Tommy Bowden

gdogg · Dec 2, 2008

<table class="wikitable" style="FONT-SIZE: 95%"> <tbody> <tr> <th>Year</th> <th>Team</th> <th>Overall</th> <th>Conference</th> <th>Standing</th> <th>Bowl</th> <th>Coaches#</th> <th>AP°</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 2px solid" align="middle" colspan="9">Tulane Green Wave (Conference USA) (1997-1998)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>Tulane</td> <td>7-4</td> <td>5-1</td> <td>2nd</td> <td></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr style="BACKGROUND: #ffff99"> <td>1998</td> <td>Tulane</td> <td>11-0</td> <td>6-0</td> <td>1st</td> <td>W 41-27 Liberty Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">7</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">7</td> </tr> <tr style="BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 2px solid; BACKGROUND: #fafafa"> <td align="middle" colspan="2">Tulane:</td> <td>18-4</td> <td>11-1</td> <td colspan="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 2px solid" align="middle" colspan="9">Clemson Tigers (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1999-2008)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>6-6</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd</td> <td>L 7-17 Peach Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-3</td> <td>6-2</td> <td>2nd</td> <td>L 20-41 Gator Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>7-5</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>4th (t)</td> <td>W 49-24 Humanitarian Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>7-6</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>5th (t)</td> <td>L 15-55 Tangerine Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-4</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>3rd</td> <td>W 27-14 Peach Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>6-5</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>6th (t)</td> <td>Declined*</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>8-4</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>3rd (Atlantic)</td> <td>W 19-10 Champs Sports Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>8-5</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd (Atlantic) (t)</td> <td>L 20-28 Music City Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-4</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd (Atlantic)</td> <td>L 20-23 (OT) Chick-fil-A Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">21</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>3-3†</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>5th (Atlantic)</td> <td></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr style="BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 2px solid; BACKGROUND: #fafafa"> <td align="middle" colspan="2">Clemson:</td> <td>72-45</td> <td>43-32</td> <td colspan="5">† Bowden resigned on October 13, 2008.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

gdogg · Dec 2, 2008

<table class="wikitable" style="FONT-SIZE: 95%"> <tbody> <tr> <th>Year</th> <th>Team</th> <th>Overall</th> <th>Conference</th> <th>Standing</th> <th>Bowl</th> <th>Coaches#</th> <th>AP°</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 2px solid" align="middle" colspan="9">Tulane Green Wave (Conference USA) (1997-1998)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>Tulane</td> <td>7-4</td> <td>5-1</td> <td>2nd</td> <td></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr style="BACKGROUND: #ffff99"> <td>1998</td> <td>Tulane</td> <td>11-0</td> <td>6-0</td> <td>1st</td> <td>W 41-27 Liberty Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">7</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">7</td> </tr> <tr style="BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 2px solid; BACKGROUND: #fafafa"> <td align="middle" colspan="2">Tulane:</td> <td>18-4</td> <td>11-1</td> <td colspan="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 2px solid" align="middle" colspan="9">Clemson Tigers (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1999-2008)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>6-6</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd</td> <td>L 7-17 Peach Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-3</td> <td>6-2</td> <td>2nd</td> <td>L 20-41 Gator Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>7-5</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>4th (t)</td> <td>W 49-24 Humanitarian Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>7-6</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>5th (t)</td> <td>L 15-55 Tangerine Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-4</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>3rd</td> <td>W 27-14 Peach Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>6-5</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>6th (t)</td> <td>Declined*</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>8-4</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>3rd (Atlantic)</td> <td>W 19-10 Champs Sports Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>8-5</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd (Atlantic) (t)</td> <td>L 20-28 Music City Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-4</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd (Atlantic)</td> <td>L 20-23 (OT) Chick-fil-A Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">21</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>3-3†</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>5th (Atlantic)</td> <td></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr style="BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 2px solid; BACKGROUND: #fafafa"> <td align="middle" colspan="2">Clemson:</td> <td>72-45</td> <td>43-32</td> <td colspan="5">† Bowden resigned on October 13, 2008.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

