FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: Carol Folt Steering Clear Of Search?

USC president Carol Folt told some donors last weekend that she will not be involved in the football coaching search.

This is similar to what Steven Sample and Max Nikias would say when there was a coaching search. And remember, Folt said “no” when asked if there were any limitations on what Mike Bohn could or could not do with the football coaching position in 2019.

But then sources said she told a meeting of University administrators that Meyer was “radioactive.”

96 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Carol Folt Steering Clear Of Search?”

    1. I would like her to clarify what “not involved” means. She could be on the sideline, not actually “involved”, but still pulling strings. I don’t trust her after her language her job was not to hire a football coach……..well yes, but she sure prevented the hire of the one man that could save SC.

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  3. It’s easy to decode “Carol Speak” —she’ll be as involved as possible consistent with the appearance of not being involved.
    No way in hell is Bohn gonna be allowed to do this on his own. I mean, come on.
    The surest sign of Carol’s involvement will come in the form of the selection itself. It won’t be Aranda. It won’t be anybody like him. It’ll be another ‘gentleman.’
    #Watch

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    1. P. S.
      (1) I’m expecting a terrible —but not the worst possible — – candidate to get the job.
      (2) I’m expecting USC to spin the shit outta their selection — with lots of happy talk and b. s.
      (3) I’m expecting 5-7 next year. And the year after that. And the year after that.

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      3. If BYU wins on Saturday night, I believe Kalani Sitake is going to be the coach and it will be an easy sell to the fans. He’ll have 5 wins against Pac12 opponents. He’s defensive minded and not afraid to make big decisions. Don’t forget, he fired Ty Detmer who is the only Heisman Trophy
        winner the school has had as offensive coordinator which turned out to be a great decision. Plus he has good character which Carol Folt will love. I realize some people on this site for whatever reason don’t like Mormons, but he won’t be the president of the school, he will be the football coach.

        Liked by 3 people

      4. Michel, me-lad,
        that is a prognosis (did I get that right?) that is harsh by a tad
        I would be more glad, if you simply wrote ‘The Trojans will be bad’

        Liked by 1 person

      1. She’s a con artist all right that’s why she let Helton stay for 2 more years. The roaming gnome has to go. ASAP don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
        As to owns ,rents, lease, or for free you like item number 3# on MGs list because you are use to 5-7 seasons with the ruins every year. Way to walk right into that one.

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      1. He’s more of a man than a gentleman.
        #Carol:”IJustDon’tSeeIt……
        #…ItSeemsRadioactive!”

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    4. Aranda is a guy with real integrity and Folt would not nix him. If we dont get Aranda, it is due to some other factors. Aranda is pick #1 (assuming Fickell wont come).

      I have a new idea. OK, if we cant get any good head coach to come, how about a combo of the best defensive coordinator as HC and then make sure he has a great offensive coordinator? My thinking is Dan Lanning as HC and then stealing Jeff Grimes as OC from Baylor. Grimes has past experience as a offensive line coach, he runs a balanced run and pass attack.

      Lanning is a great recruiter and can make sure the linebackers and defensive line are solid. Just need to make sure he has the coaches to shore up our defensive back-field.

      Grimes can build a new offensive staff of the best coaches. Probably keep Snyder for special teams. He is a good coach who was trapped in a bad culture. Not sure if they keep the S&C coach or hire a new guy. The S&C coach needs to take some blame for the poor culture at USC, but it was Stiner’s first season, so tough to hold him really accountable.

      There are 4 offensive line and 4 defensive line prospects we need to land and a few linebackers. We need to steal a few good receivers, including T-mac from Oregon.

      I hope Christobal takes the Florida job, or is it Miami that is his alma mater?

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  4. Hey Mike Bohn———–where’s the extension on Andy Enfield’s contract.???? The basketball program is at the highest level ever for this university are you trying to ruin that also???? Are you encouraging Enfield to go elsewhere at the end of the season so you can hire your buddy Boyle from Colorado who is another ahole.

