Why so long for a DC selection?

[myownwords]

Is Rocky waiting to name his new DC because he's on a bowl team and is waiting to finish its season? If not that, then why not make the selection now? Sooner is better. If he's actually going to hire a DC wouldn't he have been interviewing a month or two ago? With all the leaks that occur in college football, it's hard to believe that one or two candidates' names wouldn't have slipped out by now. All of this makes me nervous that he sees his double duty as adequate. That is not good in my opinion.

[aztecnole]

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[The Aztec Panther]

Jan 1, 2012 9:02:06 GMT -8 myownwords said:

Is Rocky waiting to name his new DC because he's on a bowl team and is waiting to finish its season? If not that, then why not make the selection now? Sooner is better. If he's actually going to hire a DC wouldn't he have been interviewing a month or two ago? With all the leaks that occur in college football, it's hard to believe that one or two candidates' names wouldn't have slipped out by now. All of this makes me nervous that he sees his double duty as adequate. That is not good in my opinion.

A month or two ago Rocky was a bit busy handling TWO full time jobs. I don't see how it would have been possible to do any interviewing under those circumstances. Espcially if the candidate was also working as a coach at the time.

I don't expect a DC to be hired until mid January at the earliest.

[myownwords]

Jan 1, 2012 9:14:56 GMT -8 The Aztec Panther said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:02:06 GMT -8 myownwords said:

Is Rocky waiting to name his new DC because he's on a bowl team and is waiting to finish its season? If not that, then why not make the selection now? Sooner is better. If he's actually going to hire a DC wouldn't he have been interviewing a month or two ago? With all the leaks that occur in college football, it's hard to believe that one or two candidates' names wouldn't have slipped out by now. All of this makes me nervous that he sees his double duty as adequate. That is not good in my opinion.

A month or two ago Rocky was a bit busy handling TWO full time jobs. I don't see how it would have been possible to do any interviewing under those circumstances. Espcially if the candidate was also working as a coach at the time.

I don't expect a DC to be hired until mid January at the earliest.

But certainly he'd know several candidates and ---unless this is tampering---would've had some "friendly" conversations with those men over the past 6 months. Why not? He wasn't too busy to have a phone call or two or three. In fact, I would hope that one or more candidates would have called HIM.
Every day that we are without a DC, we are also missing a potential recruiter AND showing recruits we're "drifting" on this issue. Other schools, also preparing for bowl games seemed to "find time" to hire head coaches during this stress-filled part of the year. And they in turn have hired entire crews.

[The Aztec Panther]

Jan 1, 2012 9:24:29 GMT -8 myownwords said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:14:56 GMT -8 The Aztec Panther said:

A month or two ago Rocky was a bit busy handling TWO full time jobs. I don't see how it would have been possible to do any interviewing under those circumstances. Espcially if the candidate was also working as a coach at the time.

I don't expect a DC to be hired until mid January at the earliest.

But certainly he'd know several candidates and ---unless this is tampering---would've had some "friendly" conversations with those men over the past 6 months. Why not? He wasn't too busy to have a phone call or two or three. In fact, I would hope that one or more candidates would have called HIM.

Look at how a lot of people have complained that Rocky didn't have enough time to work his DC job while being HC. I honestly don't think he had the time to spend an hour on the phone with each candidate for informal, friendly interviews.

Besides, most of these guys have been busy, too. Their free time likely hasn't come up with any available time for Rocky. Football coaches at this level are incredibly busy, working 12+ hour days.

Give it time. Rocky didn't have any until after the Bowl game.

[Deleted]

Wait is it confirmed that we will hire a DC?

[rolf tomato]

Rocky has already said he wants a D.C. that really understands the 3-3-5 scheme. And since there really isn't anyone else beside himself, that means it's slim pickens as far as D.C.'s are concerned. He mentioned a few names of people that have worked with him in the past, although I forgot who. (B. Mendenhall may have been one). He also said if one of the guys on his present staff gets the hang of it to his liking, he'd make him the D.C..

[AztecWilliam]

I have no doubt that Rocky has several people in mind to become the Aztec DC. Some of the best may be with teams that have yet to play their bowl games. Also, with a number of schools having fired their HCs, it may take a while to sort through all the possibilities.

Here's another factor. Will it be possible to hire someone who is currently a DC or who has served as such in the past? If you are a DC for a Big-10 or SEC school, would SDSU seem like a step up for you? I would like to say "yes" to that but wonder whether that is being realistic.

So, it may be necessary to hire someone who has been a defensive position coach but not a coordinator. If this were USC or Michigan or LSU, lots of men who are now DCs would want to talk with Rocky about this opening. We are, of course, SDSU.

