D.J. Eliot is OUT

[KCKUKFan]

It was obviously going to happen, seeing as how Stoops took on a bulk of the defensive coaching duties this year.

I'm cautiously optimistic to see who we get in there now.

[Owllycat]

I wish him the best, he is a good coach.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Good luck to him....

[UK39]

So, you advocate bringing in a new DC and paying him more than coach Gran and more than double what the other assistants are making?

Yes, his body of work merits him to be one of the highest paid in the SEC and it will also be difficult to get him from Bama.

Also, Gran is either one year away or IMO is currently deserving of a substantial raise after last year.

Using an underpaid coordinator doesn't justify underlying another one. UK is typically towards the btm of the SEC in coaches' salaries and that needs to change.

So, your analysis of Gran because he is making that much less eliminates the possibility of bringing someone else in at the upper tier of salaries is the same as trying to justify two wrongs making it right.

[Matt Dillon]

So, your analysis of Gran because he is making that much less eliminates the possibility of bringing someone else in at the upper tier of salaries is the same as trying to justify two wrongs making it right.

What I'm saying is if you're going to bring someone in and pay them, for example, a million dollars, you raise all your present coordinators comparatively. Otherwise, you most likely create discord among the coaches, or lose them altogether. UK has just recently (since coach Stoops hiring) begun to loosen the purse strings for fb. I doubt very seriously Mitch would pay any DC a million dollars and raise all the other coaches salaries accordingly.

[johnkyblue]

Using an underpaid coordinator doesn't justify underlying another one. UK is typically towards the btm of the SEC in coaches' salaries and that needs to change.

I'm not sure that's true.... oh, well, it actually is true according to SDS.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm not sure that's true.... oh, well, it actually is true according to SDS.

Even though we're paying more than we ever have, I'm afraid we're still not on par with the rest of the SEC.

[Matt Dillon]

As an aside, I saw, on Twitter, where D.J. made a very nice statement about his time at UK. He thanked virtually everyone for their support, even the fans.

[teamchemistry15]

What I'm saying is if you're going to bring someone in and pay them, for example, a million dollars, you raise all your present coordinators comparatively. Otherwise, you most likely create discord among the coaches, or lose them altogether. UK has just recently (since coach Stoops hiring) begun to loosen the purse strings for fb. I doubt very seriously Mitch would pay any DC a million dollars and raise all the other coaches salaries accordingly.

If he were an experienced and proven DC I would be all for it. But, to offer that much money to a LB coach is kind of ludicrous. Pay Gran that much to keep him? Oh yeah. But not a LB coach.

[Brasslock]

How could anyone not be a successful coach working with a team loaded with 4/5 star talent and depth? Lupoi may have an exceptional defense mind and feel for the game. I would look for someone who has made lemonade out of lemons. I'm glad my livelihood doesn't depend on making the right choice. There's work, or maybe work-arounds to be done in the defensive trenches.

[Matt Dillon]

I just read an article, in the H-L, where D.J. said his wife is from Colorado (he may be as well, I'm not sure). Her parents just live either 20 minutes or 20 miles from the stadium.

[boomdaddy]

The curse when hiring a DC or an OC is that if you get a really good one they either leave for HC position or a program from the top of the food chain will poach them. The blessing is that if that happens, they must have done a great job and your team has won a bunch of games.

Does Stoops really need a big name DC? If he promotes from within, he could hire another D coach to fill out the staff and get one that is regarded as being a great recruiter and have whomever he promotes to go along with his way of game management.

Coaches will always leave programs for promotions, higher pay, what they might regard as a more stable situation, and location for family reasons.

Not sire how high the salaries have to be to retain the staff or to attract the coaches they want, but I would prefer the salaries be loaded with bonuses based on winning and performance.

[RV]

I too was taken aback by Eliot leaving. I kind'a expected Stoops to sink or swim with him and this tells me he is serious about making UK a player in the SEC.

Given the fact he wanted Gran from the start and continued to try to get him here at least two other times, I would expect CMS to hire someone to the position that he A) has worked with and B) has a familiarity with and a good relationship.

[Matt Dillon]

I too was taken aback by Eliot leaving. I kind'a expected Stoops to sink or swim with him and this tells me he is serious about making UK a player in the SEC.

Given the fact he wanted Gran from the start and continued to try to get him here at least two other times, I would expect CMS to hire someone to the position that he A) has worked with and B) has a familiarity with and a good relationship.

Any thoughts on who the new DC may be?

[RV]

I already exhausted the extent of my thoughts. As for a particular person, I have no clue.