The Truth About Willy Robinson

[Holy City Hog]

Here is the bottom line truth about Willy Robinson – he is a position coach, not a coordinator.

In his entire 30 yr coaching career he's been a DC for a total of 4 yrs prior to Ark.  That's 2 yrs at Fresno St ('92-'93), 1 yr at Oregon St ('99), 1 yr with the 49er's ('04).  Every other coaching position was limited to the Secondary. 

In his last DC position with the 49er's their D gave up a league-high 452 pts & he was fired. The new 3-4 scheme he tried to install prior to the season was such a disaster in the pre-season it was scrapped before the 1st game.  One opposing coach said the 3-4 defense the team ran in exhibition games was the worst he had seen in more than two decades of coaching.  Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/2005/02/07/SPGG1B74M01.DTL

The last time WR ran a college defense was 10 yrs ago at Oregon St, they finished 48th in total defense. He left the next yr to coach DB's for the Steelers.

There is nothing in WR's background to suggest he's qualified to implement entire schemes & make defensive-wide calls during the game. He has no history of impacting any program, college or pro, by implementing his defensive philosophy.  Moreover he was fired from his last 3 NFL jobs (Rams '07, Saints '05, 49er's '04).  That's 3 jobs in 4 yrs.

By contrast, the guy BP initially hired, Ellis Johnson, had 11 total yrs experience as a DC, 6 of those in the SEC as DC at Bama ('97-'00) & Miss St ('04-'07). His defense at USC finished last yr ranked 13th nationally in total defense.  The yr before his arrival USC ranked 56th in total defense.

Face it, BP reached on a guy when Johnson left him in a bind.  Maybe BP was impressed with WR's NFL pedigree?  Maybe he had few options given budget & time constraints?  Whatever the case WR showed his abilities last yr but got a free pass, probably b/c BP wanted to maintain continuity on the staff but maybe more b/c it's tough to fire your DC when you're an offensive coach, call your own plays & finish the yr ranked 96th in scoring. The problems were on both sides.

Well now it's obvious the offense is just fine, so BP has the leverage to make coaching changes.  All I want to know is one good reason why Robinson should be the DC?  Circumstance brought him here . . . not experience.

[LL COOL HOG]

Because he signed a two year contract and he was a reach then.  That Article was posted when he was hired so his teams play is of no surprise to me at all.

[Wildhog]

Nothing we didn't already know.  Anyone thinking it isn't his fault is completely retarded.  And judging by my smite count lately I'd say about 3/4 of Hogville is retarded. 

[LL COOL HOG]

I think Willy is like Nutt. A Good motivator just so so when on the X and O's.

[donewithdale]

Nice research.  Now go research our defensive starters and their position rank when recruited, size, position and other programs that recruited them.  Compare that to the other SEC programs.  Our best defensive player is Malcolm Sheppard.  He was a 240 lb DE that we have moved inside, (per Rivals)3 star, ranked #62 for a DE, recruited by Southern Miss, S Carolina, E Car, UAB, UCF.   There, I have you started.  Now go look up the others and tell many how many 4 and 5 star recruits we have playing big minutes on defense.  Tell me how many of these sophomores have had to put on a bunch of weight to play their current position.

[Wildhog]

I think Willy is like Nutt. A Good motivator just so so when on the X and O's.

What has he done, whatsoever, to prove he can motivate? 

[Wildhog]

Nice research.  Now go research our defensive starters and their position rank when recruited, size, position and other programs that recruited them.  Compare that to the other SEC programs.  Our best defensive player is Malcolm Sheppard.  He was a 240 lb DE that we have moved inside, (per Rivals)3 star, ranked #62 for a DE, recruited by Southern Miss, S Carolina, E Car, UAB, UCF.   There, I have you started.  Now go look up the others and tell many how many 4 and 5 star recruits we have playing big minutes on defense.  Tell me how many of these sophomores have had to put on a bunch of weight to play their current position.

I've already done all that research.  We should be much better than we are. 

[LL COOL HOG]

What has he done, whatsoever, to prove he can motivate? 

