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New year, new thread. Sark just signed his extension and we are going to get to see what a remarkable 5th straight year of staff continuity yields. Should be a fun year to follow the analyst/special assistant movement. Texas is now a prime destination spot on both sides of the ball. 

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  • Machinator
    Machinator

    So he's been on staffs with Choate, Saban, and Schiano and has Houston/Texas ties. Not going to act like this is some no-doubter but seems like it can work just fine to me.

  • closetojumping
    closetojumping

    My sweet Lord. Reading the thread since the Muschamp hiring is borderline exhausting. Some of the hawtest takes on this recruiting board, ever, on here between pages 45 and 48. I was quoting posts at

  • This is a Nansen hire. He was behind the surge last year to bring him on as an analyst. The plan to hire him has been in place for a while, and if Blake would have stayed and Terry still left they wou

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OB this morning 

I was told Texas’ Brandon Harris will become one of the highest-paid general managers in college football. One source said Harris will be paid more than $500,000—a significant increase from the $264,500 salary reported by USA Today in December.

Additionally, multiple members of Sarkisian’s support staff will receive raises. Expect the specifics to be revealed in February when the Board of Regents meets (February 19–20).

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I hope they give PK his due. He’s earned it.

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5 minutes ago, CosmoDog said:

I hope they give PK his due. He’s earned it.

Nansen has been a really good addition to the staff and PK. He's done good thing with the LBs. 

Can’t keep everyone. Any noise on anyone moving on and moving up?

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33 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

OB this morning 

I was told Texas’ Brandon Harris will become one of the highest-paid general managers in college football. One source said Harris will be paid more than $500,000—a significant increase from the $264,500 salary reported by USA Today in December.

Additionally, multiple members of Sarkisian’s support staff will receive raises. Expect the specifics to be revealed in February when the Board of Regents meets (February 19–20).

He still sucks. 

31 minutes ago, CosmoDog said:

I hope they give PK his due. He’s earned it.

I believe pk got a raise last year.  Choice needs some serious attention though. I think he’s still the lowest paid coach on staff, and now brand Harris is on his ballpark. 

Edited by SydneyCarton

Can we get rid of Terry Joseph? This is my annual time to bitch that the secondary is not up to par - but the safeties were great and recruits consistently mention Gideon.  So….

6 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

He still sucks. 

So what exactly is Sark having them reward here?

4 minutes ago, horny_gunman said:

Can we get rid of Terry Joseph? This is my annual time to bitch that the secondary is not up to par - but the safeties were great and recruits consistently mention Gideon.  So….

Gonna guess we're not firing anyone on that defensive staff.

3 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

So what exactly is Sark having them reward here?

Sark likes him. Not all the coaching staff does though. 

13 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

He still sucks

Not in the loop. Why exactly does he suck and what are his responsibilities?

I hope we have money for another offensive assistant to help with any of play calling, red zone schemes, running plays or all three. Sark is doing too much and I would love to see some more brain power focused on those areas. 

It’s pretty common knowledge that PK is not interested in being a head coach. We just need to keep him in the top tier of earnings for a defensive coordinator. 

2024 salary and when their contract is up:

Milwee- $600k, contract runs through February 2025

Choice- $700k, contract runs through February 2025

Jackson- $700k, contracts runs through February 2025

Flood- $1.3 million, contract runs through February 2027

Banks- $1.15 million, contract runs through February 2027

Kwiatkowski- $1.8 million, contract runs through February 2027

Baker- $550k, contract runs through February 2026

Nansen- $900k, contract runs through February 2026

Joseph- $825k, contract runs through February 2025

Gideon- $600k, contract runs through February 2025

Becton- $550k, contract runs through February 2026

 

I assume the guys with contracts expiring will get their new contracts approved next month at the BoR meeting. I think the rule is anything over $1 million in total contract value has to be approved.

Edited by Hookem2147

25 minutes ago, Red Five said:

Gonna guess we're not firing anyone on that defensive staff.

