re: Prediction Thread: Over/Under on Retained Assistants

chalk me up for zero retained, Harsin's intentionally coming in and cleaning house

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Does anyone really think that Kevin Steele

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With what we've always heard/suspected with that crew, who'd just paid some 20'odd million, you could tell me they wanted a coach they could signal each play to the sideline in live-egame fashion.... and not be overly surprised. :snide-sarcasm:


And no I don't think KS would go for much meddling... nor do I know if he would stab Gus in the back or not... however there's no telling what's being swept under the rug.... for all variety of reasons.

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You aren’t even trying to understand what I’m saying.. taking everything to extremes. Our defensive results haven’t been average, much better than that actually compared to our past, and I didn’t say all our coaches were elite, just ideal through a transition of hiring a coach that isn’t exactly familiar with the territory . As a group, they are competitive but with new leadership could provide a spark and different direction. Do you not think the perception or trajectory of our program under Malzahn has anything to do with recruiting?

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Uhm, I understand your "point" entirely. It's just a really stupid point. An incoming head coach might keep 1-2 guys as a transitionary move. You do NOT keep an entire staff on one side of the ball to achieve that "purpose". You state that you bring all of these guys back and they're going to all mesh seamlessly like one little happy family with a completely new leader. Have you considered that the more likely outcome is that you create an environment where there are now two FACTIONS? The old regime spearheaded by two "SEC Veterans" in Steele and Garner, and a new HC with no SEC experience? Have you considered that maybe Garner, who carries the Assoc. HC title and is an alum with his hands deep in the Pat Dye crowd of boosters/influencers, might maybe want to exert his own power over the program? A new HC needs to come in and entrench their own identity FULLY. You can not do that by doing something as stupid as what you are suggesting.

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Maybe we should hire Pelini or Van Gorder or Ted Roof.. don’t act like Steele hasn’t done a great job with our defense and more formidable than years prior to him. Who would you replace him with? If you can’t offer a better alternative than you need to STFU. And absolutely no one said he was a great recruiter, that responsibility falls to the assistants.

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This is a logical fallacy. So because Van Gorder an Roof were bad, that means that we have to cling on to Steele for dear life? Nobody else can accomplish what Steele can? Did you watch a single game this season? His defense looked like crap without elite DL talent. They also seemed to possess a major attitude problem. He is an above-average DC who was paid a king's ransom ($2.5 fricking million) - the fact that he's not an elite recruiter means that he's not worth his salary. His defense largely looked great with Muschamp's recruits; and has looked considerably less great now that those guys are gone. And in 2020 in this conference; you can NOT leave the recruiting all up to the assistants.

Who would I replace him with? That's not my job to answer; but you best believe that Bryan Harsin has his own network. His resume + reputation + the fact that this is a top-tier job in the SEC will draw a LOT of interest. The most obvious call would be to Andy Avalos if he doesn't end up getting the Boise State HC job. Another name that's been thrown around is Miami Dolphins DB coach Gerald Alexander who played under Harsin and is seen as a rising star in the coaching world.

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So McGriff doesn’t have pull in Mississippi? And Garner isn’t a good DL coach and doesn’t have an eye for talent on the DL and able to pull competitive talent?

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McGriff's "pull in Mississippi" has proven to be a virtual non-factor to date. Is he walking into that state and poaching all of the best players? Answer the question: who has he actually pulled from that state? His DB coaching in itself has proven to be average at best. That entire group was terrible this season - led by two guys (Monday and Sherwood) who seemed more interested in running their mouths than actually making stops. Blown assignments all over the field. McGriff has done nothing to suggest that he needs to be brought back.

Garner is an aging elephant who is still "good" but hardly irreplaceable, and his well is starting to dry up. He is also a Grade A clown and was involved in the Steele BS (bury your head in the sand all you want). It's time to move on and start fresh. His recruiting - which isn't as elite as it was 10 years ago - also comes with the fact that his attrition rate is absurd. I'm kind of tired of the whole sign 4-5 top recruits only for 60% of them to transfer out because they can't meet Garner's "coaching expectations". He has also shown zero ability in terms of developing edge rushers.

