Would Norvell recognize the importance of Defense early?

[Pork Ranger]

I like the guy but am nervous he wouldn't place the emphasis on defensive recruiting and getting the best DC he possibly could. I'd be all for him if I was confident in his ability to field a quality defense.

Whoever we get should use this recruiting class on O line and the best Defensive players you can get.  I feel like we can get by at the skill positions on O for a bit

[RebelW]

That's the only thing I worry about with him.. Coaching out West the past several years, he hasn't seen many good defenses

[online-with-swine]

Given enough money, yes.  But, the defense is a multi year build due to talent.  Sure we have some guys that can be nfl caliber, but overall talent is down.  We would need to convince a name DC to take a chance on us.  And let's be honest, they would be staking their reputation on us.

[Pork Ranger]

Given enough money, yes.  But, the defense is a multi year build due to talent.  Sure we have some guys that can be nfl caliber, but overall talent is down.  We would need to convince a name DC to take a chance on us.  And let's be honest, they would be staking their reputation on us.

I agree, a little. If we could play the second half the way we play the first, we'd be light years better.  I do think we need some more help but I do not believe the cupboard is bare.

My biggest criticism of Bielema was that I thought he didn't manage the personnel we have very good. Put Froholdt back on the D line for instance. His impact would be much greater there for the team

[Hoggie17]

Norvell's defense gives me concerns. 

[Hugo Bezdek]

If Norvell is our coach, I would expect Todd Graham to be our next DC, assuming he gets the axe at Arizona State.

[GuvHog]

Norvell's defense gives me concerns. 

Read Matt Burk's long post in the "Some New Info" thread and your fears will be alleviated.

[Pork Ranger]

Read Matt Burk's long post in the "Some New Info" thread and your fears will be alleviated.

Just read that and it's hard not to get excited about him. Could potentially be here for a career..

Still, my concern is who he brings in as DC and the emphasis he will place on that side of the ball.

[Matt Burks]

Read Matt Burk's long post in the "Some New Info" thread and your fears will be alleviated.

First, I didn't write that, someone else did. But do some actual research on Norvell and you will see what us supporters are seeing. Don't discredit his 4 years at Arizona State either. He's going to be a big time coach somewhere, I just hope it's us. As for his defense, they had a huge amount of season ending injuries early in the year, so he's playing a lot of inexperienced guys back there. So keep that in mind.

[Matt Burks]

We could also ask who Gus would bring in as a defensive coordinator as well, right? I think that's a fair question.

[Hawg Life]

If Norvell is our coach, I would expect Todd Graham to be our next DC, assuming he gets the axe at Arizona State.

I'd bet $$$$ you're right. Graham is going to get fired.

[Matt Burks]

I'd bet $$$$ you're right. Graham is going to get fired.

Is Graham a good DC?

[Tusks]

But I bet heres what Norvell understands.  To get great defensive players you have to show you can win a few games and his offense will win a few games and give him a chance to build a defense.

[online-with-swine]

With Norvell we could catch lightning a bottle.  I am willing to take a chance.

[King Kong]

I'm sure he would recognize it. I'm not sure he will completely understand it until SEC play starts

[Pork Ranger]

I wonder how what he could do with Cole Kelley?

[The Hawg Marshal]

I wonder how what he could do with Cole Kelley?

I wonder what he could do with Jerry Bohannon.

[JONAS]

With Norvell we could catch lightning a bottle.  I am willing to take a chance.

Me too.

[ipigsooie]

I wonder what he could do with Jerry Bohannon.

This. Or Noland

[Pork Ranger]

This. Or Noland

True but I'm assuming Kelley gets the nod instead of a true freshman, who knows?

[The Hawg Marshal]

True but I'm assuming Kelley gets the nod instead of a true freshman, who knows?

I love Norvell, but I agree he needs to have a good DC. But I still want him.

[Pork Ranger]

I love Norvell, but I agree he needs to have a good DC. But I still want him.

Yeah I think that's where I throw my chips too

[duckman]

Read Matt Burk's long post in the "Some New Info" thread and your fears will be alleviated.

No.... They won't.

[duckman]

I like Norvell, but if you say he is not a total gamble you are not looking at things objectively.

If we hire him I hope he is awesome.

[Pork Ranger]

I like Norvell, but if you say he is not a total gamble you are not looking at things objectively.

If we hire him I hope he is awesome.

Yeah he just needs someone to match him on the opposite side of the ball.

[online-with-swine]

I like Norvell, but if you say he is not a total gamble you are not looking at things objectively.

If we hire him I hope he is awesome.

Everyone is a gamble.  Look at CBB

[The Hawg Marshal]

Everyone is a gamble.  Look at CBB

Yep even Gus , anyone who says different is not being realistic.

[Hugo Bezdek]

Is Graham a good DC?

Hard to say. He was a HS coach longer than he was a coordinator, but he built his reputation on big turn-arounds for teams that had been really bad before he arrived. Then he moved pretty quickly from coordinator to head coach at the collegiate level. But Norvell has followed him from Tulsa to Pitt to Arizona State and its been a winning combination. I'd feel better about Graham and some of the Arizona State coaches than the group he's got at Memphis.

[Atlhogfan1]

I doubt Norvell is stupid.  The problem is how to fix it. 

[Hawg Life]

Hard to say. He was a HS coach longer than he was a coordinator, but he built his reputation on big turn-arounds for teams that had been really bad before he arrived. Then he moved pretty quickly from coordinator to head coach at the collegiate level. But Norvell has followed him from Tulsa to Pitt to Arizona State and its been a winning combination. I'd feel better about Graham and some of the Arizona State coaches than the group he's got at Memphis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Graham

Lots of familiar names on his bio.. he seems solid.

[braxhog]

Just read that and it's hard not to get excited about him. Could potentially be here for a career..

Still, my concern is who he brings in as DC and the emphasis he will place on that side of the ball.

Y'all will think I'm crazy, but I'd like to get Norvell and him keep Rhoads as his DC. We saw a glimmer of hope today with our young front 7. Add Pulley back into the mix next year and there is real potential for the defense. Agim, Marshall, Ramsey, Scoota, Greenlaw...all played a hell of a game today.

[ipigsooie]

Y'all will think I'm crazy, but I'd like to get Norvell and him keep Rhoads as his DC. We saw a glimmer of hope today with our young front 7. Add Pulley back into the mix next year and there is real potential for the defense. Agim, Marshall, Ramsey, Scoota, Greenlaw...all played a hell of a game today.

I'm not sure it's a crazy idea. It would be up to the head coach of course. 

[SooieGeneris]

I'm not sure it's a crazy idea. It would be up to the head coach of course.

We saw improvement from the DBs last year with Rhoades as their position coach, he knows the personnel and the SEC, but it might not sit well with the fans, keeping any coach from this dumpster fire.

I would rather see him than some coach who has never coordinated a defense at the Power 5 level I guess.

[ifghog]

Rhoades Is a good coach guys. He's just coaching with a terrible manager.