Agree. Have to think this is to be a low-key thread apart from new analysts 

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33 minutes ago, horny_gunman said:

Can we get rid of Terry Joseph? This is my annual time to bitch that the secondary is not up to par - but the safeties were great and recruits consistently mention Gideon.  So….

Thorpe Award is not our standard?

I think it was Bobby who mentioned a few months back that last offseason Gideon was a finalist for a couple of P5 DC gigs. I believe Mississippi State may have been one of the schools he mentioned, but I can't remember the others.

4 minutes ago, Slacks said:

Thorpe Award is not our standard?

Neither are highly rated DBs, just pathetic.

Edited by Vertigo

Just now, Slacks said:

Thorpe Award is not our standard?

I’ve never liked the Joseph hire that’s all I’m saying.   I think he’s been a recruiter more than a coach at his previous stops and it was a bit of a comfort hire.  I think he has done less over the long haul than the other defense staff that has stayed on. He’s the weakest link on the top defense in CFB. He was gifted a tremendous athlete and motivated DB in Barron. It would be tragic if he had fucked that up.  But that’s like saying that the OSU secondary coach is the best ever because Downs is a freak.  

1 minute ago, horny_gunman said:

I’ve never liked the Joseph hire that’s all I’m saying.   I think he’s been a recruiter more than a coach at his previous stops and it was a bit of a comfort hire.  I think he has done less over the long haul than the other defense staff that has stayed on. He’s the weakest link on the top defense in CFB. He was gifted a tremendous athlete and motivated DB in Barron. It would be tragic if he had fucked that up.  But that’s like saying that the OSU secondary coach is the best ever because Downs is a freak.  

For a minute I thought I was on texags

  • Popular Post

Man this thread turned into the football board quick.

I can't remember a season where there truly wasn't that much to bitch about on the defensive side.

Maybe '05?

Many here bring up what's been gifted to a staff.

Well, we all work with what is given to us.

And that gift was not taken for granted as it shouldn't be.

The staff and players did their part.

Who here, at the beginning of the season, had any inkling Barron would be the Thorpe winner or would be part of the discussion? 

I don't think anybody on Surly predicted the defense to not only the best defense in the big bad SEC but also one of the best in college football.

And yet it happened with the players that were "gifted".

Who is that credit given to, players, coaches?

Something has to give with some of you.

Defensive line: awesome.

Linebacksers: solid

Secondary: way better than expected

Yes, there were unfortunate moments that cost the team big time.

Shit happened and the team couldn't recover.

But overall I can't see all that much to bitch about as some of you do.

Some of you find to stuff to bitch about and that's fair I suppose.

I'm not here to bash anyone or defend any player or coach.

Anyway....that's my take.

 

 

33 minutes ago, Vertigo said:

For a minute I thought I was on texags

Ouch, but comedic effect intended.

In truth, I feel that nothing needs to change coaching-wise.  Continuity and n the staff is undervalued IMO and I am NOT in favor of that. Can a fan nit-pick?  Sure, but Sark seems smart enough not to change things  just to change them. 
 

As I said, I’m watching this thread for analyst changes.  

  • Popular Post
1 hour ago, ClubWhatever said:

So what exactly is Sark having them reward here?

 

1 hour ago, nineliveslost said:

Not in the loop. Why exactly does he suck and what are his responsibilities?

Harris is a laconic yes-man who’s constantly more reactive than proactive. He’s bailed out by a HC who is something of a control-freak when it comes to roster management and oversees in great detail that issue on behalf of Harris - when he has the time. He’s also regularly bailed out by the NIL machine, even as he’s talked shit about it unwittingly to people involved with it. 

The latest experience with this guy was the program being flat-footed on transfer risk coming out of the Cotton Bowl. Everyone was left scrambling when over 30 guys came forward with demands  Unacceptable.

As SC alluded to, not everyone in the coach’s offices thinks he’s the cat’s meow as he’s frequently seen playing favorites. 

Finally, Harris himself is allegedly a leak to OB and probably passed those thoughts on himself in order to ensure it’s part of the dialogue. 

1 hour ago, Newy25 said:

I hope we have money for another offensive assistant to help with any of play calling, red zone schemes, running plays or all three. Sark is doing too much and I would love to see some more brain power focused on those areas. 

