What Coley's departure illustrates

[18IsTheMan]

The uphill battle we face in coaching hires. It's just very hard for us to attract and retain good coaches. Coley wasn't even what I would consider a "hot" coach. I doubt 5% of fan base had even heard of him before we hired him. It was a very good hire on paper, though, for a position coach. And we kept him for all of 6 weeks. Granted, it was a very specific set of circumstances that led to his departure, with UGA losing their WR coach after we hired Coley. Nevertheless, he dropped us like a hot potato when a better opportunity opened up. It was a rare move by Beamer to go out and hire a proven entity as an SEC assistant coach. I won't say it backfired, but maybe this is why Beamer tends to opt for under-the-radar coaches. This is the 3rd time, at least, that he's been screwed when hiring a veteran SEC assistant coach.

 

[Gamecock Lincoln]

The uphill battle we face in coaching hires. It's just very hard for us to attract and retain good coaches. Coley wasn't even what I would consider a "hot" coach. I doubt 5% of fan base had even heard of him before we hired him. It was a very good hire on paper, though, for a position coach. And we kept him for all of 6 weeks. Granted, it was a very specific set of circumstances that led to his departure, with UGA losing their WR coach after we hired Coley. Nevertheless, he dropped us like a hot potato when a better opportunity opened up. It was a rare move by Beamer to go out and hire a proven entity as an SEC assistant coach. I won't say it backfired, but maybe this is why Beamer tends to opt for under-the-radar coaches. This is the 3rd time, at least, that he's been screwed when hiring a veteran SEC assistant coach.

Do you consdier Shawn Elliott under the radar?

 

[Lurker123]

The uphill battle we face in coaching hires. It's just very hard for us to attract and retain good coaches. Coley wasn't even what I would consider a "hot" coach. I doubt 5% of fan base had even heard of him before we hired him. It was a very good hire on paper, though, for a position coach. And we kept him for all of 6 weeks. Granted, it was a very specific set of circumstances that led to his departure, with UGA losing their WR coach after we hired Coley. Nevertheless, he dropped us like a hot potato when a better opportunity opened up. It was a rare move by Beamer to go out and hire a proven entity as an SEC assistant coach. I won't say it backfired, but maybe this is why Beamer tends to opt for under-the-radar coaches. This is the 3rd time, at least, that he's been screwed when hiring a veteran SEC assistant coach.

In an overly simplistic way of stating it, we are choosing to hire coaches that other teams want vs going for the guys our competitors don't want.

We can't compare with UGA, we just can't. I think we still go after guys though, that are coveted. Maybe they move on, maybe they stay. But to not even try seems worse.

 

[Greer]

In an overly simplistic way of stating it, we are choosing to hire coaches that other teams want vs going for the guys our competitors don't want.

We can't compare with UGA, we just can't. I think we still go after guys though, that are coveted. Maybe they move on, maybe they stay. But to not even try seems worse.

I agree, you have to tree. If you're not trying what is the point?

 

[Deleted11512]

In an overly simplistic way of stating it, we are choosing to hire coaches that other teams want vs going for the guys our competitors don't want.

We can't compare with UGA, we just can't. I think we still go after guys though, that are coveted. Maybe they move on, maybe they stay. But to not even try seems worse.

Agree. A lot of dramatizing and pearl clutching going on for nothing. That would be like saying we're just going to recruit 3*s be we miss out on more 5*s than we get.

I just don't think Beamer plays the game, as evidenced by the Bobo situation. Had Beamer met AU's offer Bobo would have been his OC. Bobo told him it was $1.8M, Beamer told him to go get it. Turns out, Bobo lied and ended up at $1.3M...$100K more than he was making here. Who knows if that happened with Coley. But Beamer has been clear on wanting guys that want to be here. Coley wanted to be here...until the top program in CFB came calling. Simple as that.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Do you consdier Shawn Elliott under the radar?

