ESPN is reporting that Patrick Nix is headed to The U to take over as offensive coordinator. The same ESPN that on New Years Day reported that Dirk Koetter to Miami was a done deal, so we’ll see if this is indeed true.
I traded emails with The Fall Guy regarding Nix and here’s what he’s telling me.
Randy Shannon was impressed with what Nix was able to do with Georgia Tech’s offense with Reggie Ball on the sidelines for the bowl game against West Virginia. The Yellow Jackets fell, 38-35 in a shoot out nobody expected with their star senior QB out of the game.
Back up Taylor Bennett took over in that game, throwing for 326 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Amazingly it was Georgia Tech’s defense which blew the 35-17 early third quarter lead.
T.F.G. continued to drive the point home that Shannon wanted a guy in here who can help develop our struggling quarterbacks in the post Ken Dorsey era. That helps explain some of the other guys Shannon was going after.
Koetter is said to be a quarterback guru. Kevin Sumlin has experience working with signal callers. John Bond is an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NIU and Kevin Rogers is the quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings.
T.F.G. also tells me there is – or was – another guy in the mix here. Someone who might not have been mentioned yet. Another young assistant and former quarterback. Lane Kiffin? I don’t know. I’ve just been told there’s another ‘under the radar’ guy in the running with Nix down the stretch here. (NOTE: T.F.G. confirmed that “secret” candidate was Doug Nussmeier, Rams QB Coach, former Michigan State OC.)
Par for the course, the message boards are blowing up this morning and the emails are pouring in. As I oft say, some like the Nix call, some hate it and others are spending their time mediating between the two.
Personally, I don’t have issue with it if it goes down. While some criticize Nix for not getting Calvin Johnson the ball enough, I praise Nix for being able to do what he did with the erratic Ball behind center.
At day’s end, who the hell is Georgia Tech? They’re no powerhouse or juggernaut, yet they found their way to the ACC title game this year. They’ve also put together game plans to beat the Canes two years in a row, even this year after spotting Miami a touchdown on an opening drive fumble.
Why Nix over Bond? I don’t know, but go with it. What’s the point of pissing and moaning over who wasn’t hired? Shannon interviewed both and is going with who he feels best fits at Miami. Those of you questioning the hire, were you in the room for the interview process? Do you personally know all the coaches Miami has interviewed? How are you more qualified to make this decision than coach Shannon? Simply put, you’re not. Relax and let’s see what develops here.
We have our guy in place. A young up and comer who played quarterback in the SEC in the mid 90s. This Auburn signal caller was a sophomore on the undefeated squad of 1993 and as a senior in 1995, a team captain who received the team’s Pat Sullivan Award for Offensive Player of the Year as well as the Cliff Hare Award as the school’s Student-Athlete of the Year.
Nix finished his playing days as the Tigers’ career passing efficiency leader and ranked among the top five in school history in several other statistical categories.
With quarterback play as spotty as it’s been over the years, Nix should be able to bring something of Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman that Dan Werner, Rich Olson and Todd Berry never could.
Kick back and wait to see if this is made official today or if Johnny Mysterio the secret candidate is mentioned.
If this is unoffically official, then congrats to coach Nix and welcome to The U.
Lest not forget people, some have turned this job down. If a guy is ready to move south with his young family and take over at our fine program, like a Journey song welcome him with open arms and give him the benefit of the doubt.
.:Canes305:.