How did we miss on Jerry Rice?

[Matt3467]

I understand recruiting not being what it was today but the guy was right in our backyard and wanted to come to State. Anyone know more of how that happened? It's crazy when you think of some of the players MS has produced like yet they went under the radar.

[redstickdawg]

We had Emory Bellard inventor of the Wishbone as HC, we ran the ball even on 3rd and long.

[msu15]

Hiring Bellard over Bobby Collins was a decision that could've set MSU even further back than just the 80's did had our President not hired Jackie himself. Regardless of how much fun 1980 was, it was a monumental mistake.

[Matt3467]

Hiring Bellard over Bobby Collins was a decision that could've set MSU even further back than just the 80's did had our President not hired Jackie himself. Regardless of how much fun 1980 was, it was a monumental mistake.

I didn't think Collins was an option at the time until we chose Jackie over him in '90.

[99jc]

When Jerry was a senior at Moor high in Oktoc he was 5'9"-5'10". he grew 5 " by the time he was a freshman at Valley. Archie Cooley. ran the "Satellite Express" offense and the rest is history. A lot of people don't know jerry had an identical twin brother, but he was deaf and didn't play ball. When they stood side by side you couldn't tell them apart. imagine the 2 of them playing on the same team.

[basedog]

Hiring Bellard over Bobby Collins was a decision that could've set MSU even further back than just the 80's did had our President not hired Jackie himself. Regardless of how much fun 1980 was, it was a monumental mistake.

You are so correct! When Collins was at Usm back in the mid to late 70's, he had a radio interview every Thursday morning that lasted about 10 minutes. I used to listen to him and realized he was very smart and knew football! He would have killed it at Msu back then and yes, no telling how good we could have been. He had some really talented well coached teams at Usm.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

We passed on Steve Spurrier as well.

[Maverick91]

This thread is really depressing but interesting history. Thank you!

[Leeshouldveflanked]

This thread is really depressing but interesting history. Thank you!
We had Bruce Arians on staff twice.

[viverlibre]

Up until JWS, MSU football couldn't get out of it's on way. Jackie showed us we could could win big. Obviously simpleton tried to pull us back to our "rightful" place by hiring and then extending Croom, but thankfully Doc was in place to send him packing.

[Ezsoil]

We had Emory Bellard inventor of the Wishbone as HC, we ran the ball even on 3rd and long.

That offense did produce a very high draft pick in McDole

[Coach34]

Didnt hire Spurrier so he went to Duke and the rest is history
Hired Bob Boyd in basketball from the West Coast. Boyd recruited over the phone while at State
Didn't even interview Rollie Massimino when he inquired about our basketball job.
Hired Croom over Jimbo Fisher
Simpleton was going to hire Bobby Wallace over Jackie Sherrill until Dr Z stepped in and said no you arent.
Simpleton almost hired Dwayne Reboul over Stands as well but was told no you're not on that.
And of course Simpleton was going to hire Raffo over Cohen but Fogelsong fired him before he could.

The disfunction of our athletic department is mind blowing

[Coach34]

That offense did produce a very high draft pick in McDole

Michael Haddix as well

[redstickdawg]

Didnt hire Spurrier so he went to Duke and the rest is history
Hired Bob Boyd in basketball from the West Coast. Boyd recruited over the phone while at State
Didn't even interview Rollie Massimino when he inquired about our basketball job.
Hired Croom over Jimbo Fisher
Simpleton was going to hire Bobby Wallace over Jackie Sherrill until Dr Z stepped in and said no you arent.
Simpleton almost hired Dwayne Reboul over Stands as well but was told no you're not on that.
And of course Simpleton was going to hire Raffo over Cohen but Fogelsong fired him before he could.

The disfunction of our athletic department is mind blowing

Prime examples of why we must have an outsider as our next AD, no more internal hires as our Ath Dept is far too internally focused. We need another Ninja

[StarkVegasSteve]

Prime examples of why we must have an outsider as our next AD, no more internal hires as our Ath Dept is far too internally focused. We need another Ninja

Except for the small tidbit that the Ninja was an internal hire.

[Bothrops]

Because we're stupid

[redstickdawg]

Except for the small tidbit that the Ninja was an internal hire.

definitely not an homegrown internal hire and that was the point. He was not Templeton and that is the simple point - Cohen and loafers were totally homegrown as well much in the Templeton mold. Most folks were not happy as things digressed with them in charge.

[tcdog70]

We had Bruce Arians on staff twice.

Fun memory of sitting with Bruce and Emory and drinking whisky

[tcdog70]

Michael Haddix as well

Kent Hull?

[tcdog70]

When Jerry was a senior at Moor high in Oktoc he was 5'9"-5'10". he grew 5 " by the time he was a freshman at Valley. Archie Cooley. ran the "Satellite Express" offense and the rest is history. A lot of people don't know jerry had an identical twin brother, but he was deaf and didn't play ball. When they stood side by side you couldn't tell them apart. imagine the 2 of them playing on the same team.

Right-I reffed several Moor high games with Rice—He wasn’t really SEC quality then. A late bloomer

[tcdog70]

I didn't think Collins was an option at the time until we chose Jackie over him in '90.

Collins got the Death Penalty for SMU

[Really Clark?]

definitely not an homegrown internal hire and that was the point. He was not Templeton and that is the simple point - Cohen and loafers were totally homegrown as well much in the Templeton mold. Most folks were not happy as things digressed with them in charge.

The only difference between Byrne and Stricklin was that Stricklin graduated here and started off in media department. After that neither we're home grown in the athletic department world. Spent a decade plus at other schools. They both learned a lot elsewhere (especially at Kentucky). Mitch Burnheart has trained and developed several AD's.

[tcdog70]

You are so correct! When Collins was at Usm back in the mid to late 70's, he had a radio interview every Thursday morning that lasted about 10 minutes. I used to listen to him and realized he was very smart and knew football! He would have killed it at Msu back then and yes, no telling how good we could have been. He had some really talented well coached teams at Usm.

Remember at that time there was a limit on PROP players in the SEC?USM didn?t have a limit and loaded up on them.

[Really Clark?]

Remember at that time there was a limit on PROP players in the SEC?USM didn?t have a limit and loaded up on them.

They did do that but that didn't start until 1986. Collins had already left.

[parabrave]

Remember at that time there was a limit on PROP players in the SEC?USM didn?t have a limit and loaded up on them.

Bobby also signed players that other teams overlooked, Reggie Collier. He also hit Florida and Bama hard for players. Plus he had dam good asst coaches.

[CaptainObvious]

And now half the rosters across the country would be Prop 48 enrollees.

[basedog]

Collins got the Death Penalty for SMU

SMU was like Auburn is today, control by alumni rich folks. Yes, Collins knew players were bough but he had very little to nothing with that process. Henry Lee Parker was the lead in the athletic department.

[Maroonthirteen]

That's good stuff 99 and tc. I enjoy hearing all those old stories.

Also slightly OT but remember Clarence Weatherspoon? He played for Motley. I saw him play Caldwell. He sat in the bleachers studying English during the girls game. Then proceeded to dominate later in the boys game. I never understood why he went to USM instead of MSU.

[Goldendawg]

How did we miss on Brett Favre? We could have an even newer, better volleyball facility!****

[parabrave]

How did we miss on Brett Favre? We could have an even newer, better volleyball facility!****

Too much of a wild man. Plus he wanted to throw the ball not run it.