Ellis Johnson to South Carolina...

[Tomhog™]

Johnson was DC at Miss State for a while and they weren't pulling in big names.  Just like we did when he was hired, these kids will say Ellis who?  In my opinion he was a good coach but did little for swaying recruiting one way or another.  Just didn't seem to be a dynamic personality.  Probably the reason Spurrier passed on him the first time around.  Now VanGorder on the other hand has been known as a good recruiter so I'm wondering if their is anyone we can cherry pick from South Carolina now that he is gone.  I'll go check. 

It's not so much that he was a stellar recruiter, it's the fact that an undetermined DC will bring in X style of defense and philosophy.  Without that gap being filled, recruits may delay committing.

[SquidBilly]

It's not so much that he was a stellar recruiter, it's the fact that an undetermined DC will bring in X style of defense and philosophy.  Without that gap being filled, recruits may delay committing.

I don't fully agree with that though I suspect it will be a moot point because I believe we will have a DC by this weekend.  Petrino has in mind the style of defense he wants to have here so he can sell the recruits on what the defense will look like from any D-coordinator we hire.  The position coaches can then do the job of selling the recruits on their opportunities in that style.  While Petrino won't be calling defensive plays I also doubt he is going to bring in a guy who wants to run a 3-4 if he wants a guy who runs a 4-3.

[claytongray]

It's not so much that he was a stellar recruiter, it's the fact that an undetermined DC will bring in X style of defense and philosophy.  Without that gap being filled, recruits may delay committing.

Petrino will likely explain to recruits that he brought in Johnson because he favored X type of defense and that the new guy would coach a similar style.

[steelerfan4life]

just 1 more reason too break one off in THE OLE BALL COACH'S A$$

[jackflash]

I don't see this is a big lost.  Playing time is here for certain positions. We still have a defensive line, defensive backs coach here. Would like a defensive-co who would run 4-3-4, 3-4-4 or 5-2-4 fronts. Why not try and find someone with BP skills on defense. All these fronts can be sound. I would look at the NFL first, after all kids want someone they think can get them to the next level.