DCC - Charles Kelly Appears to be Auburn's next DC
Sam said this morning a week ago all signs were Pruitt would be either Bama or Auburn's DC. And Bush Sr told him it would be Auburn a few days ago. Now it appears that option is off the table. Sam also said the past few days the opinion from "sources down south" has turned on him realistically coming north (a week ago no way, now it could happen)
Less leverage and options for Pruitt now. I assume OSU is not an option due to Fickell being there and being a co-DC so it might be down to UM v Bama as other options close off. Heard elsewhere (I think Wiltfong radio interview) that Saban had some friction with Pruitt in past - friction seems to be a Pruitt thing.
http://auburn.247sports.com/Bolt/All-signs-point-to-Kelly-as-Auburns-ne…
All signs point to Charles Kelly being named Auburn’s defensive coordinator, perhaps as early as today. Though there is no final confirmation, numerous sources say that’s where Auburn’s search for a replacement for Will Muschamp is headed.
Kelly, an Auburn defensive back from 1986-89, is in his third season at Florida State and second as defensive coordinator.
Kelly, a graduate assistant on Auburn’s 11-0 1993 team, moved to Florida State after seven years as a special teams and defensive backs coach at Georgia Tech. He was elevated to interim defensive coordinator in the sixth game of the 2012 season when the Yellow Jackets had a 2-4 record. After taking over as defensive coordinator, Kelly helped Georgia Tech go 5-3, including a Hyundai Sun Bowl victory over USC. Kelly’s defense limited the high-powered Trojan offense to 205 yards and seven points in the bowl win.
It is uncertain if a final agreement has been reached, but if Kelly takes the job, he is expected to be among the most highly paid defensive coordinators in college football.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^
This guy (Pruitt) seems PERFECT for Harbaugh. Someone that speaks his mind, gets a little fiesty, but gets results. Yes please.... oh and bring those recruits with you too.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:10 PM ^
To be a fly on the wall of those coaching meetings......
Pruitt reminds me of what I imagine Harbaugh would have been if he was 10 years younger and less mature and on the defensive side of the ball.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:16 PM ^
This mature Jim Harbaugh seems so measured and easy going in his middle years...
December 10th, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^
Well supposedly he has mellowed a bit - i.e. the Schwartz and Carroll stuff is not happening now. You can mature withhout losing intensity.
It sounds like Pruitt is not at that stage which is why I compared him to a Harbaugh of 10 - or heck 5 years ago.
Wiltfong did an interview this morning on Pruitt and he sounds like he is Durkin on hyperdrive...he wants perfection and when he doesn't get it, he can go awry. Sound like someone we know?? Just needs to learn to channel it better I guess.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:50 PM ^
That demand for perfection is apparently met with a lot of loyatly from his players, as far as I have heard.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
I keep forgetting about this BIG issue... he just seems so great for Harbaugh. However, if one of the DB coaches were moving on for a raise, get the man.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:08 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 10th, 2015 at 2:09 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
Didn't Shafer just take that job at Maryland?
December 10th, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^
He coached linebackers in 2009-2010... I could easily see him move to LB coach with Zordich and Pruitt working with the DB's. It would also make Jackson a more appealing DC hire in the future given he'd have extensive experience coaching multiple positions.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:10 PM ^
Don't expect any different outcome than the last few going up against Saban.
In particular, Dashawn Hand ; Dee Hart, and Jerry World
December 10th, 2015 at 2:13 PM ^
My question with that is if AL wanted him it would have happened by now I would think. Or if Pruitt's agent was playing Bama v Auburn it should happen very soon I would think to Bama as that game is over now. Who really knows what crap goes on behind the scenes but the Bama job on paper is the "no brainer" based on his history there so when a no brainer doesn't happen quickly you wonder what else is going on.
Again it could just be hhis agent playing the long game and trying to get the "Les Miles bump" that happens when a guy is involved in UM coaching rumors but Pruitt already made $1.3M last year so not like he is going to get an immense raise.
Can't wait for John Bacon's book on the subject.
December 10th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^
This says he gets $2.6M for the next two seasons from UGA if they let hmi go. That amount would be reduced by his salary at another school.
https://www.dawgnation.com/football/team-news/how-much-money-uga-owes-r…
This leads to some interesting questions. Would he make an agreement in principle with another school, but hold off making an announcement unti he was officially let go by UGA? Is he set on getting a raise or is he more interested in other consideratons? He could take $800K here and have the rest go towards a top position coach he wanted.
Presumably his potential raise is relatively small compared to his guarantee. Is Michigan interested in a bidding war at that level? No one else on staff, or other DC candidates command anywhere near that kind of $$.
Would UGA prefer him to leave the SEC? They could offer him a more favorable settlement if he did.
December 10th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^
DC under saban may not appeal to someone with their sights set on HC positions. Whereas DC under Harbaugh is much more independent and may be a better launching point for a HC career - See Durkin.
December 10th, 2015 at 4:36 PM ^
Kirby Smart just left AL's DC position to be GA's HC.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
If Kelly leaves FSU does that position interest Pruitt at all? Or does he not want to go back there?
