He has not been a long time coach at OSU nor been a long time assistant to Meyer? Seems it would be more important for him to be present at A&M helping with recruiting.

Also, how much blow back will there be if A&M does hire him? It wouldn't be anything like Tennessee but many would accuse Fisher of hiring 'Art Briles Jr.'.



Assuming it is him -- contractual reasons would be my guess, plus he wants to earn a bonus for coaching a bowl game.

I don't think it would result in a lot of blow back. Think about about. Allegations about something he supposedly found out about in the 90's -- allegations that did not manifest themselves until 2011 based on statements from one person. This coming more than a decade after he had served as the head coach for a NFL team and the head coach for many years of a mid-major college program. Seems very thin frankly. I think a faction of folks at Tennessee just did not want him as their head coach so the blew the evidence against him all out of proportion.

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I agree with you. I don't think there should be a lot of blowback, but Clay Travis will probably get up on his high horse and stir the pot a bit. That said, for the other reasons you listed, I don't think it's Schiano. Although reports are tOSU is hiring Grinch, so that is likely Schiano's replacement. Several teams are, will be, looking for a DC in a week. So I don't think Schiano to Texas A&M is the only conclusion that can be drawn.

I could be off base with this but is it possible that Kevin Steele was the first guy Jimbo approached and looked good until Auburn kept Gus? Seems like with all his SEC experience that could be who our original target was and now we are on to target number 2.

If it's schiano then there's no reason for the secrecy and to wait until after the bowl game. Since he was all set to leave for HC if Tennessee a few weeks ago, he obviously does not have that level of loyalty to Ohio st

NyAggie said:

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If it's schiano then there's no reason for the secrecy and to wait until after the bowl game. Since he was all set to leave for HC if Tennessee a few weeks ago, he obviously does not have that level of loyalty to Ohio st

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His contract may have different rules re: leaving tOSU for a head coaching gig vs leaving tOSU for a lateral job. And no coordinator is so loyal to a P5 program that he would turn down a HC job at another Power 5 program.

Eagle78 said:

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NyAggie said:

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If it's schiano then there's no reason for the secrecy and to wait until after the bowl game. Since he was all set to leave for HC if Tennessee a few weeks ago, he obviously does not have that level of loyalty to Ohio st

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His contract may have different rules re: leaving tOSU for a head coaching gig vs leaving tOSU for a lateral job. And no coordinator is so loyal to a P5 program that he would turn down a HC job at another Power 5 program.

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Below is a link to his 2017 contract. Section 5.3 describes terms if Schiano quit before the contract expires. Bottom line: He suffers no penalty for leaving after December 1. From what I read, the only money lost would be 4.25% of his contract as a bonus for the team making a bowl game, which would be a little less than $30,000.

link

I've been given reason why it is not Schiano, not Elko, not Foster, not Lupoi, not Robinson, not Brown, not Venables, not Pry and not Steele. This is getting very frustrating. Then who the hell will it be?

No Schiano- never impressed me as an HC at Rutgers; right now, he is famous for being "...that guy that Tennessee messed around with."

No Steele- this is the same guy that while HC at BU, had a five point lead against UNLV at Floyd Casey, had the ball three yards from UNLV's end zone and all he had to do was down the ball and the game would be over, decided to try and score on the last play of the game. There was a screwed up exchange in the BU backfield, a UNLV guy picked up the ball and ran it back for six and BU lost the game. With that type of mentality, I don't need him.

Eagle78 said:

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I've been given reason why it is not Schiano, not Elko, not Foster, not Lupoi, not Robinson, not Brown, not Venables, not Pry and not Steele. This is getting very frustrating. Then who the hell will it be?

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Agreed. We have shot down 15 contenders! It seems like the Chavis situation but then there was a lot of smoke about Chavis. Right now there isn't even enough smoke to tell the Apache "Hi" much less determine a DC...

Eagle 78 forgot Clancy Pendergast; is this the same guy who was the DC at Carolina when they had their run when the HBC was the HC?

If this the guy, I wouldn't have an issue; wouldn't have an issue with Bud Foster either.

What reason do you have for not Elko?

Don't have a reason for not wanting Elko; don't have an opinion on him. Have stated who I don't want and why and who I would be in favour of and kinda why, but Elko I don't have an opinion on.



AA

Are we certain the DC will come from the college ranks and not the NFL?

Stats only mean so much. Have to include the conferences played in, the quality of players on each team, etc.

