Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has stepped down at Mississippi State to take the same job at Arkansas under new coach Bobby Petrino, Slyvester Croom has confirmed.
Johnson has been at MSU for four years. Two weeks ago, he interviewed at South Carolina and Georgia Tech.
So much for him wanting to get closer to home. Apparently, he just wanted out at Mississippi State. Funny thing, he told me on Thursday how appreciative he was of MSU making a commitment to him and how he’s looking forward to his future with the Bulldogs.
Wow! A coach that doesn’t tell the truth. Imagine that.
He told Croom of his decision on Sunday morning, hours after the Bulldogs rallied to defeat Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl, 10-3.
Here’s what Croom had to say:
“We feel that we have done everything possible to keep Ellis here, but he indicated to me that his decision was in his family’s best interest.”
And apparently, Arkansas didn’t go through the proper channels in contacting Johnson, which didn’t settle too well with MSU officials. I’ll have more on this in my story for Tuesday’s paper.
December 31, 2007 at 10:56 am |
Thats unbelievable. I really can’t believe I just read that. It isn’t April 1, is it? We’ve lost gem in Johnson. It’ll be tough to replace him. I wouldn’t have been so upset had Woody left, but Ellis? This is most displeasing. Hope it doesn’t hurt recruiting.
December 31, 2007 at 10:56 am |
Slimy little SOB! Maybe we can have Woody run the defense as well since he does such a good job of keeping us out of the endzone.
December 31, 2007 at 10:59 am |
So you wouldn’t tell DJ the same thing and then move on to a better opportunity? He probably didn’t want to burn any bridges. We’ve all done it
December 31, 2007 at 11:04 am |
I wouldn’t lie. I’ve never left a job after I reaffirmed my boss I wasn’t going anywhere. Must be an Ole Miss thing.
December 31, 2007 at 11:16 am |
Naturalbornrebel, not after being promised a $100,000 increase in pay and initially saying the reason he wanted to move back to the East Coast to be closer to family.
Last time I checked, Fayetteville is further away than Starkville.
December 31, 2007 at 11:41 am |
That officially makes it basketball season. Can’t think of football anymore without thinking that it was Ellis that provided us with most of our wins. Maybe Croom had a video of Ellis that he can just play next year at every practice.
Get ready for the onslaught of mediocre to average DC names for us to consider hiring. A little pessimism never hurts, right?
December 31, 2007 at 11:41 am |
Call Brick Haley NOW!
We’ll be hanging 50 on your butt next year EJ!
December 31, 2007 at 11:51 am |
Haley would be awesome.
December 31, 2007 at 12:01 pm |
Why would you leave the most loyal coach in the game to go work for someone who will leave you in the dust with a knife in your back in just a couple of years? It must be an ungodly amount of money. What about John Thompson or is he to washed up and been to too many places already?
December 31, 2007 at 12:04 pm |
It’s evident that he didn’t want to be at state. Good riddance and I hope Petrino S#$%^ on you like he did his assistants at Atlanta.
December 31, 2007 at 12:08 pm |
I think Brick Haley would be the absolute perfecti fit.
December 31, 2007 at 12:08 pm |
Get Joe Lee back. At least the D would be entertaining!
December 31, 2007 at 12:10 pm |
Heck no, Farley. He wouldn’t recruit.
December 31, 2007 at 12:12 pm |
I see right through this. I’m sure Ellis has been taking some let’s say, “social” pressure from his peers in the SEC for working for Croom. Coaches like Spurrier, Petrino and company fear Croom because they know that once he starts winning, that Croom will get ALL of the recruits. If Petrino really wanted a D-Coordinator, why hasn’t Will Muschamp’s name been mentioned for any of these positions at any of these schools? Once again, this is a case of the rest of the SEC trying to keep us and Croom down. Read between the lines
December 31, 2007 at 12:12 pm |
Something tells me LT and Doc still had alot to do with this not working out with Ellis. If things were smoothed out financially then something probably wasn’t finalized in writing.
Probably went something like this
Doc to Ellis -As soon as our new AD is here we can talk again about the specifics of your raise. Of course the amount might vary slightly depending on the imput from the new AD when he gets here.
