The Search - What I've Learned

[TheDawgInMe]

Called a favor in to a prominent booster (think Name on big buildings).

What I know - based on what was explicitly said:

• Cohen strongly prefers a high IQ guy as the "CEO" and "face" of the program (this isn't news)
• The other big quality desired is super-competitiveness
• Cohen will interview (in person) every candidate
• The heavy rumors for Pruitt simply result from the fact he was an early interview and that the Alabama side is leaky; not an indication of where he is on the pecking order
• Only John Cohen and his deputies truly know the pecking order or who offers will be made to (until Keenum and other necessary decision makers are brought in)
• These rumored package deals with certain head coaches and coordinators is totally premature and not based in reality

What I think I know - based on context of conversation and what was implied:

• Pruitt
  • obvious strength is local recruiting
  • a concern is the IQ factor (see above)
• Cohen loves him some Venables
  • after the call i youtubed some interviews with this guy; I now understand why
  • a concern is level of desire he may (or may not?) have to end up at KSU post-Snyder
• Not sure about any of the others rumored
• A bad reputation with the NCAA is a non-starter
• There isn't the rush to make a decision that some here seem to imply
  • All these coaches/agents are talking to each other and the schools (there's transparency to who prefers whom)
  • It's like planes all circling the airport arranging themselves in order to land
  • Once a few dominos start to fall then it will move quickly

 

[Shamoan]

that would reflect my concerns on those two as well...your source lines up with my thinking. that alone makes me appreciative of cohen and what he seems to value.

 

[esplanade91]

tl;dr - Cohen wants someone who doesn't have a low IQ, he wants to interview them before he hires them, rumors are in fact rumors, and the AD is aware that the coach will officially need to be approved by the president and the board.

 

[Shmuley]

The one thing that brings doubts about Pruitt is his apparent lack of ability to function as the "face" of the program. Dude HATES him some media spotlight. He is a sucky interview and a dour personality. Think Saban without the charm. Yeah, that bad. And there's talk about his being a bit on the "slow" side when it comes to the intelligence level.

All that said, his reputation as a stellar recruiter cuts against all that noise. And he has been successful as a DC wherever he has been. So, who knows?

 

[AFDawg]

Jeremy Pruitt doesn’t know what asparagus is.

 

[bulldogbaja]

Is there any possibility of retaining Grantham on the staff? His twitter still says MSU Defensive Coordinator.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

That's Malzahn's first name, right?

 

[aTotal360]

Not from what I hear. He's gone.

 

[benatmsu]

Called a favor in to a prominent booster (think Name on big buildings).

Stephen Dill Lee's ghost?

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Nah. His last name is Hall. **

 

[ChinaDogSunflower]

For the love of MSU please don't hire this man.

 

[Southern Law Dawg]

Jeremy Pruitt doesn’t know what asparagus is.

To be fair, that was before Saban picked him up. I am sure he has learned a lot in the last 12 years since about all sorts of veggies.

 

[Irondawg]

Knowing the package deal isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you get a high IQ guy that may not be a stellar recruiter or have ties I'd like to know that he's bringing an OC/DC that is that type of person.

i don't want another woody mccorvey as OC

 

[AFDawg]

And oatmeal cream pie

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Sounds like IB has the same ideas that I have. That’s comforting.

 

[InterlockingMSUforever]

That video of Pruitt is not very comforting. Big difference between running a defense and being the program/personnel manager and face of the program. Not sure I want him to start doing that here. I don't like hearing Diaz is in the mix either on some articles. I'm glad Cohen is vetting each good candidate though for a few days during this interview process.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

That video of Pruitt is not very comforting. Big difference between running a defense and being the program/personnel manager and face of the program. Not sure I want him to start doing that here. I don't like hearing Diaz is in the mix either on some articles. I'm glad Cohen is vetting each good candidate though for a few days during this interview process.

Don't worry Manny Diaz is not an actual candidate for this job. If we wind up with him it means we have struck out on several other coaches.

 

[fishwater99]

Jeremy Pruitt doesn’t know what asparagus is.

Please don't hire this idiot...

 

[Delmar]

Jeremy Pruitt doesn’t know what asparagus is.

The one thing that brings doubts about Pruitt is his apparent lack of ability to function as the "face" of the program. Dude HATES him some media spotlight. He is a sucky interview and a dour personality. Think Saban without the charm. Yeah, that bad. And there's talk about his being a bit on the "slow" side when it comes to the intelligence level.

All that said, his reputation as a stellar recruiter cuts against all that noise. And he has been successful as a DC wherever he has been. So, who knows?

No idea how to imbed the video from my phone, but here’s a video of him at a press conference. Not nearly the bumbling idiot that some are implying.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ytx4G95XeWs

 

[lanceharbor7]

Venables

Venables would be an excellent hire. In talking with a Clemson fan earlier today, he mentioned Venables taking Co-OC Jeff Scott (son of Brad Scott, former USCe head coach) as OC, who has lots of ties to recruiting in Florida. Scott has learned from Chad Morris, Napier, etc... Tony Elliot is the other Co-OC who is a very impressive guy, whom I’ve heard speak to civic clubs before. If any type of combo here were to come to fruition, State could do much, much worse.

https://athlonsports.com/magazines/clemsons-season-hinges-new-offensive-coordinator-duo

An older article regarding the Clemson OC.

Called a favor in to a prominent booster (think Name on big buildings).

What I know - based on what was explicitly said:

• Cohen strongly prefers a high IQ guy as the "CEO" and "face" of the program (this isn't news)
• The other big quality desired is super-competitiveness
• Cohen will interview (in person) every candidate
• The heavy rumors for Pruitt simply result from the fact he was an early interview and that the Alabama side is leaky; not an indication of where he is on the pecking order
• Only John Cohen and his deputies truly know the pecking order or who offers will be made to (until Keenum and other necessary decision makers are brought in)
• These rumored package deals with certain head coaches and coordinators is totally premature and not based in reality

What I think I know - based on context of conversation and what was implied:

• Pruitt
  • obvious strength is local recruiting
  • a concern is the IQ factor (see above)
• Cohen loves him some Venables
  • after the call i youtubed some interviews with this guy; I now understand why
  • a concern is level of desire he may (or may not?) have to end up at KSU post-Snyder
• Not sure about any of the others rumored
• A bad reputation with the NCAA is a non-starter
• There isn't the rush to make a decision that some here seem to imply
  • All these coaches/agents are talking to each other and the schools (there's transparency to who prefers whom)
  • It's like planes all circling the airport arranging themselves in order to land
  • Once a few dominos start to fall then it will move quickly

 

[rynodawg]

If we are judging solely on YouTube interviews, Venables is impressive. He exudes leadership, just acts like a HC. Moorhead has a great resume, but is definitely more of a low key guy. Glad I’m not the one having to decide.