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    2. In as much as Andyain’twinning is 0 – 8 vs Colorado, what’s the downside to employing Coach Boyle Mr. d?

      BTW d, Andyain’twinning ate another cupcake – bozo u 98 – Dixie State 71. The announced Gayland Barn attendance was 36.

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      1. JOwns once invested in a drive thru bowling alley. Didn’t work out, but he now has a lot of bowling shoes to match his pants.

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    3. I don’t care if he’s an ahole, can he recruit and get USC deep into the NCAA tournament every year. That’s the goal. Look at Nicky Saban he’s a big ahole winning every freaking year. Bobby Knight in hoops. This ain’t about being a nice guy. It’s about recruiting and winning; Building a program, period.

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      1. With all due respect tboogs, getting the bozos deep in the tournament is certainly the goal; but being destroyed on Network TV by 19 points in the Elite Eight Rd., invalidates the minor glory of the bozos E8 run.

        #Andyain’twinning needs a haircut.

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  5. Hey Mike Bohn where’s the contract extension for Andy Enfield? USC Basketball is at the highest level in the last 60 years are you trying to ruin this program also, and encourage Enfield to take a job elsewhere??
    Perhaps, you are trying to create an opening, and bring in Tad Boyle from Colorado who is another one of your buddies, and a complete jerk.

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    1. My wife and I chatted with Coach Tad Boyle at the Chipotle in Boulder quite a few years ago. Did not seem like an “ahole” or complete jerk to us. I have never heard a single word of disrepute about Boyle.

      He does have a habit of beating the Trojans quite regularly, and much like Chris Petersen (in CFB), Boyle takes 2&3 star recruits and wins in the PAC12 very regularly.

      If there is info out there disparaging Boyle, I’d like to read it.
      Irrespective, I’m a fan of Enfield and have never disparaged him “around here.”

      Heck, we have Owns to do that for us.

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      2. Thank you Mr. Bourbon4me. Why just last night Andyain’twinning ate another fat cream puff – bozo bb 98 – Dixie State 71.

        The world renown Dixie State is now 1 – 4. It’s a major win in bozo bb’s little red wagon BB schedule.

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  6. She also said her job was not to hire a football head coach when she first arrived before Bohn’s hire. Her word is worthless. It’s calculated to be “truthful” that she will not be the acting party, but she WILL INFLUENCE the acting party. She is trying to drum up donations……..lost during her assault on the football program with her love affair with a worthless coach who was manageable for her. She needs to be fired. She has situation integrity although she shouts to the heavens about the lack of integrity in others. She owes the university, the football program, the athletes and the fans as well as Urban Meyers a public apology for her wrongful accusations and decisions. Escort her off the campus!

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    1. The funniest thing –the most memorable thing — is Carol calling Urban “radioactive.” Urban actually accomplished REAL things during his tenure as a college coach. Carol’s specialty is blathering like a ding-a-ling. Want proof? Check out her vapid statements about “walking the path” and “entering the new age.” Who talks like that?
      #Radioactive?Don’tTryWalkingByAnyGeigerCounters,Carol…..

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      1. I’m for Urban ..if we can’t get the Baylor coach, or Fickell. He’s a proven winner, will get us back on track, and would make USC legitimate again.

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  7. Mike Bohn has a history of being an idiot when it comes to evaluating coaching prospects. He hired Dan Hawkins, John Embree as head coaches at Colorado, and Eric Bienemy as a co-head coach/ offensive coordinator, and all were losers who ran the program into the ground. So maybe Carol Folt needs to get involved or hire a coaching search firm .

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    3. Hawkins was a hot commodity at Boise–no one knew that his assistant (Chris Petersen) was the brains behind the brand. Hawkins was a smart hire who recruited well. He had lousy assistants due to CU’s cap on assistant coaches salaries (limited to the salary of professors or about $100-150,000/yr). Once CU figured out its mistake, it was too late.

      MacIntyre was a good hire and was building a strong program until DC Jim Leavitt (a defensive genius) was offered a better salary elsewhere.

      I lived through these years here in Colorado and recall the events quite clearly.

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      1. Embree and Bienemy were awful …anyone that thinks Bienemy can run a blue blood D1 program is insane. That thug is worthless anyone can send in Andy Reid’s plays. He is the NFL version of Suckisian and Kiffin.

        Liked by 1 person

    4. I’m open to suggestions on whom to hire as a professional AD (not a former FB player) at USC. I don’t keep track of these guys, as they get no publicity in the media.

      Names?

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  8. The coaching staff is trying something new with the team as they prepare for BYU: Getting tough. Real tough.
    Donte reportedly told receivers, “Sometimes the ball is gonna come at you a little higher and/or faster than you’d like. We’d like you to still try to catch it.”
    #TheO-LineWasAskedToHoldBlocksForOneFullSecond…

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    1. I just sent a series of youth football books written by Tiki and Ronde Barber to my niece and nephews. They are written for ages 6-10. Some titles are RED Zone, Teammates, Kickoff, Goal Line, End Zone et al.
      Donte often sounds like he’s quoting from them.

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  9. What’s wrong with Dave Aranda. He keeps his nose clean, is all business, and a hell of a defensive coach, which is what we need! He is a local guy that has all his family in Southern California. She should have no problem with his hire. He is absolutely the #1 hire for USC!

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    1. I hear he is very loyal to his organization…..that is wonderful when you are the organization. However, he may feel loyalty to Baylor for giving him a start as a head coach. I love that quality, but it could be to our disadvantage. Mel Tucker, on the other hand, keeps his suitcase packed.

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  10. In an article in The Athletic the writer asked parents of USC players who they wanted for the next coach, the overwhelming response was…. Fickell, Aranda’s name was never mentioned by one parent.

    Which potential coaching hire would excite you the most?
    Parent of an upperclassman: I don’t have a name in my head, but I’d love to see a candidate like that Chargers head coach (Brandon Staley). Someone who’s young, invigorated with knowledge and an innovative mind and can carry that through the entire organization.

    Parent of an upperclassman: Luke Fickell would excite me because at the end of the day he’s at Cincinnati. I don’t care if Cincinnati goes undefeated, that’s not a sexy program. You don’t hear people say growing up, “I want to get the job and go to Cincinnati.”

    Parent of underclassman: Luke Fickell.

    Parent of an underclassman: (Fickell), and the reason why I say that is because for that guy to do what he’s done there with three-stars, no-stars, I’ve watched them play since he’s been a candidate. … They were talking about the D-line and gap integrity. My lord. When they say gap integrity, it’s about being a man, I’m in the weight room every f—— day because I know I got this gap responsibility that’s going to be on my head. And when they did it, the running back goes to the hole and it wasn’t there. When he bounced it, the strong safety lit his ass up because there was no hole there. … It’s just, “I’m going to do my responsibility.” … When you start playing assignment football … it becomes who works the hardest in the weight room, and that determines if they’re going to be in the hunt for national championships.

    Parent of an underclassman: I like the coach from Cincinnati. He’s winning and he’s proven he can turn programs around. I just like what he’s doing, and he doesn’t have a lot of high-profile names over there and they’re still winning and beating big-time programs. I also like the coach from the Chiefs, (offensive coordinator) Eric Bienemy, and I know if you get a coach from the pros here, (my son) is going to be pro-ready when it’s time.

    Parent of an upperclassman: I’m more of a pro coach, like a Herm (Edwards) over there at ASU. Other than the trouble he just got in, I think he kind of sets that tone. He knows what to look for as far as you going to the next level. I’d like to see an NFL guy come in. … Someone who has a pro background.

    Parent of an underclassman: Someone established, of course. That’s my only prerequisite. Someone who gives us instant credibility.

    Parent of an underclassman: We were spoiled a few years back having a coaching staff like Pete Carroll had. We had a history with Coach O. It’s like, “OK. What has happened?” This man just won a national championship for these guys two years ago and it’s, “What have you done for me lately?” His respect and leadership is to be possibly looked at. We’ve got a lot of people out there right now.