AzWm

[myownwords]

Jan 1, 2012 9:29:03 GMT -8 The Aztec Panther said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:24:29 GMT -8 myownwords said:

But certainly he'd know several candidates and ---unless this is tampering---would've had some "friendly" conversations with those men over the past 6 months. Why not? He wasn't too busy to have a phone call or two or three. In fact, I would hope that one or more candidates would have called HIM.

Look at how a lot of people have complained that Rocky didn't have enough time to work his DC job while being HC. I honestly don't think he had the time to spend an hour on the phone with each candidate for informal, friendly interviews.

Besides, most of these guys have been busy, too. Their free time likely hasn't come up with any available time for Rocky. Football coaches at this level are incredibly busy, working 12+ hour days.

Give it time. Rocky didn't have any until after the Bowl game.

I may be overly concerned. But he's had the entire year to think about this and as far as I know he has not mentioned once that he intended to hire a DC. Okay, he was "testing/evaluating" his current staff, but after the bowl he's spoken with the media and not addressed this. I think your point of view certainly has merit, but I know some very busy people in the business world and they MAKE time for important decisions. But then, it's not clear that Rocky feels that this is important. He may feel that he's perfectly capable of continuing as is. And since he's been silent on this issue, that may very well be his decision. He's already made it.

[myownwords]

Jan 1, 2012 9:35:18 GMT -8 AztecWilliam said:

I have no doubt that Rocky has several people in mind to become the Aztec DC. Some of the best may be with teams that have yet to play their bowl games. Also, with a number of schools having fired their HCs, it may take a while to sort through all the possibilities.

Here's another factor. Will it be possible to hire someone who is currently a DC or who has served as such in the past? If you are a DC for a Big-10 or SEC school, would SDSU seem like a step up for you? I would like to say "yes" to that but wonder whether that is being realistic.

So, it may be necessary to hire someone who has been a defensive position coach but not a coordinator. If this were USC or Michigan or LSU, lots of men who are now DCs would want to talk with Rocky about this opening. We are, of course, SDSU.

AzWm

By inference, we could say---as has another poster---that it would be easier/better to find a great HC and put Rocky in as DC.

[The Aztec Panther]

Jan 1, 2012 9:43:34 GMT -8 myownwords said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:35:18 GMT -8 AztecWilliam said:

I have no doubt that Rocky has several people in mind to become the Aztec DC. Some of the best may be with teams that have yet to play their bowl games. Also, with a number of schools having fired their HCs, it may take a while to sort through all the possibilities.

Here's another factor. Will it be possible to hire someone who is currently a DC or who has served as such in the past? If you are a DC for a Big-10 or SEC school, would SDSU seem like a step up for you? I would like to say "yes" to that but wonder whether that is being realistic.

So, it may be necessary to hire someone who has been a defensive position coach but not a coordinator. If this were USC or Michigan or LSU, lots of men who are now DCs would want to talk with Rocky about this opening. We are, of course, SDSU.

AzWm

By inference, we could say---as has another poster---that it would be easier/better to find a great HC and put Rocky in as DC.

It would be impossible to demote Rocky. That never happens (you never see a head coach demoted to a coordinator). The new HC would want to hire his own coaching staff, and the fact that having the last HC on staff would create divisions among the players as some would likely prefer the previous HC to be HC.

Rocky is a, "Keep it close to the vest," kind of guy. He doesn't tweet all his thoughts and plans. He doesn't share a lot of speculative stuff in interviews. Don't assume that he isn't working on this, because I'm sure he is.

There is just a small list of guys who can be a DC with the 3-3-5, and Rocky IS dead set on using the 3-3-5.

[myownwords]

Jan 1, 2012 9:53:36 GMT -8 The Aztec Panther said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:43:34 GMT -8 myownwords said:

By inference, we could say---as has another poster---that it would be easier/better to find a great HC and put Rocky in as DC.

It would be impossible to demote Rocky. That never happens (you never see a head coach demoted to a coordinator). The new HC would want to hire his own coaching staff, and the fact that having the last HC on staff would create divisions among the players as some would likely prefer the previous HC to be HC.

Rocky is a, "Keep it close to the vest," kind of guy. He doesn't tweet all his thoughts and plans. He doesn't share a lot of speculative stuff in interviews. Don't assume that he isn't working on this, because I'm sure he is.

There is just a small list of guys who can be a DC with the 3-3-5, and Rocky IS dead set on using the 3-3-5.

Maybe so, but don't you find it odd that one of the popular notions about him is that he is so "open" and "speaks his mind", says whatever he feels without "coachspeak"? An article in the UT this morning reminded us of that once again. And even if he's tightlipped, that doesn't follow that the other coaches and schools and source reporters are.
Watch, he'll make an announcement tomorrow and I'll look stupid as hell....again.

[missiontrails]

Jan 1, 2012 9:43:34 GMT -8 myownwords said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:35:18 GMT -8 AztecWilliam said:

I have no doubt that Rocky has several people in mind to become the Aztec DC. Some of the best may be with teams that have yet to play their bowl games. Also, with a number of schools having fired their HCs, it may take a while to sort through all the possibilities.

