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Looks like Van is headed to Starkville:

Points will be rolling up in Starkville!

I liked Van. He was out of his element as a DC. The kids seemed to like him and he had a great personality. I think there is a place for him somewhere where he can excel if he can find it. I wish him the best.

mrydel wrote:I liked Van. He was out of his element as a DC. The kids seemed to like him and he had a great personality. I think there is a place for him somewhere where he can excel if he can find it. I wish him the best.

And he looked great in sunglasses!

Isn't a defensive analyst pretty much a graduate assistant? For those who have season season four of Last Chance U, I picture Frank Diaz the QB coach.

Well our head coach was a grad assistant last year then.

Someone please remind me, please. Are there restrictions on the number of assistant coaches? I would agree that Van was "out of his element" as a coordinator but is a "defensive analyst " a way of
getting another assistant?

Assistants can't coach on the field I think. It is more of a strategy role, so it might help him out with being a better coordinator in the future.

You mean analysts can't coach on the field? If that's the case...seems like a bad gig for Malone. He seemed like a people person not some egghead analyst.

mrydel wrote:I liked Van. He was out of his element as a DC. The kids seemed to like him and he had a great personality. I think there is a place for him somewhere where he can excel if he can find it. I wish him the best.

Ditto..........seemed like a nice guy to me. Sat next to his wife at one of the games, and found her to
to be a very pleasant lady with an infectious smile !

mtrout wrote:You mean analysts can't coach on the field? If that's the case...seems like a bad gig for Malone. He seemed like a people person not some egghead analyst.

Yeah, I meant analysts. I agree - his strong point is relationships, recruiting, and he is a decent position coach. But if he wants to try and be a better coordinator, this is a good position to get that figured out.

No Quarter wrote:Someone please remind me, please. Are there restrictions on the number of assistant coaches? I would agree that Van was "out of his element" as a coordinator but is a "defensive analyst " a way of
getting another assistant?

It used to be nine but the NCAA recently increased it to ten. I know this because my alma mater had to hire two coaches, one for the increase and one for a retirement, after not having any staff changes for seven years.

the worst defense in smu history was under van.
so long and good luck

This would have been the telling year for Vans defensive coordinator acumen: fourth year, eight returning starters and a couple of key transfers stepping in. I would have been curious to see how it all played out.

thank goodness we don't have to find out.