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.

[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]

That offense did produce a very high draft pick in McDole

Michael Haddix as well

[tcdog70]

Michael Haddix as well

Kent Hull?

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[tcdog70]

We had Bruce Arians on staff twice.

Fun memory of sitting with Bruce and Emory and drinking whisky

[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.

[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