DJ Smith

[appfanjj]

We will be hard pressed to land someone who checks every box. We will definitely land someone who checks the most important boxes. That could easily be DJ Smith.

[goapps93]

Why should, or would, we take a chance on a coach who is even less qualified than the coach we just fired was when we took a chance on him? He’s only worked with 2 programs unless you count Vance High School. There are MANY better choices out there.

How can you say someone who was recruiting coordinator and co dc at a successful SEC program was less qualified than someone whose top job was as a position coach in the Sun belt?

Personally I think DJ needs a little more experience meeting and networking with coaches before taking a hc job but that was also an issue with clark

Simply in years of coaching experience. Clark wasn’t qualified either and now we’re where we are. Not sure I’m willing to take that chance again. I guess it’s all really a crap shoot anyway, but I would rather have better odds.

[RaleighApp27609]

We will be hard pressed to land someone who checks every box. We will definitely land someone who checks the most important boxes. That could easily be DJ Smith.

Can you elaborate on how he would help us win?

[moonshine]

Why should, or would, we take a chance on a coach who is even less qualified than the coach we just fired was when we took a chance on him? He’s only worked with 2 programs unless you count Vance High School. There are MANY better choices out there.

How can you say someone who was recruiting coordinator and co dc at a successful SEC program was less qualified than someone whose top job was as a position coach in the Big10?

Personally I think DJ needs a little more experience meeting and networking with coaches before taking a hc job but that was also an issue with clark

FIFY

DJ is an intriguing candidate from the App tree. He's one of my favorite all-time App players! I remember watching him his freshman year and telling my former roommate, who just so happened to be a cheese head fan, "he's going to play in the NFL!" Low and behold, the Packers drafted him, and he ended up with the green dot helmet his rookie season. DJ had the "it" factor as a player and seems to be a student of the game that could be a successful head coach quickly with the right staff. Definitely think we would see an uptick in recruiting!

[Mjohn1988]

Why should, or would, we take a chance on a coach who is even less qualified than the coach we just fired was when we took a chance on him? He’s only worked with 2 programs unless you count Vance High School. There are MANY better choices out there.

How can you say someone who was recruiting coordinator and co dc at a successful SEC program was less qualified than someone whose top job was as a position coach in the Sun belt?

Personally I think DJ needs a little more experience meeting and networking with coaches before taking a hc job but that was also an issue with clark

Simply in years of coaching experience. Clark wasn’t qualified either and now we’re where we are. Not sure I’m willing to take that chance again. I guess it’s all really a crap shoot anyway, but I would rather have better odds.

Better odds at being a predictable decent team or better odds at being a world beater? It is a crap shoot.

[goapps93]

Why should, or would, we take a chance on a coach who is even less qualified than the coach we just fired was when we took a chance on him? He’s only worked with 2 programs unless you count Vance High School. There are MANY better choices out there.

How can you say someone who was recruiting coordinator and co dc at a successful SEC program was less qualified than someone whose top job was as a position coach in the Sun belt?

Personally I think DJ needs a little more experience meeting and networking with coaches before taking a hc job but that was also an issue with clark

Simply in years of coaching experience. Clark wasn’t qualified either and now we’re where we are. Not sure I’m willing to take that chance again. I guess it’s all really a crap shoot anyway, but I would rather have better odds.

Better odds at being a predictable decent team or better odds at being a world beater? It is a crap shoot.

Either. Ha. I want improvement next year, not another losing season. A head coach, at any level, likely brings players. A co-DC, probably not. I’m fully prepared, however, for another losing season.

[AppSt94]

Why should, or would, we take a chance on a coach who is even less qualified than the coach we just fired was when we took a chance on him? He’s only worked with 2 programs unless you count Vance High School. There are MANY better choices out there.

There are likely many “better” candidates. But they have to be both interested in the job and actually take it. Don’t know the pecking order of any specific candidates, but if DG is down to his 8th best option, then the first 7 passed.

But we don’t “know” that. All of this is speculation. I’m guessing there ARE better candidates who are interested and will actually take. Many of us are antsy to get this hire done. Many, some the same people depending on who is hired, would be critical of hiring too soon if we already knew.

Absolutely it’s all speculation. We just don’t know outside of a handful of folks that have actually interviewed. And who is better is completely subjective. Some would see a Neal Brown as a home run and others will say we could do better. I know of someone that I think would be a good hire. I know that their agent has put their name in the hat. Have no idea if he has been contacted. But if his name is drawn he would have the same mixed reaction.

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that next season may be a wash so I’m taking this coaching search as an opportunity to get my liver in fighting shape.

[App91]

Why should, or would, we take a chance on a coach who is even less qualified than the coach we just fired was when we took a chance on him? He’s only worked with 2 programs unless you count Vance High School. There are MANY better choices out there.

How can you say someone who was recruiting coordinator and co dc at a successful SEC program was less qualified than someone whose top job was as a position coach in the Sun belt?

Personally I think DJ needs a little more experience meeting and networking with coaches before taking a hc job but that was also an issue with clark

Simply in years of coaching experience. Clark wasn’t qualified either and now we’re where we are. Not sure I’m willing to take that chance again. I guess it’s all really a crap shoot anyway, but I would rather have better odds.

