Who was/is the Best Recruiter as a Head Coach in the Last 35 years?

[Rocky Mountain Living]

Who was/is the Best Recruiter as a Head Coach in the Last 35 years?

Thx

[Rocky Mountain Living]

2 hours in.....

OBS: 25 total votes cast and No votes for Bobby P .....and 1 vote cast for Nutt and 1 for Jack Crowe

[greenie]

I think that CBB is easily the best recruiter out of the last 3 or 4 head coaches we've had.  Its hard to go back as far as Holtz and really know how they would have performed in today's over-the-top courting that is often required to land big recruits. It is so much easier now to monitor the recruiting efforts of a coach and his staff. Holtz was the coach when I was in Fayetteville, and although he put together competitive teams, he was criticized for his in-state recruiting. I loved Holtz, but its hard for me to compare him as a recruiter to Bielema.

When it comes down to it, I really don't know about previous coaching staffs. The visibility into recruiting seems to have increased exponentially over the last 5 years...at least for a recruiting layman like me.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Given today's recruiting environment, it has to be BB.

[Richard_white]

My vote is Danny Ford. But that can change in the next 2-3 years.

[Rocky Mountain Living]

Technically speaking Reggie Herring was a HC of the Hogs (Interim HC).

I heard Herring had a clause in his contract that he did not have to leave Fayetteville to recruit when he was the DC.

Herring has to be the worst recruiting coach to ever coach a Hog game.   Nutty as his boss completes the story.

[Rocky Mountain Living]

Holtz was the coach when I was in Fayetteville, and although he put together competitive teams, he was criticized for his in-state recruiting.

Was it more that Lou was the type of coach that refused to "over-the-top court" recruits?   ie. In-state recruits felt not wanted because of the lack of courtship by the in-state school?

[TOM "tbw1"]

Not only was the cupboard bare when Coach Ford arrived, many of the shelves had disappeared.

[greenie]

Was it more that Lou was the type of coach that refused to "over-the-top court" recruits?   ie. In-state recruits felt not wanted because of the lack of courtship by the in-state school?

Very possibly so, but I admit that this was before I kept up with such things. I just remember when he was "encouraged to leave", that a couple of reasons cited was in-state recruiting and lack of a SWC title. That's my recollection. Others may have better knowledge.

[Sivad]

My vote is Danny Ford. But that can change in the next 2-3 years.

I concur.

[Rocky Mountain Living]

My vote is Danny Ford. But that can change in the next 2-3 years.

I went back and looked at Danny's cupboard.  My mind is open to DF > BB.

2-3 years is not a luxury you are afforded.

Either way...voting closes the 6th of July....

[Rocky Mountain Living]

Very possibly so, but I admit that this was before I kept up with such things. I just remember when he was "encouraged to leave", that a couple of reasons cited was in-state recruiting and lack of a SWC title. That's my recollection. Others may have better knowledge.

Thx. ....that is not the first time I heard that about Lou's firing

[ErieHog]

I think I give Bret a slight edge over Danny Ford-- on the following logic.

There is zero question that Danny Ford took over a moribund program and brought the talent disparities we saw in our first few years in the league into a more equitable situation.

What we didn't see, with Ford, that we do with Bielema, is recruiting and commits from seasons ahead-- we're not just getting  '15 guys-- we're getting commits for '16 and '17,  which means we'll have more flexibility to work with when it comes down to the wire,  in terms of having the foundations of future classes in place.    Can those kids decommit?  Sure-- but it is a much better place to come from, than trying to always fill a full class in the last 18 months of a year's recruiting window.

[welchog]

There was little to no recruiting past the current year 20 years ago.   

Those voting for BB are either too young to know the truth or blinded by the current ranking shiney object.

[secneahog]

Bielema. 

[tophawg19]

you can't compare because facilities , conference affiliation , money is so different today

[welchog]

Plus, haven't seen results for BB.  Definitely for DF (95 98).

[secneahog]

Plus, haven't seen results for BB.  Definitely for DF (95 98).

Bielema is competing in the Sec west. Some of the best coaches in the world.  A dynasty in bama and Florida under meyer.

Bielema has gotten recruits vs some of the best schools.

We've never competed with big time schools to get some recruits.

Look at the offers from the recruits we've closed on.

[welchog]

On the field.  Stay up please.

[bruisemeister]

Holtz was an underrated recruiter. People still hold the Keith Jackson and Eric Mitchell thing against him. However, he was responsible for guys like Gary Anderson, Billy Ray Smith, Brad Taylor, Kevin Scanlon, Richard Richardson, Bert Zinnamon, James Shibest, David Bazzell and Steve Korte. Some of his recruits made life easier for Ken Hatfield in his early years. Lou was fired in a 6-5 rebuilding year.