Ellis- OK…let me know how things go with the new AD. Can I borrow your phone?
December 31, 2007 at 12:13 pm |
I wonder if the offense was more productive if he would have stayed? It’s gotta be frustrating for a DC when the offense can’t score or move the ball.
December 31, 2007 at 12:13 pm |
Yeah Gregg, but you got to love a guy who won’t wear socks!
December 31, 2007 at 12:15 pm |
Gregg,
So much for recharging the baterries, huh?
December 31, 2007 at 12:17 pm |
I was thinking the same thing Gregg. Can you type while playing the Wii.
December 31, 2007 at 12:21 pm |
Conquistador, I think you are on to something too. He’s probably tired of his defense being put in bad situations by the lack of offensive production. After all, we very easily could have lost the other day. Working with Woody, Ellis had no margin for error…must have been stressful.
December 31, 2007 at 12:23 pm |
Can you suggest moving Woody to DC? Please? Pretty please?
December 31, 2007 at 12:29 pm |
2thdoc, you can’t pinned this one on the administration. I think Ellis was looking to leave for quite some time and using a pay raise here for leverage elsewhere.
Yeah, guys. It never pays to plan time off. This job is 24/7 and fortunately, I have a wife that gets it. However, she’s not very happy right now.
December 31, 2007 at 12:29 pm |
I guess the term “contract” is officially extinct
December 31, 2007 at 12:33 pm |
Whatever happened to the days when one party had the opportunity to at least match another party’s offer?
December 31, 2007 at 12:35 pm |
He is was in the final year of a two-year deal. So technically, he wasn’t under contract.
December 31, 2007 at 12:35 pm |
dc31 luckily for Ellis he’s going to work for someone in Petrino who can really teach him something about contracts…uh nevermind.
December 31, 2007 at 1:38 pm |
i swear!!! why cant we ever just have sucess and just keep on going on a good note!! WHy does schools like Michagan, Texas, USC never have problems like we do. They are sucessful and just keep getting better. Every now and then they might have like a freakin receivers coach go somewhere but it doesnt matter bc they replace him with someone better. SO who are some possible candiates out there.
December 31, 2007 at 1:54 pm |
State just lost the best coach they had. A contract these days means nothing. I can’t believe he wouldn’t want to stay and coach with Sly for less money.
December 31, 2007 at 2:24 pm |
Gregg, I have heard a 100 K more total package, any news on that. If it is that amount, you have to follow the money while you can. We will miss him unless we get a real good one that keeps the same basic scheme. He had his defense designed around the personnel.
Nobody seems interested in our offensive coordinator. We should go ahead and push him out and look for two coaches.
December 31, 2007 at 2:32 pm |
Gregg, never mind on the money he didn’t get that much more. Word is that his wife literally hated Starkville for some reason (she’s in her early 30″s). He was tired of hearing it so he gave in and told her that he was moving for her. I can tell you that a move to Fayetteville won’t keep a trophy wife happy. Anyway a replacement within two days is what I hear. Supposed to be a press conference tomorrow, maybe an announcement then???
December 31, 2007 at 2:34 pm |
Move Woody to DC and hire Trooper Taylor from UT to be the OC. Win win.
December 31, 2007 at 2:34 pm |
I am not surprised that Arkansas “didn’t go through the proper channels in contacting Johnson.” Petrino would not have it any other way.
I wonder if this will hurt recruiting. I think the def players really liked playing for EJ.
December 31, 2007 at 2:45 pm |
what about Georiga Techs Defensive C? If im not mistaking isnt he pretty decent? I may be thinking about a couple of years ago!
December 31, 2007 at 2:46 pm |
Gregg, according to another source, Croom is on vacation this week. Do you have any indication that he will cut that vacation short in order to interview potential DC’s??
December 31, 2007 at 3:40 pm |
southernstyle1, I have to disagree with you on that one. Sure, EJ did a good job, but he is not irreplaceable. He is not a very good recruiter (have seen him at it before, not impressive) and is ultra-conservative in his playcalling. Not saying I want Joe Lee’s old defense, but just a few blitzes mixed in here and there. That’s why I want Brick!