Here's another factor. Will it be possible to hire someone who is currently a DC or who has served as such in the past? If you are a DC for a Big-10 or SEC school, would SDSU seem like a step up for you? I would like to say "yes" to that but wonder whether that is being realistic.

So, it may be necessary to hire someone who has been a defensive position coach but not a coordinator. If this were USC or Michigan or LSU, lots of men who are now DCs would want to talk with Rocky about this opening. We are, of course, SDSU.

AzWm

By inference, we could say---as has another poster---that it would be easier/better to find a great HC and put Rocky in as DC.

So dude goes 8-5 in the first year coaching a school with an absolutely pathetic recent football history, and you're making "suggestions" he should be demoted? Maybe you oughta spend a little time on your new year's resolutions and a little less time worrying about Rocky.

[myownwords]

Jan 1, 2012 10:03:02 GMT -8 missiontrails said:

Jan 1, 2012 9:43:34 GMT -8 myownwords said:

By inference, we could say---as has another poster---that it would be easier/better to find a great HC and put Rocky in as DC.

So dude goes 8-5 in the first year coaching a school with an absolutely pathetic recent football history, and you're making "suggestions" he should be demoted? Maybe you oughta spend a little time on your new year's resolutions and a little less time worrying about Rocky.

I was referring to someone else's comment, but you're probably right about New Year's resolutions.

[AztecPhil]

I still like the idea of bringing Thom Kaumeyer back as the DC. He is smart enough to adapt to Rocky's defensive scheme, can motivate the players and knows the local recruiting.

[missiontrails]

Jan 1, 2012 10:05:26 GMT -8 myownwords said:

Jan 1, 2012 10:03:02 GMT -8 missiontrails said:

So dude goes 8-5 in the first year coaching a school with an absolutely pathetic recent football history, and you're making "suggestions" he should be demoted? Maybe you oughta spend a little time on your new year's resolutions and a little less time worrying about Rocky.

I was referring to someone else's comment, but you're probably right about New Year's resolutions.

OK, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you weren't actually agreeing with said poster. Either way, right at this time, I think any potential defensive recruits are focused on Rocky as the DC right now, so I don't think timing is as critical as you imply. I do think Rocky should get a DC (if he finds one he trusts completely), but a late-Jan/Feb hire would be fine in my view. I wonder if Rich Rod is still planning to run the 3-3-5 at UofA? Has he named a DC yet? Too lazy on 1/1 to Google.

[Fred Noonan]

And what, other than idle musing, is the notion that Rocky is even looking for a DC based on? There are no facts substantiating this thesis.

The proper questions for this thread, for those who wish to debate the issue, would be 1) Should Rocky hire a DC and 2) if so, who? The question most certainly is not why is it taking so long to name the DC since that assumes Rocky is interested in naming one.

To answer the "should he" question, I am ambivalent and will leave it to Rocky. Coaching is sometimes overrated and my thought is at this level a head coach can serve as an OC, DC or even a Defensive Line coach if he wishes. It's about style and time management which people just have different approaches to.

Judgment should be based on progress, stability, and won/loss records to name a few. Not the head mans division of labor amongst his staff. That's micromanagement beyond my skill set.

The Fred Noonan School of Navigation.

[The Aztec Panther]

Jan 1, 2012 10:52:03 GMT -8 Fred Noonan said:

And what, other than idle musing, is the notion that Rocky is even looking for a DC based on? There are no facts substantiating this thesis.

Except that Rocky did try to hire a DC last year and said at the time that he'd look into it again at the end of the 2011 season.

And given the obvious game prep issues (leading to the poor 1st half performances) I think he'd still prefer to have a DC on staff. It's just a question of him being able to land someone he trusts to run the 3-3-5.

[germanaztec]

There is no job opening at all. Before we could hire a DC one of the current coaches would have to leave. There are only 9 assistants allowed.

We can put this thread to rest now.

[rickdoerr]

Jan 1, 2012 10:28:58 GMT -8 AztecPhil said:

I still like the idea of bringing Thom Kaumeyer back as the DC. He is smart enough to adapt to Rocky's defensive scheme, can motivate the players and knows the local recruiting.

Phil, does bringing in an outsider, and I agree with you on Kaumeyer, for DC disrupt the coaching continuity? Doesn't a new DC want his "own" around him?
If we bring in a new DC can we keep those on staff already that were being considered for the job? Just seems like we're getting some semblance of stability around here and might face a defensive staff turnover when it might not be needed.

If we do bring in an outsider Rocky may have to back off his love affair with his 3-3-5. It's a great defense for a passing conference but not so much against power football which we'll face come 2013. I don't know if rocky is willing to do that.