Mizzou fires Def. Coordinator DeMontie Cross

[jbcarol]

 Dave Matter‏Verified account @Dave_Matter 10h10 hours ago

Updated #Mizzou story: Source says Cross' firing not related to on-field performance http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/mizzou-fires-defensive-coordinator-demontie-cross/article_0caf93dc-14c9-522d-a2b5-ed72c71fe564.html ... via @stltoday

MU announced Sunday that Cross has been fired, effective immediately. Cross also coaches the team's inside linebackers.

"I am very appreciative of all that DeMontie has done for Mizzou, and am sorry that this did not work out, however, after careful evaluation, I believe it is important to make this change now," MU coach Barry Odom said in a statement released by the school Sunday evening.

Cross was not available for immediate comment.

One source close to the decision said Cross' firing has "zero to do with on-field performance." Odom essentially demoted Cross seven games into the 2016 season when he took over defensive play-calling duties and scrapped some schematic changes made under Cross' watch. This season, Cross was moved from the sideline to the press box during game days where he watched the game with staff's graduate assistants and analysts.

Cross is on the second year of a three-year contract that pays him $600,000 annually. Cross will be paid based upon the terms of his contract, MU's statement said. Under Cross' contract, should MU fire him without cause, the university owes him his remaining base salary in monthly installments through the length of his contract, which expires Feb. 28, 2019. If Cross lands another job that pays less, the school still owes him the difference between his Mizzou base salary and his new salary.

Cross, a former Tigers safety from 1994-96 who played at Hazelwood East High in St. Louis, was one of Odom's first hires when he took over as head coach after the 2015 season. Cross had spent the previous three seasons at Texas Christian University as a defensive assistant and co-coordinator.

After several strong years of defensive play in the Southeastern Conference, the Tigers allowed the most yards per game in the league last season, 479.7. With Odom calling the defense, the Tigers showed subtle progress the final five weeks of the season and won two of their final three games.

In this year's opener, with Odom calling plays on defense, the Tigers gave up 492 yards to Missouri State in a 72-43 victory. Though the defense played better in Saturday's 31-13 loss to South Carolina, the previous week's struggles were underscored by another score Saturday: North Dakota 34, Missouri State 0.

Odom, more visibly angry after Saturday's game than any previous loss during his 14-game stretch as Mizzou's head coach, said the defense played better at times against South Carolina but was hardly satisfied.

"Our margin for error is absolutely zero," Odom said Saturday. "If we don't win the turnover margin and we play horrific on special teams we're not going to win a game. Our team knows that. We turned it over three times and defensively we didn't get one. We're going to struggle when that happens."

"We're not going to give ourselves a chance to win when we play like that," Odom continued. "Every game from here on out, the challenge for us is going to be a four-quarter game. We're not ever going to be sitting around at halftime eating hotdogs. That's the league we're in. Everybody's got players on the other side that are really good. Next week, Purdue is damn good."

[jbcarol]

 Dave Matter‏Verified account @Dave_Matter 10h10 hours ago

Cross moved to the pressbox for games this year after spending 2016 on the sideline. Odom has been defensive play-caller since Week 8 2016

[jbcarol]

Gabe DeArmond‏Verified account @GabeDeArmond

FREE STORY:  DeMontie Cross out at #Mizzou —

PowerMizzou.com has been told the move was not related to on field performance of the Tiger defense.

Cross is a graduate of Mizzou and was the school's all-time leading tackler for more than a decade after his career ended.

Ryan Walters is the co-defensive coordinator, at least in title, this season. There is no word at this time whether Walters will take over the role or Odom will serve as the defensive coordinator. Cross also coached inside linebackers. It is likely Brian Odom, who coaches outside linebackers, will take over that position until Missouri replaces Cross. Director of Recruiting A.J. Ofodile could also be promoted at least temporarily to a full-time assistant's role, which would allow him to be on the road recruit. That is the move Mizzou made when Chris Wilson and then Greg Brown left the staff until permanent replacements were found.

Outside of letting Cross go, though, there has been no word of any moves.

The school said Cross will be paid "based upon the terms of his contract."

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell‏ @Michael_Carvell

Internet reacts to Mizzou firing DC DeMontie Cross 2 games into the season


Also some persons utilizing said utility:

Brandon @sleepyat830

Timing on this is really odd, especially considering Odom was calling the plays. Gotta think the heat got turned up on Barry. #Mizzou
6:41 PM - Sep 10, 2017

Tyler Davis‏ @TylerDavis93

Tyler Davis Retweeted Dave Matter

Most shocking news from this is that Mizzou actually had a defensive coordinator. Who knew?

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell‏ @Michael_Carvell

Missouri coach Barry Odom: 'Philosophical differences' were behind DC DeMontie Cross' firing

It's somewhat curious that Odom said on-the-field performance had "zero to do" with Cross' firing. (Perhaps the coach missed a chance to spot those "philosophical differences" before hiring his now-former assistant?)

No matter, this isn't a great situation for Missouri. It's never good when a coach has to move on with one fewer assistant this early in the season, but it's obvious that the Tigers' defense was a mess under Cross.

[mizzouman]

Strange in that it happened 2 games into the season, but we all saw this happening at some point.  Unfortunately, Barry Odom will not give up defense responsibilities.  That will be his downfall.