Coaching Rumor Update, episode II

As promised, some names I'm not so thrilled about. When I type that, understand that it is a mixture of ignorance, cold research and educated guesses. Also understand that this is not a comprehensive list, just the ones I've taken the time so far to look into. The names below have been gleaned from three different sources, two I trust and one I frequently ridicule. I think by the end you'll see which is the latter.

Feel free to disagree, agree or even add your own.

Vic Koenning

current: DC at Kansas St

PA - 23.3 Sacks - 20 INTs - 13 Fum - 11 TFLs - 62 PBUs - 27 QB hurries - 2

Koenning was the Clemson DC during the Tommy Bowden era. He was basically fired/let go when Dabo Swinney took over. So he's been at KSU just one season. His time at CU was much like Bowden's, littered with stellar highlights (holding Calvin Johnson to zero catches in a 31-7 2006 win) and epic fails (take your pick). I asked my IPTAY connection about the Koenning tenure and it sounds like overall the fanbase was pleased with him. But when Dabo took over Koenning's inability to inspire his troops the way the new HC was looking for led to his dismissal. Given what we've seen from the Dabo tenure so far, I take that to mean he's too laid back.

Overall, I guess the resume just doesn't impress me. His defense from what I have read and remember seeing are a mirror of Martinez's. I recall going with my dad to see a Clemson/Central Michigan game a couple of years ago. It was a Georgia off week, so I figured I'd scout a future opponent. The Tigers destroyed CMU as expected, but the defense really only tried to contain LeFevour and relied on some turnovers to hold them to 17 points (if I remember correctly).

But..on Koenning's side is the fact that he has ties to CMR through the Bowden family.

Kevin Steele

current: DC Clemson

PA - 21.0 Sacks - 34 INTs - 21 Fum - 8 TFLs - 96 PBUs - 42 QB hurries - 30

Took over for Koenning in Clemson this season and was really the reason for their success this season. Steele you may remember, left Saban's sideline in the off-season to assume his role in Death Valley. Again from the land of IPTAY...the feeling on Steele up there is that he's had his troops in the right place all season and that they've done very well all season except for about six quarters against the trade schoolers.

This is a name that at least intrigued me until Saturday night. Dad agrees that the Tigers failed miserably at stopping Dwyer and Nesbitt, as Martinez had the week before. During the drives when they did stop Dwyer, the pitch hurt them badly.

Maybe that's putting too much weight into just one game against a team we play on the last game of the season...maybe not. I mean, when you break your hand trying to fire up the troops before the game and then let them score 39 points...well, I think we've been there before.

Mark Stoops

current: DC Arizona

PA - 23.2 Sacks - 34 INTs - 12* Fum - 7 TFLs - 69 PBUs - 36 QB hurries - 1

Stoops name has surfaced thanks to the mutha up in Bristol. From what I can tell that is the only place it is being mentioned in connection with Georgia's opening. However, one apparent source is a Gamecock site which states that there's a 80% chance that the new Dawg DC will either be Stoops or Sunseri.

So I give this little weight until I hear it from a different source. Right now it sounds like some nervous chickens anxious about the long shot of losing Ellis Johnson.

* just wanted to point out that this number is actually inflated by 5 INTs against Central Mich the first game of the season.