Are you Excited about the Hire?

**wesley_w** · 12-20-2008, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

Compared to some of the other names getting thrown around I'm happy with the hire.

My only concern is that Pollard feels he got burned by Chiz and now wants to hire a local guy to avoid that in the future. If he can hang on to most of the players already in the program that would be a big step to gaining credibility among the fanbase.

BryceC, I think JP said at this press conference that he would not allow what happend with Chizik to change his thinking regarding this hire. I can't remember his exact words but that was the impression I got anyway.

I'm excited about the hire and can't wait to see who Paul names as his assistants.

**clones_jer** · 12-20-2008, 11:35 AM

I want a bowl game in a warm weather location. someday, please. that is all, if Rhoads can do that, he's won my heart.

**Wesley** · 12-20-2008, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by abcguyks

We essentially traded our HC to Auburn for a DC. Doesn't quite seem right to me.

We got the upgrade. Wait until he picks his staff and then we will know more. It could be most of the ex Auburn staff. Dan come back as his assistant?

**cycloneman003** · 12-20-2008, 11:38 AM

i am pumped up!!! now we just gotta wait 9 months for some football.... damn it

**ISUchains1Fan** · 12-20-2008, 11:39 AM

I'm ok with this hire. I think if we're going to get guys who know the program, that's cool but why not Loney then his has NFL ties. Now we need coordinators ok, I Polland needs us to be excited cause if we are not then no ticket sells. So here is what will make me excited is great coordinators( with ISU ties cause that's what we're going for)

Steve Loney
Todd Fitch
you have to keep Robert McFarland for holding this team together threw this
Junior Smith
Dan McCareny
etc.
I just hope he doesn't get friends but guys that know the game and how to teach the game.

**Wesley** · 12-20-2008, 11:41 AM

We will not have to watch the las Vegas Classic tonight now.

**Wesley** · 12-20-2008, 11:42 AM

Let's put this on the table - Gene did not turn out to be the sexy hire in the end.

**Palmer** · 12-20-2008, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley

We will not have to watch the las Vegas Classic tonight now.

my eyes will be glued....I bet 50 grand of CF credits against 'you know who that shall not be named'

**jimmycy** · 12-20-2008, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Looks like Pollard went after the warm and fuzzy hire instead of the best coach out there... I'm excited we have a coach, but not excited about the hire... Like others said though, alot will depend on the assistants...

Keep in mind that Paul Rhodes was likely not even near the top of the list when this job came open...It's quite likely that many people declined to even be interviewed...whether we like it or not the ISU job is seen as one of the most difficult in the country...for good reason...it is very difficult for me to criticize JP without knowing all of the facts...if a more qualified person wanted the job and they were passed over I might be upset but we will never know. Our job now is to get behind the Coach Rhodes and the players 100%. anything else would be unthinkable.

**cybsball20** · 12-20-2008, 11:50 AM

If Rhoads was hired without even sending a feeler to Charlie Strong I will be VERY disappointed...

**ACAsteve** · 12-20-2008, 11:50 AM

Jaime & Rhodes will both be gone in 3 years.
Get used to the basement cause that's where we will be the next 3 years.
We hire an unemployed DC will no HC experience at any level?
No way anybody TRUTHFULLY gets excited about this pick.
Wish him luck cause he is going to need alot of it.

**ISU_phoria** · 12-20-2008, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by CarlSpackler

Exactly. That's what I was wondering. Can this guy recruit? We need a good recruiter to pull some players from Iowa and the other Big 12/10 schools.

I didn't take the time to read the whole thread, but I would love nothing better than if Rhoads would "pull a Chizik" and contact several of the recruits he was involved with at Auburn and pull them away from Gene......revenge is a dish best served cold!

**CycloneErik** · 12-20-2008, 11:58 AM

I'm genuinely excited! As jumbopackage wrote, "you don't always get what you want, sometimes you get what you need." (Sorry, I would've quoted better, but it's back a page

)

This guy is good, and he's solid. That's what we likely needed right now.

Sounds like he's keeping the team together, so that should be seen as a very good thing.

If he gets a couple of good coordinators, watch out!

**SLCyclone** · 12-20-2008, 12:02 PM

I trust Jamie.

**Cyclonepride** · 12-20-2008, 12:16 PM

Good article on Rhoads:

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/bir...900.xml&coll=2
"AUBURN -- Tony Franklin saw Paul Rhoads enter the interview room the other day and promptly pointed reporters to the real story of Auburn's season.

"Y'all need to go talk to the good football coach over there and leave me alone," Franklin said in his usual self-deprecating way.

While a lot of Auburn fans and the media remain obsessed with Franklin, the offensive coordinator, the story of the football team continues to be the job done by Rhoads, the defensive coordinator. The top-10 nationally ranked defense he inherited from Will Muschamp continues to be one of the nation's best. Similarly, the statistically-impaired offense Franklin inherited from Al Borges is struggling along.

Auburn's offense has put Rhoads in difficult situations, though he says he's hardly noticed and his tough-minded focus suggests he hardly has. The perfect example was last Saturday's 14-12 victory over Tennessee. The Vols started their second-half drives on their own 35, the Auburn 44, the Auburn 37, the Auburn 38, the Tennessee 42, the Auburn 46 and the Tennessee 46 - and scored just six points.

The difficult situation was hardly new for Rhoads. The Tigers' three SEC opponents have started 10 second-half drives between their own 45 and the Auburn 37. Despite the relative closeness to points, and with so much riding on every play, Auburn allowed only two of those drives to score.

The ultimate test to those facts was Tennessee and its superior field position. With no room for Auburn defensive error - and with the Auburn offense starting its drives way back on its own 13 - Tennessee mustered only three first downs in the second half, one of those coming on a penalty. With the game on the line, the Vols went three-and-out four times in the fourth quarter.

Auburn's defense had come to the rescue again.

"The strange thing about it is it hasn't felt that way at all," Rhoads said. "It's just their turn to go on the field and do their job."

Rhoads is a team guy first. He never says his defense has carried the load, though Franklin has said it a bunch of times for both of them.

"If you go back to the first two or three football games, our field position as a defense was exceptional," Rhoads said, diplomatically. "