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:.
Let’s remember that many times options B,C,D or E turn out to have better results than option A. Just look West at USC. Carroll was their 4th or 5th choice. Everyone hated the hire. The guy has done nothing than make USC a powerhouse again after 15+ years of being a non-factor. So I’m giving Nix a thumbs up if it turns true. I expect high energy and better results than the past 5 years.
great F-ING Blog dude! i think the NIX hiring is a fantastic one. ITS GREAT THAT HE WANTS TO BE THE SIGNAL CALLER @ A BIG TIME SCHOOL LIKE THE U.(KEY WORD: “WANTS” UNLIKE ROGERS AND KOETTER WHO TURN THE POSITION DOWN BASICALLY)
In essence he is leaving a team who just went to the ACC title game to a 6-5 team whom have their issues. But the U will always be the U and Ga Tech will always JUST be Ga TECH… This guy is young and ambitious and READY TO MAKE A CHANGE!!!!
GO CANES!!!
-bRYE
About the only person that I am concerned about liking Nix, would be Robert Marve, who is visiting this weekend.
If I get any kind of scoop from the Tampa fish-wraps,, I’ll pass it along.
From The Tampa Tribune:
TAMPA – The University of Miami might be a late entry in the sweepstakes for Plant High quarterback Robert Marve, but the Hurricanes seem to be right on time.
Marve returned to Tampa from a weekend visit to Coral Gables thoroughly impressed with the campus, athletic facilities and Miami’s academic program. He stopped short of saying Miami was his No. 1 choice, but would like to visit the campus again.
“It was a great school. Great academics. You’re down in Miami, so you can’t really run out of stuff to do outside of football,” Marve said. “When my five years are up, I will have to get a job. Miami is a nice spot to settle down, and to get your name out there by staying in state, that could be pretty cool.
“With me being a finalist for Mr. [Florida] Football, it could be pretty big [to play for Miami].”
Marve committed to Alabama during the summer, but Coach Mike Shula was fired after the season. Marve visited Alabama last week and met Coach Nick Saban, and even though Marve remains committed to the Crimson Tide, he is examining other options.
Miami coach Randy Shannon served as a defensive coordinator for the last six years before replacing Larry Coker last month, and Marve has quickly developed a good relationship with the new coach.
“It was more than I expected from the coaches. We established a good friendship, and I was very comfortable. I got to talk to them about whatever was on my mind, I could be up front with them and they could be up front with me,” Marve said. “Miami is right there with Alabama. I have to sit down with my family some more. We need to do some more research, make sure everything is right, and give them the same shot as we did Alabama.”
JMG
Tampa
More Marve:
Hold on to your HATS!!!!
http://www.tbo.com/video/xml/MGB3P9378XE.html
I am telling you,, this kid is good. He could easily start as a redshirt freshman in my opinion.
Keep a good thought that the “U” hat was an obvious sign of what just happened this weekend.
His father is Eugene Marve, ex Kansas City and Tampa Bay linebacker. So he has some bloodlines.
And while I will admit to high school alma “motto” bias, this kid has the potential to be special.
I think this could be a benchmark signing for this year’s recruiting class.
JMG
Tampa