you’re the one saying that. I am not saying that. Napier has had seven portal guys drafted over the past three years. To me, that says he’s bringing in quality talent through the portal. while he definitely didn’t prioritize the portal like other programs, it’s absurd to think he didn’t have success with it. the only point you brought up that I agree w is hiring someone else to call plays. The bummer is that early accounts point to bringing over his Tulane coordinators which doesn’t inspire any confidence, just like this entire process. Adding on after the fact, Napier had the sixth best portal class in 2024 from 247 and top20 every year. Sumrall looks like he topped out at 49. And granted, Tulane is a stepping stone program for players so there’s no way he’d pull a top class, but again, nothing there says he’s a portal savior or even better than Billy at it.
Sumrall taking Troy from a 5 win program to a 10 win program in year one is entirely due to the portal lol what
Nevermind. This isn’t a time to expect rational thinking about the program and I get that. But you’re wildin’ on this one.
How has Jon Sumrall recruited during his times at Tulane and Troy? nothing here says “above average” and again, our program is in shambles. Florida is not a top destination and hasn’t been for over a decade. But let’s not pretend that we just upgraded here. Sumrall is not materially better than Napier.
I want to believe this, but this version of the committee seems to value quality losses over quality wins, which doesn’t favor Bama.
Ok yes. Sure. Sumrall has to have a better personality given where the bar is. But like, that’s the biggest sell rn. And the GM and coordinator rumors actually only make it worse. stricklin has been a terrible AD all along. Ultimately, it’s on him that things are so bad. The booster infighting behind the scenes has been absurd and he has not managed it well. He hired and paid a search firm that then (allegedly) fired US because he wouldn’t take their advice. only time will tell if things get better, but the entirety of gator nation doesn’t have high hopes and there’s nothing tangible to give hope other than he’ll hire coordinators (presumably) and it’s a new face and not the devil we already know.
no one is doubting the admin for UF bungled this massively, just saying he isn't as bad as napier, isn't napier 2.0 and is probably the best option you guys could have hired outside of Lane and Riley. and even with riley it's sounding more and more like the truth that he wasn't all that interested in UF and not that UF bungled that as well.
Baker is being floated as someone we want, but a lot of the rumors/beat writers are saying he’s bringing his Tulane staff. Sumrall has been on record saying he likes to promote from within, which lends credence to that. I read somewhere that kiffin would want to keep Baker on staff, which, why wouldn’t he and why would baker leave for UF if given that option?
Assuming Golesh goes through at Auburn, their trip to Neyland next year I believe is the first time we’ll see Heupel vs a disciple.
Coordinators I would get excited about and make me feel a little better about the head coach: OC - Kade Bell (Pitt), Charlie Weis Jr (Ole Miss), Mack Leftwich (TTU), Jason Beck (Utah), Corey Dennis (UNLV) DC - Baker (LSU), Sheil Wood (TTU) I’d need to look into more on the defensive side, but I think all of these could be on the table and view UF as an upgrade, with the exception of Baker and Weis since both could be retained/brought along to LSU.