His interviews normally get me excited. I assumed it was not just me.

[tophawg19]

i look for JOHN L SMITH  to take over .

[donewithdale]

I've already done all that research.  We should be much better than we are.

I see you avoid the facts.

2006 - 0 5 star defensive recruits, 2 4 star - Freddie Barnett and Van Stumon lol

2007 - 0 5 stars, 2 4 stars - Kareem Crowell and Jermaine Love

2008 - 0 5 stars, 1 4 star def recruit listed by Rivals - Joe Adams listed as a DB

2009 - 1 5 star, 4 4 stars - This class has to be developed and backed up by more classes.  Until that happens, you aren't going to see a good defense.

Some of you need to wake up to reality.

[Hog on the Hill]

What is John L Smith's experience as a D coordinator, and was he successful at it?

[regi]

Nice research.  Now go research our defensive starters and their position rank when recruited, size, position and other programs that recruited them.  Compare that to the other SEC programs.  Our best defensive player is Malcolm Sheppard.  He was a 240 lb DE that we have moved inside, (per Rivals)3 star, ranked #62 for a DE, recruited by Southern Miss, S Carolina, E Car, UAB, UCF.   There, I have you started.  Now go look up the others and tell many how many 4 and 5 star recruits we have playing big minutes on defense.  Tell me how many of these sophomores have had to put on a bunch of weight to play their current position.

We should be an average defense with our talent. If they were at least average we would be 2-0 right now. The talent is not Bama, but it is not Grambling State either. Petrino is an offensive genius, but he is not perfect. He did a poor job replacing Ellis Johnson and he is aware of it. I expect he will fix it soon.

[donewithdale]

What is John L Smith's experience as a D coordinator, and was he successful at it?

You should google and do some reading on him.  He built a nice rep as a DC.

[regi]

i look for JOHN L SMITH  to take over .

I do to, and if the open date was this week, it might have already happened.

[donewithdale]

We should be an average defense with our talent. If they were at least average we would be 2-0 right now. The talent is not Bama, but it is not Grambling State either. Petrino is an offensive genius, but he is not perfect. He did a poor job replacing Ellis Johnson and he is aware of it. I expect he will fix it soon.

Why should we be an avg SEC defense?  We haven't recruited SEC level recruits at many positions.  So what makes us believe we can run out a bunch of 2 and 3 star recruits and put together an average SEC defense?

[Holy City Hog]

Nice research.  Now go research our defensive starters and their position rank when recruited, size, position and other programs that recruited them.  Compare that to the other SEC programs.  Our best defensive player is Malcolm Sheppard.  He was a 240 lb DE that we have moved inside, (per Rivals)3 star, ranked #62 for a DE, recruited by Southern Miss, S Carolina, E Car, UAB, UCF.   There, I have you started.  Now go look up the others and tell many how many 4 and 5 star recruits we have playing big minutes on defense.  Tell me how many of these sophomores have had to put on a bunch of weight to play their current position.

Whatever condition Malcom Sheppared arrived in is irrelevant. Right now he's a pre-season all-Sec player & future NFL DL.  You think UGa said we don't need to block this guy - he only had 3 stars?

And the last time I checked nobody in the secondary or LB's had to "put on weight".  If your point is we got pushed around you are wrong, we did not. The DL held up fine.  It was the play of the DB's & LB's that allowed big plays, mostly because they were out of position.

Here's what I know: this defense returned 10 starters & its top 10 leading tacklers from last yr. The DC had 2 weeks to prepare for this "statement" game. The result was 52 pts all scored by the UGa offense . . . think about that, no kick returns for TD's, no Def scores, no turnovers that gave them the ball inside our redzone . . . UGa drove the ball down the field on that defense for every score.

[donewithdale]

Whatever condition Malcom Sheppared arrived in is irrelevant. Right now he's a pre-season all-Sec player & future NFL DL.  You think UGa said we don't need to block this guy - he only had 3 stars?

