If it's Paul Rhoads, what is the board's thoughts

[maroonmania]

I'm already prepared to be disappointed. I probably like Allen the best because he is an up and comer and apparently an excellent coach but is seemingly tied at the hip of Freeze. Not that we are necessarily getting info about everyone Mullen has talked to but I'm not sure why the pool beyond Allen is limited to Orgeron, Rhoads and Butler? There are a lot of good DC even outside the P5 schools that would jump at the chance to be a DC in the SEC.

[HoopsDawg]

If we hire Rhoads, we have at best the second worst DC in the West. Don't think anyone can provide me with evidence that shows otherwise. Means we aren't doing what's necessary to be the best and I would be sorely disappointed that we couldn't do better and you guys should too.

Some of us will defend anything we do. Some of us will crush anything we do. I try to stay objective and objectivity tells me 1) That we SHOULD be able to do better than Rhoads and 2), if we couldn't do better than Rhoads, we are a lot further behind in a lot of ways than we should be right now going into year 8 after our most successful 2 years in program history.

Agree with everything in this post. Having said that, I thought Wommack was going to be a bust at Ole Miss and he has done a great job.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

If we hire Rhoads, we have at best the second worst DC in the West. Don't think anyone can provide me with evidence that shows otherwise. Means we aren't doing what's necessary to be the best and I would be sorely disappointed that we couldn't do better and you guys should too.

Some of us will defend anything we do. Some of us will crush anything we do. I try to stay objective and objectivity tells me 1) That we SHOULD be able to do better than Rhoads and 2), if we couldn't do better than Rhoads, we are a lot further behind in a lot of ways than we should be right now going into year 8 after our most successful 2 years in program history.

What is your SEC West DC Rankings? Also who would you hire that would've put us in the top 3 DC in the West?

[ScottH]

What is your SEC West DC Rankings?

Having nothing to do with the thread but just for fun:
1. Aranda
2. Wommack
3. Pruitt
4. Chavis
Perceptionally a really big gap.
5. MSU
6. Steele

[msstate7]

Having nothing to do with the thread but just for fun:
1. Aranda
2. Wommack
3. Pruitt
4. Chavis
Perceptionally a really big gap.
5. MSU
6. Steele

We haven't hired a DC; but no matter who he is, he'll be much worse than your top 4.

[deltadawg99]

What type of scheme does Rhoads run?

Allen was my top guy due to the 4-2-5 scheme and his recruiting.

Rhoads has spent 1 year of his career in the south so that's a little concerning with relationships for recruiting.

[PendingTransaction]

Look Fellows, if Rhoads is the best guy Dan can get, we just have to be happy and wish for the best. Home run? I knew we would be lucky to get a dirty double.

[HSVDawg]

I don't really care if its Rhoads, Allen, or whoever else. The defense isn't going to change one iota in terms of scheme no matter who we hire. Just like it hasn't changed with any of the previous 4 coordinators. Figured most people would have realized that after 7 years of us running the same soft coverages and conservative blitz packages in spite of having 2 NFL corners in our 2-deep (which we've had 4 of the past 7 years).

[DownwardDawg]

I don't even worry about these things anymore. I'll give my thoughts about half way thru the season. No idea how he'll do at State.

[confucius say]

I don't even worry about these things anymore. I'll give my thoughts about half way thru the season. No idea how he'll do at State.

Damn objectivity and rational thought. Get out of here with that.

[Political Hack]

I don't really care if its Rhoads, Allen, or whoever else. The defense isn't going to change one iota in terms of scheme no matter who we hire. Just like it hasn't changed with any of the previous 4 coordinators. Figured most people would have realized that after 7 years of us running the same soft coverages and conservative blitz packages in spite of having 2 NFL corners in our 2-deep (which we've had 4 of the past 7 years).

Why do people say this? It changed this year significantly. We had our DBs play back every time we brought pressure. That's a Manny trait. We had never done that before. We always took away the underneath stuff on pressure plays under Collins. That's a fundamental philosophy change and I can tell you some of the guys didn't like it.

[Sacrifice]

I'm fine with Rhoads. I was reading his bio and he had some great defenses from 2000-2007 at Pittsburg, hell he was named the big east best DC in 06. At Auburn his defense fell to 27th nationally. Man I can't remember the last time we finished 27 nationally in total D. I know he sucked as a HC but that doesn't mean he's not a good DC. There's a bunch of great DC that didn't make great HCs.

