{"id":6350,"date":"2013-12-18T09:08:44","date_gmt":"2013-12-18T14:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6350"},"modified":"2013-12-18T09:08:44","modified_gmt":"2013-12-18T14:08:44","slug":"pro-dukes-making-us-proud-and-more-coaching-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6350","title":{"rendered":"Pro Dukes Making Us Proud (and more coaching thoughts)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Don't<\/a>

Don’t Cross the Damn Moats!<\/p><\/div>\n

Before we get to \u00a0some evolving thoughts on the search for a Head Ball Coach, we wanted to follow up all of the awards talk surrounding current Duke Stephon Robertson with some great news about a former Duke, in this case Buffalo Bills Linebacker Arthur Moats. \u00a0As many of you know, Moats has been having a career year. \u00a0His first as a full-time defensive starter has been very solid on the field. \u00a0But even better, Moats has endeared himself to upstate New York through his actions off the field. \u00a0And for this, he was just named Buffalo’s nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year<\/a> Award. \u00a0Moats’ dedication to the philanthropic work and commitment to the Buffalo community (in addition to crushing Favre and inspiring #dontcrossthemoats of course) have made him a bit of a cult hero among Bills fans and we couldn’t be prouder to have him as one of the more recognizable representatives of JMU!<\/p>\n

But of course we have to express a few more thoughts on the coaching search. \u00a0First, we have to give JMU and Carr some credit for the general veil of secrecy surrounding the search. \u00a0Even the intrepid Matthew Stoss of the DNR appears to be struggling to gain much traction in the way of verifiable information. \u00a0In our opinion, this isn’t a bad thing. \u00a0Next, an update on the names is seems we know: George Barlow (current assistant at Vandy and former Dukes DC) has interviewed, Brian Stinespring (current VT whipping boy and assclown) has interviewed, John DeFilippo (former Dukes QB and current Raiders assistant) has very likely interviewed though probably not in the ‘Burg, and we assume Mike O’Cain (current Dukes OC and former NC State HC) has interviewed. \u00a0Those are the four names we know. \u00a0It seems likley there are one or two more, less obvious candidates we don’t know. \u00a0We think, based on Stoss’s take and the fact we hope JB can hear the VT Fans rejoicing if they find a way to get rid of Stinespring, that the leading candidates are Barlow, DeFilippo, and maybe O’Cain. \u00a0Of that group, Barlow appears to have emerged as the fans’ choice and we can’t blame them. \u00a0We’re trying to reserve judgment, because we’re in no way qualified make a judgment on any of these guys, but we can say confidently we’d be excited about either Barlow or DeFilippo for sure. We also wonder if there’s a chance O’Cain could be convinced to stick around with either or both of those guys??<\/p>\n

Next, a quick note on Carr’s involvement. \u00a0We’ve heard quite a few voices saying essentially, “these guys were all obvious JMU targets and why are we paying Carr?” \u00a0While that may not be entirely invalid, Carr provides more than just candidates. \u00a0First, you’ve got to think they’ve put candidates on the board that JB wouldn’t have thought of or seriously considered on his own. Even if he\u00a0chooses<\/em> to stick to his short list, there’s value in forcing him to\u00a0choose<\/em>. Second, the lack of leaks or public shitshows that we’ve occasionally seen in the past has to be in part credited to Carr’s involvement. \u00a0The use of a third party to talk with agents, set up meetings, etc. definitely gives JMU the ability to keep a lower profile publicly. \u00a0Next, nobody really seems to know all the candidates so the use of Carr is not something that anyone seems qualified (other than JB and co.) to make judgments about yet. Finally, if JMU ends up with the right guy before Christmas, we’ll be pleased no matter how they chose to get there.<\/p>\n

And no, the sky isn’t falling just yet due to the delayed hire. \u00a0This decision is too important long-term, especially as it relates to the new direction JMU Athletics is heading as they likely switch conferences in the next few months, to rush the process over fears of losing one or two recruits. \u00a0We’re as anxious as anyone, and it is “gettin’ late early” but we’re also hopeful for a decision this weekend or next weekend at the latest and won’t be busting out our pitchforks just yet.<\/p>\n