gdogg · Dec 2, 2008

<table class="wikitable" style="FONT-SIZE: 95%"> <tbody> <tr> <th>Year</th> <th>Team</th> <th>Overall</th> <th>Conference</th> <th>Standing</th> <th>Bowl</th> <th>Coaches#</th> <th>AP°</th> </tr> <tr> <td style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 2px solid" align="middle" colspan="9">Tulane Green Wave (Conference USA) (1997-1998)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1997</td> <td>Tulane</td> <td>7-4</td> <td>5-1</td> <td>2nd</td> <td></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr style="BACKGROUND: #ffff99"> <td>1998</td> <td>Tulane</td> <td>11-0</td> <td>6-0</td> <td>1st</td> <td>W 41-27 Liberty Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">7</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">7</td> </tr> <tr style="BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 2px solid; BACKGROUND: #fafafa"> <td align="middle" colspan="2">Tulane:</td> <td>18-4</td> <td>11-1</td> <td colspan="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="BACKGROUND: #dddddd; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 2px solid" align="middle" colspan="9">Clemson Tigers (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1999-2008)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>1999</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>6-6</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd</td> <td>L 7-17 Peach Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2000</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-3</td> <td>6-2</td> <td>2nd</td> <td>L 20-41 Gator Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2001</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>7-5</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>4th (t)</td> <td>W 49-24 Humanitarian Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2002</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>7-6</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>5th (t)</td> <td>L 15-55 Tangerine Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2003</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-4</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>3rd</td> <td>W 27-14 Peach Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2004</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>6-5</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>6th (t)</td> <td>Declined*</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2005</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>8-4</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>3rd (Atlantic)</td> <td>W 19-10 Champs Sports Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2006</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>8-5</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd (Atlantic) (t)</td> <td>L 20-28 Music City Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2007</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>9-4</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>2nd (Atlantic)</td> <td>L 20-23 (OT) Chick-fil-A Bowl</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">22</td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">21</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2008</td> <td>Clemson</td> <td>3-3†</td> <td>1-2</td> <td>5th (Atlantic)</td> <td></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"></td> </tr> <tr style="BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 2px solid; BACKGROUND: #fafafa"> <td align="middle" colspan="2">Clemson:</td> <td>72-45</td> <td>43-32</td> <td colspan="5">† Bowden resigned on October 13, 2008.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

615dawg · Dec 2, 2008

He could be elected governor of Mississippi

RobbieRandolph · Dec 2, 2008

...and therefore that record doesn't really impress me that much. If bowden was going 4-4 against the likes of NC State, UNC (pre and during B. Davis), UVA, and Maryland imagine how he'll do against LSU, Bama, Auburn, and Florida, which are all teams we play in the next two years.

8dog · Dec 2, 2008

the ACC hasn't been that weak the whole time.

Miami and Virginia Tech were not the programs they are today.

Nobody is asking him to beat LSU, Bama, Auburn or Florida consistently. Just compete and have a chance and then beat SC, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vandy, Arkansas (while you can) and win the non-conference games you should. Within that framework, he can surely mix in a victory here and there over the LSUs or Auburns (hell, Croom even beat Auburn, Florida and Bama0. That's all Rich Brooks is really doing at KY and they are bowling for a 3rd straight year.

Stormrider81 · Dec 2, 2008

The ACC has been weak for years. It used to be just FSU and everyone else. Every once in a while UNC, NC State, or Maryland would have a good team, but the vast majority of the time it was the Noles and a bunch of weak sisters. They got Miami and VaTech, but Miami basically fell off the edge right about the same time they entered the ACC and VaTech is good but not LSU/Florida good. Everyone made a big deal about how the ACC was going to be the top conference in college football when they got Tech and Miami and look at them now. I'm just not impressed. It's easier to win at Clempson than at State, it's an easier conference, and Bowden really struggled down the stretch a lot. He wouldn't be a really bad hire, but we can do better.

8dog · Dec 2, 2008

I said it hasn't been "that weak". In other words, it hasn't always been as bad as it is now b/c its had the former Miami, Va Tech, and FSU. Its always been one of the weakest conferences no doubt.

Im not sure that anyone in our fanbase is going to like any hire we make that isn't Petersen, Kelly or Patterson. Hell, people were downing Tubberville yesterday.