But I digress, he is not the best coach we have. I would rank him behind Sly (of course), Pat Washington, Grimes, Cheese, Turner, and even Pollard. Ellis never did seem to completely fit with this staff, so maybe this will actually all work out for the best.
December 31, 2007 at 3:41 pm |
Whats the, “Ellis never did seem to completely fit with this staff” comment supposed to mean?
December 31, 2007 at 3:43 pm |
I agree Gregg. I think Ellis was looking to leave. He was the main reason that CC went looking for more money for the assistants and he left anyway. That makes me believe that it wasn’t about the money. But much like a player that transfers, if you don’t want to be here get the hell out. He would help more than hurt. Now, I don’t get into coaches, but I’m sure CC knows somebody, even in the NFL ranks that is ready and just needs a shot. And I also agree dawgfaninva, it seems like everytime we start to get it rolling, in any sport, something happens.
December 31, 2007 at 3:51 pm |
true true chris….maybe in the coming years we can get on a roll and stay on it.
December 31, 2007 at 3:55 pm |
Chris, it was definitely not about the money. It was the wife.
Jaybirdms, this will not hurt recruiting, Ellis did not do very much and had no key player contacts. Basically talked to them when they were on campus visits.
Couple of big money contributors working on Brick Haley. Who knows? But it would be a good fit I think plus the guy can recruit. That part would be a definite step up.
December 31, 2007 at 4:38 pm |
Croom is not on vacation and there is no press conference scheduled for tomorrow. Sly is in New Orleans for the coach’s convention. Hum. What a great place to be when looking to hire a new coach.
December 31, 2007 at 4:43 pm |
dc31, I think that’s a bit of a strech with the “rest of SEC trying to keep Croom and MSU down” comment. Funny. But a stretch.
Think about that comment for a moment. What does the rest of the SEC have to gain by “keeping MSU down.”
December 31, 2007 at 4:45 pm |
[...] to Gregg Ellis of the Daily Journal, Arkansas did not go through the proper channels to contact Johnson. That is just unbelievable [...]
December 31, 2007 at 4:47 pm |
Any ideas who we could be going after Gregg?
December 31, 2007 at 4:47 pm |
Gregg, I still say a coach in two days if he doesn’t turn Croom down? Don’t know about the press conference, but football staff indicated there could be one (even if in New Orleans). Croom was not totally surprised and I think the reason that he will name someone soon.
December 31, 2007 at 4:58 pm |
farley, I think Brick Haley is the No. 1 choice. And dawgbones, you are right. Croom said he wanted to move quickly. I was just saying he’s not on vacation as someone said and that there is no scheduled press conference as of now.
December 31, 2007 at 5:09 pm |
If Croom continues to be successful teams will be after him sooner or later. And I think he’ll be gone. What do you guys think?
December 31, 2007 at 5:15 pm |
Well the bowl game was great. I Think we made some noise! Anyway ellis leaving is a surprise, and not appreciated by the maroon nation, I just hope it ends up being a huge mistake for him.
Like I’ve said before, haley would b a great fit, he was excellent when I worked under him
December 31, 2007 at 6:00 pm |
[...] Johnson leaves MSU for Arkansas (updated) Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has stepped down at Mississippi State to take the same job at […] [...]
December 31, 2007 at 6:14 pm |
Farley, that is what someone I know who used to play told me and what I thought as far as a general tone of the rest of the staff. Take it or leave it, JMHO. I also know what else you might mean, but that’s not what I mean and I won’t touch it with a ten foot pole. Plus, I think Brick will be better if we can get him.
naturalbornrebel, that is wishful thinking on your part. He will still be here kicking y’all’s butts for years to come. I think in a few years the NFL might interest him, but not anytime soon. I don’t see him ever leaving for another college job as long as we take care of him.
December 31, 2007 at 6:23 pm |
He CERTAINLY did not go to Arkansas to be closer to his wife’s home state or the money. So the wife hates Starkville…Fayetteville has more to offer her? Neither money or wife sounds like the true reason for the move.
December 31, 2007 at 6:28 pm |
From all the job interviews Ellis was doing it was “clear” that he was wanting to make a move “somewhere”—-and being close to family was not on the picture.