And the last time I checked nobody in the secondary or LB's had to "put on weight".  If your point is we got pushed around you are wrong, we did not. The DL held up fine.  It was the play of the DB's & LB's that allowed big plays, mostly because they were out of position.

Here's what I know: this defense returned 10 starters & its top 10 leading tacklers from last yr. The DC had 2 weeks to prepare for this "statement" game. The result was 52 pts all scored by the UGa offense . . . think about that, no kick returns for TD's, no Def scores, no turnovers that gave them the ball inside our redzone . . . UGa drove the ball down the field on that defense for every score.

Sheppard is a DE.  He will not be an NFL DL but we have to play him inside.  That is the point. 

Yes the defense returned the same players from last season.  And because of that, our fans dreamed that they would get dramatically bigger, faster, stronger and better.  Reality is this last recruiting class is the first one in a long time to have SEC level defensive prospects in it.

You need to go recheck our LB's when they were signed.  Be sure not to overlook some of them since they were listed as a 200 lb DB.

I get it, you are hoping that all will be well if fire a coach.  That is the easy answer fans always want to jump to. 

[NorthshoreBoar]

What has he done, whatsoever, to prove he can motivate?

the 'stache get's me motivated...wait, did I jus type that???

[Wildhog]

I see you avoid the facts.

2006 - 0 5 star defensive recruits, 2 4 star - Freddie Barnett and Van Stumon lol

2007 - 0 5 stars, 2 4 stars - Kareem Crowell and Jermaine Love

2008 - 0 5 stars, 1 4 star def recruit listed by Rivals - Joe Adams listed as a DB

2009 - 1 5 star, 4 4 stars - This class has to be developed and backed up by more classes.  Until that happens, you aren't going to see a good defense.

Some of you need to wake up to reality.

Oh, you want to go by stars/service ranking.  Okay.  These are Vanderbilt's starters' Rivals recruiting ratings:

5.2- 2 star
5.0- 2 star
5.2- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
0-
5.2- 2 star
5.3- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.0- 2 star
0
0

For a Rivals rating average of 3.08, OR a star average(since this is what you wanted to use) of 1.47.





SCORING DEFENSE
Year: 2009 Thru: 09/19/09
Rank Name Gm Points PtsGm Tds Kxp Oxp Dkxp Doxp Fg Sf Win Loss Ties Natl
Rank
1 Florida 3 22 7.33 1 1 0 0 0 5 0 3 0 0 4
2 Mississippi 2 20 10.00 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 9
3 LSU 3 35 11.67 3 3 0 0 0 4 1 3 0 0 14
4 Vanderbilt 3 38 12.67 3 2 0 0 0 6 0 1 2 0 17
5 Kentucky 2 27 13.50 3 3 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 19
6 Alabama 3 45 15.00 6 6 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 24
7 Tennessee 3 49 16.33 4 4 0 0 0 7 0 1 2 0 28
8 Mississippi St. 3 59 19.67 8 8 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 45
9 South Carolina 3 60 20.00 7 6 0 0 0 4 0 2 1 0 48
10 Auburn 3 67 22.33 8 7 0 0 0 4 0 3 0 0 59
11 Arkansas 2 62 31.00 7 6 1 0 0 4 0 1 1 0 99
12 Georgia 3 102 34.00 11 10 0 0 0 8 1 2 1 0 108


There's more to it (which I've researched), but I'm not going through that much effort because I know you won't concede defeat.  They've also played one more game than us, and against two SEC opponents.

[Holy City Hog]

Sheppard is a DE.  He will not be an NFL DL but we have to play him inside.  That is the point. 

Yes the defense returned the same players from last season.  And because of that, our fans dreamed that they would get dramatically bigger, faster, stronger and better.  Reality is this last recruiting class is the first one in a long time to have SEC level defensive prospects in it.

You need to go recheck our LB's when they were signed.  Be sure not to overlook some of them since they were listed as a 200 lb DB.

I get it, you are hoping that all will be well if fire a coach.  That is the easy answer fans always want to jump to. 

A DE is still a DL (defensive lineman) & I think he could play either DT or DE in the NFL depending on the scheme.