December 10th, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^
That would be an akward conversation....
"uhhhh, Jimbo... Jeremy here. Uhh yeah,... that Jeremy...."
He basically left FSU after 1 year to make a lateral move. Going hat in hand back to Jimbo doesn't seem "Pruitt-ish". And who knows what Jimbo's view on him is due to that move. But desperation can make strange bedfellows I guess.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 4:11 PM ^
I see it as a homerun hire for 1 year. Next year if the defense is equally, or likely, more dominant and the team wins 10+ games...he gone for an HC gig following that. I suppose it's worth it anyway though under that scenario.
December 10th, 2015 at 4:56 PM ^
If that 1 year ends up with Ws over OSU and MSU on the road with a national title opportunity, it's FUCKING WORTH IT!
December 10th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
Anything stopping Pruitt from going back to FSU now?
December 10th, 2015 at 2:13 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^
Pride, ego, whatever reason he left in the first place.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^
I would take Pruitt in a heartbeat, but it does open up questions about who will coach the LBs. I'm assuming thats why Lance Anderson is option A and then Pruitt.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:15 PM ^
Somehwat unrelated: Does anybody know why exactly search firms are contracted so often in coaching searches? It's not like they're digging up excellent candidates that no one has heard of previously. The teams end up hiring a coach from another major program almost every time.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
would be my guess. The search firm is probably used to dig up any dirt on potential candidates that isn't known publically. Does he cheat on his wife/taxes, drink a lot, stuff like that.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^
a search firm is more free to make "anonymous" or hypothetical inquiries to gauge a candidate's interest, without making it publicly known that a particular school is considering that candidate.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^
Sarkasian. Hope they gave a refund...
December 10th, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^
And that's why I think they'll pay the man his money now that he's filed a civil suit. They must have had prior knowledge of his drinking habits.
December 10th, 2015 at 6:10 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^
I don't think they used one, don't think they had much of a search at all, just went with the other Lane Kiffen.
December 10th, 2015 at 4:11 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
I'm more curious as to how this impacts Bush Jr., if any. He has a top 3 going into decision day next week of UM, FSU, and Auburn.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
Interesting point. Bush Sr dad mentioned to Webb this week that he'd like to know what system the team will play and how the linebackers will react and until this report FSU was the only one of Bush's 4 finalist to have a DC to answer that firmly. Now neither FSU or UM will have one. Woo Hoo?
December 10th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
Sam said he was told Pruitt would take the Michigan job if offered, though this was just an opinion from a close observer of the situation and not something Pruitt stated himself.
December 10th, 2015 at 3:20 PM ^
The "close observer" is Chad Simmons. Say what you will about Simmons... he's not known for bullshit. If he said it, it was true when he learned it.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
If it is Pruitt, are there any high caliber names (aside from Hardman) we may suddenly find ourselves in the mix for?
December 10th, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^
Sam said forget Hardman - he was not a fan of the weather. I hadnt heard that until today, thought it was just an issue with Camp. Caller asked specifically that question and Webb just snickered for 20 seconds and said something to effect "unless Pruitt can change the weather for 7 months a year, I wouldn't count on Hardman."
December 10th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 3:00 PM ^
1st off the last game of the season is in late Nov. and the weather usually is not that awful yet and if you make it in the NFL, over half the teams are in cold weather cities anyway so you better get used to it and man up.
December 10th, 2015 at 3:07 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 10th, 2015 at 3:31 PM ^
I don't know, that's kinda like saying 'well youre going to jail in 30 days, might as well just go now.' Plus Peyton has had a nice career even though he can't play in the cold.
December 10th, 2015 at 3:39 PM ^
Ironically asked by a guy who lives in the city with the best weather in the world. :)
As others have said if you can avoid that weather for 4 extra years all other things being equal why not. Especially if dude grows up in FL, TX, southern CA, LA, AL etc...its going to be a shock to the system. And yes it is not just the games, it walking to class in 7 degrees in early February. If the cold just extended to games I get the argument but its essentially your life from Nov - Mar.
I don't blame these guys at all - until someone does an empirical study that shows guys playing at OSU UM ND WI MN play better at the next level than guys who play at USC AL GA UF FSU there is no logical reasoning other than "get used to it 4 years earlier" - which is not a valid argument. I can get "used to it" at age 23 just the same as 18.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 2:21 PM ^
I think Mattison could help out with the LB's and groom Partridge.
December 10th, 2015 at 2:29 PM ^
You'd still need to let a coach go if you want Partridge to be hired.
And I dont want to lose Fisch at this point as guy is everywhere recruiting and kids seem to react well to him. Mattison too. Seem to be our top 2 recruiters along with Wheatley.
December 10th, 2015 at 3:25 PM ^
December 10th, 2015 at 3:43 PM ^
I assume he will be here 1-2 more years. He will be 67 next year. You really need to find an ace recruiter in that time though that will stick around long term (not a 1 or 2 year DC) as Mattison is someone the young folk really react to well; a lot of these recruits talk him up big time. So as you phase him out we need a long(er) term option to phase in as these recruiting cycles are now sometimes 24+ months.