    Parent of an underclassman: I think the names they’re talking about are all really exciting. I don’t understand the (James) Franklin hate. I think he’d be great for the program. Franklin, Fickell, (Chris) Petersen, they are all such vast improvements. … You need to take the long view in this. It’s not the quick fix. It’s not just the coach who’s had the good season this year. I would even be interested in (Dave) Clawson from Wake Forest. I don’t necessarily think the biggest name is the best hire for USC. It’s more about qualities.

    Parent of an underclassman: I’m not too excited about some of the names at the top of the list because none of them have won the big one. I feel like for the caliber of program USC has and the caliber of expectations there are, you have to have someone who’s a proven winner. When you say who’s won national titles, man, the list is small. I would love to see Urban Meyer. Part of that is a slippery slope too because he brings some shenanigans with him that I don’t necessarily like. But he’s proven he can win, and at the end of the day, if that’s what these kids want is to win a national championship and be a part of that, you have to bring someone in who’s like that.

    Parent of an upperclassman: I heard a name come up the other day and I think I’d be really impressed with: Jeff Fisher. He did it at the highest level and he’s an alum. … I would like to see somebody come and give back. And to see these programs like Cincinnati do what they’re doing without the players there. We’re a very talented team, there’s no way we should be playing like we’re playing. Could you imagine if a coach like that came in and had the talent (we) have?

    Parent of an underclassman: A coach who has a proven track record. When you see results, that means development. A guy that can take three-star guys and get them to the NFL. A guy who can recruit big names in terms of getting four- and five-star players. To me, a proven guy with a proven system.

    Parent of an upperclassman: I don’t even know who’s in the running, but Coach O. I know they’d probably never bring him back and he may never choose to come back, but when everybody saw LSU and that he’s not returning, everybody’s like, “Oh my gosh.”

    Parent of an underclassman: Any coach that is gonna maximize these kids’ potential.

    Parent of an upperclassman: Luke Fickell or Matt Campbell.

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    1. Parenst were also asked who they would be lukewarm about, most said Franklin, some said Kiffin ?, but here’s a couple of beauties from parents

      Parent of an underclassman: All the candidates that have been mentioned have good resumes and have won with less. I also think Donte (Williams) has done OK with the hand he was dealt.

      Parent of an underclassman: Not really. It would have to be someone I know who doesn’t have a winning resume, who doesn’t have the cache to handle the market, the media, the access … a lot of the different things that come with being in Los Angeles. I want it to be someone who is going to be able to captivate the fan base.

      Parent of an underclassman: I don’t know enough honestly. If we hire a more defensive-minded coach, then the offensive coordinator becomes very, very important for us.

      Parent of an underclassman: I think they’re all the same. No one really stands out to me, they are all sort of equal. You’ve got the Cincinnati coach who’s doing a lot of winning but it’s in an inferior conference. And you’ve got the Penn State coach who’s in a big-time conference but is putting up mediocre numbers.

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      1. I want the parent who said ‘it’s all about gap integrity and responsibility’ as our next head coach…..
        #I’mNotAsHighOnTheParentWhoThinksDonteIsDoing’Okay’…

        Liked by 5 people

      2. Is The Athletic any good? Is Morales who writes about USC any good? I might subscribe to it for $1 a month just for USC.

        Like

    2. I assume this is a new article. Fickell has been being talked about since the end of last season. Aranda’s made a big jump in just the past few weeks. Not surprised that parents talk more about Fickell who they’re just more familiar with at this point.

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      1. Very, very nice point. There’s probably a bit of a coaching gap between “best candidate” and “most familiar & repeated name.”
        #[NotThatIt’llMakeADifferenceTo”TheDecider”]

        Liked by 2 people

      2. hit 5 hours ago.

        Polled 16 parents of current USC players earlier this season to gain some of that perspective: the qualities they believe the Trojans’ next head coach needs, the names they’d be excited about if they were hired and the names they wouldn’t be thrilled to hear. Representing roughly 20 percent of the families with ties to USC’s roster, this survey offers only a glimpse into select parents’ thoughts during late October and early November, before any specific names were connected with the biggest jobs open right now.

