Bobby Bowden to Retire

[stuy119]

MNC?

 

Is Fisher capable of recruiting the athletic criminals that Bowden did in his prime?

 

Mythical National Championship. That's all that exists until there is a playoff.

[stuy119]

It will be interesting to see if Bobby leaves behind any kind of legacy in terms of continued recruiting and on-the-field success, or if Florida State will just fade back down to where it was before he arrived.

 

He did have a sort of "cult-of-personality" feel during the great years. I could see the program not being able to get back up there.

 

LOL

 

Jimbo Fisher is one of the most aggressive recruiters/coaches out there, and he's not one to settle for mediocrity. Under his guidance, our offense has steadily risen (86-ish, 54-ish, 27-ish) and is only looking better. He expects the defense to improve as quickly as the offense did. I would expect a good year next year, and us to be a MNC contender in 2011 again.

 

I've heard this story before. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't. All I'm saying is it will be interesting to see.

 

Normally I would worry, but I have confidence in Jimbo. This is based upon what I've seen and the info I get from people who are still close with the program. From all reports Jimbo has been running the offensive side of the ball the past couple of years and gets along with Mickey quite well (who wants to work with him).

 

The problem has been Chuck Amato, a long-time Bowden friend and confidant. To appease Chuck, he was given a title higher than Jimbo, thought he was going to be considered for the HC spot, and who is causing massive problems internally trying to subvert Jimbo. While it wasn't widely reported, there were a few times that fights among the coaches broke out this season. And Bobby being Bobby, he wasn't quick to take sides.

 

Needless to say, Chuck will be one of the first guys out the door when Jimbo is officially announced.

 

From what I understand, we're in a good (if not great) position to land a strong candidate as our DC. Right now it looks as though we're pulling the DC from Alabama into the fold (Kirby Smart). If not, there's a chance our fallback would be Sal Sunseri (LB coach at Bama) or Greg Hudson (DC of ECU).

[RedFlash]

From what I understand, we're in a good (if not great) position to land a strong candidate as our DC. Right now it looks as though we're pulling the DC from Alabama into the fold (Kirby Smart). If not, there's a chance our fallback would be Sal Sunseri (LB coach at Bama) or Greg Hudson (DC of ECU).

 

Kirby Smart is an Alabama boy who played college ball at GA and has degrees at both GA and FSU, so their are strong ties to all parties involved. The only difference between the parties is Nick Saban. Smart has coached under Saban at LSU, with the Miami Dolphins, and now at Bama. At this point the only way I see Smart leaving (and he will at some point) Bama is for his own head coaching job. After the 2010, Smart will be "THE" hot coaching name in college football and will be ready to for his own program. But in the event he does decide to jump to FSU then you guys would be getting a heckuva of DC, but it would be a very short stint, as I think Smart will be a HC by 2011. At this point if FSU is looking more at a long-term option for DC then Sal Sunseri is prolly the guy you should focus on.

[stuy119]

From what I understand, we're in a good (if not great) position to land a strong candidate as our DC. Right now it looks as though we're pulling the DC from Alabama into the fold (Kirby Smart). If not, there's a chance our fallback would be Sal Sunseri (LB coach at Bama) or Greg Hudson (DC of ECU).

 

Kirby Smart is an Alabama boy who played college ball at GA and has degrees at both GA and FSU, so their are strong ties to all parties involved. The only difference between the parties is Nick Saban. Smart has coached under Saban at LSU, with the Miami Dolphins, and now at Bama. At this point the only way I see Smart leaving (and he will at some point) Bama is for his own head coaching job. After the 2010, Smart will be "THE" hot coaching name in college football and will be ready to for his own program. But in the event he does decide to jump to FSU then you guys would be getting a heckuva of DC, but it would be a very short stint, as I think Smart will be a HC by 2011. At this point if FSU is looking more at a long-term option for DC then Sal Sunseri is prolly the guy you should focus on.

 

That's the understanding as well, but Jimbo and Saban are pretty tight and Saban is "helping out" Jimbo on this one (at least that's the inside story). Since Bowden retired and Chuck will be gone, we'll have an extra $1.5MM or so to throw around after Jimbo's raise. The scoop is that we're offering more than Bama (not sure how we managed that one) and Saban won't match.

 

Someone who has ties to Kirby thinks he wants to prove that it's really his defense and not Saban's, and get all the credit for it.

 

We need Kirby, as he's one of the most energetic recruiters out there. Sunseri would be a good fit, but he doesn't recruit as well as Jimbo wants at this point. Chances are we'll be bringing in someone (most rumored is Chris Demarest) to be groomed for the next couple of years under Kirby and then get the DC position.

[RedFlash]

That's the understanding as well, but Jimbo and Saban are pretty tight and Saban is "helping out" Jimbo on this one (at least that's the inside story). Since Bowden retired and Chuck will be gone, we'll have an extra $1.5MM or so to throw around after Jimbo's raise. The scoop is that we're offering more than Bama (not sure how we managed that one) and Saban won't match.

 

If that is the case then I don't mind losing Smart, I really don't. As long as he is out of the SEC I'm fine. Smart has been an upgrade over Kevin Steele who split on XMas last yr.

 

Someone who has ties to Kirby thinks he wants to prove that it's really his defense and not Saban's, and get all the credit for it.

 

I seriously doubt that's the case, as Saban routinely gives Smart props. It may notbe public, but Smart definately knows Saban appreciates him. So I don't know who said that, but more then likely not true.

