Question: Lance Thompson?

[TIDE-HSV]

I think the euphoria will cool in a couple of years with Thompson. He's been at Bama twice and with CNS twice. His first stint at Bama, I'd say he was moderately successful as a recruiter and terrible as a LB coach. In addition, he was definitely a large part of our problems under Dubose, and I won't provide details. I was mildly puzzled when CNS hired him at LSU, but it didn't mean anything to me, of course. When CNS hired him again here, I was not happy about it, but I shrugged and thought that, if Nick liked him, then I loved him. TBF, my thought was that Nick could control him, and direct his energies, unlike Dubose, who couldn't even control his own zipper. Who's going to control him at UT is an open question. I was also aware that he was well-regarded in recruiting at LSU. After Nick left for Miami, as I remember, he sold insurance for a while and then caught on down at UCF. I didn't pay much attention to him until he returned to Bama, so my chronology may be off a bit.

Now, as for Lance as a recruiter. He has really excelled only when he's worked for Nick Saban. The reality is that CNS is not only the head coach, he's the head recruiter. The assistants are important for maintaining contact, but they are basically door-openers for CNS. Meyer operates the same way. Now that Thompson is gone again, I plan to think about as little about him as I did when he was at UCF or a State Farm agent. I was concerned about his abrupt departure and backbiting tactics on the current class, but that effect turned out to be zero (probably not what his new masters thought they'd bought). If they don't send him back to Mobile, where he supposedly, if you ask him, dropped an iron curtain around the town, you might ask yourself "why not?" I could tell you the answer, but it'll be better if it becomes obvious over time...

 

[GrayTide]

When Nick Saban left LSU for Miami he took Kirby Smart with him to the NFL but did not take Lance Thompson. This may be an indication that coaching carries a high priority in the NFL since there is no need for recruiting. CNS rescued Thompson from a recent demotion at UCF. I have no knowledge of why he was demoted, possibly he did not live up to his billing there as a recruiter or his coaching ability was not getting the job done.

UT will recruit well on its name and I suspect Thompson and others on the staff will do well, but most of us feel the loss of Thompson will not derail Alabams's future recruiting.

 

[BamaGoose]

He recruited well. He was responsible for Tide recruiting in the Mobile area.

You or I could recruit the Mobile area. At least we would keep our pants on.

 

[chris]

As for his rec. abilities Earle is right. For a case in point.....last yr when Julio was getting close to signing day he was torn between f.s.u. and Bama. Lance,while having established a relationship,wasn't getting over the hump. Near the last min. CNS got on a plane and came to visit J.J. one last time. Deal done! I know this for fact and imo utee overpaid for this guys services. Oh btw,he isn't welcome back in the Mobile region by the heavy hitter h.s. coaches either!

 

[trenda]

He's been at Bama twice and with CNS twice. His first stint at Bama, I was also aware that he was well-regarded in recruiting at LSU. After Nick left for Miami, as I remember, he sold insurance for a while and then caught on down at UCF. I didn't pay much attention to him until he returned to Bama, so my chronology may be off a bit.

Now, as for Lance as a recruiter. He has really excelled only when he's worked for Nick Saban. The reality is that CNS is not only the head coach, he's the head recruiter. The assistants are important for maintaining contact, but they are basically door-openers for CNS. Meyer operates the same way. I was concerned about his abrupt departure and backbiting tactics on the current class, but that effect turned out to be zero (probably not what his new masters thought they'd bought).

Bingo! No need for a hammer, 'cause Earle just hit the nail square on the head!! The 'playground' mentality of calling out people before you've even played a game is and will continue to bring out the absolute worst in the UT coaching staff and will undermine what good qualities/strengths they have while on the recruiting trail IMO.

Not to mention that I personally don't believe Kiffin has enough good 'field' coaches to 'coach 'em up' for game day. At the very least, though, Kiffin has stirred the pot up and has everyone even more ready for kickoff in February!!

 

[Alasippi]

I'll give my best Forrest Gump answer here. "Since Coach Lance Thompson has gone to the University of Tennessee......... he has become a glaring testimonial as to why Coach Nick Saban doesn't allow his assistant coaches to address the media.......and that's all i have to say about that".