The only LB listed as a DB was Burton, who played S in HS. That is a common move for a player, Miami built championship D's moving HS DB's to LB's and LB's to DE's.

The point is not dramatic improvement. Marginal inprovement over last yr would do . . . this defense had made NO improvement. You don't think that responsibility falls on the defensive coach?

[jst01]

I get it, you are hoping that all will be well if fire a coach.  That is the easy answer fans always want to jump to. 

No, we are hoping we will be fine by HIRING A BETTER COACH.

how hard is it to understand?? Our DC had all that time to prepare, knowing our weaknesses, and he still didn't have a plan. It's his defense and he's the one that is responsible. He could have made some changes as the game went on to take away the middle and he didnt. hell, he didnt do anything over & over & over.

look past the "firing" and look at the fact that we want a better option.

[bigpigonthehill]

Nothing we didn't already know.  Anyone thinking it isn't his fault is completely retarded.  And judging by my smite count lately I'd say about 3/4 of Hogville is retarded.

I smitted you for complaining, you wanker. I don't think Willy Robinson has the fire to be a defensive coordinator. He is kinda like Stan Heath in that fashion. We need a mean nasty, you know what as a defensive coordinator. Nice guys finish last in the brutal SEC when it comes to defense.

[regi]

Why should we be an avg SEC defense?  We haven't recruited SEC level recruits at many positions.  So what makes us believe we can run out a bunch of 2 and 3 star recruits and put together an average SEC defense?

Look at Vandy stats. They don't give up 500 yards and 50 points a game. Willy Robinson was a mistake. Period.

[Wildhog]

I smitted you for complaining, you wanker. I don't think Willy Robinson has the fire to be a defensive coordinator. He is kinda like Stan Heath in that fashion. We need a mean nasty, you know what as a defensive coordinator. Nice guys finish last in the brutal SEC when it comes to defense.

Fair enough.

[donewithdale]

Vandy gave up 40 first downs and over 400 rushing yards to LSU and Miss St. 


Back to the topic, our DC and what he is working with.

[Wildhog]

Vandy gave up 40 first downs and over 400 rushing yards to LSU and Miss St. 


Back to the topic, our DC and what he is working with.

Vandy has given up 38 points in 3 games compared to our 62 in 2.   

Points are all that matter.

[regi]

Oh, you want to go by stars/service ranking.  Okay.  These are Vanderbilt's starters' Rivals recruiting ratings:

5.2- 2 star
5.0- 2 star
5.2- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
0-
5.2- 2 star
5.3- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.0- 2 star
0
0

For a Rivals rating average of 3.08, OR a star average(since this is what you wanted to use) of 1.47.





SCORING DEFENSE
Year: 2009 Thru: 09/19/09
Rank Name Gm Points PtsGm Tds Kxp Oxp Dkxp Doxp Fg Sf Win Loss Ties Natl
Rank
1 Florida 3 22 7.33 1 1 0 0 0 5 0 3 0 0 4
2 Mississippi 2 20 10.00 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 9
3 LSU 3 35 11.67 3 3 0 0 0 4 1 3 0 0 14
4 Vanderbilt 3 38 12.67 3 2 0 0 0 6 0 1 2 0 17
5 Kentucky 2 27 13.50 3 3 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 19
6 Alabama 3 45 15.00 6 6 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 24
7 Tennessee 3 49 16.33 4 4 0 0 0 7 0 1 2 0 28
8 Mississippi St. 3 59 19.67 8 8 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 45
9 South Carolina 3 60 20.00 7 6 0 0 0 4 0 2 1 0 48
10 Auburn 3 67 22.33 8 7 0 0 0 4 0 3 0 0 59
11 Arkansas 2 62 31.00 7 6 1 0 0 4 0 1 1 0 99
12 Georgia 3 102 34.00 11 10 0 0 0 8 1 2 1 0 108


There's more to it (which I've researched), but I'm not going through that much effort because I know you won't concede defeat.  They've also played one more game than us, and against two SEC opponents.