MSUCostanza · Dec 2, 2008

Why can't we expect (one day) to beat the top teams consistently? No wonder you're ok with Dooley.

8dog · Dec 2, 2008

I think I keep pretty real expectations for the program. Consistently beating Bama, Auburn, LSU, Florida, Georgia, and TN when any of those programs is doing what they are capable of is just not something I think we'll ever see.

You have yet to understand my point. Once more, I never said Dooley should be offer no. 1. I simply said "what's the negatives" and frankly, i haven't heard anything terrible. Hell, there are negatives to Petersen, Patterson and Kelly. But assuming those are our top viable guys, I would go after them. Its not like Im saying "well, we can't compete with the big boys, so let's dont' offer those guys." I just think Bowden could do as well as those guys.

You can now return to your regularly scheduled crucifying of everyone that brings up any other name.

DowntownDawg · Dec 2, 2008

...to this board. It's not welcome these days.

And, my prediction is that we will end up with somebody that Costanza cries about and says "I'm done with MSU football."

Rockdat2 · Dec 2, 2008

then I would be fine with Bowden. He is a proven coach and has won everywhere he has been, I don't care if the confrence is weak. I don't think we will be competing for SEC championships every year, but going to a bowl game every year is alot better than what we have been going through.

MSUCostanza · Dec 2, 2008

Typical State loser mentality. We'll never be any good. Waaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

dhm7t · Dec 2, 2008

Why don't you call Pete Carroll, Bob Stoops or maybe even God and see if they are interested.

Rockdat2 · Dec 2, 2008

I would much rather have Peterson but if we can't get him then who do we go after Costanza?

slickdawg · Dec 2, 2008

I don't want anything to do with any Bowden.

Clemson was supposed to be the real deal this year, remember? After Alabama wiped their asses with Clemson, Bowden was again exposed as an average at best coach.

We need new blood, no Bowdens, no ties to Bama.

DowntownDawg · Dec 2, 2008

...kind of like "If I don't get who I want, I am going to take my toys and go home. WAAAAHHHH"

You've been bitching about Croom for 5 years. He's finally gone. Man up and support the program, whoever we hire. This ain't LT running the show. Don't be a little girl.

DawgatAuburn · Dec 2, 2008

Since you are the preeminent authority on who is acceptable and who is not for the head coaching job, please enlighten your flock.

We all know you don't think Little Dooley is worthy to step foot on the sacred turf of Scott Field. Same with Tommy Bowden.

Please, please, please explain to us what we should do in the event that Peterson, Patterson, Kelly and Mike Riley all turn us down. At what point should folks like Bowden and Dooley even BEGIN to be on our radar? How many offers should we make before we lower ourselves to losers like Bowden and Dooley?

I would love to see your serious answer to this, but I expect nothing more than a smartass retort with no substance.

hatfieldms · Dec 2, 2008

slickdawg said:
I don't want anything to do with any Bowden.

Clemson was supposed to be the real deal this year, remember? After Alabama wiped their asses with Clemson, Bowden was again exposed as an average at best coach.

We need new blood, no Bowdens, no ties to Bama.

So just because a preseason poll says so it must be true? Give me a break. If that is the case then I am sure MSU fans would never want anything to do with Richt would they?

Stormrider81 · Dec 2, 2008

But I would certainly put several candidates in front of his name. Basically, a Bowden hire does not get me excited. I understand the guy is a winner, but will he have the talent level at State that he had at Clempson. That is certainly debatable. I can't see him doing as well here as he did there. I see Tommy Bowden as a guy that does less with more rather than more with less. I believe we need a coach capable of doing more with less. Bowden wouldn't be a bad hire, but it wouldn't be a great hire either.

hatfieldms · Dec 2, 2008

He isnt at the top of my list but I definitely wouldn't be disappointed with him. He is a hell of a recruiter and as long as he hired decent coordinators I think he would be ok

DowntownDawg · Dec 2, 2008

....if he doesn't get to pick the coach, he's not coming to the party.

Stormrider81 · Dec 2, 2008

I would be ok with the hire (not that Byrne or MSU cares what I think), not excited, not depressed, just ok. I think he would do ok, not great, not terrible, just ok.