You seem to be balls-deep in the same BS narrative that plague our boosters: anyone doing marginally well at Auburn must be kept at all costs. There are hundreds of coaches all over the country who would love to coach here. Many of them are much hungrier than some of these holdovers you want to keep around who are still living off a reputation from a decade ago.

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This is a logical fallacy. So because Van Gorder an Roof were bad, that means that we have to cling on to Steele for dear life? Nobody else can accomplish what Steele can? Did you watch a single game this season? His defense looked like crap without elite DL talent. They also seemed to possess a major attitude problem. He is an above-average DC who was paid a king's ransom ($2.5 fricking million) - the fact that he's not an elite recruiter means that he's not worth his salary. His defense largely looked great with Muschamp's recruits; and has looked considerably less great now that those guys are gone. And in 2020 in this conference; you can NOT leave the recruiting all up to the assistants.

Who would I replace him with? That's not my job to answer; but you best believe that Bryan Harsin has his own network. His resume + reputation + the fact that this is a top-tier job in the SEC will draw a LOT of interest. The most obvious call would be to Andy Avalos if he doesn't end up getting the Boise State HC job. Another name that's been thrown around is Miami Dolphins DB coach Gerald Alexander who played under Harsin and is seen as a rising star in the coaching world.

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So McGriff doesn’t have pull in Mississippi? And Garner isn’t a good DL coach and doesn’t have an eye for talent on the DL and able to pull competitive talent?


McGriff's "pull in Mississippi" has proven to be a virtual non-factor to date. Is he walking into that state and poaching all of the best players? Answer the question: who has he actually pulled from that state? His DB coaching in itself has proven to be average at best. That entire group was terrible this season - led by two guys (Monday and Sherwood) who seemed more interested in running their mouths than actually making stops. Blown assignments all over the field. McGriff has done nothing to suggest that he needs to be brought back.

Garner is an aging elephant who is still "good" but hardly irreplaceable, and his well is starting to dry up. He is also a Grade A clown and was involved in the Steele BS (bury your head in the sand all you want). It's time to move on and start fresh. His recruiting - which isn't as elite as it was 10 years ago - also comes with the fact that his attrition rate is absurd. I'm kind of tired of the whole sign 4-5 top recruits only for 60% of them to transfer out because they can't meet Garner's "coaching expectations". He has also shown zero ability in terms of developing edge rushers.

You seem to be balls-deep in the same BS narrative that plague our boosters: anyone doing marginally well at Auburn must be kept at all costs. There are hundreds of coaches all over the country who would love to coach here. Many of them are much hungrier than some of these holdovers you want to keep around who are still living off a reputation from a decade ago.

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Some of your observations are really good.

I think the ones that might be retained are some of the analysts who do ALL the leg work for a lot of these coaches who recruit. They are valuable 'detail' staff.

I think it would be better for CBH to bring in aggressive younger blood who have some experience but will be relentless working to salvage or recruiting season AND if they have worked with Harsin, know how to recruit for him too.

The ones that have eventually 'settled' in at Auburn and got fat and sassy (Garner, etc) need to go.

For Harsin it still might help him to lock in on some transition coach(s) to help him move faster in getting his program going.

It actually will be fun to see a new 'regime' in place, especially since the head guy is not connected to any GOBN.

Keep Cadillac and Twill.

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possibly T-Will if he interviews well and is able to possibly take on a new role like recruiting coordinator/ST and help with linebackers.

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T-Will is currently Co-DC, LBs, and RC.

I am pulling for Harsin not to retain anyone.

I think the coaches with some worth will land on their feet elsewhere.

It will honestly be interesting to see where they all end up (lateral move, down a notch, etc).

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My point being I'd take Andy Avalos

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Avalos isn't leaving Oregon. They are the kings of the PAC-12 and I am sure Oregon would up his salary to keep him. Only way Avalos leaves, imo, is for a HC spot.

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My prediction: Over/1/CaddyWilliams

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Looks like I'm doing good as long as we don't retain any more