Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: First Impressions of the New Staff
posted by Roger Olivieri, 2/05/2009 11:25:00 AM
What a crazy day it was Wednesday!?!?
I was in Saint Matthews by eight o’clock, back in Columbia by 11 and at Billy Brice by 2:30 for the introduction of six new assistants – not to mention Coach Spurrier and Beamer’s thirty minute review of National Signing Day.
Much has been made of all the hoopla surrounding Signing Day. I’ll leave that to Tony, Shoe, Scott Hood and that Cloninger guy. As for the new coaches – I need to mouth off for a bit.
My dad, owner of Olivieri Construction Corp (yes, an Italian from New York who owned a construction company, draw your own conclusions), used to ask me when I was only ten years old, “What do you think of this guy?”
He’d hire an operator or a laborer and want me to talk to them – reason being, I have an uncanny radar for knowing bullsh*t when I see it. Long story short, I was NEVER wrong. I’d tell my dad, “He’ll be with you for a while” or “He won’t make it to next week.” Again, I was NEVER wrong.
That being said, here’s my assessment of the “new blood.” Keep in mind, this is all “gut feeling” and nothing more…
G.A. Mangus – I’ll start here since everyone seems to be “knee deep” in the Stephen Garcia soap opera. You all want him to be Steve Taneyhill – hell, so do I. Is G.A. Mangus the man to do it?
After speaking with him for fifteen minutes (all I need to assess), the answer is a resounding “yes.” Honestly, he comes off as a bit goofy, but knowledgeable. I think this sort of soft approach with hard knowledge is exactly what our goofy (young) quarterback needs to take it to the next level.
Eric Wolford – Wow. I’m confused here. He’s so full of “brut,” but so angry and susceptible. I’m torn here because I think he’s more of a 50-50 shot than a sure bet in either direction. In other words I can see him dropping under pressure like pants on a porn star, BUT he might not give anyone the chance to apply that pressure. In other words, he can have these guys playing out of their minds by the end of spring, but if he doesn’t he won’t make it to season number two.
I like him, but I’m not sure of his future.
Craig Fitzgerald is, in my humble opinion, one of the best strength and conditioning guys to every enter college athletics. Look at the way he greets me when I approach him. He’s ready to joke around. He’s loose, but his eyebrows and his voice tell you there will be absolutely NO messing around in his gym. He’s a bad dude – someone you really want to be on your side if a bar room brawl were to bust loose.
I don’t say that only because he’s full of muscle. I say it because he comes across as one bad dude who could jump in the middle of the UFC with no formal training and still be a decent competitor. No B.S. with this guy. Show up at six in the morning, ignore pain and I’ll do the rest.
Jeep Hunter – O.K., this one scares me and here’s why…
All the hired coaches at South Carolina were picked with time to spare before signing day – enough time, at least, to tell recruits, “Sure, he just got here, but he’s here nonetheless.”
Hunter came in on uncertain terms due to Coach Rychleski’s uncertain situation. He’s been out of work recently and seems to be a “default” candidate rather than a handpicked winner. Though his track record is impressive, something strikes me as “not measuring up.”
I wish I had more, but it’s simply a gut feeling. I hope I’m wrong.
Lorenzo Ward – This one was easy to accept because I know the defense still belongs to a guy named Ellis Johnson. Speaking to him was pleasant because he immediately says something to the effect of, “Coach Johnson is the boss.” He also states that his philosophy closely resembles that of Coach Johnson.
He may move on soon to accept a better job soon (one with a tad more freedom), but only for that reason. I think it’ll work out. I’m never a fan of splitting duties, but at the same time feel like this one could work out without even the slightest ripple.
Jay Graham – This one is like the guy who marries your cousin after she dated some dude you really liked for a long time. Graham seems like he’s going to do a fine job. He does.
There is a proven record both on and off the field. Graham exhibits knowledge and has the horses.
Here’s my problem… Everyone involved in the interests of South Carolina wants Duce Staley to have this job.
Will that be enough pressure to force Graham away from Columbia or will it be the driving source of motivation?
On a “gut feeling” only, I believe Duce is far too valuable to the program and far too influential on the football team, its followers and the sport in general. Only someone with a stronger will than Duce will outlast him – I don’t see it in Graham. By no way does that mean I think he’s a bad person or a bad coach – I just think Duce is focused on this job, no matter what.
In Conclusion…
Mangus and Fitzgerald will be here a while.
Wolford and Ward, though promising, are somewhere in between. They could flop, settle into average or excel – I’m not sure.
Graham and Hunter – Though they both come across as fine men, they just don’t feel right.
Epilogue
What does any of this mean? Absolutely nothing.
I honed my “reading people” skills while living in an Italian Construction family. I don’t know nuthin’ about being in “the football family.” You know what I mean? All I know is that things happen to people – unexplained things. Accidents, if you will… Ya’ know? Hey, yo, freakin’ you guys could all work out jus’ fine.
Sa-lute!