Really, the guy wouldn't be a bad hire, but I'd just rather go in a different direction. If a bunch of others fall through, then hire this guy. But, if Petersen doesn't happen (have yet to believe it will) then I don't want to run right out and hire Bowden. I'm not saying you are suggesting that, just that I have serious reservations about Bowden.

One more thing: don't lump me in with the "I'll quite MSU for good" group. I supported MSU during the Croom days, I'll support the new coach as well. I just don't really want Tubbs or Bowden, I'd rather have someone on the way up that could possibly do great things at State.

8dog · Dec 2, 2008

and even more, one game.

The guy won 17 regular season games in 2006 and 2007.

RonnyAtmosphere · Dec 2, 2008

...career record.

Why?

Because it's so damn impressive, it makes me want to see him get the MSU job.

Bowden has never had a losing season as a college football coach (& he even had enough sense to resign when he was 3-3 so he could keep that streak intact).

You can downplay the ACC all you want, but Bowden leaves Clemson with a very impressive record.

Bowden almost always followed up a mediocre season with 8 or 9 win season. Which means he knew how to improve talents levels as players became upper classmen (something a MSU coach hasn't been able to do in 30 years...especially with QB's).

And I don't understand all the knocks on his bowl record, when:

1) None of his bowls had a national title on the line.

2) The idea for a college football coach is to become bowl eligible (which Bowden did more often that not); winning a bowl is, for many different reasons, a crap shoot.

Lastly, the guy won (and won big) at Tulane.

If you can win @Tulane, then winning @MSU should be a piece of cake.

OMlawdog · Dec 2, 2008

152-52 career record, a 98-34 SEC record.

Based on those numbers he would be an easy choice.

Also his accomplishments dwarf anything Bowden has accomplished.

DowntownDawg · Dec 2, 2008

...and like I was trying to say yesterday, when you blasted me, we could do a whole lot worse, and people need to realize that if it comes down to a Tommy Bowden, it's not the end of the world.

RonnyAtmosphere · Dec 2, 2008

...As far as career wins & what prestige they brought to their schools, John Vaught notwithstanding, Bowden & Fulmer are above & beyond any coach in either MSU's or OM's history.

And yes, there are some names being floated here that make me cringe to the point I would take either Bowden or Fulmer over them in a heartbeat.

RonnyAtmosphere · Dec 2, 2008

...for:

1) Telling us to calm down as if you are the board's school marm.

2) For pulling a coach34 & telling us who we can, and can not, get.

As far as your opinions on who would & would not be a good hire...while your take on that is as vaild as the next guys, I haven't really been paying attention to that.

MSUCostanza · Dec 2, 2008

I'm not pretending to be the preeminent authority or anything like that. I just don't understand why we need to even consider a guy like Dooley. There are a ton of good young coordinators out there with proven success in the event (probably likely) that we are turned down by the Pattersons and Kellys of the world. Dooley has gone 12-12 (9-7) in just 2 years of coaching. I don't understand what the draw is to a guy like him when there are so many other options with proven success. Dooley and Bowden should be so far down the list that they never see the light of day. aGAIN, with Bowden, all I see is a guy who had talent to win a pretty weak ACC on more than one occasion and flopped each time. So he won a lot of games? Big freakin deal. He should've won more and I see that as a danger sign. We don't need an underachiever.

My understanding is that after Petersen, we are considering 2 OC's at high profile BCS schools, and I'd be happy as a clam with that. Ya'll are way overreacting to my criticism. I just think 8Dog & Downtown seem ok with being the whipping boy of the "Big 6" of the SEC, and I think we can compete with them and beat them consistently. Just a different mindset I guess. Hell, even Croom beat a ranked Florida and Alabama team, not that they were world beaters, but still.

And for you, Downtown, I am not wanting to "pick the coach". I have things I want and things I don't want in our new coach - don't you? I think this is our best ever opportunity to hire a guy that can truly lift us to a level we've never seen. I just don't want to settle for anybody who'll take the job. And barring severe disappointment in who we hire, I've already pledged to up my BC donation and get back into the fold for buying season tickets. So shut the hell up.

DowntownDawg · Dec 2, 2008

I just don't want to settle for anybody who'll take the job. And barring severe disappointment in who we hire, I've already pledged to up my BC donation and get back into the fold for buying season tickets. So shut the hell up.

