I like to give Gene credit in 2 areas that we don't often think about:
1. He knew we needed a jump start when he was hired. Enter the Spread NH offense of Gus. Gene rode the spread when it was right. We did very well with it, especially under Cam. It helped attract skill player recruits and build a base. But it has a lifespan in our league and he knew this. As Kenny Rogers said, know when to hold em and know when to fold em. Gene knew when to use it and when to throw it to the curb. He knew that his chances for longterm success in the SEC were better under the philisophy we have now - Pro Style O, Van Gorder D.
2. He also is willing to let go of coaches who aren't performing (Roof and Lolley). Roof was given A mulligan. Once it was up? GONE. He makes the changes needed WHEN they are needed. This one is a very welcome tactic. Tubs proved that being too nice a guy with your assts can cost you your ass. Gene isn't making the same mistakes. Not trying to knock Tubs here and worship CGC but this is something I really had issue with.
Neither of those things (while both are true) have any impact on what I was saying.
May be the best hires ever, but when you're talking about needing the defense to improve by two touchdowns a game on average? That's a HUGE improvement. Can that happen in one year? Not sure.
Has nothing to do with the hires, the long term direction, the choices, or any of that. Only looking at next year.
The chance that the offense will continue to be the most prolific in Auburn history? Not high. The chance that the defense won't be the worst in the history of Auburn football? Pretty good. Question that nobody can answer is what the difference between the two will be.
You put a Tuberville-style defense, a Dye-style defense with a Chizik/Malzhan offense? We just won three national titles. In a row.
50 Replies
7693 Views