My take on Manny and Wilson

[Todd4State]

This is what happens when we have success- other programs are going to want our coaches- see Hud to ULL and now these rumors about Manny and even Melvin Smith possibly to Alcorn. Not a bad thing at all. It means that we are doing something right.

Now, should Manny leave, Chris Wilson is the obvious choice to be our DC, and I would support it.

This is just my speculation, but I think what may have happened last year when Dan was looking for a new DC, he found two guys that he really liked- one was a DC at a Sun Belt school, and was already doing some things that were establishing him as one of the bright young minds in college football. The other was a d-line coach at a BCS school with a rich tradition, but he had no DC experience, but Dan seemed to like his general philosophy.

I think Dan did the smart, and right thing. He hired both. He made them Co-DC in title, and he let Manny, the one with experience, make most of the calls. At the same time, I have to believe that he wanted Manny to mentor Chris Wilson. Dan probably knew that Manny would be very good, and would likely be looking to move up in the football world, whether that was as a DC at a bigger name school or as a HC. This way, whenever Manny left, you have someone in house that knows the schemes that have worked and was essentially an apprentice. I would imagine that Wilson has learned a lot from Manny just by collaborating with him, whether he had a lot of input into the defense or not.

I know that hiring from within isn't as exciting as going after some big name DC, but in this case, I think it's probably the right move. And there is some risk here- Chris is not Manny, and there will be some differences. But if he doesn't work out, I trust that Dan will make the right move, as he did with Torbush.

 

[Todd4State]

This is what happens when we have success- other programs are going to want our coaches- see Hud to ULL and now these rumors about Manny and even Melvin Smith possibly to Alcorn. Not a bad thing at all. It means that we are doing something right.

Now, should Manny leave, Chris Wilson is the obvious choice to be our DC, and I would support it.

This is just my speculation, but I think what may have happened last year when Dan was looking for a new DC, he found two guys that he really liked- one was a DC at a Sun Belt school, and was already doing some things that were establishing him as one of the bright young minds in college football. The other was a d-line coach at a BCS school with a rich tradition, but he had no DC experience, but Dan seemed to like his general philosophy.

I think Dan did the smart, and right thing. He hired both. He made them Co-DC in title, and he let Manny, the one with experience, make most of the calls. At the same time, I have to believe that he wanted Manny to mentor Chris Wilson. Dan probably knew that Manny would be very good, and would likely be looking to move up in the football world, whether that was as a DC at a bigger name school or as a HC. This way, whenever Manny left, you have someone in house that knows the schemes that have worked and was essentially an apprentice. I would imagine that Wilson has learned a lot from Manny just by collaborating with him, whether he had a lot of input into the defense or not.

I know that hiring from within isn't as exciting as going after some big name DC, but in this case, I think it's probably the right move. And there is some risk here- Chris is not Manny, and there will be some differences. But if he doesn't work out, I trust that Dan will make the right move, as he did with Torbush.

 

[Center Z]

I'm not saying that we are Florida, but look at Florida - Mullen and Strong leave, and the program declines a bit to the point where the head coach resigns, and now they are kind of starting over. I realize that the situations are very, very different, but losing assistants can really change things. I don't know if Diaz was the difference between 5-7 and 9-4, but I like to think that the results speak for themselves.

Yes we are doing something right and I enjoyed the hell out of this season. I just hope that if/when assistants start leaving to take other opportunities, that we can hire coaches to replace them who are just as good or better. And I'm like you - I trust Mullen to make those good decisions.

 

[Todd4State]

I really think that Manny is one of those very rare "great minds" in football. I think Dan Mullen is a great mind as well. But those people are very, very rare and hard to find, and very hard to replace.

 

[DowntownDawg]

.....but was 42nd I think in total D. Where we excelled was in the redzone. Our scoring defense was 22nd. That's quite a spread between total D and scoring D, and I find myself wondering why.

I think Wilson will do fine should Manny leave. Our defensive line ended up pretty strong and I think we'll be in good hands. That said, your point is valid. However, this is not, or doesn't appear to be, a Mullen to Addazio kind of drop.

What will be tough is replacing White, Wright, and McPhee. That will be very difficult.

 

[Hector.sixpack]

I doubt mullen planned on diaz leaving after one yr (if he is gone). I think he found what he wanted in diaz, and wilson was a win win for both parties- i dont think he was moving up at ou. So while wilson will prolly be next, i bet mullen knows if he's ready for it. If he's not he'll get somebody else. I also bet mullen knows a whole lot more about defensive game planning than two years ago. With that said....i sure hope diaz stays.

 

[VirgilCain]

.

 

[boomboommsu]

In the red zone, it's a lot harder to get burned deep. But Broomfield did manage it Saturday. 8 yd cushion on the 20 yd line and he got beat to the end zone on a corner route. For you mathematicians, that means Michigan's receiver must be 66% faster than Broomfield.

Manny is a good enough DC that he kept our crappy cornerbacks from being outright exploited all year long, a la 2003. And that's a damn good difference.

CBs and LTs are what make SEC teams. That Diaz did what he did without suitable CBs (not trying to knock Banks, but he's a safety playing CB), and in his first year to boot,is remarkable.

 

[mcdawg22]

Yeah I know they had some breakdowns but Broomfield had solid coverage on that play he just needed better body control. Our DB's are going to be incredible next year if Manny stays. Corner is the hardest position to learn assignments on D so considering the change in coordinators I think they did a decent job.

 

[paindonthurt_]

Broomfield not having the proper body control means lack of athletic ability. And speed does not = athletic ability.