....if we hire somebody I don't want, I am not coming. Just man up and support the program, whoever it is. If it's Tommy Bowden, give him a chance. If it's Dooley, give him a chance. What you don't understand is that 8Dog, D@A, and I don't want Bowden or Dooley. I think I can speak for them and say that we would all be thrilled with Petersen or Kelly or Patterson or any of these other top tier names. We are just realistically looking at it and saying that they likely won't come and if we end up with a Bowden or Dooley, it's not the end of the world, and it'll be better than what we had. Outside of a Saban type, it's a crapshoot anyway.

MSUCostanza · Dec 2, 2008

If we hire Dooley or Bowden, they're going to have to prove it to me before I blindly start throwing money at the program. That's just the way it is for me. If you choose to operate a different way, so be it. Don't effing tell me to "man up". It's my goddamn money, and I'll spend it how I please. If we don't hire my first 20 choices and it comes down to those two, then I'll support them when they show they are truly moving things in the right direction. Not necessarily winning, but making progress. I sank money into Croom's tenure and I should've known better.

DawgatAuburn · Dec 2, 2008

You're mischaracterizing what I'm saying..

You have 12,000 posts of doing the same thing.

I don't understand what the draw is to a guy like him when there are so many other options with proven success.

I think the primary draw to Dooley is that he has head coaching experience. Granted, it is two years in the WAC at 12-12 blah blah blah, but that's two years more than Wilson and Venables. On the flip side, they have the experience of big time football that Dooley doesn't have. I think we are largely all in agreement that one of the three names being constantly mentioned here are our first choices, but beyond that, there is division in our ranks. I don't see much difference in Dooley and the OU coordinators. Bowden is a notch below that to me at this time but I would be on board with him too. The only names that repulse me at this point are Fulmer and Ellis Johnson, and I would still buy tickets if they were the coach.

Dooley and Bowden should be so far down the list that they never see the light of day.

I ask aGAIN, who is on this list you keep referring to? Not asking you to read Byrne's mind, but in Costanza's world, where would you go beyond the big three? There have to be at least 10-12 more viable candidates in your mind for you to be so vehemently against these two.

I just think 8Dog & Downtown seem ok with being the whipping boy of the "Big 6" of the SEC, and I think we can compete with them and beat them consistently.

For a minute there I thought you weren't going to misconstrue someone else's post in yours. Thanks for making me look smart! I am in the middle on this one. I don't think we have to be the whipping boy of the Big 6, but to expect to make it the Big 7 might be pushing it. I think our late 90s early 2000s run should be where we are most of the time. In a 10 year span, I think our ceiling is to go to ATL once, to be in position to possibly go twice more, to be above .500 in the league but not a serious contender four more times, and to be at .500 or a bit below three times. We should never have eight years of what we just went through, nor do I think we are in a position to have eight years like 1999.

I have things I want and things I don't want in our new coach - don't you? I think this is our best ever opportunity to hire a guy that can truly lift us to a level we've never seen. I just don't want to settle for anybody who'll take the job.

1,000,000,0000% agree with all of that. But the "anybody" may still be Dooley or Bowden because others won't take it. See Orgeron, Ed.

And barring severe disappointment in who we hire, I've already pledged to up my BC donation and get back into the fold for buying season tickets.

You are making Downtown look smart too. If you are severely disappointed (as in Dooley or Bowden), you are not going to up your BC donation? If you are severely disappointed (as in Dooley or Bowden), you aren't buying tickets? You are doing exactly what Downtown said - taking your toys and going home if it's not your guy who is chosen. It's your money obviously and you can do what you want. I think that after five years of most of this board screaming for Croom's head, everyone should be willing to buy tickets next year and give the new guy a shot. Not that it worked with Crooms of course....

edited because I found two typos.......

Anti Dawg.nafoom · Dec 2, 2008

You just took the cake.

"I ain't givin' my danged ole money 'til we win huh huh huh!"

That's why we couldn't do **** during the Sherrill years either. That's why we can't maintain a program. You have to give consistently you poor misguided moron.

MSUCostanza · Dec 2, 2008

if you'd read.

