Inside Scoop On DC Candidate Brian Van Gorder

by Peter Bean on Dec 4, 2006 5:15 PM CST in Football Comment 16 comments

Murmurs that Georgia Southern coach Brian Van Gorder may be on Mack Brown's short list of candidates to fill Chizik's shoes got me interested in learning more about the man. I talked to PWD from Georgia Sports for the inside scoop on the Bulldogs defensive coordinator from 2002-2004.

Here's what he told me:

Van Gorder made a huge mistake in moving to GSU. He's like a fish out of water there. They've run a monumentally successful triple option attack since the program's inception in '81. The "HamBone" won 5 or 6 national titles in 15 years in Div I-AA. When Van Gorder arrived, he ditched the bone. The fans had a sh-t fit.

He ditched the bone because no one would want to hire a Wishbone head coach from a Div I-AA school. Only the military academies dig that.

If you listed the reasons why a Div I-AA fan base wouldn't be happy with you changing their offense, I'm sure "If I keep your offense, I won't be able to get a better job quickly" isn't a good reason.

He's a very good defensive coach; perfectly suited for a DC role. But he's very prickly. Too prickly for a HC job.

He's not a fire breather like Tenuta. Nor as warm as Kines. More of a teacher who demands total excellence and discipline. Big assignment guy. His defenses were exceptional at UGA. His LB play in particular was fast, violent and aggressive. He's all about violence and approaching the ball carrier with "bad intentions." I think he's a better DC than Tenuta or Kines. I'd take Chizick over Van Gorder, but I can't think of another DC in America I'd want over BVG. Note: He's not a baby kisser so he's not the best recruiter. Sort of abrassive. That said, Tenuta is an ass face to deal with. Of the three guys only Kines is a really good recruiter.

That said, I'd be shocked if he was willing to admit defeat at GSU after only 1 year.

Sounds pretty good to me. Especially that part about linebackers seeking ball carriers with "bad intentions." That was sorely lacking this season.

[editor's note, by aorist9] Plus he looks like a perfect match for Akina...

And we would call them the 'stache duo

--PB--

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There's a couple of phrases I like in

that description:

"demands total excellence and discipline"
"Big assignment guy"
"He's all about violence and approaching the ball carrier with "bad intentions."
"LB play in particular was fast, violent and aggressive"

Violence, fast, and bad intentions are all great words to use when describing a Defenesive coach or player.

by Hornbud on Dec 4, 2006 5:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

PWD is the sh-t

Georgia Sports is a daily read.

by Peter Bean on Dec 4, 2006 5:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sweet 'stache

Get a picture of him up there! His 'stache will strike fear into the hearts of Sooners.

by whoopspat on Dec 4, 2006 5:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

All over that

Ask and you shall receive

by aorist9 on Dec 4, 2006 6:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha

Pairing those pictures just made me laugh into my full cup of coffee mid-sip. Now I have about 3 pages of homework to rewrite.

by whoopspat on Dec 4, 2006 6:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well since you're doing

a bit of maintaince and appear to be in a giving mood, hows about fixing the clock to reflect our upcomming bowl game?

by Hornbud on Dec 4, 2006 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That's not under my control

by aorist9 on Dec 4, 2006 6:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In the RRS

Wilson vs. Van Gorder in the Mustache match of death.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Dec 4, 2006 7:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

looks like a fucking cop

by Vice President Coco on Dec 4, 2006 7:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think a cop is what Terell Brown could have

used before the Ohio State game. I like what I have read about this guy. Seems to be a no-nonsense coach who cracks skulls.

by kicker on Dec 4, 2006 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If VanGorder doesn't wanna leave GSU this year...

That's cool. Whomever we hire this year will probably be gone in a season or two. He'll warm up.

by aorist9 on Dec 4, 2006 8:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I know its been posted already but....

This comment "His LB play in particular was fast, violent and aggressive. He's all about violence and approaching the ball carrier with "bad intentions." just made my knees week and my heart get all fluttery. UT definitely has played too softly this year and really, just hard enough last year. We also need a Strong Safety that makes receivers want to look around as they are catching the ball. It seems like teams were fearless this year catching the over the middle passes and short routes. We need someone that is going to hit people so hard their drivers license pictures will be frowning when they catch one in the middle. Plus we need a coach that is going to get the second and 3 string players in a serious competition for the starting positions. It seems to be that when the starters are determined thats all we hear about. Whereas in years before this year it seemed we heard about these immenseley talented 2nd and 3rd stringers that were gonna hurt people once they got a chance to start.

by lalonghorn on Dec 4, 2006 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

A total beast

Rumors have been floating around that if Van Gorder is hired, he plans on walking onto the practice field and knee-capping a starting defensive player to show everyone that he means business. As far as who he is going to kneecap, I hear he's choosing between Kindle and Derry.

What hurts the most is that somewhere far from here, two douchebags who made their own stupid rap video are dying of laughter.

by bendj on Dec 4, 2006 9:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs