Mississippi State search focuses on Packers assistant (The First Black Head Coach in the SEC?)

Miami Hearld ^ | 11\29\03 | Associated Press

[WKB]

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State appears to have focused its search for a new coach on Green Bay Packers assistant Sylvester Croom.

Athletic director Larry Templeton declined comment Saturday night when asked if he offered Croom the job and was now waiting for the 49-year-old coach to decide if he wanted to take it.

"I'm comfortable with where we are in the process," said Templeton, who has said almost nothing publicly about the search.

Templeton and university president Charles Lee flew to Green Bay on Friday, according to flight records reported by The Clarion-Ledger newspaper in Jackson on Saturday.

Croom told ESPN.com on Saturday that he would inform Mississippi State of his decision by early next week.

"It's my own personal decision. It's just me deciding what I want to do in my career," Croom said. "I've got to think through some things. State's people have been more than good. I appreciate their interest."

Phone messages left at Croom's home and office Saturday by the Associated Press were not returned.

Mississippi State spokesman Mike Nemeth told the AP on Saturday that no announcements were planned for Sunday.

If Croom becomes the Bulldogs coach, he will be the first black head football coach in Southeastern Conference history.

Croom was an All-American center for Bear Bryant at Alabama in the early 1970s. He was an assistant for the Crimson Tide from 1977-86 and nearly landed the Alabama job when it became open last May after Mike Price was abruptly dismissed.

The Crimson Tide were criticized by some, including The Rev. Jesse Jackson, for picking Mike Shula, who is white, over Croom, who is older and has more experience.

Croom has been an NFL assistant since 1987. He has been the running backs coach with the Packers since 2001.

The SEC is the only high-profile conference to have never had a black head football coach.

Mississippi State is looking for a replacement for Jackie Sherrill, who retired after 13 seasons with the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State is 8-27 over the past three seasons with just three SEC wins. The Bulldogs are also awaiting the results of an NCAA investigation into possible rules violations by the football program from 1998-2002.

[WKB]

Bulldog ping

[God luvs America]

The Crimson Tide were criticized by some, including The Rev. Jesse Jackson, for picking Mike Shula, who is white, over Croom, who is older and has more experience.

I suppose Rev. Jess and the Rainbow coalition will be out in full force after Bill Callahan gets the boot from the Raiders in a month? I mean Jess shot his mouth off after Ray Rhodes was fired after only one season at Green Bay and Callahan did get Oakland to the Super Bowl last year!!

[WKB]

Jesse needs to get a real job himself!!

[jocon307]

Yeah, but where will they be when Fassel gets booted from the Giants?

Oh, yeah, he's white. And as of right now a loser. But Jesse doesn't care about white losers, they're on their own. He does nothing for them.

How bigoted and racist of him. White losers need love too, you know.

[stboz]

Jesse needs to get a real job himself!!

How 'bout breakin' rocks at Parchman?

[WKB]

How 'bout breakin' rocks at Parchman?


Way too easy!!!

[MississippiMan]

Reports came out last night that negotiations with Croom had "fallen through." Today, there are two different versions on the street as to what comes next. According to Croom, he's mulling their offer over during the weekend. According to State, he's inbound for a visit on Monday so they can "show him what they have."

MM

[WKB]

so they can "show him what they have."


What would that be??

[vetvetdoug]

Its nice to know that Mississippi State has instituted an affirmative action program for head coach. Solich is open for a new job, Spurrier has been looking for a job in the SEC, and there are dozens of proven coaches looking to coach in the SEC.

As a Vol/Ole Miss fan I was worried that Spurrier may take MSU's job but if they take Sylvester IMHO Tennessee and Mississippi will have nothing to worry about.

[flying Elvis]

Interesting. I figured MSU would look hard at some black coaches, for a number of reasons. First of all, in a state with as large a black population as Mississippi it makes good recruiting sense. Secondly, it's a masterful way of hurting Ol' Miss for it will most certainly kill off Colonel Reb for good. They won't be able to compete for quality black players with MSU recruiters whispering innuendos about the rebel flag and how they are so much more enlightened with a black coach. (It may not be true, but when has truth ever been a factor in college football?) The double whammy comes when Ol' Miss does cave to the PC crowd and removes Colonel Reb, thus alienating potential white recruits. It's a no win situation for Ol' Miss if MSU hires a black coach. Furthermore it will automatically give MSU a recruiting advantage in the SEC for at least a few years until the new coach proves himself or disgraces himself. My fondest wish, if MSU does hire Croom, is that he will handle himself like Tiger Woods and downplay his race while letting his performance do the talking.
So what is the unbiased critique of Croom, is he a SEC quality coach?

[Arkinsaw]

What would that be??

LOL, snort.

[MississippiMan]

My thoughts exactly, W. They might've been better off to do their utmost to hire him before he saw Starkghanistan!

MM

[MississippiMan]

I don't think it'll be that much of a factor when the big picture is considered. First, Ole Miss is now light years ahead of State from a program perspective. The talent pool is vastly depleted and the team chemistry and cohesion appears non-existent. The Jackal really let the program go to pot the past several years.

Even more important is the specter of bigtime probation hanging over State. When you can't play in bowl games, perhaps not even on TV, and the number of scholarships is drastically reduced, it's not gonna make a great deal of difference who's doing the recruiting. In fact, the very sticking point in the negotiations between Croom and MSU may well be an "easy exit" clause. Any halfway desirable coach coming in should want one, and MSU obviously won't want to give it.

MM

[Moosehead]

I have a friend that played under Croom when he was coaching in Detroit; he has nothing but extremely positive things to say about the man. He will make a helluva coach...pity Alabama didn't hire him last year.

[WKB]

They might've been better off to do their utmost to hire him before he saw Starkghanistan

I kinda like that name

[WKB]

When you can't play in bowl games, perhaps not even on TV, and the number of scholarships is drastically reduced, it's not gonna make a great deal of difference who's doing the recruiting.


JS always leaves like a tornado

[MississippiMan]

JS always leaves like a tornado

Did you see his little interview during the Egg Bowl when they asked him about all the insinuations about him cheating over the years? Classic politician non-answer. Maybe The Jackal is planning to run for office?

MM

[vetvetdoug]

I hope you are right about Croom but hiring him just because he is black is wrong. MSU is in disarray and it will take a good coach to turn it around again. If he does, kudos. I looked up his experience and there were several other candidates that had a lot more experience and press exposure. Let's face it, PR is going to be a large part of his job and if he's an introvert or inexperienced he will crash.

[flying Elvis]

Good point on the possible NCAA penalties, I had failed to consider that factor. Too bad NCAA penalties are not attached to the coaches so they can't run off or be run off to new jobs without any penalties.