'14 CA ATH John (Juju) Smith (USC Signee)

[Buster Bluth]

He was impressed with ND and we may be in the lead for him. Relationships and religion are very much in our favor.

Be worried about USC and their new coach

I can see it now, Southern Cal hiring a guy who's deeply spiritual and comes it to swoop him away. This is some bulllllshit.

 

[Irishnuke]

I can see it now, Southern Cal hiring a guy who's deeply spiritual and comes it to swoop him away. This is some bulllllshit.

I know this will never happen, but could you imagine what would happen if they hired Tony Dungy? That's a scary thought.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I know this will never happen, but could you imagine what would happen if they hired Tony Dungy? That's a scary thought.

You're right it wouldn't happen, but that would be a nightmare. Who wouldn't want to play for him? Absolutely loved him while he was in Indy with Peyton and company.

 

[Cackalacky]

I know this will never happen, but could you imagine what would happen if they hired Tony Dungy? That's a scary thought.

I have far too much respect for TD to let that happen. I would personally have to sabotage any and all negotiations between him and USC.

 

[ACamp1900]

You're right it wouldn't happen, but that would be a nightmare. Who wouldn't want to play for him? Absolutely loved him while he was in Indy with Peyton and company.

It’s not just his character either… the guy made the Tampa Bay Bucs a perennial power for crying out loud… remember their image before he got there??

 

[ndfb3]

I know this will never happen, but could you imagine what would happen if they hired Tony Dungy? That's a scary thought.

Tony Dungy was on the Dan Patrick show and he said he would not coach again. He was approached by USC reps a couple weeks ago.

 

[ACamp1900]

Tony Dungy was on the Dan Patrick show and he said he would not coach again. He was approached by USC reps a couple weeks ago.

a real one???

 

[koonja]

Just my opinion, but although I think TD is a great football coach, I don't think he'd be a great recruiter.

16/17 year old kids don't know what he did in the NFL, that was before their time, and he's not a 'rah rah' kind of personality.

Parents would love him, but he wouldn't be a 'sexy' pick to the kids.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Just my opinion, but although I think TD is a great football coach, I don't think he'd be a great recruiter.

16/17 year old kids don't know what he did in the NFL, that was before their time, and he's not a 'rah rah' kind of personality.

Parents would love him, but he wouldn't be a 'sexy' pick to the kids.

Weis wasn't a sexy pick either, but he signed plenty of 5 recruits simply by flashing his Superbowl rings.

 

[ACamp1900]

Just my opinion, but although I think TD is a great football coach, I don't think he'd be a great recruiter.

16/17 year old kids don't know what he did in the NFL, that was before their time, and he's not a 'rah rah' kind of personality.

Parents would love him, but he wouldn't be a 'sexy' pick to the kids.

Simply the name "Tony Dungy" would get him two-three studs a class... without even showing up.

 

[koonja]

Weis wasn't a sexy pick either, but he signed plenty of 5 recruits simply by flashing his Superbowl rings.

Weis's personality is a polar opposite to dungys imo.

Much more flamboyant, much more flashy and exciting.

 

[Ironman8]

Weis's personality is a polar opposite to dungys imo.

Much more flamboyant, much more flashy and exciting.

And Dungy is much more fatherly, trusting, etc. He will win over a lot of parents in the living room.

Different styles yes, but could be just as, if not more, effective.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Weis's personality is a polar opposite to dungys imo.

Much more flamboyant, much more flashy and exciting.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Weis's personality is a polar opposite to dungys imo.

Much more flamboyant, much more flashy and exciting.

That I can agree with. Just had a hard time imagining a morbidly obese man as a "sexy" hire.

 

[gkIrish]

IMO any former NFL head coach that "retired" would not stick with a college gig very long if he could get back in the NFL. I'm sure there have been exceptions but I don't see Tony Dungy or Gruden coaching at USC for more than a year or two.

 

[koonja]

That I can agree with. Just had a hard time imagining a morbidly obese man as a "sexy" hire.

Speak for yourself.

 

[Cackalacky]

Speak for yourself.

He looks like he has three rows of bewbs.

 

[jmurphy75]

Lovie is likely the next HC of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

That's what i'm praying for!

 

[phork]

For more on dumping UM (And who can't get enough of that?)

CA ATH JuJu Smith was always considered a longshot to end up at Michigan, even though he'd previously scheduled an official visit for the Ohio State game. After very positive visits to Notre Dame, Ohio State, and new contender Oregon, Smith dropped the Wolverines from his list, citing their less-than-stellar performance:

Which is boggling considering the tire fire that is USC and our 2 losses (1 to UM).

 

[rikkitikki08]

I realllllyyyy want this kid at ND simply so i can say " Bringing the JUJU back to Notre Dame" every Saturday during the fall

So yeah commit already John!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

From Scott Schrader again at 247. Again grain of salt.

Was told by an impeccable source, "USC has the Inside track on JuJu. They have to really mess things up not to get him."

 

[gkIrish]

From Scott Schrader again at 247. Again grain of salt.

Well in that case, I'm pretty confident they will mess things up.