No? You are kidding me. Vandy has worse talent than we do? Don't use logic and reason on a message board.

[grobertson]

I think we will see Robinson return to the pressbox and Smith will manage from the field

Robinson will retain his title/position untill seasons end and be quietly replaced -- but he will be allowed to leave without the stigma of termination

[Holy City Hog]

Vandy gave up 40 first downs and over 400 rushing yards to LSU and Miss St. 


Back to the topic, our DC and what he is working with.

Fair enough. Assuming he had loads of 5-star talent, what makes you think Willy could do anything with it? 

In other words, if talent is all that matters you think any coach can call the plays?  Cause I have 10 yrs of offensive tape on Houston Nutt that says otherwise . . .

[regi]

I think we will see Robinson return to the pressbox and Smith will manage from the field

Robinson will retain his title/position untill seasons end and be quietly replaced -- but he will be allowed to leave without the stigma of termination

Fine with me. He can even keep the "tap the hat" motto. Funny, not sure AJ Green had his hat tapped all night.

[Wildhog]

False.

Vandy 0-2

Arkansas 1-1

W-L is all that matters.

Also, if Vandy was scoring 41 points a game they'd be giving up just as many as we did.

In the context of this debate, scoring defense trumps rush or pass def alone, was my point.

[jst01]

Also, if Vandy was scoring 41 points a game they'd be giving up just as many as we did.

what kind of logic is that? If there offense was better, their defense would be worse?? there is no inverse relationship between the two, you can be good at both.

[regi]

False.

Vandy 0-2

Arkansas 1-1

W-L is all that matters.

Also, if Vandy was scoring 41 points a game they'd be giving up just as many as we did.

No, if Vandy was scoring 41 a game they would be 3-0.

[hawgsav1]

I smitted you for complaining, you wanker. I don't think Willy Robinson has the fire to be a defensive coordinator. He is kinda like Stan Heath in that fashion. We need a mean nasty, you know what as a defensive coordinator. Nice guys finish last in the brutal SEC when it comes to defense.

Yes, and all of Reggie Herring's "pomp and fire" did a whole lot of good.

[regi]

No, they'd end up giving up more points.

Why? I have watched lots of Vandy's 2 SEC games. They are sound fundamental defenses, they maximize their small amount of talent. Miss St. is not scoring 42 on any non historically black college teams.

[regi]

Yes but the other team is probably going to score more if you give them the ball more. That happens in all football. Unless you completely overpower them with defense. If that was the case yes Vandy would be 2-0.

However, it's not the case. Slow paced football=less points.

Fast paced football=More points.

We ran more plays than UGA. # of plays do not matter. If you can score on a poorly prepared team in 1-2 plays, why use more?

[Wildhog]

True, but also you have to take into account the amount of plays ppg when playing with a high speed offense.

Which is why most high scoring offenses don't have "great" defensive numbers.

Comparing Arkansas to Vandy is apples to oranges at this point. Very different opponents, very different schemes.

I'm not saying we should  have a stellar D, but we should be able to stop opponents from scoring at will.  We should be able to hold on 3rd and long.   

[Wildhog]

I'm just saying, you can't compare a pro-offense that scores like we do to Vandy.

I am really not defending WR either, he needs to show me something or move on. However, I'm not gonna say that we haven't improved at all, because we have. We showed improvement as we got more experienced last year, and we will do the same thing this year.

This time last year we were struggling to stop ULM. This year it's UGA. We were up 21-10, and the defense was doing allright.

I'm just not ready to throw up my hands and cry myself to sleep over the defense yet. It's one game, and now we know what to work on. We'll see what happens against Alabama.

We were up 21-10 because THEY screwed up.  We had nothing to do with that.  At least the defensive part.  The offense we had very much to do with. 

[donewithdale]

Vandy has given up 38 points in 3 games compared to our 62 in 2.   

Points are all that matter.

Still not interested in discussing our team?  Nice derailment with the Vandy talk.