I would say he wasn't on the radar at all. Just being honest, I don't know if any other SEC team aside from us would have hired him.

 

[18IsTheMan]

In an overly simplistic way of stating it, we are choosing to hire coaches that other teams want vs going for the guys our competitors don't want.

We can't compare with UGA, we just can't. I think we still go after guys though, that are coveted. Maybe they move on, maybe they stay. But to not even try seems worse.

Ummm, maybe. I'm not sure Loggains fits that mold. Or Elliott. Who on our current staff is an assistant that you would say would be desirable to some degree by other SEC programs?

I am sure Beamer tries for better coaches. Never said otherwise. It was impressive that he was able to land Coley in the first place. I merely spoke to who we actually get.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Agree. A lot of dramatizing and pearl clutching going on for nothing. That would be like saying we're just going to recruit 3*s be we miss out on more 5*s than we get.

I just don't think Beamer plays the game, as evidenced by the Bobo situation. Had Beamer met AU's offer Bobo would have been his OC. Bobo told him it was $1.8M, Beamer told him to go get it. Turns out, Bobo lied and ended up at $1.3M...$100K more than he was making here. Who knows if that happened with Coley. But Beamer has been clear on wanting guys that want to be here. Coley wanted to be here...until the top program in CFB came calling. Simple as that.

Any my only point is that it seems most of the guys who want to be here are generally not wanted elsewhere.

That is not say Beamer can't build a winner in this way. Just that it's very clear we're not going to be able to attract the obvious coaching talent.

 

[18IsTheMan]

What is going to be funny is the presser to introduce the new WR coach and having to sell it as though he was the guy we wanted, even though all will know he only got the job b/c the guy we actually wanted us, left us in the lurch.

 

[Deleted11512]

Any my only point is that it seems most of the guys who want to be here are generally not wanted elsewhere.

That is not say Beamer can't build a winner in this way. Just that it's very clear we're not going to be able to attract the obvious coaching talent.

To quote Yogi Berra (maybe, possibly) - "Everyone wants to be somewhere, until they want to be somewhere else".

I was excited about Coley. But this was a big concern with him. He jumps around alot. Probably wasn't going to be a long term guy anyway. But he was highly qualified. Timing sucks.

 

[ToddFlanders]

I don't think Coley leaves for any other job except UGA. Right now UGA is the #1 staff that all coaches want to be on. It's the new Bama. I would be concerned if he jumped at this time for place like A&M (or really any other place). But UGA is the most secure staff in the country to be a part of, and all their assistants will get looks to be head coaches.

 

[Deleted11512]

I don't think Coley leaves for any other job except UGA. Right now UGA is the #1 staff that all coaches want to be on. It's the new Bama. I would be concerned if he jumped at this time for place like A&M (or really any other place). But UGA is the most secure staff in the country to be a part of, and all their assistants will get looks to be head coaches.

Agree. Smart hired him as WR coach at UGA in 2016, then promoted him to Co-OC, and promoted him again to OC. This is all Bryan McClendon's fault.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I don't think Coley leaves for any other job except UGA. Right now UGA is the #1 staff that all coaches want to be on. It's the new Bama. I would be concerned if he jumped at this time for place like A&M (or really any other place). But UGA is the most secure staff in the country to be a part of, and all their assistants will get looks to be head coaches.

I don't disagree with any of that. The psychological element is probably more impactful than anything else. Though there's no shame in losing a coach to UGA, losing a coach to a fellow SEC team who is also in your division (though I know we are going division-less) and is perceived by your fans base to be a rival can be a kick in the nuts psychologically. I don't think it would have seemed as bad if he had left for an SEC team not in our back yard. I am sure in the minds of many it just reinforces perceptions about our status in the SEC. Arguably the best hire Beamer has made, and we could only hold onto him for 6 weeks until a fellow SEC team plucked him away. Can have a sting to it.

FWIW, it's not just us. UGA just stole Ga Tech's RB coach.