 

[weblow]

[No message]

 

[mcdawg22]

You learn proper times to open up the hips, high pointing the football, when to turn to find the ball.

 

[DiligenceDawg]

Our corners have neither the pure athleticism or technique to consistently beat receivers. They make the occasional really athletic play for an interception but is often preempted by getting beat deep and is followed by the same. I for one would love to be able to recruit actual secondary players that play at a competitive level so we can stop just morphing "athletes" into DBs.

 

[ForWhomTheCowbellTolls]

Take it for what's it's worth (not much mind you) but I hear Diaz and others may be looking around because those "raises" were not up to their expectations. Not sure if that is true but from what I hear several of the assistants are P.O.d and may be looking elsewhere. I'm no cigar boy and my sources generally suck so I hope this is complete BS.</p>

 

[maroonmania]

right now we are trying to simultaneously give our HC a million dollar a year raise, put together a potload of money to build a football facility, plan for and raise money to expand our stadium AND at the same time give significant raises to our assistants. For example, Manny is making 260K and he probably thinks by SEC standards he should be making about double that. Heck, I think Tyrone Nix is making 500K and though he hs a good bit more experience he isn't producing on the field anything like what Diaz's defense did this year. Our money coffers are definitely getting larger but its still hard to line up all these added expenditures in the same year.

 

[Trainwreck.sixpack]

contract. I wondered about it at the time, but hoped somebody was taking care of them. If Nix is making $500K, Diaz deserve double that. Not gonna happen, but at least give the guy a $200K raise. Damn.

 

[paindonthurt_]

Sure you have to learn assignments etc., but the play Broomfield didn't make was due to lack of ability.

Covering a guy man to man requires speed and athletic ability. Think Zach Smith. Many times he wasn't "toast" as people like to say, but rather he wasn't athletic enough to make a play on the ball. When he was "toast" was generally due to the fact that he was having to come up too much for run support or due to the lack of a decent corner on his side.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

To give a "co-defensive coordinator" at State a 200k raise. How can State give Manny that much of a raise without giving Coach Wilson something similar? If Manny were the sole DC, I think we could bump him to the 450 to 500k range. As co-DC though, maybe only 350k. Remember when an experienced and well regarded Ellis Johnson was making only 250k at State, same as the worthless OC McCorvey?

Anyone know what the other assistant coaches make at State? Our offensive line coach sure deserves a nice raise.

contract. I wondered about it at the time, but hoped somebody was taking care of them. If Nix is making $500K, Diaz deserve double that. Not gonna happen, but at least give the guy a $200K raise. Damn.

 

[cdjay]

[No message]

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

That number would be pertinent to the discussion of what our coordinators make at State.

The assistants most worthy of raises are Diaz, Hevesy, and Balis. Merit must be factored in. Once again, being a co def coordinator has to impact Manny's raise. Doesn't matter though, if the Teasips offer, he is gone to Austin. Take the money in Austin while you can. I think Mack Brown's days at the helm are limited in Bevo Land.

 

[Todd4State]

it pisses me off.

I can handle losing a coach to another school because they are wanted. Because we aren't paying them what they deserve is a totally different matter.

I don't know if that's Stricklin or Dan that I should be mad at, but it's unacceptable.

If we want to continue to be good, we need to pay our coaches.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

Up the old BC contributions. All of us have to pay to play now. I thought our best bet was to double Dan's salary to 2.4 and use 400 to 500k to reward the assistants. We shot our wad on the head coach's salary I suppose. I tell you what though, it had to be priority 1 to do anything and everything possible to keep Dan Mullen. He is the force that will continue to propel State forward. I'd hate to lose Diaz after a year, but if that is a consequence of locking Mullen down in Starkvegas for a few more years, so be it.

 

[Todd4State]

I'm in the top 50% of BC donors right now.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

I'm in the top 50% of BC donors right now.

Great, but what kind of automobile do you drive? <div>Just kidding. Your support is greatly appreciated. Everyone who supports MSU football will have to up the ante.</div>

 

[dawgstudent]

they mentioned that assistants raises were being worked on as well.

 

[patdog]

and that Diaz is interviewing at Texas because it's Texas more than because he's pissed about his raise. I just have trouble believing we'd give Mullen a $1M+ raise and give the assistants next to nothing. I also have trouble believing that someone with that kind of insider information would suddenly feel compelled to go broadcast it to a message board he's never even posted on before. Also, I don't see any of the other assistants out there interviewing for other jobs, except Hudspeth who landed a Div. I-A head coaching job.

 

[maroonmania]

its 10.6 over 4 years but its escalating. Haven't seen the specifics but the longer he stays the more he makes and the ENTIRE 4 years would average out to 2.65/yr.

 

[Sarc Dawg]

Texas is Texas. If you get offered a coordinator job you go. Diaz stays here and he may eventually get a lower tier D-1 head coach job. If he goes to Texas, he's a head coach at a BCS school in less then 5 years (and he makes more money while he waits).

That being said, I refuse to believe our AD and president- who we all believe "gets it", are going to low ball the assistants. Especially when facility upgrades are part of the package. No one goes through that much trouble and then forgets about the staff. Mullen may be good, but no one is good enough to do it without great assistants. I think Mullen knows this and I doubt he'd put himself in a position where he took all the available money and left his staff with nothing. That's not the path to continued success.
Maybe I just have too much faith in the decision makers....

 

[sleepy dawg]

I know it is a bit confusing, but Manny Diaz is THE Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach, and Chris Wilson is the Co-Defensive Coordinator and D-Line coach. Manny is the man in charge of the defense. Chris Wilson is the #2 guy on defense.