The Silly Season Comes To College Football
posted by Scott Hood on Monday, December 17, 2007
It depends on whom you talk to, like those involved in the ongoing mating dance between Steve Spurrier and Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson.
South Carolina people will tell you no job offer has been extended to Johnson, the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State.
I can assure you from speaking at least a half-dozen times with people close to the Mississippi State program that Johnson believes otherwise.
Why the disagreement? It all depends on your definition of the word “offer.”
If you believe the word “offer” means one that specifically includes financial terms and everything else to consummate a deal, then there’s no question no offer was tendered to Johnson.
All of my sources at Mississippi State told me that the financial details between Johnson and USC still had to be worked out in order to finalize the deal.
In my opinion, that is what’s going on now.
Johnson, though, told people close to the Mississippi State program early Monday that he had received an “offer” from Spurrier over the weekend.
Was it more along the lines of an “informal” job offer? Probably.
What could have occurred is that Spurrier and Johnson agreed that he would become the new defensive coordinator for USC and that the financial details would be worked out later.
Or, Spurrier could have asked Johnson, “What would it take for you to become defensive coordinator at USC?” Johnson responded, “A, B and C.” Spurrier then said, “If I give you A, B and C, would you accept the job? Johnson said yes.
Regardless of what was actually said, all of my Miss. State sources have remained firm on one point: Johnson believes he was “offered” the job.
Moving past the word games, there’s no question talks between Spurrier and Johnson are in the serious stages. In fact, I’m been told by my sources close to Mississippi State that negotiations with Johnson are so far along that they would be “shocked” if a deal wasn’t imminent.
The hiring of Johnson as the new defensive coordinator at South Carolina may not be the “splashy” hire Steve Spurrier hoped for when his search began last week but it’s a good, solid move for the program.
Spurrier hinted last week what he was looking for – a proven coach with an excellent track record for coaching defense.
Johnson certainly possesses those qualities. He started in the coaching business in 1975 and was the head coach at The Citadel for three seasons from 2001-2003. His resume is quite impressive.
In my opinion, Johnson was attractive to Spurrier for two principal reasons: 1) his strong personal and professional ties to the Palmetto State; 2) his experience coaching in the SEC.
As some of you may know, Johnson was born and raised in Winnsboro. He played at The Citadel in the early 1970’s and soon after graduation joined the Bulldogs coaching staff.
He coached at Gaffney and Spartanburg High Schools before moving into the college ranks for good in 1982 when he rejoined The Citadel.
I’ve been told Johnson is well respected within the South Carolina high school coaching ranks and, hopefully, will improve USC’s in-state recruiting on that side of the ball.
According to the Rivals.com state rankings, 10 of the top 20 players in South Carolina are on defense. Make that 11 if you want to include USC commitment Jay Spearman, who’s listed as an “Athlete”.
Here’s the dilemma: Factoring Spearman into the equation, just 3 of those 11 players are currently committed to USC. While Clemson has only two of the 11 players, they’ve managed to snag the biggest prize: five-star recruit DE DaQuan Bowers of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School.
The Tigers also have a verbal commitment from No. 10 prospect Jonathan Willard of Loris High School. That means two of the top five defensive prospects in the Palmetto State are committed to the Tigers.
Linebacker Bruce Taylor, the No. 5 prospect in the state, has verbally committed to Virginia Tech.
In addition to improving USC’s in-state recruiting, Johnson has coached a total of 12 year in the SEC on three different occasions. He’s served two four-year stints at Alabama.
So, he’s familiar with the hyper-competitiveness of the SEC and what it takes to win on a consistent basis in the conference.
That’s a valuable resource to have when you’re a head coach.
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When is a job offer not really a job offer?
It depends on whom you talk to, like those involved in the ongoing mating dance between Steve Spurrier and Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson.
South Carolina people will tell you no job offer has been extended to Johnson, the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State.
I can assure you from speaking at least a half-dozen times with people close to the Mississippi State program that Johnson believes otherwise.
Why the disagreement? It all depends on your definition of the word “offer.”
If you believe the word “offer” means one that specifically includes financial terms and everything else to consummate a deal, then there’s no question no offer was tendered to Johnson.
All of my sources at Mississippi State told me that the financial details between Johnson and USC still had to be worked out in order to finalize the deal.
In my opinion, that is what’s going on now.
Johnson, though, told people close to the Mississippi State program early Monday that he had received an “offer” from Spurrier over the weekend.
Was it more along the lines of an “informal” job offer? Probably.
What could have occurred is that Spurrier and Johnson agreed that he would become the new defensive coordinator for USC and that the financial details would be worked out later.
Or, Spurrier could have asked Johnson, “What would it take for you to become defensive coordinator at USC?” Johnson responded, “A, B and C.” Spurrier then said, “If I give you A, B and C, would you accept the job? Johnson said yes.
Regardless of what was actually said, all of my Miss. State sources have remained firm on one point: Johnson believes he was “offered” the job.
Moving past the word games, there’s no question talks between Spurrier and Johnson are in the serious stages. In fact, I’m been told by my sources close to Mississippi State that negotiations with Johnson are so far along that they would be “shocked” if a deal wasn’t imminent.
The hiring of Johnson as the new defensive coordinator at South Carolina may not be the “splashy” hire Steve Spurrier hoped for when his search began last week but it’s a good, solid move for the program.
Spurrier hinted last week what he was looking for – a proven coach with an excellent track record for coaching defense.
Johnson certainly possesses those qualities. He started in the coaching business in 1975 and was the head coach at The Citadel for three seasons from 2001-2003. His resume is quite impressive.
In my opinion, Johnson was attractive to Spurrier for two principal reasons: 1) his strong personal and professional ties to the Palmetto State; 2) his experience coaching in the SEC.
As some of you may know, Johnson was born and raised in Winnsboro. He played at The Citadel in the early 1970’s and soon after graduation joined the Bulldogs coaching staff.
He coached at Gaffney and Spartanburg High Schools before moving into the college ranks for good in 1982 when he rejoined The Citadel.
I’ve been told Johnson is well respected within the South Carolina high school coaching ranks and, hopefully, will improve USC’s in-state recruiting on that side of the ball.
According to the Rivals.com state rankings, 10 of the top 20 players in South Carolina are on defense. Make that 11 if you want to include USC commitment Jay Spearman, who’s listed as an “Athlete”.
Here’s the dilemma: Factoring Spearman into the equation, just 3 of those 11 players are currently committed to USC. While Clemson has only two of the 11 players, they’ve managed to snag the biggest prize: five-star recruit DE DaQuan Bowers of Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School.
The Tigers also have a verbal commitment from No. 10 prospect Jonathan Willard of Loris High School. That means two of the top five defensive prospects in the Palmetto State are committed to the Tigers.
Linebacker Bruce Taylor, the No. 5 prospect in the state, has verbally committed to Virginia Tech.
In addition to improving USC’s in-state recruiting, Johnson has coached a total of 12 year in the SEC on three different occasions. He’s served two four-year stints at Alabama.
So, he’s familiar with the hyper-competitiveness of the SEC and what it takes to win on a consistent basis in the conference.
That’s a valuable resource to have when you’re a head coach.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.