Daily Nugz - Tuesday, October 6, 2009

by JG2112 on Oct 6, 2009 6:19 AM CDT Comment 3 comments

Onward and upward. Quick bullet points today:

(1) I realize this isn't an Alabama sports blog, but I've never heard Tim Brewster ever talk about the X's and O's of football on his radio show, and even if he did it would probably devolve to PLAY FIGHT WIN. So, read Nick Saban's unbelievable answer to a caller in to his radio show as to how to play defensive back. Seriously. That is one smart guy. No wonder his teams get better so quickly.

(2) Hey, Gopher Hockey starts in earnest in under two weeks. The team won an exhibition game against British Columbia on Sunday. TDG's preview hits your eyes next week.

(3) Have you heard of Tubby Smith? Attend Tubby's Tip-Off on Friday, October 16th. It's free! The Gophers are guaranteed to win!!

(4) The football team has picked up another verbal commitment for the class of 2010: Florida CB Jabari Price. He stands 5-11 and weighs 175 lbs. He had already visited Purdue and planned to visit North Carolina. Other offers came from Kansas State and Louisville. Again, take notice: no interest from any in-state school, and no verifiable interest from any other top-20 program (if there were, it'd be in his interest to trumpet said interest). He also claims a 4.0 GPA and a 20 on his ACT. He is considered a 3 star prospect at both major recruiting services.

As long as you trust the coaches to develop players, this is a decent catch for the Gophers. Expect him to redshirt and then compete for time opposite Michael Carter starting in 2011. If you see him in 2010, cover your eyes.

(5) Another blogger's experiences during the game on Saturday.

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Nick Saban

JG2112—-do you ever wonder what the Gophers would be looking like if Saban had taken over instead of Brewster?? This is not a knock on Brewster and I know there wasn’t a prayer of him taking the job, but still I wonder. It is an age old question, “how big a role does the HC play?”

by Texas Gopher on Oct 7, 2009 7:40 PM CDT reply actions

Wow.

Now that is an interesting question TG. I’d never thought of it, but, let’s. When Saban took over Michigan State in the mid-90s, the team’s record didn’t change from .500 ish for his first four years, then, they finished 9-2 in 1999 and Saban bolted for LSU. Obviously, his college success this decade has been more than impressive, and his professional sojourn rates an incomplete.

I think there are a few things that Saban would have done better had he been hired here.

First, he coaches the defense, and the bedrock of every one of his teams is solid, fundamental-based defense with press coverage from the defensive backs. Obviously, that passage from Smart Football shows his depth of knowledge which stems all the way back from his days as a DB at Kent State. I do think our defense would be quantum leaps better than what it is now.

Second, Saban could pick and choose assistants rather than begging friends like Brewster has had to do. Remember – Tim Davis was, I believe, a Director of Player Personnel, which I believe is some sort of scouting or coordinating position. That shows the depth of talent he had on his staff at Bama.

Third, Saban would have shown up as an actual head coach with about 15 years of coaching experience. That cannot be overstated – 2007 would have never happened.

Fourth, Saban has established recruiting expertise in the South and recognized ability to develop players into NFL-caliber standouts. Brewster is still developing this. Saban would be able to attract better athletes to Minnesota than Brewster does now based on Saban alone, let alone the facilities and academics that Brewster relies on due to his lack of coaching experience and accomplishment. Plus, that BCS title wouldn’t hurt Saban in recruiting.

Fifth, and finally, Minnesota would not be perceived as a second-tier Big Ten team. Saban would have brought national prominence to the program and eyes would be trained on Saban as the third-year coach in a new stadium. Brewster’s poor record, his bluster, and his inability to get noticed nationally have hindered Minnesota’s renaissance. Saban would have eliminated those issues.

Ultimately, I don’t think Saban would have won a national title here, but I do think the Rose Bowl would have been a possibility within 5 years.

by JG2112 on Oct 8, 2009 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions