Watching Under the Lights on FSS about Southern Miss and Ellis Johnson. How do you guys think he will do there? Personally I though it was an odd choice, especially considering his past HC experience. Good defensive mind, no doubt, but head coarch at USM?
What's everyone's opinion on Ellis Johnson as HC?
- Thread starter spacecataz
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but I'm not as convinced now. However, I think he will do a serviceable job in Hattiesburg. Not sure about his OC and of course that will be critical to their success. It is CUSA, however, so how hard could it really be? I don't think he will have them breaking into the top 15 or anything like that, but he should be successful in helping USM to maintain the status quo.
I'm sure his defense will be outstanding, he'll have that 'nasty bunch' thing popularized again. And it's not hard to win at USM - that's the biggest thing. Paul Finebaum has said for years that USM had been underachieving until Fedora got there, I'm starting to think he may be right. Not sure if it's that USM is developing players better than MSU/Ole Miss or if it's that they are getting good players in relation to their C-USA competition....maybe a little of both. They've been able to attract good coaches over the years.<div>
</div><div>Just another reason why MSU should embrace South Mississippi, the Coast, Mobile, Louisiana and Pensacola. USM has shown that it's a honeypot of football/baseball talent.</div>
</div><div>Just another reason why MSU should embrace South Mississippi, the Coast, Mobile, Louisiana and Pensacola. USM has shown that it's a honeypot of football/baseball talent.</div>
but likely not as good as Fedora. Just don't see an Ellis Johnson, at his age, having the fire and energy that a guy like Fedora had especially in the recruiting game. I actually think the biggest impact will be to South Carolina who lost a heck of a defensive coordinator.
He'll be a big improvement on defense, if they don't drop off too much on offense, they should maintain or possibly even get a little better for a year or two if they return a lot of starters (have no clue what they're bringing back).
But I would be a little concerned about whether he can recruit.
But I would be a little concerned about whether he can recruit.
in a hire at that particular time. They wanted someone that would not look at the usm job as an audition for bigger things (which is what fedora was doing). I think because of Johnson's age, he will likely ride that job out as long as it will last. Whether or not he will be a good head coach, is another question.
He had a good year last year, but look at the schedule he did it against. #117 out of 124. The two previous years he was 7-6 against equally terrible competition. He seemed to be recruiting well for southern though. Ellis will struggle until he gets a better staff. Especially on the offensive side of the ball.
If they can get decent talent and play sound, mistake free football they'll be ok though they'll struggle to win the conference. Whereas Ole Miss and State need some special sauce to consistently do well against SEC West teams that play sound, mistake free football as a matter of course and also happen to have a more talented two deep.
I can tell you that USM fans really don't have a feel for EJ as a head coach. I agree with many of the comments in this thread that the defense will be really good and it will depend on the offense how far EJ goes. Fedora left the cupboard full, so he comes into a good situation. If Alford is what he is supposed to be, that will help him also. I just have a lot of doubts about Buckley going from Petal high to our OC. This USM team has a tough OOC schedule this year with Nebraska, Louisville and Boise State. This team could go 6-6 or 9-3. Just don't know.
