dpodoll68
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- Nov 24, 2008
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Damian Johnson is not currently and probably never will be ready for a Big Ten assistant job, let alone head coach. It has nothing to do with him being young and black, it has to do with him not being good enough. You pimping him here is embarrassing for him and for you.The temptation is to dismiss DJ because he's young and black and coaches at a lower level. But when I listen to him talk, the guy knows his stuff. When he describes his offense and it's origins and his tactical influences...let's just say I've never heard Ben talk that articulately about strategy or approach to the game. Instead we get something about grit at his introductory press conference. If you found that lacking, you're not alone...and you'd be right. It was a nothing burger.
The video pieces I saw of Craig Smith were convincing, especially the segments taken at his practices. That guy has a method and is a splendid teacher. I've learned to trust my eyes and ears and horse sense.
Gerry Faust ran a football factory. They had the best players...which they had at Notre Dame, too, so he didn't completely fall flat on his face there. But it's another thing completely to coach a limited squad up. That's what you look for. That's this year's Utes.
Thought exercise: was it ridiculous when the Gophers hired Doug Woog from the high school level? I never heard him compared to Gerry Faust; maybe he was and I missed it. I don't think it was the best hire, but it wasn't the worst, either.
Did I miss something, or why are you bringing up Craig Smith? Are you comparing him to Damian Johnson? He's almost old enough to be his dad and has had a very successful career in college. He would've been a home run hire here and was the beyond obvious choice.