Jackson Free Press

Who's going to replace Jackie Sherrill as Mississippi State's football coach? The rumor mill is grinding overtime. (Speaking of rumors, word is that Sherrill agreed to retire as part of a deal to soften NCAA sanctions against MSU.) Dr. S offers some possible candidates, in no order except alphabetical:

Sylvester Croom, Green Bay Packers running backs coach
Ups: Former Alabama player and coach, NFL assistant for 17 years. Pissed at Bama for only giving him token consideration during coach search that brought Mike Shula to Tuscaloosa.
Downs: Green Bay, Wisc., or Starkville, Miss. Now that's a tough choice.

Chan Gailey, head coach, Georgia Tech
Ups: Played at Florida, has 29 years in coaching, 13 in college (won a national championship at Troy State), 16 in NFL (took Cowboys to playoffs in both seasons as head coach, but was fired because then-QB Troy Aikman threw a temper tantrum; Dallas hasn't had a winning season since he left).
Downs: Barely has winning record at Georgia Tech; communication skills with players have come under fire at times. No MSU or recent SEC ties.

Urban Meyer, head coach, Utah
Ups: One of nation's bright young coaches. Has 6-1 record in first year as Utes head coach. Has worked as assistant at some of nation's top programs including Notre Dame.
Downs: If he's successful, he won't be in Starkville wrong. No MSU or SEC ties. (To some, these are both good points.)

Tyrone Nix, defensive coordinator, Southern Miss
Ups: One of nation's brightest young assistants figures to soon be one of nation's brightest young assistants. Knows Mississippi and Southeast, already successfully recruiting in area he would have to recruit as head coach.
Downs: MSU fans and alumni are extremely biased against Nix ... because he played and is working at USM.

Randy Shannon, defensive coordinator, Miami (Fla.)
Ups: Another bright young assistant. During his time as defensive coordinator, Miami has won a national title. Also spent time as pro assistant.
Downs: No MSU ties.

Bobby Wallace, head coach, Temple
Ups: Jackson native, played and coached at MSU. Also worked at Auburn. Won three Division II national titles as head coach at North Alabama.
Downs: Going 4-7 every year is a stupedous feat at Temple, but it might not inspire confidence among MSU fans.

Previous Comments

ID

118061

Comment

Where is Rick Neuheisel's name? Or Terry Bowden? What about Mike Stoops or Mike Price? A big SEC school like Mississippi State should be able to land a proven guy.

Author

Ray

Date

2003-10-20T19:23:23-06:00

ID

118062

Comment

About the only interesting guy is Stoops and he's being paid more $$$ to be Oklahoma's defensive coordinator. The others-- be serious!

Author

Ex

Date

2003-10-20T19:29:34-06:00

ID

118063

Comment

BTW-- Of the ones on the original list, Croom, Nix, and Shannon are all interesting possibilities.

Author

Ex

Date

2003-10-20T19:32:31-06:00

ID

118064

Comment

I am not going to hold back and deny what everyone knows in the black community. The black community wants a black coach. We are tired of this mess. It makes no sense that over 50 percent of college football players are black but there are ony 4 black head coaches in Division I football. This racism has to stop and it needs to stop now. You want me to really feel like I live in the new south. Then do something new and hire a black coach!!!

Author

Fry

Date

2003-10-23T16:43:54-06:00

ID

118065

Comment

Read the story "Black Men Can't Coach?" on page 63 of Black Enterprise magazine's July 2003 issue about black coaches in the NFL and in college. Great piece. Here's a link: http://www.blackenterprise.com/ArchiveOpen.asp?Source=ArchiveTab/2003/07/0703-33.htm

Author

Nia

Date

2003-10-23T17:34:25-06:00