This is what i have come to. you take a risk like this when you are on the way up and coach leaves for better pay. As far down as we are, i worry for the entire Athletic budget if we fall any further. Can't risk having it fail further. I think you have to take the safest bet (Brown) where there has been success and know that you can at least maintain current status. This has to be the floor, the ceiling may not be as high. Simply cannot afford another first time head coach to struggle like this without what SC inherited. Add navigating the new waters of CFB, Nil, transfer, etc, this has to be a safe decision. Understanding there is no guarantees, you have to hedge your bets.

[Saint3333]

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that next season may be a wash so I’m taking this coaching search as an opportunity to get my liver in fighting shape.

A year late, but welcome to the club.

[DenverOfTheEast]

Ok I will ask. How is this much different than Clark? This potential hire seems like a big risk vs hiring someone that has had HC experience at the FBS level.

Big difference -- Clark had more experiences at different levels, also called plays in a Bowl game, also had a working relationship with the AD prior to promotion.

This hire will NOT be an App graduate.

[appfanjj]

We will be hard pressed to land someone who checks every box. We will definitely land someone who checks the most important boxes. That could easily be DJ Smith.

Can you elaborate on how he would help us win?

Not advocating for him. Just think he would check a lot of the important boxes which could/should lead to putting a good product on the field. There are a couple of other names in play that I like but I am no expert nor am I an “insider”.

[Seattleapp]

This board is awesome. I’ve read multiple posts saying we need a clean break from the “App Tree”. I’ve read multiple posts saying we need not hire a head coach from an FCS team because he hasn’t won enough against good teams. I read we don’t need a head coach who couldn’t hack it in the Big 12. I’ve read we can’t blow this coaching hire because we have a standard of excellence and we are a desirable job and we don’t need to settle. And now here we are, advocating for taking the biggest chance on a dude with a very limited coaching pedigree who is
Ironically from the App family. I have no idea who the right guy is but this board is a fickle bunch. But entertaining.

[ncman071]

this hire would make me really nervous...no hc experience...not an offensive coordinator...makes no sense to me...history has shown with G5's finding an offensive coordinator who can hire the right DC has great success

[Yosef1986]

this hire would make me really nervous...no hc experience...not an offensive coordinator...makes no sense to me...history has shown with G5's finding an offensive coordinator who can hire the right DC has great success

Agree - offense is key for us. I am also for the offensive minded coach - with a hire of a good DC.

[Bigdaddyg1]

I have never understood how a coach can be classified as either offensive minded or defensive minded. Who on earth decides this? Isn’t it remotely possible for a good coach to be able to attempt to assemble a team that plays equally hard on both sides of the ball? I mean I get the general gist of the description but again I have to ask, who decides that Coach _____ is one or the other? To me this is really just a tag someone has applied who basically doesn’t know what he’s talking about and is attempting to sound like an expert. I think the Lions coach is pretty good and from what I can tell he works hard on both sides of the ball.

[311neers]

I have never understood how a coach can be classified as either offensive minded or defensive minded. Who on earth decides this? Isn’t it remotely possible for a good coach to be able to attempt to assemble a team that plays equally hard on both sides of the ball? I mean I get the general gist of the description but again I have to ask, who decides that Coach _____ is one or the other? To me this is really just a tag someone has applied who basically doesn’t know what he’s talking about and is attempting to sound like an expert. I think the Lions coach is pretty good and from what I can tell he works hard on both sides of the ball.

Ben Johnson carries that offense. And their loaded roster. Campbell is 1 bad 4th down call away from losing a game. Campbell is a good motivator though and fights for his guys!

[DomCrosetto]

this hire would make me really nervous...no hc experience...not an offensive coordinator...makes no sense to me...history has shown with G5's finding an offensive coordinator who can hire the right DC has great success

I'd like to think the opposite could work in this case. He starts as his own DC, or Co-DC, and brings in an up and coming OC who we don't know much about but proves himself quickly.

[311neers]

this hire would make me really nervous...no hc experience...not an offensive coordinator...makes no sense to me...history has shown with G5's finding an offensive coordinator who can hire the right DC has great success

I'd like to think the opposite could work in this case. He starts as his own DC, or Co-DC, and brings in an up and coming OC who we don't know much about but proves himself quickly.

I might be with you here. We need to get back to dominant defense. Haven’t had that in 5 years.

[DomCrosetto]

this hire would make me really nervous...no hc experience...not an offensive coordinator...makes no sense to me...history has shown with G5's finding an offensive coordinator who can hire the right DC has great success

I'd like to think the opposite could work in this case. He starts as his own DC, or Co-DC, and brings in an up and coming OC who we don't know much about but proves himself quickly.

I might be with you here. We need to get back to dominant defense. Haven’t had that in 5 years.

That's one of my bigger excitements with this possibility. You know the defense will be a big focus and could turn it around quickly. Plus, have to think some guys may even entertain coming back to the program with his hire.

[AppOrange]

D wins the sunbelt, just like the SEC