 

[Deleted11512]

I don't disagree with any of that. The psychological element is probably more impactful than anything else. Though there's no shame in losing a coach to UGA, losing a coach to a fellow SEC team who is also in your division (though I know we are going division-less) and is perceived by your fans base to be a rival can be a kick in the nuts psychologically. I don't think it would have seemed as bad if he had left for an SEC team not in our back yard. I am sure in the minds of many it just reinforces perceptions about our status in the SEC. Arguably the best hire Beamer has made, and we could only hold onto him for 6 weeks until a fellow SEC team plucked him away. Can have a sting to it.

FWIW, it's not just us. UGA just stole Ga Tech's RB coach.

Wasn't their RB coach. It was their WR coach that was their #1 target to replace McClendon. When Coley became an option they bagged him and and hired the GT guy as a RB coach.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Wasn't their RB coach. It was their WR coach that was their #1 target to replace McClendon. When Coley became an option they bagged him and and hired the GT guy as a RB coach.

My bad, typo. Yes, UGA hired him as their RB coach.

The rest of my post stands on its own.

 

[will110]

I don't think losing a WR coach to UGA is anything to worry about. The only reason it's something talked about is because he was only here 6 weeks. Timing sucks, but it's not surprising or problematic that a coach would want to jump from USC to the best college program in the country, a place he'd already coached at for several years.

I mean heck, we just hired Georgia State's HEAD COACH to be our tight ends coach.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I don't think losing a WR coach to UGA is anything to worry about. The only reason it's something talked about is because he was only here 6 weeks. Timing sucks, but it's not surprising or problematic that a coach would want to jump from USC to the best college program in the country, a place he'd already coached at for several years.

I mean heck, we just hired Georgia State's HEAD COACH to be our tight ends coach.

I don't know. I think it's always surprising to lose a coach after he hadn't even memorized his office #.

To the impact on the field, probably not a huge deal. Psychologically, it's a blow though, No way around that.

 

[will110]

I don't know. I think it's always surprising to lose a coach after he hadn't even memorized his office #.

To the impact on the field, probably not a huge deal. Psychologically, it's a blow though, No way around that.

Would it be a blow if he left after this season? I just think it's overblown. I doubt most fans could even name the wide receiver coach!

If he left to go to UNC or Auburn or somewhere like that, then it might be problematic. But Georgia is Georgia, and any fan can see the draw.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Would it be a blow if he left after this season? I just think it's overblown. I doubt most fans could even name the wide receiver coach!

If he left to go to UNC or Auburn or somewhere like that, then it might be problematic. But Georgia is Georgia, and any fan can see the draw.

I think it would be far less impactful if he had left for either of those two. Agree or disagree, many in our fan base consider UGA to be our top SEC rival. UGA doesn't hold those feelings, but a large portion of our fan base does. Coley was the sharpest hire of the Beamer era by a decent margin and UGA swooped in and picked him off in 6 weeks. It definitely reinforces perceptions about our status in the conference. Has a definite "big brother, little brother" feel to it.

I know the immediate reaction to the loss of any commit or coach is to explain why it's not a loss. This definitely sends signals though.

 

[Deleted11512]

I think it would be far less impactful if he had left for either of those two. Agree or disagree, many in our fan base consider UGA to be our top SEC rival. UGA doesn't hold those feelings, but a large portion of our fan base does. Coley was the sharpest hire of the Beamer era by a decent margin and UGA swooped in and picked him off in 6 weeks. It definitely reinforces perceptions about our status in the conference.

I know the immediate reaction to the loss of any commit or coach is to explain why it's not a loss. This definitely sends signals though.

Signals that we're not on the same level as UGA? lol This wasn't your best effort.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Signals that we're not on the same level as UGA? lol This wasn't your best effort.

Your inference is not supported by the context of my post. At all. F- for reading comprehension.

