...we've got to clean house this year. Looking at it logically, the choice is overwhelming:
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Reasons FOR getting rid of Croom this season (assuming 3-9 record):</span>
1) Next year's schedule + Significant defensive losses = Extreme rebuilding in 2009, no matter who the coach is. We are more than likely going to take our lumps next year no matter who is coaching. Home games are Jxn State, Houston, Ga. Tech, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida. Road games are MTSU, Auburn, Vandy, Kentucky, Arkansas. LSU will be better next year, as will Ole Miss as will Florida (assuming Tebow stays). There is no reason to think Ga. Tech isn't going to be better. Arkansas will undoubtedly be better. Kentucky will likely be better. If we are going to struggle next year (and that's not much of an IF at this point) it's imperative that we do it with a new coaching staff instead of going through another meaningless 2003 type season.
2) Coordinator replacement. As has been asked on here many times, what decent coordinator is going to look at that schedule, our team, and Croom's situation and want that job? We might have to dangle a lucrative contract to get them to come (just digging the buyout hole for this staff that much deeper). You might get somebody that is out of work currently with nothing better to do.
3) Nobody knows if a coordinator replacement would make much difference. This is Croom's own fault because he has created this situation with his mouth. "I am the offensive coordinator, etc." There's not much better than a 50/50 chance that a change would help anyway, and there's an even lesser chance that any offensive improvement would compensate for the defensive regression we're bound to have + the schedule's increased difficulty level. In short, we could move up 20-30 spots offensively and still end up 3-9 or 4-8.
4) The cost of keeping Croom. There will be a large dropoff in revenue if we keep Croom, even if we change offensive coordinators.
5) The chances of taking a publicity hit seem to be going down. KState didn't take much of one. I mean, come on. 3-9, 3-9, 3-9, 8-5, 3-9? Can anybody really defend that?
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Reasons AGAINST getting Rid of Croom this season (Assuming a 3-9 record)</span>
1). Financial. Obviousy. As Rick Cleveland say "It's gonna cost ya." Like everything else at MSU, the big money guys will have to step up and pay for it (and a blowout in Oxford would go a long way). However, this could also be mitigated by the possible increase (or at least no dropoff) in season ticket sales for a new coach. Plus the ESPN money will be coming in very soon.
2) The recruiting class. Like most people on here, I'll be very suprised if this class holds together with a 3-9 record. Maybe it does. And, as C34 has pointed out, many of these guys might still come to State even after a coaching change. The one who seems to be gung ho with Croom is also our most valuable: Tyler Russell. And he should make us all stop and think. But in the end, the chance that Tyler goes elsewhere nowhere near outweighs all the other reasons listed above.
I'm sure we'll somehow execute a field goal and beat Arkansas and all of this debate will be put to rest. But until then, I sure hope Greg is getting the plane warmed up.
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Reasons FOR getting rid of Croom this season (assuming 3-9 record):</span>
1) Next year's schedule + Significant defensive losses = Extreme rebuilding in 2009, no matter who the coach is. We are more than likely going to take our lumps next year no matter who is coaching. Home games are Jxn State, Houston, Ga. Tech, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida. Road games are MTSU, Auburn, Vandy, Kentucky, Arkansas. LSU will be better next year, as will Ole Miss as will Florida (assuming Tebow stays). There is no reason to think Ga. Tech isn't going to be better. Arkansas will undoubtedly be better. Kentucky will likely be better. If we are going to struggle next year (and that's not much of an IF at this point) it's imperative that we do it with a new coaching staff instead of going through another meaningless 2003 type season.
2) Coordinator replacement. As has been asked on here many times, what decent coordinator is going to look at that schedule, our team, and Croom's situation and want that job? We might have to dangle a lucrative contract to get them to come (just digging the buyout hole for this staff that much deeper). You might get somebody that is out of work currently with nothing better to do.
3) Nobody knows if a coordinator replacement would make much difference. This is Croom's own fault because he has created this situation with his mouth. "I am the offensive coordinator, etc." There's not much better than a 50/50 chance that a change would help anyway, and there's an even lesser chance that any offensive improvement would compensate for the defensive regression we're bound to have + the schedule's increased difficulty level. In short, we could move up 20-30 spots offensively and still end up 3-9 or 4-8.
4) The cost of keeping Croom. There will be a large dropoff in revenue if we keep Croom, even if we change offensive coordinators.
5) The chances of taking a publicity hit seem to be going down. KState didn't take much of one. I mean, come on. 3-9, 3-9, 3-9, 8-5, 3-9? Can anybody really defend that?
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Reasons AGAINST getting Rid of Croom this season (Assuming a 3-9 record)</span>
1). Financial. Obviousy. As Rick Cleveland say "It's gonna cost ya." Like everything else at MSU, the big money guys will have to step up and pay for it (and a blowout in Oxford would go a long way). However, this could also be mitigated by the possible increase (or at least no dropoff) in season ticket sales for a new coach. Plus the ESPN money will be coming in very soon.
2) The recruiting class. Like most people on here, I'll be very suprised if this class holds together with a 3-9 record. Maybe it does. And, as C34 has pointed out, many of these guys might still come to State even after a coaching change. The one who seems to be gung ho with Croom is also our most valuable: Tyler Russell. And he should make us all stop and think. But in the end, the chance that Tyler goes elsewhere nowhere near outweighs all the other reasons listed above.
I'm sure we'll somehow execute a field goal and beat Arkansas and all of this debate will be put to rest. But until then, I sure hope Greg is getting the plane warmed up.