May be State should have thrown in an SUV to stay, or Arksansa is providing a house for his east cast family to move into.
December 31, 2007 at 6:31 pm |
IF everyone is correct that he was not recruiting, then he can be replaced by someone who is a good defensive coordinator AND can recruit. I was upset at first, but anyone can be replaced. (I replaced and upgraded one wife, so I know Coach Croom can find someone to coach the defense.)
December 31, 2007 at 6:36 pm |
Dawglawyer, that was classic! Gregg, you said that my comment was far-fetched, but don’t you think there was just a little jealousy from maybe South Carolina, Bama, Auburn? We just played in the bowl that South Carolina was supposed to play in.
December 31, 2007 at 6:37 pm |
Watch Pegues declare for the draft now. Would be just our luck.
December 31, 2007 at 6:38 pm |
Pegues is a great player, but I think he could use another year in the weight room if he’s going to play safety at the next level. However, I think that he might move back to corner at the next level.
December 31, 2007 at 7:37 pm |
This may sound a little out there to some of you. But if no one has given Ed Ogeron a job, he could possibly be someone to consider. He has a history of being a great recruiter and a defensive coordinator for a national championship team. Not to mention, he’d make sure we would give Ole Miss an EGG on the scoreboard every year for the Egg Bowl. Just a thought.
December 31, 2007 at 8:38 pm |
Didn’tlike himas UM headcoach,butyeah,letsget Orgeron a shot.Who is this Brickfellow?
December 31, 2007 at 8:43 pm |
That’s actually not a bad idea. He can recruit them, then Croom can coach ‘em up. Sounds like a plan to me.
December 31, 2007 at 8:51 pm |
Keep O away. I think some of you have started the New Year’s celebration a bit too early. Remember, he and Sly have completely different recruiting strategies. Wouldn’t work.
dc31, South Carolina isn’t in a bowl because it lost five straight to end the season. MSU had nothing to do with that.
January 1, 2008 at 9:20 am |
Here’s another name…Charlie Strong from Florida. Strong has not been happy with Urban Meyer at Florida. Since Meyer has been there, Strong has only been the co-defensive coordinator with some other guy.
January 1, 2008 at 9:54 am |
That would be a good fit too.
January 1, 2008 at 12:09 pm |
Charlie Strong is good coach. He did a great job while he was DC at South Carolina when Holtz was coaching there. Charley Wiles the Defensive Line coach at VT wouldn’t be a bad choice either. VT always seems to have a good defense every year.
January 1, 2008 at 1:17 pm |
Get Nix from UM just to piss off the Rebs.
January 1, 2008 at 1:22 pm |
Bear Bryant has a better chance of being named DC than Coach O. I could see where O’s good qualities would be wanted but DC is too close to the playing field for me to let him loose. Give him a cell phone and a hummer to recruit…that’s it.
I feel better today after the news of Ellis. Brick Haley needs to come aboard and McCorvey needs to fire himself since Croom is not going to.
January 1, 2008 at 5:20 pm |
I like how Ron English shut down Tebow today. I think he might be going to Louisville though. There are a lot of good candidates out there. Ken Norton is out there. I don’t know what type of dollars it would take to get either one of those guys. Oh yeah, it looks like Ellis has a lot of work to do with the Ark bunch. They looked slow on a bunch of plays and it looked like they gave up too. It looks like it may take him two or three years to get his type of player up there. He likes his linebackers and defensive ends about the same size at about 6’3 220-240 (speed)
January 1, 2008 at 10:03 pm |
I have a former player who is a GA coach at Millsaps. He just told me Mike Dubose has been contacted by Croom fro the DC position. This would be a great hire for the Dogs.
January 1, 2008 at 11:32 pm |
[...] Arkansas officials did not go through official channels when contacting Johnson…shocking. This entry is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow [...]
January 3, 2008 at 10:55 am |
Me thinks EJ will regret his decision in a year or two.
January 3, 2008 at 12:47 pm |
Gregg, me thinks EJ will regret his decision as soon as he shakes Petrino and Jerry Jones hands. He just joined the dark side and the slime will stick to him thoughout his career. Great coach, but his new associates…not so much.