With that said, here are some national ranking stats to consider when comparing DCs:

Rushing Defense:
#3 Alabama
#8 Ohio State
#12 Georgia
#13 Clemson
#15 Virg. Tech
#32 Auburn
#43 Miami
#45 S. Carolina
#49 Notre Dame
#55 USC
#64 A&M

Pass Efficiency Defense:
#2 Alabama
#6 Clemson
#7 Georgia
#13 Virg. Tech
#15 Ohio State
#16 Miami
#21 Auburn
#39 Notre Dame
#44 USC
#51 S. Carolina
#93 A&M

3rd Down Defense:
#2 Virg. Tech
#5 Clemson
#17 Ohio State
#18 Auburn
#19 Alabama
#24 Georgia
#28 Notre Dame
#30 A&M
#49 USC
#70 Miama
#94 S. Carolina

Total Defense:
#2 Alabama
#4 Georgia
#6 Clemson
#8 Ohio State
#11 Virg. Tech
#13 Auburn
#38 Miami
#43 Notre Dame
#51 S. Carolina
#63 A&M
#77 USC

Yes. He's a current DC playing in a bowl game. Not NFL. Here's some stuff on Elko for those not familiar with him:

Prior to ND this year he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Wake Forest (2014-16)

One of only two defensive coordinators in the nation to have a unit rank in the top-40 of the FBS in total defense over the last five years.

In 2016, the Demon Deacons' defense ranked in the top-20 of the FBS in fumbles recovered (third), turnovers forced (10th), sacks (12th), defensive TDs (17th), red zone defense (17th) and scoring defense (20th)

Wake Forest was one of four schools in the FBS to rank in the top-20 in turnovers forced, sacks and scoring defense in 2016 (the other three schools -- Alabama, Clemson and Washington -- qualified for the College Football Playoff)

In addition to his role as defensive coordinator, Elko coached the Demon Deacon safeties (this fits Jimbo's back to front defensive philosophy).

In 2015, Wake Forest ranked 38th in the FBS in total defense, allowing just 363.8 yards per game

The Deacons also ranked among the national leaders in fewest first downs allowed (10th), red zone defense (31st), pass defense (32nd) and third-down conversion percentage (36th)

In 2014, Wake Forest finished 12th nationally in passing yards allowed, 24th in fewest first downs allowed and 40th in total defense.

What does Jimbo think of Elko and Wake's defense?

Quote:

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Jimbo Fisher: "Wake is the best defense we've played. I'm serious," he continued, "Wake is a very good defensive team. I've said that and people didn't believe me, and in the secondary especially as talented as anybody we've played."

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Quote:

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Worth noting: the two lowest efficiency marks of Winston's career have both come against Wake Forest. No other team has held the reigning Heisman winner under 130, and the Demon Deacons have done it twice.

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http://footballscoop.com/news/jimbo-fisher-wake-forest-best-defense-weve-played/

Yeah, but how has he done since he got to Notre Dame?

Quote:

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Elko has a strong reputation for his ability to attack protections, generate pressure and affect the quarterback. He inherited one of the worst defenses in the country last year at sacking the quarterback, ranking No. 117 nationally with 1.17 sacks per game. Through 7 games, Notre Dame is 32nd in the country with 2.57 sacks per game.
The numbers are dramatic across the board. Heading into the season, the secondary had some question marks and yet the 6 yards per pass attempt ranks No. 16 nationally, up from last season's 7.5 yards per attempt which ranked 83rd nationally. Points per game, yards per rush, tackles for loss, red zone defense, it has all improved dramatically even with a schedule featuring three Top 25 games.

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He would be a great hire, along with his LB coach Lea (who has followed him everywhere).

Elko has only been at ND one year and was brought in to rebuild their defense. Except for a huge pay increase why would Elko leave ND so quickly? I assume ND is paying him a pretty good salary. Is Kelly in danger of losing his HC job at ND?

monarch said:

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No Schiano- never impressed me as an HC at Rutgers; right now, he is famous for being "...that guy that Tennessee messed around with."

No Steele- this is the same guy that while HC at BU, had a five point lead against UNLV at Floyd Casey, had the ball three yards from UNLV's end zone and all he had to do was down the ball and the game would be over, decided to try and score on the last play of the game. There was a screwed up exchange in the BU backfield, a UNLV guy picked up the ball and ran it back for six and BU lost the game. With that type of mentality, I don't need him.

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Why are you mostly basing your reasoning on their head coaching issues? Their defenses (particularly Schiano) were dominant to very good. That has nothing to do with head coaching. I doubt there would be blow back if it were indeed Schiano. Anybody with a brain knew that the Vols fans and boosters used his unproven involvement with PSU to get their way. Really ****ty of them actually. Trying to ruin a guy's career because they wanted a different coach. I would hope we'd extend him an opportunity based on his merits. He would be a fantastic hire.

Just another observer like you in every "expert" opinion and every fact we have on the table.

Assuming we can take BL for his word, seems like it should be Schiano or Elko.

I don't have any information to point to one more than the other. I personally hop it's Elko.

monarch said:

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Eagle 78 forgot Clancy Pendergast; is this the same guy who was the DC at Carolina when they had their run when the HBC was the HC?

If this the guy, I wouldn't have an issue; wouldn't have an issue with Bud Foster either.

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You must be thinking of someone else. Pendergast never coached for the Cocks. I just assumed it wasn't him since he has no SEC experience and BL indicated the new DC has had that experience. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clancy_Pendergast