- Aug 31, 2014
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I missed the first 5 minutes or so, but I thought he handled himself well and answered the questions pretty thoroughly and understandable. It's talk right now and we're waiting for the walk, but I feel some better afterward. As others have noted, I appreciate him telling the team to "rest up" in preparation for the off-season conditioning experience under his leadership. Makes me feel like he realizes our deficit in this area, though he said he hadn't watched much/any video on us. Guessing the piss poor job that was done in S/C has been emphasized from within and/or from SEC contemporaries that faced us. I know he has already lined up in-home visits with some of our commits and he alluded to the importance of this piece. He acknowledged the pressure to win is great among our fans and followers and seemed to embrace that aspect. He didn't dodge the questions about his "lateral move" comments and those of his wife. Emphasized that his wife was happy with the opportunity to return and if she wasn't, probably wouldn't have considered it (though 6 mil/year can help change perspectives, I'm quite sure!). This is what I remember that stuck out to me.
He said that Stricklin first called him Friday after Thanksgiving to gauge interest and that he slept on it and called him the next morning to get it going and the deal was done shortly thereafter. If so, it makes me believe that he probably knew he could stay at Miss St as long as he wanted to, but to actually have a shot to compete for the championships, Florida offered the best chance and challenge. In Starkville, he had probably topped out and was held in high regard for what he had done; at Florida, there would be room to rise, but at a risk related to him meeting much higher expectations. Again, 6 mil/year makes it easier to decide, but it looks like he's looking forward to the challenge and is confident he can make a dent.
The Old Ball Coach's endorsement helps in my mind as do those of former players. He obviously did something right while he was here before. I'm ready to see what he can do. He may not be the pin-up we were looking for, but after the last two regimes, he don't look so bad. I really wish I knew what the hold up on Norvell was all about. May have missed an explanation of that, but would be interested to know. I just want something I can feel good about where the program is concerned. The void this year was immense. Feeling like we've got a better chance at least.
Thanks. That was pretty much take. I would add that I liked his comments when asked about the Florida fan expectations (a veiled attempt to trash Gator fans). He said all fans in the SEC had high expectations.