I think there's a moderate approach that can be taken here. Is it a kick in the nuts? Without question. Is it cause for panic? Absolutely not.

 

[SC95]

Brian VanGorder, Spurrier's DC from December 17, 2007, through January 24, 2008, may still hold the record for job hopping.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Brian VanGorder, Spurrier's DC from December 17, 2007, through January 24, 2008, may still hold the record for job hopping.

View attachment 533608

wow, forgot about that guy.

 

[muscleknight]

For the OC hire, Beamer said in public that he had lots of coaches calling him and wanting the job. That got the fans all excited about a big name OC. They were then let down by the Loggings hire. I noticed he hasn't said anything about the level of interest from other coaches in his hires since. Maybe the interest level was not too high for our staff openings.

 

[Deleted11512]

Brian VanGorder, Spurrier's DC from December 17, 2007, through January 24, 2008, may still hold the record for job hopping.

View attachment 533608

I don't think HBC ever learned how to say his last name.

 

[Deleted11512]

For the OC hire, Beamer said in public that he had lots of coaches calling him and wanting the job. That got the fans all excited about a big name OC. They were then let down by the Loggings hire. I noticed he hasn't said anything about the level of interest from other coaches in his hires since. Maybe the interest level was not too high for our staff openings.

Seems like he learned his lesson. Best not to say anything at all, let the hire happen, then let the guy prove his worth. Telling the fanbase about all the interest in the job doesn't do any good at all, even if it's true.

I much prefer the his current strategy...we wake up one day and find out who the coach is. And we're either pleasantly surprised, or have to google his name.

 

[will110]

I think it would be far less impactful if he had left for either of those two. Agree or disagree, many in our fan base consider UGA to be our top SEC rival. UGA doesn't hold those feelings, but a large portion of our fan base does. Coley was the sharpest hire of the Beamer era by a decent margin and UGA swooped in and picked him off in 6 weeks. It definitely reinforces perceptions about our status in the conference. Has a definite "big brother, little brother" feel to it.

I know the immediate reaction to the loss of any commit or coach is to explain why it's not a loss. This definitely sends signals though.

I mean it's a loss - it always is a loss if a coach you want chooses to go elsewhere. But I don't think it's a cause for alarm.

Georgia IS far superior to South Carolina. Is this surprising to you? They've won 2 of the last 3 national championships. They're one of the top recruiting teams every year.

It has a big brother little brother feel to it because that's what it is. We got almost even with them at the end of the Spurrier era, but they've pulled light years ahead of us now.

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[18IsTheMan]

But I don't think it's a cause for alarm.

Agreed, as I said above, it's not a cause for a panic. The only thing I take away from it is a reinforcement of our standing in the league.

I suppose I take more with a benign resignation. I mean, I've been a Gamecock fan a long time, the kicks in the nuts used to hurt a lot more than they do now.

 

[will110]

Agreed, as I said above, it's not a cause for a panic. The only thing I take away from it is a reinforcement of our standing in the league.

I suppose I take more with a benign resignation. I mean, I've been a Gamecock fan a long time, the kicks in the nuts used to hurt a lot more than they do now.

Gotcha. I agree that it reinforces our standing in the league, but since I already knew our standing in the league this departure didn't come as a kick to the nuts (at least for me). I saw the news and said it is what it is and moved on.

 

[Jaykid28]

SC cant retain and hold good coaches? We held Spurrier here for over a decade. Not sure i buy your argument. Georgia has more money and prestige, simple as that.

 

[18IsTheMan]

SC cant retain and hold good coaches? We held Spurrier here for over a decade. Not sure i buy your argument. Georgia has more money and prestige, simple as that.

Spurrier was a unicorn.

He was a veteran coach, already destined for the HOF. He chose us as a project for his ego to prove that he could win anywhere...even here.