 

[Bamaball2001]

He was mostly known for his recruiting rather than his coaching...

You got a good recruiter but I'm not sure how "great" he is outside of Nick Saban's system.

This is exactly what UT fans will find out. Can Kiffin (and his system) close like Saban (and his process) if Lance can manage to get them in the door? ... I don't think so

I'll give my best Forrest Gump answer here. "Since Coach Lance Thompson has gone to the University of Tennessee......... he has become a glaring testimonial as to why Coach Nick Saban doesn't allow his assistant coaches to address the media.......and that's all i have to say about that".

Couldn't have said it better. I once had high regard for LT as a recruiter and as a person but not so much as a coach. His comments, of late, are embarrassing to me (a die hard Bama fan) and that is telling when you consider that he now works for UT.

:BigA: RTR!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm amazed at the confidence/arrogance of the Vol fans about this hire. What has he done AT ANY STOP that would think this hire would strike the fear in the hearts of any SEC team? He's young. That's it.

He didn't even call the plays at USC because he was CO-offensive co. He flopped in Oakland. So up to this point WHY, and please god tell me, WHY would this hire strike fear in anybody?

This guy is going to have some tough lessons he's going to go through and unfortunately the University of Tennessee is going to have to go through it with him. He shows every sign of being immature and unprepared. Two very bad characteristics to have when coaching in the SEC.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I'm amazed at the confidence/arrogance of the Vol fans about this hire. What has he done AT ANY STOP that would think this hire would strike the fear in the hearts of any SEC team? He's young. That's it.

He didn't even call the plays at USC because he was CO-offensive co. He flopped in Oakland. So up to this point WHY, and please god tell me, WHY would this hire strike fear in anybody?

According to USC fans he's the guy that kept Reggie Bush on the sidelines at the end of the the 2006 Rose Bowl (BCSNC game) when they needed a first down to win it all. So he's got that going for him.

 

[chris]

"This guy is going to have some tough lessons he's going to go through and unfortunately the University of Tennessee is going to have to go through it with him"

Oh I don't know about that,Bb. It couldn't happen to a better bunch imo!:biggrin:

 

[Bamabuzzard]

"This guy is going to have some tough lessons he's going to go through and unfortunately the University of Tennessee is going to have to go through it with him"

Oh I don't know about that,Bb. It couldn't happen to a better bunch imo!:biggrin:

Now that you mention it you're right. I "hate it for'em." :biggrin:

 

[sweetbamabelle]

Lance Thompson was a great recruiter. One thing that helped him get his foot in the door with high school coaches in his territory was the name, The Crimson Tide and Nick Saban. Nick Saban has the respect of the high school coaches he has worked with in the past (and has maintained relationships from previous coaching jobs as well). This was certainly in Thompson's favor.

Thompson didn't come in and cold-call all these coaches. He had the luxury of working for The Univerity of Alabama.

Now, he has changed jobs and is working for The University of Tennessee. In the meantime, Thompson has made negative comments about his former employer, wrongful comments about the program of his former employer, etc. You may say this goes on with every recruiting program. Well, that may be true but in this case, he was telling kids he had formerly recruited for Alabama things much differently than what he had told them AT Alabama. These kids are smart and they had the good sense to tell Coach Saban what was being said. So we know that he is going with the Lane Kiffin program now and several high school coaches have come out and said that (paraphrasing) it will be a cold day in hell before he is welcome at my school.

So, while Thompson may have been an effective recruiter while at Alabama, he will have a more difficult time working for a coach at UT who makes public statements about other SEC coaches, is brash, doesn't seem to care about the consequences of what he says or does. Believe me, parents of potential recruits and high school coaches are watching and they are taking notes. Coach Saban and other coaches in the SEC will not be making those same mistakes.

UT is at an extreme disadvantage with the staff they have in place. He was fired for cause from the Raiders for much of the same kind of thing. Not only was he fired, he was fired so that Oakland didn't even have to pay him the remainder of his contract. This man is a loose canon.....he is am embarassment to the SEC. They may do things like this on the West Coast but this isn't done here. UT fans might like this but the rest of the SEC doesn't. He will straighten up or he will be run out of the SEC on a rail.

