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Neo
08-18-2004, 09:01 PM
I am warning you now, this is going to be a long post....

I have noticed that for the last two (2) years, Lou Holtz has been in the hot seat at South Carolina. Why? This man has done more for the USC program than anyone else. South Carolina fans like to play the "Coaching Expert" role and they think they know the game better than someone that has done this job for over 20 years. Since Mr. Holtz took the job at USC, he has built a recruiting reputation, attracted more blue-chippers than you can shake a stick at, and has brought respect to this university. I am a firm believer in giving a coach the resources, respect, and time to build a program. Honestly, you cannot polish a turd in 5 years. Before Mr. Holtz took over the program, USC was a 6-5 or worse team at best but now more and more high-end talent wants to come to USC. Do you think that they would come to USC if Brad Scott was still there? NO FREAKING WAY! His name alone brings in the talent.

This man has made a living at building dynasties. Let him do his job without having to look over his shoulder or reading a nasty article about himself in The State newspaper. (www.thestate.com) USC does NOT have the traditions like Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee or Florida. It's going to take time but that time will be well spent in the long run. This university is going through early growing pains. Much like Alabama will be going through this year but Ala. always have their tradition to fall back on. A lot of people are saying that Holtz should get canned at the end of this year if USC doesn't go to a bowl. I think that if you do that, you have sealed USC's fate as a .500 team forever. If you fire a legend, who do you plan on hiring? Better yet, who will take the job?

As for Alabama, I read somewhere on here that someone said Mike Shula will kick butt this year. I would have to disagree with that comment. Mike Shula I think will succeed in Alabama (Given the proper amount of time), but it will not be this year. Probation does bite you in the butt when you don't want it to.

In closing, all I will say is watch. I think a lot of people are sleeping on USC and they are going to be better than most people expect. I would go ahead and plan for at least 2-3 upsets. See, after that Clemson debacle this past season, USC is going to come out with something to prove and nothing to lose.

Sincerely,
A Gamecock Fan Stuck In Tarheel Country.
Monroe, NC

Neo
08-18-2004, 09:03 PM
By the way, I cannot wait and see how Albert Ashcraft (Monroe H.S.) does for USC. He was a kick-butt TB in HS but I figure that Lou will have him moved to SS or something like that.

Irishrebel
08-19-2004, 12:22 PM
Delorean, let me say this for the exception of maybe vanderbilt every school in the sec gets upset at the coach if the team loses, look at cutciffe at ole miss ?/ Yeah hes made some bonehead moves over the years but really look at his record at ole miss ? Not one losing season in his time there but is that enough for most ole miss fans OH NO, some of those fans are so miopic they expect to win the sec every year (sorry bent your one of them lol) I mean look before cut took over the team was just getting off of probation had a SOB for a coach who stabbed them in the back right before the egg bowl, and really hadnt had many great years since archie left (exception of a few good years in the brewer era that eventually led to probation)

As far as lou goes, i agree with you hes one heck of a coach and a recruiter(as a nd fan i know lol)Stupid ND forced him out a few years to early in my opinion cause they werent winning 10 games anymore (omg 8-3 is so horrible,but in south bend anything sort of a nc team is a dissapointment you talk about your spoiled fans jeeeesh)All i can say is i hope most south carolina fans appreciate what lou has done to bring football back to south carolina. I think you guys will at least make a bowl this year with 6 or 7 wins.

dudeman0501
08-19-2004, 02:39 PM
Nice write-up, DeLoreanfan! Good, valid points too.

Noah.Dreams
08-19-2004, 02:58 PM
Alabama desperately needs momentum at the beginning of the season if they plan to finish with a record better than 6-5. If Ole Miss embarrasses them again this year, don't be surprised if the wheels start to come off with double digit losses to Arkansas and South Carolina.

As for Alabama fans and unrealistic expectations, almost everyone expects a 9 win season in 2004. The fans will grumble, but Shula is safe. His 5 year contract is automatically extended one year for every 7 win season. If Alabama fires him before the contract expires, Shula can expect a payout in the neighborhood of $5 million.

Date Opponent Location Time*/TV
W - Sep 4 Utah State Tuscaloosa 6:00 pm
L - Sep 11 Ole Miss Tuscaloosa 8:00 pm
W - Sep 18 Western Carolina Tuscaloosa 6:00 pm
L- Sep 25 Arkansas Fayetteville, AR TBA
W - Oct 2 South Carolina Tuscaloosa TBA
W - Oct 9 Kentucky Lexington, KY TBA
W - Oct 16 Southern Miss Tuscaloosa 2:00 pm
L- Oct 23 Tennessee Knoxville, TN TBA
W - Nov 6 Mississippi State Tuscaloosa TBA
L - Nov 13 LSU Baton Rouge, LA TBA
L - Nov 20 Auburn Tuscaloosa TBA

Neo
08-19-2004, 11:45 PM
Well Dudeman,

That's how I truly feel. I think USC is in the same boat that Virginia Tech was in a few years ago. USC and Virginia Tech both have small recruiting areas, lack of tradition, extremely tough competition, and not to mention, what's in Blacksburg, VA?

One point that I feel needs to be addressed is the fact that coaching stability has a lot to do with a successful program. Even when Mr. Frank Beamer at VT was losing on a regular basis, the AD kept saying to the fans that "This is our man, give him time." and now look at what VT is. A great Top-15 team.

The coaches sell the university to the prospect, not vice versa. Why should a recruit come to USC if they know that the coach they want to play for will be gone in five (5) years. I believe that's why Nebraska has always had the success that they had. Coaching continuity is the key. (Osborne was Devaney's asst. and Frank Solich was Osborne's asst.) That's over 30 years of experience passed from one coach to the other.
I personally have always wanted to coach some kind of football. I truly love the game for what it is and I believe there is more to coaching than just wins and losses.