 

[Hoganman1]

I think this is the state of college football going forward. Position coaches and even some head coaches are going to come and go. Just like with players, most programs will have to start over every year. Except for a few of the top schools the majority will be fielding a completely different team every year. Building from scratch will be extremely difficult. Hind sight is always 20/20 but I believe if Spurrier had retired a couple of years earlier we would have been able to hire a better head coach. The Muschamp move was a gamble that failed. I really hope that Beamer succeeds but I fear many of the fans and the BOD won't have the patience to give him time. It took Dabo quite awhile to build Clemson. Doeren at NC State has finally built a winning culture after eleven seasons. However, most will look at Smart's "instant success" and take another gamble if Beamer doesn't start winning nine or ten games a season soon. Whatever happens I'll keep watching and pulling for the Gamecocks at least until my alma mater, Erskine, becomes a powerhouse. Full disclosure; the Flying Fleet 0-12 this past year.

 

[Jaykid28]

I have a good friend that is an UGA alum. he said that when we took Shawn Elliot on from G. Southern, it caused a ripple effect where UGA lost a coach or two from the shakeup. so this was a revenge thing between Smart and Beamer?

 

[Lurker123]

I have a good friend that is an UGA alum. he said that when we took Shawn Elliot on from G. Southern, it caused a ripple effect where UGA lost a coach or two from the shakeup. so this was a revenge thing between Smart and Beamer?

Not sure if I would buy "revenge", but could easily buy dominoe effect.

 

[Deleted11512]

I have a good friend that is an UGA alum. he said that when we took Shawn Elliot on from G. Southern, it caused a ripple effect where UGA lost a coach or two from the shakeup. so this was a revenge thing between Smart and Beamer?

I don't think so. Bobo is their OC, who has strong ties to Coley. Coley worked with Smart for 4 years at UGA, and Smart promoted him to OC, which didn't end up working out. But he obviously thought a lot of him as a WR coach. He's a highly regarded coach with ties to their HC/OC.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I have a good friend that is an UGA alum. he said that when we took Shawn Elliot on from G. Southern, it caused a ripple effect where UGA lost a coach or two from the shakeup. so this was a revenge thing between Smart and Beamer?

What coaches were lost from UGA b/c we took Elliott from Ga State? As I understand it, McClendon left UGA for Tampa Bay, opening up the WR job at UGA where Coley slid in. Not sure I see the connection to Elliott, but I could be missing something.

 

[gamecockcleo]

What coaches were lost from UGA b/c we took Elliott from Ga State? As I understand it, McClendon left UGA for Tampa Bay, opening up the WR job at UGA where Coley slid in. Not sure I see the connection to Elliott, but I could be missing something.

First off Coach Elliott was headcoach at Georgia St also he was a asst.coach at SC when Spurrier was here and eventually became interm head coach when Coach Spurrier left so he wanted to be here at SC that's the coaches we need here those who wants to be here but Beamer mess up with coach Stepp demotion or it seem like put down as to why he left no way l am buying he want to leave and coach at ILLINOIS

 

[Jaykid28]

I dont know really, that's what my friend said when i told him that UGA stole our coach

 

[Tngamecock]

I would say he wasn't on the radar at all. Just being honest, I don't know if any other SEC team aside from us would have hired him.

He wasn’t available to another team. He didn’t move his family for a reason. He knew he was coming back home one day. He reached out to us. And I will guarantee you, had he been on the market, he would’ve been snatched up by a big time program.

 

[Tngamecock]

Any my only point is that it seems most of the guys who want to be here are generally not wanted elsewhere.

That is not say Beamer can't build a winner in this way. Just that it's very clear we're not going to be able to attract the obvious coaching talent.

You always have a way of slanting things negatively in many threads, then back track. Curious. And I do like many of your posts, but there’s many doom and gloom elements in lots of your posts. This coaching thing shows we get coaches others want. So you can’t play both sides of this debate. On the one hand, you’re saying we’re getting coaches no one else wants, and then, on the other hand, we can’t keep coaches that other people want. Can’t have it both ways.