It’s pretty common knowledge that PK is not interested in being a head coach. We just need to keep him in the top tier of earnings for a defensive coordinator. 

I don’t care about the playcalling and don’t see him giving it up, but he absolutely needs to hire a red zone assistant that he takes seriously. An older, former HC known for being great on that front would be awesome. Someone from the NFL maybe. He’s incompetent in the red zone and someone needs to call him on it if he doesn’t see that. 

It'll be interesting to see how they change things now that there is no limit for on-field assistant coaches. He could hire a full-time ST coordinator, add totally new position coach roles, or more experienced assistant position coaches.

1 hour ago, Davis Lane said:

Who here, at the beginning of the season, had any inkling Barron would be the Thorpe winner or would be part of the discussion? 

horny_gunman was absolutely correct about Jahdae Barron being both a gifted and highly motivated athlete. I'm not saying Joseph is, or is not, a bad coach, but I am not surprised by Barron's achievement, although I didn't have it on my bingo card either. He has frequently been mentioned as a dedicated player who spends a lot of time film watching to gain an edge and made heads-up plays as a result. And he was nails at nickle in previous seasons. Intelligent, self-motivated players like that can make a bad coach look good.

Edited by sith_horn

2 hours ago, horny_gunman said:

Can we get rid of Terry Joseph? This is my annual time to bitch that the secondary is not up to par - but the safeties were great and recruits consistently mention Gideon.  So….

 

2 hours ago, Slacks said:

Thorpe Award is not our standard?

 

2 hours ago, horny_gunman said:

I’ve never liked the Joseph hire that’s all I’m saying.   I think he’s been a recruiter more than a coach at his previous stops and it was a bit of a comfort hire.  I think he has done less over the long haul than the other defense staff that has stayed on. He’s the weakest link on the top defense in CFB. He was gifted a tremendous athlete and motivated DB in Barron. It would be tragic if he had fucked that up.  But that’s like saying that the OSU secondary coach is the best ever because Downs is a freak.  

 

37 minutes ago, sith_horn said:

horny_gunman was absolutely correct about Jahdae Barron being both a gifted and highly motivated athlete. I'm not saying Joseph is, or is not, a bad coach, but I am not surprised by Barron's achievement, although I didn't have it on my bingo card either. He has frequently been mentioned as a dedicated player who spends a lot of time film watching to gain an edge and made heads-up plays as a result. And he was nails at nickle in previous seasons. Intelligent, self-motivated players like that can make a bad coach look good.

In year’s past I was pretty negative on the techniques displayed by our CB’s. As a result I assumed Joseph was a B quality coach or worse. 

However, the defense this year was unbelievably good. I have a hard time making a change there given the results on the field this year. And they’ve secured just enough good CB recruits to hang in there as well. I guess if Sark knew of a clearly superior CB coach then maybe you make a move. 

1 minute ago, horny_gunman said:

I’ve never liked the Joseph hire that’s all I’m saying.   I think he’s been a recruiter more than a coach at his previous stops and it was a bit of a comfort hire.  I think he has done less over the long haul than the other defense staff that has stayed on. He’s the weakest link on the top defense in CFB. He was gifted a tremendous athlete and motivated DB in Barron. It would be tragic if he had fucked that up.  But that’s like saying that the OSU secondary coach is the best ever because Downs is a freak.  

I'm not sure what you saw on the field.

56 minutes ago, Dbeasy said:

In year’s past I was pretty negative on the techniques displayed by our CB’s. As a result I assumed Joseph was a B quality coach or worse. 

However, the defense this year was unbelievably good. I have a hard time making a change there given the results on the field this year. And they’ve secured just enough good CB recruits to hang in there as well. I guess if Sark knew of a clearly superior CB coach then maybe you make a move. 

I agree, there was definitely some improvement this season. Were there any analysts or other staff added that may have possibly accounted for that? I've rendered no judgement regarding Joseph regardless. He may well be improving or have help. I do stand by the notion that some players will excel no matter who their coach is. Poona Ford comes to mind as another example.

