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Defensive coach search takes a turn

  • Lmao. Fun while it lasted.

    FloBird

  • I thought the point of building up a program was so that you don't have to settle?

    chitown33sc ●

  • Kas0988 said...

    I just don't understand the gamble here to be honest. Ward could end up being a good hire, but with little to no experience of running his side of the ball by himself we really don't know what to expect. I would be extremely upset if we promoted Ward and the defense wasn't quite up to par for what could be a special season next year.

    And how upset would you be if we hire Stoops and the D isn't quite up to par? Hiring Stoops could be an even bigger gamble. The players could react negatively to Ward being overlooked. Ward could react negatively to being overlooked and decide to leave, crushing our recruiting. The fact is that there are no guarantees in life and just because you're a "name" doesn't mean success. SOS gets paid well to run this program and he's done a pretty fair job of it imho. I say we give the man the benefit of the doubt and let HIM hire who HE thinks is best suited for the job.

    blessedcock ●

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    bostoncock

  • cdthompson said...

    Not understanding some of the uproar here.

    I see nothing wrong with this be treated as an audition.

    A) You're not going to hire someone before the bowl.

    B) Continuity on the staff would be a positive on the recruiting trail.

    C) Players are familiar with Ward and, if Johnson spoke highly enough of Ward to bring him in, then there has to be SOMETHING to his ability.

    Stop looking for the big-name and look for the results...

    Could understand this if Stoops wasnt getting attention elsewhere. A&M and Im sure tons of other schools have expressed interest. Let's say Ward botches the bowl game and seems over his head, but we reach out to Stoops and he is already scooped up? Where do we go from there? What do we tell recruits when we have no DC? Keep in mind that the last recruits on our board are DEFENSIVE PROSPECTS.

    signature image signature image signature image

    COOTERUSC77

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    signature image

    rmctacdmc ●

  • Kas0988 said...

    I just don't understand the gamble here to be honest. Ward could end up being a good hire, but with little to no experience of running his side of the ball by himself we really don't know what to expect. I would be extremely upset if we promoted Ward and the defense wasn't quite up to par for what could be a special season next year. I just don't know why we wouldn't go with Stoops (who JC said we would be lucky to have as a DC) and give Ward a nice bonus to give him incentive to remain on the staff and recruit well for us. Putting down on your resume that you worked under Johnson and Stoops wouldn't be anything to sneeze at either.

    There is no "gamble" at this point. Spurrier is playing with house money, so to speak.

    Ward has to coach the bowl. That's as simple as it gets.

    If Ward's gameplan pans out in the bowl, why wouldn't that warrant serious consideration?

    A different "DC" brings a different philosophy, a different mindset in terms of recruiting, and a different personality as it relates to players.

    Wards resume isn't anything to sneeze at so I think it's pretty sad that some of these posters are discounting him along the lines of a second-rate coach.

    cdthompson

  • It's not the x's and o's - it's the Jimmy's and Joe's. Go out and recruit great players and you will be a great coordiantor. Did Gus Malzan all of a sudden forget how to coach or did he not have the players (Cam Newton) to make him look good.Ward can recruit, he has Lawing with him. D will be fine.
    This might help keep Gilmore and Taylor around another year.

    cidcock

  • I have a very bad feeling that this would be a BIG Mistake!

    PLEASE Eric Hyman & SOS. Open up the check book & do what it takes to get Mike Stoops!

    USC will not continue to be competitive as an SEC school unless we are willing to pay for quality coaches/recruiters to get us to the next level...

    IM4USC

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    Kas0988

  • Ward will be fine.

    signature image signature image

    "When somebody sticks you in the ear hole, you stick them in the ear hole right back." - SOS

    HowardsCock

  • COOTERUSC77 said...

    Could understand this if Stoops wasnt getting attention elsewhere. A&M and Im sure tons of other schools have expressed interest. Let's say Ward botches the bowl game and seems over his head, but we reach out to Stoops and he is already scooped up? Where do we go from there? What do we tell recruits when we have no DC? Keep in mind that the last recruits on our board are DEFENSIVE PROSPECTS.

