I have a decent contact within one of the Florida based media outlets. I spoke to this person this morning about the coaching situation, etc.
They told me that as it stood this morning, Jim Bates would interview this afternoon with Eddie Jones, Wayne Huizenga and Spielman. But they said that the job is Saban's. He will be installed QUITE by close of play Thursday, but more likely tomorrow. I am told that there is a strong groundswell of opinion that he will keep Jim Bates on as Defensive Co-ordinator and Assistant Head Coach, IF Bates accepts. My source told me that Bates would accept that role, as long as he was able to have a strong say over the defensive coaches that he keeps including Bill Lewis, Clarence Brooks and Mel Phillips. I'm told that Eddie Jones spoke with Saban and Jimmy Sexton yesterday evening to apprise them of the situation.
My source then told me that Keith Armstrong would not be retained and that Derek Dooley would be installed as ST coach. I then asked about Jimbo Fisher, the Bayou Bengals OC and I was told Saban would LIKELY try and bring Fisher across although there seems to be some indication that LSU AD Skip Bertman is considering Fisher as the new LSU HC.
The most interesting news came when I asked about Art Shell. I was told that Shell 's interview was very, very impressive and that the cognescenti at the team came away thinking that Shell would actually make a very strong candidate for Team President, something that I had wondered about over the past 48 hours myself. I think that the lines of communication between the two parties are open and that when Saban comes across, there will be a conversation with regards to a possible further "interview"/"chat" about that particular position. To my mind, he would make an excellent figurehead and his knowledge of the football side and the business side from his role within the NFL for the past 5 years makes him a very interesting candidate.
And to keep you apprised with the draft, LSU LT Andrew Whitworth will declare. He's a likely 1st rounder. Miami TB Frank Gore will also declare and Roscoe Parrish is close to declaring also.
Boomer
They told me that as it stood this morning, Jim Bates would interview this afternoon with Eddie Jones, Wayne Huizenga and Spielman. But they said that the job is Saban's. He will be installed QUITE by close of play Thursday, but more likely tomorrow. I am told that there is a strong groundswell of opinion that he will keep Jim Bates on as Defensive Co-ordinator and Assistant Head Coach, IF Bates accepts. My source told me that Bates would accept that role, as long as he was able to have a strong say over the defensive coaches that he keeps including Bill Lewis, Clarence Brooks and Mel Phillips. I'm told that Eddie Jones spoke with Saban and Jimmy Sexton yesterday evening to apprise them of the situation.
My source then told me that Keith Armstrong would not be retained and that Derek Dooley would be installed as ST coach. I then asked about Jimbo Fisher, the Bayou Bengals OC and I was told Saban would LIKELY try and bring Fisher across although there seems to be some indication that LSU AD Skip Bertman is considering Fisher as the new LSU HC.
The most interesting news came when I asked about Art Shell. I was told that Shell 's interview was very, very impressive and that the cognescenti at the team came away thinking that Shell would actually make a very strong candidate for Team President, something that I had wondered about over the past 48 hours myself. I think that the lines of communication between the two parties are open and that when Saban comes across, there will be a conversation with regards to a possible further "interview"/"chat" about that particular position. To my mind, he would make an excellent figurehead and his knowledge of the football side and the business side from his role within the NFL for the past 5 years makes him a very interesting candidate.
And to keep you apprised with the draft, LSU LT Andrew Whitworth will declare. He's a likely 1st rounder. Miami TB Frank Gore will also declare and Roscoe Parrish is close to declaring also.
Boomer