        Liked by 5 people

      1. I agree Bourbon4me. I love Coach O for his contributions during the glory Carroll days and for his stint as interim coach. I loved talking to him during the Coaches’ Tours. However, I think we need a younger coach who will hopefully want to stay at SC for a time long enough to make it viable again. I’m a huge Aranda fan, but like Campbell and hope a better situation for him would make him a superstar. Not interested in Fickell because of his wife’s lack of enthusiasm and Franklin because he’s never won the big ones. He’s like Bob Stoops fizzles out in the big games.

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    4. Yes, let’s take polls to hire our guy! The poll of the players was that they loved Helton. Players loved Sark, he was a player’s coach, and was a great living room closer in recruiting. The moms loved him!

      So yes, by all means, let’s talk with underclassmen and their parents about who is most qualified to lead one of the most storied programs in CFB over the past century.

      OR: Hire a winner; someone who has been a successful college head coach. Hire a guy who is toughness and defense first. Hire a guy who can recruit. Could be Aranda, could be Fickell, could be Capmpbell, could be a number of guys.

      But for goodness sakes, do not pay attention to sound bites from parents and underclassmen. Use your brain to assess who can bring this program back to greatness and sustain it over time. Forget about the emotions of people who are less than qualified to determine who we should hire.

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      1. Bright observation, Scott. Seriously. Very well said.
        #[ChancesAreParents&KidsDon’tKnowWhatThisProgramNeeds…
        #…OurOTHERProblem?NeitherDoFolt&Bohn]…..

        Liked by 1 person

    1. “Hello everyone — this is your president, Carol Folt coming to you from sunny Santa Monica. Everybody have their alarm clocks set?”
      #”We’reGonnaGetYouSuchAPoliticallyCorrectCoachIt’llMakeYouPuke.”

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  12. Folt said “radioactive” because it was the scariest word she could think of. You know, all those horrible nuclear power plants that generate cheap, abundant, clean energy? That blow up spontaneously for no good reason? That have killed more people than all the world’s wars combined? That Urban Meyer must be one scary dude if he’s “radioactive.”

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    2. Just the goddam facts ma’am*. Something woke folk are quite unaccustomed to:
      1. Using
      2. Knowing
      3. Hearing
      4. Applying
      5. Speaking
      6. Recognizing
      7. Finding
      8. Sharing
      9. Recalling
      10. Owning

      *Fu*kin absolute beauty of a line. Top 10 all-timer. Was surprised to learn Col. Potter never actually said it in the show. You know who woulda? Col Blake. I would’ve gonna AWOL under Potter. Potter commanded like Helton coached. Same deal with that ponce Winchester replacing Hunnicutt replacing Trapper. If Trapper is Carrol, Hunnicutt is Sarkiffin, leaving us with, drum roll please, Major Charles Clay Helton. Also in the Top 10?
      “Here’s to good friends, tonight is kinda special, something something and something else, so tonight, (tonight) toooo-night, dear Jesus Our Lord, please let it be some Löwenbräu” 

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  15. Donte Williams just finished an interview in which he called the BYU contest a possible “Trap Game”…..
    #NotSureHeKnowsTheMeaningOfThePhrase…
    #TrapGamesAreSomethingWINNINGTeamsHaveToWatchOurFor…
    #SoWe’reSafe…..
    #[NoTrapsForUs]!

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    1. Donte:
      “I call it a trap game cuz it’s sandwiched in between our losses to UCLA and Cal. ”
      #AnyLossBetweenLossesToUCSchoolsIsn’tARegularLoss….
      #…It’sATrapLoss

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  17. Ryan Kartje doubling-down today … it’s not USC’s coaching, it’s the headsets.