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
What a crazy day it was Wednesday!?!?
I was in Saint Matthews by eight o’clock, back in Columbia by 11 and at Billy Brice by 2:30 for the introduction of six new assistants – not to mention Coach Spurrier and Beamer’s thirty minute review of National Signing Day.
Much has been made of all the hoopla surrounding Signing Day. I’ll leave that to Tony, Shoe, Scott Hood and that Cloninger guy. As for the new coaches – I need to mouth off for a bit.
My dad, owner of Olivieri Construction Corp (yes, an Italian from New York who owned a construction company, draw your own conclusions), used to ask me when I was only ten years old, “What do you think of this guy?”
He’d hire an operator or a laborer and want me to talk to them – reason being, I have an uncanny radar for knowing bullsh*t when I see it. Long story short, I was NEVER wrong. I’d tell my dad, “He’ll be with you for a while” or “He won’t make it to next week.” Again, I was NEVER wrong.
That being said, here’s my assessment of the “new blood.” Keep in mind, this is all “gut feeling” and nothing more…
G.A. Mangus – I’ll start here since everyone seems to be “knee deep” in the Stephen Garcia soap opera. You all want him to be Steve Taneyhill – hell, so do I. Is G.A. Mangus the man to do it?
After speaking with him for fifteen minutes (all I need to assess), the answer is a resounding “yes.” Honestly, he comes off as a bit goofy, but knowledgeable. I think this sort of soft approach with hard knowledge is exactly what our goofy (young) quarterback needs to take it to the next level.
Eric Wolford – Wow. I’m confused here. He’s so full of “brut,” but so angry and susceptible. I’m torn here because I think he’s more of a 50-50 shot than a sure bet in either direction. In other words I can see him dropping under pressure like pants on a porn star, BUT he might not give anyone the chance to apply that pressure. In other words, he can have these guys playing out of their minds by the end of spring, but if he doesn’t he won’t make it to season number two.
I like him, but I’m not sure of his future.
Craig Fitzgerald is, in my humble opinion, one of the best strength and conditioning guys to every enter college athletics. Look at the way he greets me when I approach him. He’s ready to joke around. He’s loose, but his eyebrows and his voice tell you there will be absolutely NO messing around in his gym. He’s a bad dude – someone you really want to be on your side if a bar room brawl were to bust loose.
I don’t say that only because he’s full of muscle. I say it because he comes across as one bad dude who could jump in the middle of the UFC with no formal training and still be a decent competitor. No B.S. with this guy. Show up at six in the morning, ignore pain and I’ll do the rest.
Jeep Hunter – O.K., this one scares me and here’s why…
All the hired coaches at South Carolina were picked with time to spare before signing day – enough time, at least, to tell recruits, “Sure, he just got here, but he’s here nonetheless.”
Hunter came in on uncertain terms due to Coach Rychleski’s uncertain situation. He’s been out of work recently and seems to be a “default” candidate rather than a handpicked winner. Though his track record is impressive, something strikes me as “not measuring up.”
I wish I had more, but it’s simply a gut feeling. I hope I’m wrong.
Lorenzo Ward – This one was easy to accept because I know the defense still belongs to a guy named Ellis Johnson. Speaking to him was pleasant because he immediately says something to the effect of, “Coach Johnson is the boss.” He also states that his philosophy closely resembles that of Coach Johnson.
He may move on soon to accept a better job soon (one with a tad more freedom), but only for that reason. I think it’ll work out. I’m never a fan of splitting duties, but at the same time feel like this one could work out without even the slightest ripple.
Jay Graham – This one is like the guy who marries your cousin after she dated some dude you really liked for a long time. Graham seems like he’s going to do a fine job. He does.
There is a proven record both on and off the field. Graham exhibits knowledge and has the horses.
Here’s my problem… Everyone involved in the interests of South Carolina wants Duce Staley to have this job.
Will that be enough pressure to force Graham away from Columbia or will it be the driving source of motivation?
On a “gut feeling” only, I believe Duce is far too valuable to the program and far too influential on the football team, its followers and the sport in general. Only someone with a stronger will than Duce will outlast him – I don’t see it in Graham. By no way does that mean I think he’s a bad person or a bad coach – I just think Duce is focused on this job, no matter what.
In Conclusion…
Mangus and Fitzgerald will be here a while.
Wolford and Ward, though promising, are somewhere in between. They could flop, settle into average or excel – I’m not sure.
Graham and Hunter – Though they both come across as fine men, they just don’t feel right.
Epilogue
What does any of this mean? Absolutely nothing.
I honed my “reading people” skills while living in an Italian Construction family. I don’t know nuthin’ about being in “the football family.” You know what I mean? All I know is that things happen to people – unexplained things. Accidents, if you will… Ya’ know? Hey, yo, freakin’ you guys could all work out jus’ fine.
Sa-lute!
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
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Roger Olivieri. Roger began working with GamecockCentral in December of 2007. He currently serves as the site's chief videographer. He may be reached by email at roger(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.