IMO Elko's departure was what hairpinned Jimbo's tenure. If Elko would have not left, we would be in the CFP this year. A stifling defense can make up for a "spoiled milk" offense built around the concept of possession control.

I said early & often throughout the HC search that a key would be securing ~6 years of service upfront from both OC and DC, and that this is squarely in the HC's narrow self interest. And that it'd be worth moving a few spots down on the wishlist to get this. I honestly think that if Jimbo had even hired Durkin & Addazio back in 2018, and held onto them since, we'd be in 10x better shape, even considering that the previous years' results would be significantly worse without Elko.

Now securing this term of service is presumably mediated via contract terms and waiting for several top picks to say "sorry bro I want to be able to leave after 2 years for a HC job." I think that would explain both the slow process and the apparent disconnect from outsiders' expectations. I guess when contract terms come out, we'll see if there's anything like this in there.

You have to overpay for someone to give up their freedom to take a better job, or make it more difficult to get the better job. General sentiment around here is that we don't like overpaying coaches. I'd prefer a more standard contract, and then adjust as necessary based on performance after year 2, year 4, year 6, etc. Tying yourself to coach long term didn't work out so well last time we did it.

I think you are dramatically underestimating how bad our offense was the past two years. I don't see our defense closing that gap even with Elko.

When you have success your assistants are going to get opportunities elsewhere. Good head coaches replace them with other good hires. Jimbo got lazy, he was given pretty much a blank check and went out and hired Steve Addazio to coach the offensive line. Nail in his coffin.

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I said early & often throughout the HC search that a key would be securing ~6 years of service upfront from both OC and DC, and that this is squarely in the HC's narrow self interest. And that it'd be worth moving a few spots down on the wishlist to get this. I honestly think that if Jimbo had even hired Durkin & Addazio back in 2018, and held onto them since, we'd be in 10x better shape, even considering that the previous years' results would be significantly worse without Elko.

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If your assistants hang on for 6 years that probably means they weren't good enough to be lured away by another team. That's like saying "I'm gonna settle for this ugly chick b/c I know she won't leave me."
Look at how many assistants Saban has had over the years.

Bad logic is bad.

There's a whole lot wrong with the OP

The defense was plenty good this year.

Double Diamond said:

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The defense was plenty good this year.

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Except when it mattered.

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I said early & often throughout the HC search that a key would be securing ~6 years of service upfront from both OC and DC, and that this is squarely in the HC's narrow self interest.

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This is one of the dumbest things I have ever read on here.

All of the top programs we want to be like have a revolving door of coordinators.

rootube said:

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I think you are dramatically underestimating how bad our offense was the past two years. I don't see our defense closing that gap even with Elko.

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We were a top 25 scoring team this year. We put up 30 points in all but 3 games. This narrative that the offense was horrible is simply not true.

What was horrible was that when we needed the O to score, we couldn't (Bama 2nd half and all of Tennessee). When we needed the D to get a stop, we couldn't (Miami, LSU and Ole Miss).

agnerd said:

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You have to overpay for someone to give up their freedom to take a better job, or make it more difficult to get the better job. General sentiment around here is that we don't like overpaying coaches. I'd prefer a more standard contract, and then adjust as necessary based on performance after year 2, year 4, year 6, etc. Tying yourself to coach long term didn't work out so well last time we did it.

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"General sentiment around here is that we don't like overpaying coaches"...................and you're from what planet ? You need to stop smoking those funny little cigarettes !

rootube said:

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I think you are dramatically underestimating how bad our offense was the past two years. I don't see our defense closing that gap even with Elko.

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Yeah I agree, if your offense can't score a TD in the second half in 4 games your offense sucks. And no defense is going to make a difference then. So Jimbo and his out dated offense needed to go.

I am tired of hearing these comments about if and that. Jimbo blew it and in total retrospect he failed at the detail level. He used the word execution a 1000 times. Well he should have coached execution with a system that allowed for his players to execute as he says and not be predictable.

Fatboy Thaddeus said:

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IMO Elko's departure was what hairpinned Jimbo's tenure. If Elko would have not left, we would be in the CFP this year. A stifling defense can make up for a "spoiled milk" offense built around the concept of possession control.

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There is no defense that could make up for the ineptitude of our offensive line. There were times when it looked like they weren't even there.

Fatboy Thaddeus said:

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IMO Elko's departure was what hairpinned Jimbo's tenure.If Elko would have not left, we would be in the CFP this year.

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This is one of those 'Aggie jokes write themselves' moments.

My LORD we are truly the masters of "If only X hadn't happened…" and "Next year….".

No wonder nothing ever changes in the program. Talk about broken culture.

Ghost91 said:

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Fatboy Thaddeus said:

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IMO Elko's departure was what hairpinned Jimbo's tenure.If Elko would have not left, we would be in the CFP this year.

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This is one of those 'Aggie jokes write themselves' moments.

My LORD we are truly the masters of "If only X hadn't happened…" and "Next year….".

No wonder nothing ever changes in the program. Talk about broken culture.

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We fell apart in almost every game in the third quarter. Failed to make correct adjustments at halftime. Just poor coaching. Jimbo didn't have a clue.

Are you smoking crack? We had an extremely good defense, yet the jimbo offense was as anemic as offenses get in college football.

