Trying To Understand Wolford's Decision
posted by Scott Hood, Monday, December 14, 2009
His weekly 10 to 15 minute session on Monday with the media was one of my favorite times of the week. He was smart, aggressive and brutally honest in his evaluations as he discussed both the previous game and the one upcoming.
Unfortunately for Gamecock fans, Youngstown State officials saw those same attributes, which is one reason Wolford will be introduced as YSU’s new head football coach later this week, possibly as early as Tuesday.
Until late Sunday night, I didn’t believe Wolford would go. I didn’t think the offer would be high enough at a Div. I-AA program to lure him away from a SEC program. In fact, it appears he’s going to make about the same as he did at USC.
But never underestimate a football coach’s desire to become a head coach, especially at the Div. I level. Those jobs are few and far between, even within I-AA. From Wolford’s perspective, though, the move is advantageous for two reasons:
1) It will allow him to ‘go home.’ He was born in Warren, OH and graduated from Ursuline High School in Youngstown; and
2) The YSU program is hardly chopped liver. The school won multiple I-AA national championships under Jim Tressel in the 1990’s and has a proud history and tradition of fielding competitive teams.
In the end, you can’t begrudge a coach for wanting to go home or possessing the desire to become a head coach. Remember, Ellis Johnson left Arkansas after about a month because USC afforded him and his wife the opportunity to return to the Palmetto State.
But does it still suck for USC and its legion of loyal fans? Yes. Without question, USC made progress along the offensive front in 2009 even though the statistics may not show it. The challenge now is for USC to hold onto the seven (Elliot Williams won’t be academically eligible to play) O-line commitments in place.
The cutthroat business of recruiting being what it is, don’t be surprised if rivals circle like sharks. If USC can keep the commitments intact, it should wind up being a stellar class.
I lived for three years in northeast Ohio in the mid-1980’s, so I know what Youngstown is like. It’s not a place I would want to live or raise children. But Wolford, obviously, has a different view of the matter. And don’t undervalue the input of his wife. Be assured he wouldn’t have made this move without her consent.
Several days ago, it looked like YSU was going to hire Mark Stoops away from Arizona. But then he was offered the defensive coordinator position at Florida State for $500,000 a season. He took it.
By all accounts, Wolford initially turned away YSU’s advances and even told Spurrier that he wasn’t considering making the move.
So what did Youngstown State do? Easy. They just upped the ante until Wolford couldn’t say no any longer.
Spurrier isn’t afraid to ask his assistants for suggestions on whom he should hire. If you recall, former special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski gave Spurrier the name of Craig Fitzgerald for the strength & conditioning job when Mark Smith left for Tennessee.
I’ve been told one name to watch out for is Jimmy Ray Stephens at Middle Tennessee State. Obviously, he coached there with USC quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus for three seasons, so they’ve worked together in the past. Hence, there’s as comfort level.
In addition, Stephens coached the Florida offensive line from 1993 to 2001 under Spurrier. Prior to that, he coached in the Florida high school ranks for 14 years, and still claims Central Florida as one of his recruiting areas.
The biggest obstacle to hiring Stephens? Age. He turned 55 in October. So, if Spurrier is looking for a younger coach along the lines of Wolford (mid to late 30’s), then Stephens is not his man.
The web site footballscoop.com threw out the name of Greg Adkins from Syracuse. He coached at both Georgia (1997-2000) and Tennessee (2003-2008) before leaving for Upstate New York, so he has valuable experience in the SEC.
How about John Latina, formerly of Notre Dame? Don’t count on it. He spurned Spurrier once after telling him he would come to USC and coaches who have done that to the HBC typically don’t get a second opportunity.
Is Spurrier willing to forgive and forget? If he does, Latina might have a chance, as long as he wants to move south.
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I liked Eric Wolford.
His weekly 10 to 15 minute session on Monday with the media was one of my favorite times of the week. He was smart, aggressive and brutally honest in his evaluations as he discussed both the previous game and the one upcoming.
Unfortunately for Gamecock fans, Youngstown State officials saw those same attributes, which is one reason Wolford will be introduced as YSU’s new head football coach later this week, possibly as early as Tuesday.
Until late Sunday night, I didn’t believe Wolford would go. I didn’t think the offer would be high enough at a Div. I-AA program to lure him away from a SEC program. In fact, it appears he’s going to make about the same as he did at USC.
But never underestimate a football coach’s desire to become a head coach, especially at the Div. I level. Those jobs are few and far between, even within I-AA. From Wolford’s perspective, though, the move is advantageous for two reasons:
1) It will allow him to ‘go home.’ He was born in Warren, OH and graduated from Ursuline High School in Youngstown; and
2) The YSU program is hardly chopped liver. The school won multiple I-AA national championships under Jim Tressel in the 1990’s and has a proud history and tradition of fielding competitive teams.
In the end, you can’t begrudge a coach for wanting to go home or possessing the desire to become a head coach. Remember, Ellis Johnson left Arkansas after about a month because USC afforded him and his wife the opportunity to return to the Palmetto State.
But does it still suck for USC and its legion of loyal fans? Yes. Without question, USC made progress along the offensive front in 2009 even though the statistics may not show it. The challenge now is for USC to hold onto the seven (Elliot Williams won’t be academically eligible to play) O-line commitments in place.
The cutthroat business of recruiting being what it is, don’t be surprised if rivals circle like sharks. If USC can keep the commitments intact, it should wind up being a stellar class.
I lived for three years in northeast Ohio in the mid-1980’s, so I know what Youngstown is like. It’s not a place I would want to live or raise children. But Wolford, obviously, has a different view of the matter. And don’t undervalue the input of his wife. Be assured he wouldn’t have made this move without her consent.
Several days ago, it looked like YSU was going to hire Mark Stoops away from Arizona. But then he was offered the defensive coordinator position at Florida State for $500,000 a season. He took it.
By all accounts, Wolford initially turned away YSU’s advances and even told Spurrier that he wasn’t considering making the move.
So what did Youngstown State do? Easy. They just upped the ante until Wolford couldn’t say no any longer.
Spurrier isn’t afraid to ask his assistants for suggestions on whom he should hire. If you recall, former special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski gave Spurrier the name of Craig Fitzgerald for the strength & conditioning job when Mark Smith left for Tennessee.
I’ve been told one name to watch out for is Jimmy Ray Stephens at Middle Tennessee State. Obviously, he coached there with USC quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus for three seasons, so they’ve worked together in the past. Hence, there’s as comfort level.
In addition, Stephens coached the Florida offensive line from 1993 to 2001 under Spurrier. Prior to that, he coached in the Florida high school ranks for 14 years, and still claims Central Florida as one of his recruiting areas.
The biggest obstacle to hiring Stephens? Age. He turned 55 in October. So, if Spurrier is looking for a younger coach along the lines of Wolford (mid to late 30’s), then Stephens is not his man.
The web site footballscoop.com threw out the name of Greg Adkins from Syracuse. He coached at both Georgia (1997-2000) and Tennessee (2003-2008) before leaving for Upstate New York, so he has valuable experience in the SEC.
How about John Latina, formerly of Notre Dame? Don’t count on it. He spurned Spurrier once after telling him he would come to USC and coaches who have done that to the HBC typically don’t get a second opportunity.
Is Spurrier willing to forgive and forget? If he does, Latina might have a chance, as long as he wants to move south.
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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 @.