Ford is a close second. Before he came in, the Hogs were recruiting players that ended up at Murray State and Missouri State. We soon were battling the Nebraska's and Tennessee's of the world for recruits. It just did not translate to wins.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

My vote is Danny Ford. But that can change in the next 2-3 years.

Same here... Danny Ford left Nutt with a national championship team. We were 1 fumble away from rolling into December against Tennessee for the rematch. We hold on for that win and MSU doesn't stand a chance the next Saturday...


CBB is easily a close second, but all in all you might have to give the edge to CBB....But  IDK,  I voted with my head and not my heart..

[Marshfieldhog]

Danny Ford was a good recruiter and recruited us out of a huge hole.

[Calling All Hogs]

Holtz was an underrated recruiter. People still hold the Keith Jackson and Eric Mitchell thing against him. However, he was responsible for guys like Gary Anderson, Billy Ray Smith, Brad Taylor, Kevin Scanlon, Richard Richardson, Bret Zinnamon, James Shibest, David Bazzell and Steve Korte. Some of his recruits made life easier for Ken Hatfield in his early years. Lou was fired in a 6-5 rebuilding year.

Ford is a close second. Before he came in, the Hogs were recruiting players that ended up at Murray State and Missouri State. We soon were battling the Nebraska's and Tennessee's of the world for recruits. It just did not translate to wins.

I agree with you. However, there was a perception at the time that after the Orange Bowl in 1978 that Lou blew off recruiting in favor of doing Today Show appearances and other national gigs.

[Rzbakfromwaybak]

Holtz was an underrated recruiter. People still hold the Keith Jackson and Eric Mitchell thing against him. However, he was responsible for guys like Gary Anderson, Billy Ray Smith, Brad Taylor, Kevin Scanlon, Richard Richardson, Bret Zinnamon, James Shibest, David Bazzell and Steve Korte. Some of his recruits made life easier for Ken Hatfield in his early years. Lou was fired in a 6-5 rebuilding year.

Ford is a close second. Before he came in, the Hogs were recruiting players that ended up at Murray State and Missouri State. We soon were battling the Nebraska's and Tennessee's of the world for recruits. It just did not translate to wins.

I may be wrong, it has been many years....but I thought that Ken Hatfield was our coach who tried to recruit Keith Jackson & Eric Mitchell? 

[31to6]

Who was/is the Best Recruiter as a Head Coach in the Last 35 years?

Thx

Ford.

CBB has the potential to surpass him, but we only have 1 1/2 classes to judge him upon.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

I think I give Bret a slight edge over Danny Ford-- on the following logic.

There is zero question that Danny Ford took over a moribund program and brought the talent disparities we saw in our first few years in the league into a more equitable situation.

What we didn't see, with Ford, that we do with Bielema, is recruiting and commits from seasons ahead-- we're not just getting  '15 guys-- we're getting commits for '16 and '17,  which means we'll have more flexibility to work with when it comes down to the wire,  in terms of having the foundations of future classes in place.    Can those kids decommit?  Sure-- but it is a much better place to come from, than trying to always fill a full class in the last 18 months of a year's recruiting window.

No one saw that with any coach in the early 90's crutin' was something you heard about in February and saw in September...

[Iwastherein1969]

Danny Ford beat Alabama with zero talent, then crooted the hell out of their state and was fired a season before we took them to the woodshed in Fayetteville (1998) with many Alabama players on that team....42-6 I believe was the score, the worst beating of an ALabama team for half a century....and we had some bad hombres on defense that year...man, if we could just let Danny recruit the defense again, we'd be back in contention within 3 years

[Hoggiedawg]

CBB hasn't even been here long enough to make a judgement on.  Danny Ford.

[71832]

I may be wrong, it has been many years....but I thought that Ken Hatfield was our coach who tried to recruit Keith Jackson & Eric Mitchell?

you are right on one wrong on the other. he tried to recruit jackson but he had mitchell and pulled his schollie offer.

[Rzbakfromwaybak]

you are right on one wrong on the other. he tried to recruit jackson but he had mitchell and pulled his schollie offer.

No, I was not wrong on either.  I said that it was not Lou Holtz who was our coach that tried to sign Jackson & Mitchell....it was Ken Hatfield.  Holtz was not coach at that time.... as the post I responded to incorrectly indicated. Hatfield did try to recruit both Jackson & Mitchell. Hatfield evidently did not believe he had a firm commitment from Mitchell, that is why he finally pulled the offer.  It appeared more & more to the coaching staff that he was headed elsewhere (OU), & would end up signing with someone else on signing day.  The coaching staff evidently decided to move on, & try to use that available scholarship with someone that really wanted to be a Razorback.