Mason & Durkin are very similar. Both have reputations far exceeding their resumes. Both have actually only been a DC for a few seasons. Durkin is probably a better recruiter. Neither are as good as Elko, but with the talent over the next few years on D someone competent will look good.

lil_frog8 said:

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Not thinking Durkin since Linebackers is his specialty and Jimbo seemed like he was intent on keeping Santucci. I wouldn't put much hope on a big name from the college ranks. I still think Aaron Glenn has a shot.

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That's not remotely happening…

MaxPower said:

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He ran a 4-3 before that so I don't think he's married to a 3-2.

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A DC's preference for 4- vs 3- is largely related to the D Line talent on hand. Not a problem here.

Windy City Ag said:

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You have to be a titanic moron to stack in depth the most elite d-lineman in the country and then shift to a 3-2-6.

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He won't be running a 3-2-6. He has run even and odd man front throughout his career

When I first heard that Elko was leaving, I really hoped that Jimbo would close the deal on a good DC quickly to avoid losing the recruiting class. My impatience was silly - we still got the #1 class. At this point, I really don't care how long Jimbo takes. What's important is that the new DC can take the talent at A&M and beat Bama again...next year...in Tuscaloosa.

I am shocked we are going with Durkin, not a decision we would have made 10 years ago. But he is really good. He took some bad players and made an average defense out of them at Ole Miss.

I was at the game in Oxford this year and the OIle Miss defensive staff out coached A&M. It was obvious. They put the game on Calzada.

I like the 4-2-5 we run, but would like to see smaller faster guys get a shot on the Edge (Donnell Harris type). Hoping we push for more speed and coverage skills at safety. Leon and Dermani are both good players, but both are way better in the box. No clue if Durkin will be able to make those kind of decisions.

mm42 said:

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I am shocked we are going with Durkin, not a decision we would have made 10 years ago. But he is really good. He took some bad players and made an average defense out of them at Ole Miss.

I was at the game in Oxford this year and the OIle Miss defensive staff out coached A&M. It was obvious. They put the game on Calzada.

I like the 4-2-5 we run, but would like to see smaller faster guys get a shot on the Edge (Donnell Harris type). Hoping we push for more speed and coverage skills at safety. Leon and Dermani are both good players, but both are way better in the box. No clue if Durkin will be able to make those kind of decisions.

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I haven't heard that we are for sure going with Durkin.

I'd be good with this hire. We need hardass coaches, and he learned from his Maryland management mistake.

This ain't the same as an art briles situation in terms of future coaching opportunity

mm42 said:

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I am shocked we are going with Durkin, not a decision we would have made 10 years ago. But he is really good. He took some bad players and made an average defense out of them at Ole Miss.

I was at the game in Oxford this year and the OIle Miss defensive staff out coached A&M. It was obvious. They put the game on Calzada.

I like the 4-2-5 we run, but would like to see smaller faster guys get a shot on the Edge (Donnell Harris type). Hoping we push for more speed and coverage skills at safety. Leon and Dermani are both good players, but both are way better in the box. No clue if Durkin will be able to make those kind of decisions.

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Sumlin was interested in hiring him but went with Chavis

Sounds like it's s real possibility. Looch and others are hinting at it

vander54 said:

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Sounds like it's s real possibility. Looch and others are hinting at it

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I'm sure it's very possible and maybe even likely, but it's definitely not a 100% thing.

HoustonAg2106 said:

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vander54 said:

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Sounds like it's s real possibility. Looch and others are hinting at it

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I'm sure it's very possible and maybe even likely, but it's definitely not a 100% thing.

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Nothing is 100% but it sure sounds close.

To all of the people saying "he killed a kid," that's just completely ****ing false, whether we hire him or not. You can all **** off with that bull****

Fear InoculAg said:

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To all of the people saying "he killed a kid," that's just completely ****ing false, whether we hire him or not. You can all **** off with that bull****

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Agreed. Incredibly sad story, but it was a freak accident. Nearly happened to Koda Martin a few years ago. It can happen anywhere.

Get the guy at UH...their season is over and we can now speak to him and actually top the $$$ Cougar HS is paying him.

monarch said:

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Get the guy at UH...their season is over and we can now speak to him and actually top the $$$ Cougar HS is paying him.

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Yeah.....no

Resume is impressive. Personal traits albeit media driven, not so much. I think we should pass from a personal integrity standpoint alone. People do make mistakes and the media overhyped crap like this BUT I personally don't think we need anyone with questionable morality in Aggieland.