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  18. Somewhat in defense of Mike Bohn: Hired in November 2019. Firing Helton after the Holiday Bowl one month later, without having any time to do his OWN due diligence, would have told me he was just another Haden Like Puppet being told what to do with a Knee Jerk Reaction. Also too late in the Hiring Cycle to make a move then and expect to find a good replacement. In 2020, COVID aside, Helton didn’t give him an objective compelling reason to fire him, getting to the Conference Title game and being one healthy Slovis right shoulder away from winning it. In 2021, he pulled the Trigger at the first Objective Opportunity he got, probably thinking that Helton or not, this season was going to not be good. If I was in his shoes, I wouldn’t have done it any earlier and probably waited until a second bad loss occurred. Regarding needing a “Home Run Hire”, much like when Pete was hired in 2001, unless we get someone like Belichick, Carroll, Tomlin or Meyer, we won’t know until 3 years pass if the hire was a Home Run or not.

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    1. Maybe it’s time to recall how we needed last minute scoring frenzies to beat less than mediocre Arizona State and UCLA. AND lowly Arizona.
      Maybe it’s also a time for reflecting on how we lucked out of our commitments to play Alabama and Notre Dame.
      And we shouldn’t forget that Oregon sucked last year….and there was no excuse in the world for losing to a team that got beat by Oregon State and Cal…..
      Bohn needed to get rid of Helton after the 24-49 loss to that shitty Iowa team in the Holiday Bowl. It was obvious Helton couldn’t beat any of the Oregons, Ohio States or Alabamas by that time.

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  19. Trying to figure out what value a parents poll has… outside of the occasional son-of-a-former-player, most parents know just enough about whatever sport their wonderkind is playing to be dangerous. Just cause Ol’ Joe The Accountant shares a roof with Ol’ Johnny The Football Star doesn’t mean the two share some great/greater insight into the game. Matter of fact I can think of a couple things that might actually make the opinion of a players parent the last thing you’d want to get when doin one of the “appeasement surveys”. For example:
    THING #1
    • Depending on the size of Ol’ Joes gloves and/or shoes if ya catch my drift, Ol’ Joe might feel compelled to self-annoint himself a pigskin guru and answer such poll questions with the purposely uncommon answer, i.e. “You know who I think checks all the boxes? The inside receivers coach at NW Alibaba State, Mac Tungsten. Mark my words this guy is the next Marty Mornhinweg. How do I know? Easy, my kid is a good player, and that’s just not because of the approx 50% of the genetics”.
    THING #2
    • I don’t have a clue what the percentages are for households where hotshot football player and notshot indulgent daddy/mommy are chatting up all things football like a couple of bff’s, but, Helton household aside, I’d wager those leave it to the beav throwback households are far and few between. If that is indeed the case, how does this poll-worthy football insight come to be? Well, to get down to it, it doesn’t. Proximity doesn’t impart smarts. Proximity doesn’t impart wisdom. If it did, the time I stood next to Michael Anthony (V. Halen) at the pisser of the Arcadia Outback Steak place woulda made me a waaaay better bass player.
    Guess what I’m trying to say is who gives a fu*k what the parents think? After all, at one point, in their opinion, Helton was the coach they wanted their kid to play for, so…

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  20. My latest list of coach candidates:

    1. Dave Aranda
    2. Luke Fickell
    3. Mark Stoops
    4. Dave Clawson
    5. Dan Lanning or Brent Venables with Jeff Grimes
    6. Kalani Sataki

    And Jeff Grimes as OC. If Aranda doesnt come, let’s steal his OC. Sorry Dave.

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    1. James Franklin is dumbest Div. 1 HC. His loss to Clown U in the RB still boggles my mind. His loss to Illinois this year ranks up there in just plain stupid losses.

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  23. Hire Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. At least they are not radioactive…….. Incompetent and con men…….YES!. Radioactive…….NO!

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  24. Scott Wolf, Carol Folt (and her teleprompter) want to stay as far away from this train wreck as possible. She’s going to take no responsibility for Clay Helton and wants to give the impression that she’s no longer that involved in the football decision-making. I’ll let you judge.

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  25. I don’t know if Scott Wolf did this intentionally, but what a great pic of Carol Folt and her teleprompter. Carol Folt, your lackluster reputation FAR exceeds your ability.

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