 

4 hours ago, Hookem2147 said:

OB this morning 

I was told Texas’ Brandon Harris will become one of the highest-paid general managers in college football. One source said Harris will be paid more than $500,000—a significant increase from the $264,500 salary reported by USA Today in December.
 

 

Screenshot_20231130-133310_kindlephoto-16337149.png.63f054fdc2a8b9a08483bbb75983e290.png

3 hours ago, Davis Lane said:

Man this thread turned into the football board quick.

I can't remember a season where there truly wasn't that much to bitch about on the defensive side.

Maybe '05?

Many here bring up what's been gifted to a staff.

Well, we all work with what is given to us.

And that gift was not taken for granted as it shouldn't be.

The staff and players did their part.

Who here, at the beginning of the season, had any inkling Barron would be the Thorpe winner or would be part of the discussion? 

I don't think anybody on Surly predicted the defense to not only the best defense in the big bad SEC but also one of the best in college football.

And yet it happened with the players that were "gifted".

Who is that credit given to, players, coaches?

Something has to give with some of you.

Defensive line: awesome.

Linebacksers: solid

Secondary: way better than expected

Yes, there were unfortunate moments that cost the team big time.

Shit happened and the team couldn't recover.

But overall I can't see all that much to bitch about as some of you do.

Some of you find to stuff to bitch about and that's fair I suppose.

I'm not here to bash anyone or defend any player or coach.

Anyway....that's my take.

 

 

The opposite of @victory88. A prose poem.

"I hope we have money for another offensive assistant to help with any of play calling, red zone schemes, running plays or all three. Sark is doing too much and I would love to see some more brain power focused on those areas. 

It’s pretty common knowledge that PK is not interested in being a head coach. We just need to keep him in the top tier of earnings for a defensive coordinator"

Do NOT hire this guy.

th?id=OIP.TwqoweDA1UjV83kd1OF5NQHaE8&pid=Api&P=0&h=220

9 minutes ago, Leanderman said:

"I hope we have money for another offensive assistant to help with any of play calling, red zone schemes, running plays or all three. Sark is doing too much and I would love to see some more brain power focused on those areas. 

It’s pretty common knowledge that PK is not interested in being a head coach. We just need to keep him in the top tier of earnings for a defensive coordinator"

Do NOT hire this guy.

th?id=OIP.TwqoweDA1UjV83kd1OF5NQHaE8&pid=Api&P=0&h=220

It’s funny, I haven’t thought much about who good candidates would be regarding red zone aficionados. I’ve always had a high opinion of Mangino. That would be a hilarious hire. 

He’ll single-handedly drive up the price of burnt orange cloth, but if he actually had a successful redzone plan, I’d have no problem letting him see what it’s like being on the money side. 

I don't necessarily think we need some red zone guru, just a competent coach that Sark respects and who isn't afraid to challenge him (not in an insubordinate manner) when the time comes. 

Maybe as a fuck you to Deboer, we get Grubb on staff just because we can. 

11 minutes ago, Butch Had Not said:

I don't necessarily think we need some red zone guru, just a competent coach that Sark respects and who isn't afraid to challenge him (not in an insubordinate manner) when the time comes. 

Maybe as a fuck you to Deboer, we get Grubb on staff just because we can. 

I don’t know, man, the issue looks systemic. It’s not like Sarkisian has only sucked in the red zone with Ewers. 

Also, the Grubb stuff is the worst fan fiction you guys have been tossing out.  

34 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

It’s funny, I haven’t thought much about who good candidates would be regarding red zone aficionados. I’ve always had a high opinion of Mangino. That would be a hilarious hire. 

He might not be able to travel if we get back to Atlanta.

9 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

I don’t know, man, the issue looks systemic. It’s not like Sarkisian has only sucked in the red zone with Ewers. 

Also, the Grubb stuff is the worst fan fiction you guys have been tossing out.  

Where else has he sucked at USC and Washington I guess?  He wasn’t bad (relative to the rest of the offense) in 21 with card and Thompson. My suspicion is if Baxter is healthy and with arch running the offense the problem solves itself, but if they want to bring a coaching specialist for that I won’t complain in the least. 