[Boarcephus]

All I know is they hung 52 on us and that is after losing Marino and Stafford.  They scored over 50 only twice last year (56 vs Central Michigan and 52 at LSU) and not once the year before.  For us to give up 52 points with a year to prepare is a joke.

[Holy City Hog]

Regardless of what you think of our talent level, I'm still waiting to hear why Willy should be the running this defense?

For reasons why he shouldn't watch last night's game & all of last season . . .

[3pigsinafountain]

I hate to see John L. Smith leave special teams, a speciality of his, where is doing such  a good job.............oh wait our special teams suck worse than the defense.

Reggie Herring didn't recruit, he didn't like to, that is why we h.ave so little talent on our defense for Willy to work with.

Willy has a lot of contacts and has been a suprisingly good recruiter.  He found our third string QB who looks to be a star  of the future, and brought Stewart and Leon on board among others

[Burt B.]

Honest question: Is Willy running his scheme or is he running the scheme BP wants him to run? Does Willy have a scheme?

[Wildhog]

Still not interested in discussing our team?  Nice derailment with the Vandy talk.

Arkansas 1st String Defense:
5.5- 3 star
5.2- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.6- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.9- 4 star
5.2- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.2- 2 star

Second String:
5.6- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.4- 2 star
5.8- 4 star
5.8- 4 star
5.6- 3 star
5.8- 3 star
5.1- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.4- 2 star
5.8- 4 star

For a Rivals rating average of 5.518, or a 3-star average for the entire D two-deep.

From Rivals:

5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 750 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team

[Holy City Hog]

Willy has a lot of contacts and has been a suprisingly good recruiter.  He found our third string QB who looks to be a star  of the future, and brought Stewart and Leon on board among others

Good point, he came up with some meaningful signees in this past class.

So maybe he's the answer at Secondary coach, which his resume would suggest, & give the defensive play calling duties to someone else.

[intoxhog]

Look at Vandy stats. They don't give up 500 yards and 50 points a game. Willy Robinson was a mistake. Period.

Bingo.

If our defence was as good as Vandy's we would be BCS bound at the end of this year.

[3pigsinafountain]

Honest question: Is Willy running his scheme or is he running the scheme BP wants him to run? Does Willy have a scheme?

Willy is running Bobby Petrino's scheme, and it is a highly technical one, just like all his other schemes.  He is as much a control freak as Lou Holtz was.  Maybe it is not a coincidence that he is the best coach we have had here since Lou.

When Ellis J. left here for SC he made several snide references to how much leeway he wasn't going to have had here.

[donewithdale]

Arkansas 1st String Defense:
5.5- 3 star
5.2- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.6- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.9- 4 star
5.2- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.2- 2 star

Second String:
5.6- 3 star
5.5- 3 star
5.4- 2 star
5.8- 4 star
5.8- 4 star
5.6- 3 star
5.8- 3 star
5.1- 2 star
5.5- 3 star
5.4- 2 star
5.8- 4 star

For a Rivals rating average of 5.518, or a 3-star average for the entire D two-deep.

From Rivals:

5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 750 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team

6 2 stars in the 2 deep.  2 star DB's trying to cover AJ Green and then Julio Jones this week. 

Your post begins to illustrate how behind we are vs our SEC competition. 

[Wildhog]

6 2 stars in the 2 deep.  2 star DB's trying to cover AJ Green and then Julio Jones this week. 

Your post begins to illustrate how behind we are vs our SEC competition. 

While we could have better talent back there, there are teams with worse talent that perform MUCH better.  I attribute that to coaching.  It's been my point all along.  I'm not trying to assert that we have a great deal of talent, but we have enough to field a serviceable defense.

[regi]

6 2 stars in the 2 deep.  2 star DB's trying to cover AJ Green and then Julio Jones this week. 

Your post begins to illustrate how behind we are vs our SEC competition. 

UGA has a defense full of 4 and 5 star all-americans and they suck. They are freakin loaded and Garcia and Mallet sliced them up like swiss cheese. Martinez is over his head. Look, we all know our talent on defense is not top shelf, but it is NOT being coached by a top shelf dc right now either. I don't no what is so hard about this.