Double Diamond said:

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The defense was plenty good this year.

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no sire 40 to miami 40 to ole miss basically 40 to bama cant give up multiple 40 point games and say you have a good defense. it way under performed the talent. dj durkin was a terrible hire. I might be off on totals for the above games mentioned but to my memory its close.

Notjavlane said:

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Double Diamond said:

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The defense was plenty good this year.

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no sire 40 to miami 40 to ole miss basically 40 to bama cant give up multiple 40 point games and say you have a good defense. it way under performed the talent. dj durkin was a terrible hire. I might be off on totals for the above games mentioned but to my memory its close.

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Maybe I'm not remembering correctly but how is yielding 26 to Bama "basically 40"? The defense kept us in that game.

DGrimesAg92 said:

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Are you smoking crack? We had an extremely good defense, yet the jimbo offense was as anemic as offenses get in college football.

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Kirk Ferentz on Line 1.

Me: *points out that the DC hire may an intentional trade-off of name recognition for staff continuity, using a couple of hypothetical points to illustrate*
The Zoo:




You know I have deep love for all of you.

rootube said:

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I think you are dramatically underestimating how bad our offense was the past two years. I don't see our defense closing that gap even with Elko.

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I would have liked to see out offense with Wegman all year. It's difficult to say if his quick release & decision making could over come the O-Line deficiencies.

Also wonder if there is (they say if there's smoke, there's....) fire regarding Petrino's comments about the complexity of the Offense he was calling this year. It may not all be on the O-line coach.

You know we really only seemed to think the O-line was making progress when we had Exceptional Backs making use of what holes were and when available. That was Spiller's 2nd year and Achane's last.

Double Diamond said:

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The defense was plenty good this year.

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It really wasn't. It was pretty bad actually

Fatboy Thaddeus said:

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IMO Elko's departure was what hairpinned Jimbo's tenure. If Elko would have not left, we would be in the CFP this year. A stifling defense can make up for a "spoiled milk" offense built around the concept of possession control.

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Not so sure about your assertion here.

Last 9 national champions averaged 43 points in the title game.

You need to score to win the title.

If Jimbo would have hired a halfway decent ST coach he'd still be here. We lost close games and had special teams collapses in almost all of them

Don't know if a ST coach would have saved him or not, but it's valid as we gave up ST points in almost every game this year (beyond irritating to watch happen and knowing it was a given to help the opposing team). Does a ST coach ensure they fill the lanes and tackle? Unfortunately, not always a true stmt. Does a ST coach ensure proper blocking on FG attempts? Unfortunately, not always a true stmt.

I'm for a ST coach to be added to the staff, but there has to be a will on ST in KO coverage, punt coverage and FG attempts (technique, yes, but a strong desire to win that battle period - proverbial mental toughness and football IQ). That will come back to character, culture and communication.

But if Jimbo had 9 wins this year (pre bowl), he'd still be here for sure (and ST definitely attributed to almost all of the 5 losses).

TexasLeaguer said:

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rootube said:

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I think you are dramatically underestimating how bad our offense was the past two years. I don't see our defense closing that gap even with Elko.

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We were a top 25 scoring team this year. We put up 30 points in all but 3 games. This narrative that the offense was horrible is simply not true.

What was horrible was that when we needed the O to score, we couldn't (Bama 2nd half and all of Tennessee). When we needed the D to get a stop, we couldn't (Miami, LSU and Ole Miss).

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Points scored is just giving the offense credit for some of the big plays by special teams and defense. I.e., every pick six, scoop and score, or botch punt/return (what gave the offense the ball inside the redzone twice against Miami). Same goes for PA- we were 33rd despite the anemic offense turning the ball over and/or giving opponents good field position.

In terms of actually moving the ball, the offense was ranked 53rd in total offense. For average plays per game, they were 47th. And then of course, being ranked 70th with an average of 2.1 QB sacks given up per game doesn't help.

As mentioned above regarding PA, the defense was ranked 9th in yards allowed, 6th in plays per game, and 8th in first downs allowed. And the the defense was 2nd in the nation for sacks per game.

The offense was mediocre at best and clearly held the vast majority of blame for the teams woes.

angus55 said:

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Double Diamond said:

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The defense was plenty good this year.

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Except when it mattered.

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Ole Miss missing top 3 CBs all game.

LSU. Defense was ok until the same happened. Started beating us with the pass once Chappel and Harmon were out.

Bama game was bad and did not help they did not call holding on Bama LT who held all game.

NoahAg said:

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I said early & often throughout the HC search that a key would be securing ~6 years of service upfront from both OC and DC, and that this is squarely in the HC's narrow self interest. And that it'd be worth moving a few spots down on the wishlist to get this. I honestly think that if Jimbo had even hired Durkin & Addazio back in 2018, and held onto them since, we'd be in 10x better shape, even considering that the previous years' results would be significantly worse without Elko.

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If your assistants hang on for 6 years that probably means they weren't good enough to be lured away by another team. That's like saying "I'm gonna settle for this ugly chick b/c I know she won't leave me."
Look at how many assistants Saban has had over the years.

Bad logic is bad.

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Just off the top of my head, Kirby smart, Brent venables and Bud Foster say hello

We weren't going anywhere with that offense. Just ask Iowa.