Mangino is a very, very good coach who has had success everywhere he has been, even Kansas.  He is also a terrible human being who has been run off from everywhere he has been, despite the success.

59 minutes ago, Doc Daneeka said:

He’ll single-handedly drive up the price of burnt orange cloth, but if he actually had a successful redzone plan, I’d have no problem letting him see what it’s like being on the money side. 

He’s a reasonable sized person now

Just now, Pato del Muerto said:

He’s a reasonable sized person now

Fuck him, then.

1 hour ago, Wulaw Horn said:

Where else has he sucked at USC and Washington I guess?  He wasn’t bad (relative to the rest of the offense) in 21 with card and Thompson. My suspicion is if Baxter is healthy and with arch running the offense the problem solves itself, but if they want to bring a coaching specialist for that I won’t complain in the least. 

I was just about to say it’s all about the running game. Baxter and Arch will help, but we need to be better running up the middle.

With the changes to on field coaching (and really, should've been doing it with "analysts"), there's no reason why we shouldn't have specialty coaches. Sark should start his own "rehab for coaches" like Saban did, and hire any knowledgeable person who can contribute in any way. 

I don't give two shits if it's scouting (which, again, should already be doing), red zone as CTJ has been saying, personnel, etc.  The rules have changed, we've got money, and there's no reason not to do it. 

I hope Sark hires an actual OC to handle the play calling.  

Not questioning Sark's ability as a play caller, and 100% want him deeply involved in game planning the offense and initial script, but I'd just rather he focus on being a HC during the game.

13 hours ago, AugieBall said:

Mangino is a very, very good coach who has had success everywhere he has been, even Kansas.  He is also a terrible human being who has been run off from everywhere he has been, despite the success.

There is a reason he hasn't had a job in almost a decade, despite the incredible job he did at Kansas.

It's never good to have a controversy section of your wiki and it's even worse when it has six separate entries

9 hours ago, DixonHur said:

I hope Sark hires an actual OC to handle the play calling.  

Not questioning Sark's ability as a play caller, and 100% want him deeply involved in game planning the offense and initial script, but I'd just rather he focus on being a HC during the game.

Agree. The issues this year weren't just short yardage or red zone. The offense bogged down somewhere between the middle of the second quarter and the start of the third.

Who’s the best 3rd quarter team as far as offense. I’m pretty sure we’re up there in defense cause not many scored on us in third. Who is the top 3rd quarter offense tho ?? 

15 hours ago, AugieBall said:

Mangino is a very, very good coach who has had success everywhere he has been, even Kansas.  He is also a terrible human being who has been run off from everywhere he has been, despite the success.

 

 

 

"who has been run off"

 

Political gif. Donald Trump’s head retracts into his neck with a confused expression on his face. He then juts his head out and leans forward. He pops his eyebrows up and then looks over to the side with a smirk on his face. Trump then stands up straight again while closing his eyes. He opens his eyes and then his mouth like he’s gasping at something shocking.

 

(Edit: No CR, you dolts ... )

 

Edited by Getafix

1 hour ago, Hookem10 said:

Who’s the best 3rd quarter team as far as offense. I’m pretty sure we’re up there in defense cause not many scored on us in third. Who is the top 3rd quarter offense tho ?? 

This was an under appreciated  aspect under Mack. We would often look like our offense was a baby giraffe in the first half of games, then we would come out in the third and score 28 points. 

The third quarter malaise and the red zone issues suggest Sark is great at scheme and design but too busy or ineffective at in game tactics and play calling. Once his script runs out, we go dormant for two quarters. He should keep scheming and scripting our opening but delegate play calling to someone focusing solely on that task. 

In terms of new positions, I would like:

1. A full-time ST coordinator

2. a red zone coach. Ideally someone who can also help with general halftime adjustments.

3. outside the box here: a few "scout team" coaches - people who focus full-time on coaching the Freshman/redshirts to jumpstart their development. Bc I assume the primary coaches are focused on the starters/2nds in all the practice reps. Maybe my assumption is wrong though.

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