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Thoughts

Not trying to start a pissing match.
These are just my honest thoughts as of today.

Concerns:
Hop does not seem like a risk taker recruiting wise. Diamond in the rough won't keep us competitive. He will do well locally, and grab a few 3-stars. That's the ceiling.

I think he may have a stubborn streak. I suppose all HCs do.

Really nervous about OC. Want to keep Woz (and all the staff) but not a lot of experience.

Actually worried that Bower might have a bit too much influence. Love Bower. Just concerned.

Worry about defensive scheme. Really really want to keep Duggan.

Hopson must have the worst agent since Kenneth Fairley.



Things I'm excited about:

We're going to sell a lot of tickets

I have a feeling EC is going to grow significantly. (I have been tweeting since the hire that the best way to help J Hop win is to join EC ... doing my little part).

I think recruiting is going to improve ( but we'll get less star players), especially in MS.

No more losing seasons for a long time.

Signing Day Wild Cards

Newly hired Southern Miss head coach Jay Hopson hit the ground running meeting and greeting as many Southern Miss recruits as possible over the weekend. He met with players and the current coaching staff as well.

During the six days between former head coach Todd Monken leaving for Tampa Bay and Hopson being named head coach the Southern Miss coaching staff led by David Duggan, John Wozniak and Jon Williams did an amazing job of holding Southern Miss' recruiting class together.

In fact they may have helped Southern Miss gain ground on a couple off prospects.

READ MORE

Hiring/Firing just not a simple choice

I read where folks think that Jay should just immediately hire all of Monken's assistants. They've proven their merit, been working to recruit players to our school, and provide continuity to our program. On the other hand they are not Jay's assistants because he has assistants that took that leap of faith with him and joined him at Alcorn. His success was a result of their efforts. We have some who talk about loyalty to our current assistants but what about Jay's loyalty to his assistants at Alcorn. If there is to be a bad guy in this situation I give you Monken. These are his assistants that he left behind for his own pursuit of his goals. He knew when leaving that there was a good chance that they would be left out.

On the other hand, Jay has assistants which he had hired and feels a responsibility to do right by. It is just not a simple decision for by Jay's decision some coaches will be left out. It's not a choice I would relish nor want to be making. So before some of you start firestorms after Jay announces his decision on coaches just ask yourself what would you do if you had to choose between those that have been in the battles with you or those that are already in place. I suspect that we will see a blended staff with Jay keeping his best and keeping those that he feels will be the best match for his style. Either way Jay will not be the bad guy as he didn't create the situation....that would be Monken who we invested in for three years and got a one year dividend on that investment.

Just a suggestion or two or three

Let's find out who the coach actually is
Then let's listen to BM and RB and the coach talk about the process, why he is a great fit and what his short and long term plans are to get us to the top.
Then let's welcome him warmly, offer our support and thank him for becoming part of our family. Let's tell him why we love USM, why it is special and that we will work as hard as him to make it great if he will,lead the charge.
Let's speak totally positive to media and on public places like Twitter to create an image of excitement (recruits read that stuff, our tweets do affect them).
Then to those who may be happy or unhappy, let's start a pros and cons thread, without arguing opinions/perceptions (worthless without facts), so everyone can read and make up their own mind without attacking each other.

Tired of seeing people, good people, eat their own on here. No need to attack each other, BM, RB or anyone unless we have facts.

It causes Lanny problems (and Drew on Scout) when we act like fools. If we can't discuss without dissing someone else, if we aren't smart enough to know our opinions are not shared by everyone else and may not be right, then we probably shouldn't be speaking in public forums anyway.

Let's use our brains to find solutions, raise money, recruit EC members and sell tickets instead of constantly making smart ass answers and putting down things about which we have limited knowledge.

I am guilty at times but will try to do better. And heck, I may be wrong and all the bitching and complaining may be positive for Southern Miss.
I am sure y'all will let me know,
GWE
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