Probably the most likely scenario. Bringing in the young fairly inexperienced guy is a big risk though. Nick obviously likes him but didn’t make him his DC, yet. The news is traveling fast. Florida is targeting Alabama assistant as next defensive coordinator, per report
We were the worst 3rd down defense in the country last year. Not gonna be sad about this. Nowhere to go but up.
To be blunt- if indeed Toney was shown the door then I'm surprised that CBN would make such an error. I believe Toney came with CBN from Lousiana so CBN knew what he was getting. So this tells me CBN mis-judged the situation and mis-judged this guy whom he worked with previously. IF that's what happened. This bothers me, but if we are upgrading the DC position, then that's ok. We all make errors. When we do then we need to fix it. But if we are upgrading, then why not go after a strong experienced guy? Clemson did this- Dabo fired Steele as DC and hired Brent Venables from Oklahoma. You could say it paid off- 2 nattys in 5 years after Venables came and Clemson has had great defenses. So now do you understand the angst? It's more questions with uncomfortable possible answers than angst.
Since our TEs did about F all last year, not sure we are going to miss Peagler either. Does Arizona need a gamechanger coach, too?
FWIW: Armstrong took his talents to the University of Georgia and learned under Kirby Smart as a defensive quality control coach in 2019. He helped Smart’s group pitch three shutouts that year as the Bulldogs allowed 12.6 points per game. Georgia finished the season at 12-2, capturing a 26-14 victory over Baylor in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. He returned to the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2020, helping it to a 10-1 season in a COVID-shorten year. Louisiana’s defense forced seven fumbles and had 16 interceptions, including four from safety Bralen Trahan. Armstrong has spent the last two years with Southern Miss’ “Nasty Bunch” defense. He quickly turned the program around into a formidable group. Santrell Latham, Hayes Maples, Daylen Gill, and Averie Habas have benefited as linebackers from having Armstrong. The Golden Eagles finished in the top five nationally for sacks (44) in 2022. He has learned from Smart, Dan Lanning, Glenn Schumann, and Napier. Three of his four teachers come from the Saban coaching tree. Armstrong drew praise from legendary Alabama head coach Nick Saban in 2021 when the Crimson Tide hosted the Golden Eagles. “They have a very good defensive team for their level of play,” Saban said. “I would equate their defense to an SEC-type defense in terms of the way they’ve played so far this year.” Saban though highly enough of Armstrong that he even made a move to hire the young defensive coach this offseason, announcing him as the team's new inside linebackers coach earlier this month.
So does Raymond coach both cornerbacks and safeties? With Pealger leaving as well, does BN just replace him or does he go out and get a QB coach/OC and fold the tight ends into the wide receiver coaches duties?
Good! Peagler gone, too. Well done, Billy!! No problem, man. You are learning. Just when wrong, promptly admit it, and fix it. We are on our way.
Here is how SDS ranks the 2022 DCs in college football. Ranking the Top 25 defensive coordinators in college football in 2022 But this is another defensive stats rankings list... much different. This list is based on game stats. I think this one is good but only as good as these teams' schedules are. 2022 College Football Team Defense | College Football at Sports-Reference.com
Patrick Toney doesn't deserve a Top 20 ranking. Did this writer even watch the USF/Vandy games last year? Brad White at Kentucky is reason alone Napier needs an OC. The Gators ranked No. 129 of 131 FBS teams in third-down conversion percentage allowed, No. 87 in scoring defense and No. 97 in total defense, the second-worst mark in the SEC, last season.