If you like it, great. But I don't. And believe me when I tell you, no one is scared of this coaching staff. NO ONE. He is a joke.

 

[VolFan1]

I'm amazed at the confidence/arrogance of the Vol fans about this hire. What has he done AT ANY STOP that would think this hire would strike the fear in the hearts of any SEC team? He's young. That's it.

He didn't even call the plays at USC because he was CO-offensive co. He flopped in Oakland. So up to this point WHY, and please god tell me, WHY would this hire strike fear in anybody?

This guy is going to have some tough lessons he's going to go through and unfortunately the University of Tennessee is going to have to go through it with him. He shows every sign of being immature and unprepared. Two very bad characteristics to have when coaching in the SEC.

Arrogance about Kiffin....none from me. Confidence, I am behind the guy. I hope he is the next best thing. Is he? We will see soon. He was part of some good USC teams. He was a flop in Oakland.

He has said some stuff that he shouldn't have.

I have to hope he does a good job. I am a Vol fan. Did you guys not hope for the best with Dubose, Shula, and Price? When they was hired whether you approved or not, you had to hope for the success of your program.

 

[Bamaball2001]

He has said some stuff that he shouldn't have.

I have to hope he does a good job. I am a Vol fan. Did you guys not hope for the best with Dubose, Shula, and Price? When they was hired whether you approved or not, you had to hope for the success of your program.

Yes and as a Vol fan I would expect no less from you but on that same note you can't expect any of us to say much good about LK or LT. They have made their beds and football memories are long. Fulmer could be coaching in Antarctica and I would become a hater of anything white.

:BigA: RTR!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Arrogance about Kiffin....none from me. Confidence, I am behind the guy. I hope he is the next best thing. Is he? We will see soon. He was part of some good USC teams. He was a flop in Oakland.

He has said some stuff that he shouldn't have.

I have to hope he does a good job. I am a Vol fan. Did you guys not hope for the best with Dubose, Shula, and Price? When they was hired whether you approved or not, you had to hope for the success of your program.

Wasn't directed specifically at you, more at your overall fan base. I don't recall Shula, Dubose or Price kicking in the front door and calling out coaches within a a month of being hired either.

 

[VolFan1]

Wasn't directed specifically at you, more at your overall fan base. I don't recall Shula, Dubose or Price kicking in the front door and calling out coaches within a a month of being hired either.

I am talking as far as wanting to see your program succeed. I don't want to see UT be terrible for the next several years. I know you guys didn't enjoy going through the coaches you went through before you got Saban. I am impressed by Saban. The Bama turn around was quicker than I ever thought.

I think our fan base is fairly split over his tactics. Some are like me and think he should shut up and perform. Other think it is great to see him popping off at the mouth constantly. Some mouth is fine....but you better perform on the field

 

[Troy Chimes]

How many times do we have to go over this? Be done with it!! LT, has moved on and so have most Bama fans. Good luck with him. We got Saban and that's all i care about. The HC sells a program not the assisants.:BigA:

 

[VolFan1]

How many times do we have to go over this? Be done with it!! LT, has moved on and so have most Bama fans. Good luck with him. We got Saban and that's all i care about. The HC sells a program not the assisants.:BigA:

I think the conversation had strayed away from CLT.

 

[HKSpwrdZ]

Sure sign you have a suspect head coach when you are more excited about the asst. coaches.

 

[Just Win]

I did not read every response in this thread, so I apologize if this point has already been made. It is what it is, as Saban says. Lance Thompson at a school like Bama, or FSU, or Florida could be "recruiter of the year" year after year if he's recruiting an area that is a hotbed of talent. However, if he were at a school like Utah State, recruiting the Cheyenne Wyoming area, would he be recognized as "recruiter of the year"? I think not. So Mr. Thompson has been fortunate to be where he's been and been assigned to good recruiting grounds. Will he do a good recruiting job at UT? Sure. It's a big time program and I'm sure he will get the recruiting areas that he requests because he is clearly a prima donna. Thanks for the recruiting you did for us in the past Lance. But when you go toe to toe with Mr. Saban for a kid, well, good luck with that.

Roll Tide!