I never said I would never give money if we hired those guys. Just that, in my book, I would need to see signs of progress before committing financially to them. Donation is not only a show of support but you're also saying that you are buying in to the decision. I would be disappointed if we had to settle for those guys, and I would want to see tangible progress before throwing money at them. I think the Croom Experiment is a good example of why you shouldn't throw good money after bad. As things got worse, folks started bailing on showing up and forking out cash. And that's what talks in the end.

On the other hand, if we hire any of the myriad of better candidates, I would be more inclined to give up front as a show of support of Byrne's decision.

As far as who my candidates are, aside from the obvious choices (the Petersens, etc.), I want us to go after any top-level BCS school coordinator that is hungry for a step up to a head job. Wilson, Venables, Mullen, Bud Foster was a good example, etc. There are tons of those guys out there. I also wouldn't mind a well-qualified I-AA head coach who has won and won big at that level, like Paul Johnson, Jim Tressel, etc. Only after those options have been exhausted should mediocre WAC coaches and retreads like Bowden be considered.

It just surprises me to hear that so many of you would seemingly be ok with Dooley or Bowden, even if they are way down your lists.

hatfieldms · Dec 2, 2008

I would definitely take Bowden over a 1-AA coach. Dooley isn't the exciting pick everyone wants and he is definitely way down my list but hiring him wouldn't be the end of the world. I don't think we would hire him but we could do much worse

DowntownDawg · Dec 2, 2008

...to get rid of Croom (which you've been calling for for five years) and help pay for the buyout. Then, if we get a coach you don't like, and they aren't winning you can take your money and go. After all, like you said, that's what works.

Of course, you can do whatever you want with your money. I'm just ecstatic that we are even having this conversation. There's about a 5% chance that we could do worse than what we had.

DawgatAuburn · Dec 2, 2008

<table summary="user post and replies"> <tbody class="expandable thread-post odd post reply MSUCostanza post-read" id="post-id-102194"> <tr> <td class="th post-subject">If it's Dooley...</td> <td class="th post-number">#1</td> <td class="th post-url"><a name="reply-102194"></a>[url]</td> <td class="th toggle lastcol">[-]</td> </tr> <tr class="collapsible-content"> <td class="firstcol poster-detail"> <div class="avatar-block">

Posts: 6768 12/01/08 09:53 AM Post Count + 10000 </div> </td> <td class="lastcol post-content" colspan="4"> <div class="post-body"> <div class="scrolling"> <div> I will not buy season tickets next year.
</div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

<table summary="user post and replies"> <tbody class="expandable thread-post lead first odd post lead shaschboy-sixpackspeak post-read" id="post-id-14966"> <tr> <td class="th firstcol poster-name">shaschboy</td> <td class="th post-subject"> <h3 class="post-title">What does the board think of a Bowden/Bowden staff?</h3> </td> <td class="th post-url"> </td> <td class="th post-number">Lead</td> <td class="th toggle lastcol">[-]</td> </tr> <tr class="collapsible-content"> <td class="poster-detail firstcol"> <div class="avatar-block">

Posts: 698 12/01/08 11:42 AM </div> </td> <td class="post-content lastcol" colspan="4"> <div class="post-body"> Tags : None <div class="scrolling"> <div> I speaking of Tommy/Terry that is. I posted this yesterday and didn't get much feedback. I'm seriously hearing that could be in the works with Terry dying to get back into coaching. They coached together at Auburn and did a pretty damn good job. Terry helped Tommy get his first gig at Tulane. If Tommy got our job, would he want to help his bro out. Terry was a helluva coach. He just didn't get along with Lowder(imagine that).

DowntownDawg · Dec 2, 2008

excrementoccurs · Dec 2, 2008

RobbieRandolph said:
...and therefore that record doesn't really impress me that much. If bowden was going 4-4 against the likes of NC State, UNC (pre and during B. Davis), UVA, and Maryland imagine how he'll do against LSU, Bama, Auburn, and Florida, which are all teams we play in the next two years.

Isn't the SEC 4-6 against the ACC this year. Maybe it's 5-5 I can't remember who won the epic Duke/Vandy game..

Tommy Bowden

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