[Bothrops]

I glanced at his resume and other than Auburn in 2010, I don't think he's spent much time in the south. That concerns me. Plus he's from Iowa, born not far from ISU and failed miserably as a hc there, albeit challenging place, to say the least.

A home run hire would have been Allen, no doubt. He was the motivation we needed on defense. Motivation and toughness has been absent, lately.

[AROB44]

Why do people say this? It changed this year significantly. We had our DBs play back every time we brought pressure. That's a Manny trait. We had never done that before. We always took away the underneath stuff on pressure plays under Collins. That's a fundamental philosophy change and I can tell you some of the guys didn't like it.

Just to take another shot at Mullen (which has become commonplace on this board). I will find it very amusing when we finally run off the best coach we have ever had just because we think the next one will be better. Be careful what you wish for....

[tcdog70]

Has he really had that much success?

h was named Big East's best DC in 06. And His one year at Auburn he did a good job--Held the Slytanic to 2 points. Plus he is a Yankee like Dan. Maybe he understands arrogant Yankees. Collins, Hud and Manny didn't seems to hit it off with Dan.

[msstate7]

h was named Big East's best DC in 06. And His one year at Auburn he did a good job--Held the Slytanic to 2 points. Plus he is a Yankee like Dan. Maybe he understands arrogant Yankees. Collins, Hud and Manny didn't seems to hit it off with Dan.

If he can stop woody, he's good enough for me haha

[tcdog70]

If we hire Rhoads, we have at best the second worst DC in the West. Don't think anyone can provide me with evidence that shows otherwise. Means we aren't doing what's necessary to be the best and I would be sorely disappointed that we couldn't do better and you guys should too.

Some of us will defend anything we do. Some of us will crush anything we do. I try to stay objective and objectivity tells me 1) That we SHOULD be able to do better than Rhoads and 2), if we couldn't do better than Rhoads, we are a lot further behind in a lot of ways than we should be right now going into year 8 after our most successful 2 years in program history.

Rhodes looks pretty good to Me. Why does he look worse than Manny or Collins?


In 2000, Rhoads was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Panthers by Walt Harris. In his first season, Rhoads was credited with improving the team's defense to their best performance since 1980. In 2001, his defensive unit ranked among the nation's top 30 in five different categories at season's end. Additionally, Pitt finished with 38 quarterback sacks. In 2002, the Panthers defense ranked among the nation's top 25 in an impressive seven different categories. In 2004, Pitt ranked ninth nationally with 17 interceptions and Rhoads was kept on staff by new head coach Dave Wannstedt. That decision proved wise as by then end of the 2005 season, Pitt was ranked second nationally in pass defense (yielding just 152.82 yards per game) and sixth in pass efficiency defense with a 99.36 rating. In 2006, Sporting News named Rhoads the Big East's best defensive coordinator. In 2007, Rhoads' defense was among the nation's leaders in various categories, finishing fifth nationally in total defense (allowing just 297.7 yards per games) and third nationally in pass defense (allowing just 167.3 yards per game). While the team finished 5?7, they ended on a high note by holding then-#2 ranked rival West Virginia to a season-low nine points in a 13?9 victory in the Backyard Brawl, limiting the Mountaineers high-powered offense to 183 yards (292 yards below their average).

[MetEdDawg]

Just like how we look at recruits with the offers they receive, I place a high emphasis on the places you have been. Was a HC at one time. Ok that's fine, but he was terrible there. Don't care where he was. Good coaches can at least make bad schools average. He couldn't even do that. But he was a DC for Pitt for freaking 8 years, and one year at Auburn then got promoted, and I think anyone worth their salt as a college football fan would say that was an extreme reach for Iowa State to hire him.

We should be able to command a better name than that. We don't necessarily have to get a huge player, but a hire like Rhoads means there is a significant gap between us and the elite of the West. We are going to have to throw some big money around to get a big name. $900,000 to a million should do it. I would say Orgeron >>>> Rhoads and those of you who believe the scheme and playcalling won't change no matter who we bring in should be beating on Orgeron's door to get him here if that's true.

[engie]

still championing Randy Shannon

[HancockCountyDog]

Im just ready for a hire at this point. I can't be the only one that is ready for this position to be filled. So many other SEC programs have filled their DC spot so much faster than we have, Im just ready to know who it is, get him out recruiting and have him here for this weekend.