I couldn’t help myself with the title of this blog. I’ve been snickering at it in my mind all day long. Sorry, I’m 34 going on 12. But, when it comes to to coaching staff of Al Golden, I’m in awe.
Over the last few weeks the media has had a chance to get a sit down, casual press gaggle with all of the assistants (or at least had the chance to meet and greet via teleconference). There hasn’t been one of these opportunities where I’ve walked away scratching my head. A matter of fact, it’s been the complete opposite. If I could some how jump and click my heels with joy, I would have. Trust me, you don’t want me jumping.
You can see that Coach Golden has a vision. Every staff member seems more energetic, verbose, and hungry than the last guy. I’m still waiting for Tony Robbins to walk through the door and say he’s been named a Assistant Athletic Director. Of course I really can’t say that the last staff wasn’t like this because I never really got a chance to talk to them.
Before we get to my thoughts on Jeff Stoutland leaving, let’s talk about those currently on board.
There are definitely some things that tie this staff together. Everyone on this staff is known as a top recruiter. Considering they are taking over with no time till Signing Day, that makes a lot of sense now, as well as moving forward. Seeing how the ball was dropped in recruiting over the past seven years, it makes even more sense.
This staff is divided up in three geographical areas. You have guys like Tony Richardson and Micheal Barrow that are South Florida guys. George McDonald isn’t from South Florida, but he’s been recruiting it his entire coaching career.
Coaches Golden, Mark D’Onofrio and Paul Williams have the North East and Mid-Atlantic on lock down while Jethro Franklin and Brennan Carroll own California, due to their west coast ties. Those guys have also recruited in Texas as well.
Now, you’re always going to have a coach on the staff that tends to be more X’s and O’s than recruiter. That guy on this staff is Jedd Fisch. From what I heard, he can recruit very well, as he relates to the young athletes, but I’m guessing he was brought his for his brain more than his sales pitch.
Another thing, as of right now there’s not one coach on this staff that’s older than forty-six (Franklin) though I expect that to change when a new offensive line coach is hired (every staff needs at least one grizzly veteran). But other than that these guys are young and ready to dominate, on the field and off.
If these recent additions can coach as well as they can do everything else, we’re going to be really really happy and I’ll be buying my national championship gear at allCanes. (Shameless plug.)
Before we get into the search for a new offensive coordinator, let’s discuss the sudden departure of Coach Stoutland. Jeff leaves Miami to take over for legendary line coach Joe Pendry at Alabama. I’m gonna guess that Nick Saban had a feeling that Pendry was going to retire, because from what I’d heard, he had started coming after Stoutland even before Randy Shannon was let go.
Those wondering why Stoutland would leave sunny Florida for Tuscaloosa – a few reasons. First of all, when you think of the Mt. Rushmore of college football, Alabama’s elephant is up there. Miami may have five titles in the last three decades, but football existed before 1980 and Alabama has 13 rings (though it gets confusing back in the day with 5,604 different voting bodies).
Using that logic, going to Alabama, is a step up.
Also, Coach Stoutland’s very good friend Bobby Williams is the Tight Ends Coach and Special Team’s Coordinator at Alabama. Bobby hired Stoutland when he was the head coach at Michigan State. I realize the talent here is really amazing at offensive line, and the Stoutland family loved it here in South Florida, but coaches always have that itch. It’s that itch that says “I need a new challenge.”
For a college assistant coach, Alabama (or Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas) is about as high on the totem poll as you can get. Here’s another little something – Stoutland probably gets a 30-40 % raise by making the move. As happy as his family is here in South Florida, it’s hard to turn that much money down. I’d put up with Tuscaloosa for that kind of raise (as long as there was a good deli somewhere in the vicinity).
I’ll miss Jeff and I thank him for the four years he put in here, and even though we got our butts handed to us, the job he did taking over as interim coach was yeoman’s work considering all of the mitigating circumstances.
OK, on to Coach Fisch. First, let me say that all I’ve heard are great things about him. I’m going to guess that you don’t get hired by Steve Spurrier, Dom Capers, Brian Billick, Mike Shanahan and Pete Carroll unless you are special.
Here’s a guy who from a very young age had set his sights on being a football coach.
I know some of you are looking at his year-long stint at the University of Minnesota and saying to yourself, “this guy is not the guy for The U”, but you’re using a very small sample size to judge his career.
Fisch spent nine years as an NFL coach. He’s studied under some of the best coaches at all levels and I’m not going to sit here and judging his one-year experience at Minnesota. I’ll take him based on his work with Brandon Marshall, Steve McNair and Matt Hasselbeck.
Actually, for me I just need to go back to one game. It was just a few weeks ago. Seattle was hosting St. Louis with the winner going to the playoffs and the loser going home. There’s not a more pressure filled situation than that. Seattle’s starter (Hasselbeck) was out and who got the start? Charlie Whitehurst.
Whitehurst threw for 192 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Not only did he put his team in the playoffs, but he outplayed first round pick, all everything QB Sam Bradford.
Who got Whitehurst ready for the game of his life? Coach Fisch. That’s all I had to see.
I’ve been told he’s great at communicating with his players, he relates well to young players and he’s a charismatic guy that’s great to be around. Most importantly though, I’ve been told he’s one of those young braniacs that is destined to be a head coach and knows X’s and O’s like I know microphones and mixers.
Recently, that school in North Central Florida hired a big name offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis. I saw that and wanted someone with a bigger name, but I was wrong. I should have told myself I want the next Charlie Weis, the young Charlie Weis.
Go look at Charlie’s bio. He didn’t play football and neither did Fisch. Weis left Notre Dame knowing he wanted to be a coach and Fisch had those same thoughts as he left that aforementioned university. Weis coached with a few Super Bowl winning coaches and so did Fisch.
Weis is 54, Fisch is 34. Who has more of an upside? Granted, Weis has been there and done that, but I want the guy who’s on his way up on the career slide, not on the way down. Nothing is certain, but I like the move.
IN OTHER NEWS : One of the oddest things happened last week when the media got a chance to talk to Coach Golden – he actually thanked us for covering his team. In my sixteen years doing this, I can’t ever remember that happening. It’s refreshing that the new coach and his staff understands how the media can help bring their message to the fans and potential recruits. If you want to hear his presser, feel free to download this week’s edition of allCanes Radio.
Speaking of the radio show, next week’s edition leads right up to tip off as the Canes take on the Noles at the Bank United Center. That being the case, we are having a bit of a shindig at the store. Come on by, hobnob, kibitz, talk hoops, football, what ever you like. We’re going to have some refreshments and are trying to get some former Canes hoopsters in the house. Harry will have the allCanes Wheel out and you’ll be able to spin it to win up to 40% off of any purchase you make that night. We will also have some members of the UM Athletics Administration in the house, so if you have any questions or concerns, Wednesday night would be a great time to get those questions answered.
Signing Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 2nd. Normally on the big day my friends and I like to sit at some “establishment” with our laptops, partaking in debauchery as we watch the faxes come in. This year, I figured I’d share the fun with all of you. We are still working out the details, but rest assured at 8am ET on that Wednesday, we’ll be set up at a spot some where in the Coral Gables/South Miami area. We’re going to try to have a bunch of special guests, food specials, drink specials (bloody marys anyone?) and much more. Come up with your excuses to your boss now as to why you won’t be at work on February 2nd. A matter fact, the best excuse that gets tweeted at me or emailed to me (allCanesRadio#gmail.com) will get a $25 gift card to allCanes. Until then, Go Canes!