    Yeah SOS clearly has no idea what he's doing and needs us to guide him, grab chi, flo and vasago and you guys go to the office and let him know how this needs to be done. Take some pitchforks with you and a tourch or two.lynchmob

    signature image

    rmctacdmc ●

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    jaydeejazzyjeff

  • Garnet&Black247 said...

    Seriously? GO GET STOOPS!!

    Something seems to be going on with stoops, every coach that has talked to him dropped him from consideration

    signature image signature image signature image

    Two grand boys, Two state championships. 3-peat USC

    Big Train ●

  • I see nothing wrong with waiting and seeing how he does. None of us know what he can do when he has the reigns so why not give him a chance? I think that is all SOS is saying, wait and see how it plays out.

    CayceCock

  • IM4USC said...

    I have a very bad feeling that this would be a BIG Mistake!

    PLEASE Eric Hyman & SOS. Open up the check book & do what it takes to get Mike Stoops!

    USC will not continue to be competitive as an SEC school unless we are willing to pay for quality coaches/recruiters to get us to the next level...

    Why do you assume this is a checkbook decision, its not like EJ wasn't one of the highest paid DC's in the country. I'd say they demonstrated they were willing to pay top dollar for a good DC.

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    rmctacdmc ●

  • Bah humbug!

    Thomas Sumter

  • Check w/ Jennifer Stiles... She's the crystal ball of sorts

    noscreenname

  • This is no time to be experimenting, taking, or giving chances. IMHO we need someone proven.

    1gcf

  • Ward did fine with the corners this year for the most part.

    He already proved being responsible for more than that doesn't work out as well.

    Now Steve wants to give him the entire defense? While at the same time passing on a great DC that just happens to be available and would fit in well here?

    lololololol

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    BCMCock05

  • COOTERUSC77 said...

    Could understand this if Stoops wasnt getting attention elsewhere. A&M and Im sure tons of other schools have expressed interest. Let's say Ward botches the bowl game and seems over his head, but we reach out to Stoops and he is already scooped up? Where do we go from there? What do we tell recruits when we have no DC? Keep in mind that the last recruits on our board are DEFENSIVE PROSPECTS.

    I don't believe that things start and stop with Stoops.

    If he is scooped up, then so be it.

    For every "Mike Stoops", there many more guys who emerge and make names for themselves when given the chance.

    Spurrier has seen several changes on the defensive side of the ball over his tenure. And, more times than not, his decisions have panned out.

    cdthompson

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    signature image signature image

    5 in a row

    Cockfather

  • Really respect Spurrier's loyalty to his staff. I think Ward deserves the audition. Like it or not, he is critical to this year's recruiting class. He deserves a look.

    And stop with the Hunt comparisons. Ward has proven to be a far superior coach to Hunt.

    I loathe the mercenary culture in college football. I would be happy with Stoops, but it is doubtful he would be here long term since he sees the SC job as the quickest path to becoming a HC again. And after his tenure at Arizona I am not sold on him as a good option to replace Spurrier.

    uscjam

  • 1gcf said...

    This is no time to be experimenting, taking, or giving chances. IMHO we need someone proven.

    Proven? Did you watch his Arizona teams, not a lot of defense there. Hey he was a good DC and probably still is, but giving Ward an audition isn't crazy, and given SOS and Stoops are friends wouldn't you think SOS would have a better read on how to play this with him than we do?

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    rmctacdmc ●

  • blessedcock said...

    And how upset would you be if we hire Stoops and the D isn't quite up to par? Hiring Stoops could be an even bigger gamble. The players could react negatively to Ward being overlooked. Ward could react negatively to being overlooked and decide to leave, crushing our recruiting. The fact is that there are no guarantees in life and just because you're a "name" doesn't mean success. SOS gets paid well to run this program and he's done a pretty fair job of it imho. I say we give the man the benefit of the doubt and let HIM hire who HE thinks is best suited for the job.

    You make too much sense man, I feel the same way...well said & an upvote for you

    Trenchtown Cock ●

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