Tony Alford = Recruiting Stud

[Some Irish Bloke]

Originally Posted by Veritate Duce Progredi

I like Alexander and have no interest in getting rid of him. Our WR play has been very good the last couple years (and poised to be good this year) with a number of high quality athletes joining us next year.

I agree 100%, there have been a select few (can't remember who specifically and not even calling out FIL7) who have questioned his recruiting prowess, but now we've got Johnson (verbal), have inroads with Colzie just to name a couple, to sprinkle on top of the production we've gotten out of the position, the gems we've found...I think he's certainly proven capable at this point.

[PANDFAN]

Originally Posted by Some Irish Bloke

I agree 100%, there have been a select few (can't remember who specifically and not even calling out FIL7) who have questioned his recruiting prowess, but now we've signed Johnson, have inroads with Colzie just to name a couple, to sprinkle on top of the production we've gotten out of the position, the gems we've found...I think he's certainly proven capable at this point.

not so fast

[Me2SouthBend]

Originally Posted by PANDFAN

not so fast

Signed > Verbal

[stlnd01]

Originally Posted by Pops Freshenmeyer

Recruiting tends to be a young man's game. It wouldn't exactly be shocking if Tony is losing his magic touch after all this time.

True. The man has spent a lot of time on the road.

[FightingIrishLover7]

I suspect all the garbage/toxicity going on at OSU has aged him as well.

[Luckylucci]

Originally Posted by Some Irish Bloke

I agree 100%, there have been a select few (can't remember who specifically and not even calling out FIL7) who have questioned his recruiting prowess, but now we've signed Johnson, have inroads with Colzie just to name a couple, to sprinkle on top of the production we've gotten out of the position, the gems we've found...I think he's certainly proven capable at this point.

Let's see how he does in the 2021 class as well but as of now I think it's completely reasonable to question his recruiting prowess. He hasn't won many heated recruiting battles during his tenure. That's not the end all be all but it's a part of it.

[IrishLax]

Here's what's really sad to me: he went to Ohio State because he had maxed out here and wanted to be a head coach. Kelly was not going to make him an OC. He did (does?) not like working at Ohio State, and strongly disliked the slimeball that was Urban Meyer. So he made a business decision, and then got kind of burned on it. And unfortunately, most lower tier schools are out there hiring "hot shot" coordinator types rather than someone like Alford. I truly believe Alford could be a very good HC if given the opportunity, but he's not being given that opportunity.

It's ironic that Autry Denson got a shot at being HC after underwhelming as a recruiter as Alford's replacement. I do think Denson was a very competent position coach though, and is the kind of guy that would interview well.