Posted by Troy Hebert

By Troy Hebert

Lets begin with the Coaching Carousel that is about to ensue. Sure, maybe I’m jumping the gun on this whole article – only because nothing official has been announced.

But let’s start with the 99 percent signed rumors, Jimbo Fisher and Lawrence Dawsey.

Fisher is a huge upgrade from the previous Offensive Coordinator.

See, I only needed one sentence right there. Part 1 of 6 completed. Ah, but just for the heck of it, let’s dig deeper. As reasons I have previously stated in Bill’s article on why Jimbo Fisher is perfect, and we should all celebrate with champagne baths and sugar cookies, I believe Jimbo Fisher adds quite a bit to this team.

Lawrence Dawsey. For giggles, since the link to purchase this book is down on the right side of this very web page – let’s read a snippet from “Stadium Stories: Florida State Seminoles” on Lawrence Dawsey.

“Dawsey did not have (Peter) Warrick’s moves, his speed, or his flair. But NOBODY who has lined up at receiver for FSU had Dawsey’s physical and mental toughness. BLOCKING IS NO RECEIVER’s FIRST LOVE. But Dawsey excelled at it. “I have never seen a receiver hit people like Dawsey hits them,” receivers coach John Eason said.”

Wait a second there, mister Eason…. Receivers are allowed to HIT people? Whoa, whoa, whoa…. BLOCKING?!?!? Are you serious?

After a quick change of my shorts, I in fact confirmed that wide receivers are allowed to block downfield. Heck, they can even block on Screen plays downfield (illegal in the NFL) before the ball is thrown. And you’re telling me we are bringing in a guy who will STRESS this amazing stretch of the rule book? Simple crazy talk. I might need a nap.

So, Dawsey – much respected as an up-and-coming recruiter (and wow, any improvement from the previous WR coach’s recruiting exploits is welcomed) and young, energetic coach by overall estimation. Returning to his alma mater. To return us to respectability. Please, do NOT underestimate these things.

And then it gets REALLY tricky. Let’s start with that very term: Tricky. Wouldn’t it be great to use it as a verb in the amazing off chance that we land West Virginia’s Offensive Line coach (Rick Trickett). A West Virginia site (as well as many FSU sites) are reporting this as a 50/50 shot. But here is the thing I am left wondering – why is Mark McHale so active on the recruiting trail then?

As you will come to know – I am a big-time rabid fan of the ups and downs of the recruiting process. McHale’s name is all over the place right now. In Louisiana at Chad Jones’ house – at Joe McKnight’s school – big time OL prospect Rishaw Johnson – he’s there right by Bobby’s side.

So why would Bobby Bowden have him out there forging relationships with young men, if he was going to turn around and fire him?

That’s why I say: “It won’t happen.”

Billy Sexton’s departure from his multiple decades as Running Backs coach leaves a few different moves to be made:

1) John Lilly. Why, you ask? Go look up the word “promotion.” Lilly has been a sexual tyrannosaur on the recruiting trail since 1998 (when he took the job), and while he has no official experience as a running backs coach – neither did Sexton when he took over. He was a decent QB at Guilford College, and should know a bit of Offense (I hope for his sake).

2) Jody Allen. It’s no secret that the JA Experiment on the D-Line didn’t exactly work out for the best. Allen’s ENTIRE previous experience was on the offensive side of the ball. Why he was put on the Defensive Ends position should be a subject of controversy for years to come. In any fashion, the Tampa Tribune Seminoles beat writer is reporting Allen is the prime candidate.

3) A “minority candidate.” Can you name the minority coaches on the FSU Staff? I can do it in 2 words: Odell Haggins. That makes recruiting harder (believe it or not), and the pressure from “Compliance Commissions” is cracking down nowadays. With the addition of Dawsey, that makes 2 full time black coaches. All this may sound stupid, but really, it matters. One name that would make me need YET ANOTHER change of shorts, is Edgar Bennett, the former Nole RB, and current RB coach of the Green Bay Packers. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.

So, what if Trickett comes to FSU? What happens to McHale? Well, if Lilly makes the move to RBs coach – I would dare make the assumption that McHale could move to TE coach. Some believe that the next TE coach could be Jody Allen, however, with Odell Haggins taking over the Defensive Line as a whole.

But, If Trickett is hired – would Jody Allen get fired? Would he stay on at D-Ends coach?

Then there is Graduate Assistant James Colzie. He has used up his 3 years of GA eligibility and needs to be officially hired in some fashion. He has interviewed for the Secondary Job at Colgate and at Miami (FL). But, with some of the aforementioned moves (if Trickett is NOT hired), then there would be an opening on staff. Colzie would make a GREAT secondary coach, and perhaps get groomed to take over for Mickey when he decides to hang it up (and deserves a statue right next to Bowden, if you ask me).

So much potential for change. And just remember, that Bowden has sprung some crazy names on us before. Anyone ever think McHale was coming in? or Dickey? or Jody Allen? I certainly didn’t. In this era of the internet rumor, it’s amazing that they were so off the radar during the hiring process. So, who knows what’s going to happen. All I can tell you is – by this time next week – we will know. So until then, a week of scenarios, potential, and dreams.

Part 2 of my Heartbreaking Article of Staggering Genius is a look at the Reality/Perception of our Roster, with a sneak at recruiting for next year.