 

We need Kirby, as he's one of the most energetic recruiters out there. Sunseri would be a good fit, but he doesn't recruit as well as Jimbo wants at this point. Chances are we'll be bringing in someone (most rumored is Chris Demarest) to be groomed for the next couple of years under Kirby and then get the DC position.

 

Every team needs a quality DC like Smart. As I do agree he is one of the most energetic recruiters out there, hence the reason why I wasn't all that upset of losing Lance Thompson to Tennessee. So if this does happen (NOT till after the season) then FSU would be getting a hot name in the young coaching circles. But again, if this happen and FSU defense improves dramtically under Smart, then a HC job will be coming to Smart for 2011. So as long as you understand that Smart going to FSU is prolly a short stint at best, then you are ok. Make sure you have a successor in place. I rather lose Smart to FSU then Georgia.

[stuy119]

Red, I've heard that recruits are being told that Smart is all but signed at this point and that was what brought forth the recent handful of commitments, including that of Jeff Luc today.

[RedFlash]

Red, I've heard that recruits are being told that Smart is all but signed at this point and that was what brought forth the recent handful of commitments, including that of Jeff Luc today.

 

I don't really like listening to "a friend heard from friend" type rumors, but if that is the case then I wish him nothing but the best at Florida State. I, for one, will not harbor any ill will towards Smart. But can we keep him till the National Championship Game, please? :D

 

Congrats to FSU landing two pretty good prospects, a JUCO CB Mike Harris (who had committed to Bama eariler, but was pulled when he couldn't get a course transfer to Bama thus could not enroll early) and a pretty good LB prospect Jeff Luc. Wish you well in the post-Bowden era.

[RedFlash]

stuy;

 

What do you make of this:

 

http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2009/12/florida_state_closes_in_on_ala.html

 

It's not that I don't believe you about Kirby Smart, it's just this is the first time publically FSU has been linked to a Bama coach and it's NOT Kirby Smart, but Sal Sunseri. Maybe they were interested in Smart, but figure they don't want to be a stepping stone, so they chose the older and more likely to stay for awhile coach. Or maybe be interested in Smart only to really want Sunseri. Either way, FSU is likely to get one heck of a coach in either Smart or Sunseri.

[stuy119]

stuy;

 

What do you make of this:

 

http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2009/12/florida_state_closes_in_on_ala.html

 

It's not that I don't believe you about Kirby Smart, it's just this is the first time publically FSU has been linked to a Bama coach and it's NOT Kirby Smart, but Sal Sunseri. Maybe they were interested in Smart, but figure they don't want to be a stepping stone, so they chose the older and more likely to stay for awhile coach. Or maybe be interested in Smart only to really want Sunseri. Either way, FSU is likely to get one heck of a coach in either Smart or Sunseri.

 

From the insiders I know, it's only a handful of people who are being told about it being Smart. FSU is publicly working to show that we have options (releasing the interview schedule for Mike Stoops and Sal Sunseri), and releasing this info to the media as a favor to Saban for his help in getting this deal done behind the scenes. (As a thank you, apparently Fisher was working with the UA staff to help gameplan for the UF game - TIFWIW) Supposedly Saban wants things quiet until the BCS game, and Smart won't be named publicly until that time.

 

I don't know what to believe, but I really think it's Smart, just from the people and the info they've given me in the past. In spite of all the info that is out there, smokescreens or not, they've not once wavered about who the hire would be.

 

The only other thing that raised a few eyebrows is that Sunseri is headed to NC to talk with Christian Lemay in the near future. I'm not sure why UA would send Sunseri if he is to be headed to FSU, who is in a fight to land the services of Lemay in 2011. That pushes me a bit further to the camp of the choice being Smart.

 

And recruiting is heating up. It's almost as if we were waiting to have all the defensive studs start to commit until after the details had been worked out, all leading up to a big announcement.

 

Another fun fact is that Saban and Jimbo are colluding to help tear down UF as much as possible. There will still be head-to-head battles, but each will be working with the other to strengthen the others program as much as they can without harming their own. It certainly can't hurt either team, as long as they don't meet.

 

All of this is just too coincidental.

[RedFlash]

stuy;

 

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091211/BREAKINGNEWS/91211036/1086/FSU+hires+Mark+Stoops+as+defensive+coordinator

[stuy119]

stuy;

 

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091211/BREAKINGNEWS/91211036/1086/FSU+hires+Mark+Stoops+as+defensive+coordinator

 

I know - I'm pumped.

 

Two major things happened that led us away from Smart (or so a couple of people have told me). First, he wasn't going to be available until mid-January due to UA responsibilities, which wasn't a major issue as long as a deal was in place. Second, the Stoops interview happened. Jimbo was using it as a comparison interview to gauge Kirby against another up-and-coming DC with ties to Florida, and he was blown away. Even better, Stoops was available earlier than Kirby and would be able to recruit harder and get things in place due to less burdens.

 

So we went with Stoops. And it's a great hire.

[RedFlash]

stuy;

 

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20091211/BREAKINGNEWS/91211036/1086/FSU+hires+Mark+Stoops+as+defensive+coordinator

 

I know - I'm pumped.

 

Two major things happened that led us away from Smart (or so a couple of people have told me). First, he wasn't going to be available until mid-January due to UA responsibilities, which wasn't a major issue as long as a deal was in place. Second, the Stoops interview happened. Jimbo was using it as a comparison interview to gauge Kirby against another up-and-coming DC with ties to Florida, and he was blown away. Even better, Stoops was available earlier than Kirby and would be able to recruit harder and get things in place due to less burdens.

 

So we went with Stoops. And it's a great hire.

 

Agreed.