 

[GBdomer]

Schrader is a homer but he's not as bad Gerald Martinez. He can pound sand, Scott was all over Matt Thomas so I will give him that. USC recruiting is a mess right now. ND has to take advantage of that right now.

 

[ab2cmiller]

We would've had a better shot if Lane was still there.

Yes, USC's recruiting is a mess right now. However, any new hire usually brings with it hope and excitement. We may even have the lead now, but if he's a die hard USC kid, that lead will evaporate about as quick as flipping on a light switch with the new coaching hire.

The only way that doesn't happen is if at least 3 or 4 top coaches publicly rebuke a USC offer and the public is left with the impression that they are settling for the #5 guy on their list because he was the only one willing to come.

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

We would've had a better shot if Lane was still there.

Yes, USC's recruiting is a mess right now. However, any new hire usually brings with it hope and excitement. We may even have the lead now, but if he's a die hard USC kid, that lead will evaporate about as quick as flipping on a light switch with the new coaching hire.

The only way that doesn't happen is if at least 3 or 4 top coaches publicly rebuke a USC offer and the public is left with the impression that they are settling for the #5 guy on their list because he was the only one willing to come.

i feel like there's a much better chance the USC's options are limited this time around. the situation reminds me of urban's comment about going to florida because the situation was ripe for winning, and fast. the usc mess should be unattractive for elite coaches. if i'm right, the only chance usc has for getting an elite coach hitting a homerun by betting on (1) an ambitious up and comer that pans out, or (2) a middle of the pack coach that just needed the right environment to shine. the first type will have some serious hype that would secure juju for USC, without question. the second would still keep us in the running because there's enough reason to think a middle of the pack guy will follow his own trend. i think that's another way that juju isn't easy pickings those bastards. my guess is the #2 is what USC ends up with, but i'd love some icing on the cake with big time coaches throwing up their hands and publicly stating USC is too far gone to save.

 

[NDohio]

i feel like there's a much better chance the USC's options are limited this time around. the situation reminds me of urban's comment about going to florida because the situation was ripe for winning, and fast. the usc mess should be unattractive for elite coaches. if i'm right, the only chance usc has for getting an elite coach hitting a homerun by betting on (1) an ambitious up and comer that pans out, or (2) a middle of the pack coach that just needed the right environment to shine. the first type will have some serious hype that would secure juju for USC, without question. the second would still keep us in the running because there's enough reason to think a middle of the pack guy will follow his own trend. i think that's another way that juju isn't easy pickings those bastards. my guess is the #2 is what USC ends up with, but i'd love some icing on the cake with big time coaches throwing up their hands and publicly stating USC is too far gone to save.

I would love to see this as well but I think Pat Haden is too well respected for any coach to say that. If a coach refuses the job, they will probably do it quietly.

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

I would love to see this as well but I think Pat Haden is too well respected for any coach to say that. If a coach refuses the job, they will probably do it quietly.

good point. it wouldn't go down so dramatically.

still...i wouldn't put it past ESPN to report something like "Sources say that John Doe, rumored to be the top candidate for the head coaching position at USC, scoffed at the idea of accepting the offer extended by the university." rinse and repeat for a couple more candidates. one can hope.

 

[stlnd01]

i'd love some icing on the cake with big time coaches throwing up their hands and publicly stating USC is too far gone to save.

Yeah. No one's going to say that. Because in addition to it being impolite, it's also not true.
USC's still a great job - Top 5 in college football. There's all the resources and recruiting base you could hope for. They're almost through the worst of the sanctions. Haden seems like he'd be a good guy to work for. They'll get a solid coach. Biggest hurdles might be the Texas job also being open, and the timeframe of potential NFL gigs. Maybe they won't pull Kevin Sumlin out of his fat contract at A&M. But they should be able to get someone like Steve Sarkisian, and could do worse than to keep Ed Orgeron.
The trick for JuJu Smith's recruitment might be the timetable. I would think the sooner they can hire someone the better from USC's perspective. But top candidates might not be available until January.

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

Yeah. No one's going to say that. Because in addition to it being impolite, it's also not true.
USC's still a great job - Top 5 in college football. There's all the resources and recruiting base you could hope for. They're almost through the worst of the sanctions. Haden seems like he'd be a good guy to work for. They'll get a solid coach. Biggest hurdles might be the Texas job also being open, and the timeframe of potential NFL gigs. Maybe they won't pull Kevin Sumlin out of his fat contract at A&M. But they should be able to get someone like Steve Sarkisian, and could do worse than to keep Ed Orgeron.
The trick for JuJu Smith's recruitment might be the timetable. I would think the sooner they can hire someone the better from USC's perspective. But top candidates might not be available until January.

it's just wishful thinking. didn't mean to make anyone think i actually thought it would happen, hence "icing on the cake".

 

[stlnd01]

it's just wishful thinking. didn't mean to make anyone think i actually thought it would happen, hence "icing on the cake".

Fair enough. If someone would mouth off about them the way folks like Pat Fitzgerald have mouthed off about our job in the past, it would at least be fun to hear.