Plenty of great DCs out there. We have immense talent pool to wanna make a ton of them take a lateral move. Plus we can throw in some money bags! So why stoop to a lower level when it comes to character????

dcg4403 said:

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Resume is impressive. Personal traits albeit media driven, not so much. I think we should pass from a personal integrity standpoint alone. People do make mistakes and the media overhyped crap like this BUT I personally don't think we need anyone with questionable morality in Aggieland.

Plenty of great DCs out there. We have immense talent pool to wanna make a ton of them take a lateral move. Plus we can throw in some money bags! So why stoop to a lower level when it comes to character????

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Do you have specific factual cases of immoral decision making? Not arguing, just looking for info.

Windy City Ag said:

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You have to be a titanic moron to stack in depth the most elite d-lineman in the country and then shift to a 3-2-6.

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I have no inside knowledge of the next DC but Jimbo has publicly stated that we will not be changing our defense. So no matter who is coming in or getting promoted from within, it sounds like we will be sticking with the 4 - 2 - 5.

Here is a 247 write up of DJ Durkin before the 2021 season started.
https://247sports.com/college/ole-miss/Article/Ole-Miss-Football-Fair-or-not-great-expectations-will-be-on-DJ-Durkins-defense-149525785/

Sounds like he switches thru out the game but he previous results speak for themselves while at Florida and Michigan.

I don't know who the next DC is but the list is getting short. It seems to me if they are not involved with the cfp their ass should be here already. That doesn't leave much to pick from now.

mm42 said:

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I was at the game in Oxford this year and the OIle Miss defensive staff out coached A&M. It was obvious. They put the game on Calzada.

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This is what I've been saying. Jimbo goes after the guys who outcoached his offenses. When we hired Elko, he reminisced FSU playing his defenses at Wake Forest. Dueling schooled us in Oxford. If you can't beat 'em, pay 'em.

SEC Champs said:

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mm42 said:

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I was at the game in Oxford this year and the OIle Miss defensive staff out coached A&M. It was obvious. They put the game on Calzada.

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This is what I've been saying. Jimbo goes after the guys who outcoached his offenses. When we hired Elko, he reminisced FSU playing his defenses at Wake Forest. Dueling schooled us in Oxford. If you can't beat 'em, pay 'em.

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I don't think it took much for any DC to game plan knowing Calzada was the QB.

Are you seriously going to hang the Ole Miss game on Calzada? Did you even watch it?

Bama couldn't figure it out…..

Ag-Yoakum95 said:

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I don't think it took much for any DC to game plan knowing Calzada was the QB.

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Go back and read this: https://texags.com/s/42364/learned-loved-loathed-ole-miss-29-texas-am-19

We hardly used Achane, and Corral shredded the D in the 1st half.

Ghost of Bizbee said:

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I'd be good with this hire. We need hardass coaches, and he learned from his Maryland management mistake.

This ain't the same as an art briles situation in terms of future coaching opportunity

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I'm sorry, but I disagree. We don't need hardass coaches. We need good teachers and schemers who can motivate and develop relationships. It's not the 80's. There are better ways to get the best out of people.

^, what do you know about the occurrence?

SEC Champs said:

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Are you seriously going to hang the Ole Miss game on Calzada? Did you even watch it?

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I didn't say anything specific about the Ole Miss game, but since you brought it up, that was a team loss on the offensive side of the ball with Jimbo leading the way by keeping Achane off the play calls for awhile that second half. I think Calzada played ok and good enough for the Ags to win that game. However, back to the original point, you can't tell me the defensive coordinators had much concern with Calzada at the QB spot. That is laughable.

MaxPower said:

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Bama couldn't figure it out…..

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Yep, that was one game, and I'm glad a good Calzada showed up for that game along with a good-play calling Jimbo as well to lead the Ags to victory.

Aggie Rick said:

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He killed a kid, no thanks

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He was not on campus the day the heat stroke happened so why the snarl? Do you know anything?

Me no likey DJ Durkin would rather have mason

Derek Mason may be a lousy manager, but he is a great defensive coach.

Agsuffering@bulaw said:

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Derek Mason may be a lousy manager, but he is a great defensive coach.

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Same for Durkin

SABUILDERAG said:

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dcg4403 said:

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Resume is impressive. Personal traits albeit media driven, not so much. I think we should pass from a personal integrity standpoint alone. People do make mistakes and the media overhyped crap like this BUT I personally don't think we need anyone with questionable morality in Aggieland.

Plenty of great DCs out there. We have immense talent pool to wanna make a ton of them take a lateral move. Plus we can throw in some money bags! So why stoop to a lower level when it comes to character????

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Do you have specific factual cases of immoral decision making? Not arguing, just looking for info.

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I guess that is a no. Based on what I see on the field, he looks pretty competent. If there are factual character issues I would be a no as well, but I haven't seen anything that appears to be more than conjecture.