Meet your new coach, Danny Rocco

[eddantes]

I just wanted to be the person to start this thread. I'll feel like a fool if it turns out not to be true, but eh.

UVA's record: 6-5 in '05, 8-4 in '04. But of those 9 losses, 7 of them were to top 25 teams.

I'm happy, but not thrilled with the decision. I think the Rocco family has good football knowledge, but it's not the kind of move that'll cause the nation to go "Wow, did you just see what LU did?"

[A.G.]

Is LU out to make a splash or to build a program? I think it is a great hire.

[PittLU]

I agree A.G. From his pedigree - it is the perfect move.

[tallyw]

I'm not sure about perfect but I agree it's basically Jeff Bowden without the name. Even better, he's familiar with LU and very familiar with Virginia as a recruiting base. He may be able to draw more immediately than some other coaches. In addition, he does have ties to the NFL and high-level D1 programs. He's a good fit... not the name we may have dreamed but it doesn't matter in the long run.

Now if we can get an AD that can bust tail on fundraising and setting us on the course for 1-A. We are in good shape. I'm very excited about the near future of this program.

[guest]

Wait a second, the truth is Jeff Bowden is no good. This doesn't seem to be the case with coach Rocco he may actually do something good for the program. His problem at UVA has been that he's been held back by the terrible coaching of Al Groh.

[The True Flamer]

You absolutely correct, this is the best choice for us. Rocco is a great coach. We don't need to be making a splash with our hiring. Rocco will take us to the next level. Groh is a moron, why do think his whole staff is getting the heck out of C-Ville. When this is all said and done he might have like 2 or 3 people stay. Dr.Falwell could not have made a better decsion.

[LUconn]

I'm liking this pick too. From what I've read on all of the UVA boards, he really seems like he was a good recruiter, especially in the PA area. I would think with his background, any guy in our area would be ours for the choosing, which is something that this program sorely lacked under the previous administration. Anyway, the more I read from different sources, the better this is getting. Hopefully he's our guy.

[The Insider]

“Dr. Falwell could not have made a better decision.” The True Flamer

When it comes to athletics, Dr. Falwell never makes good decisions! You can tell when he makes comments like wanting to be in the top 20 of DIA before he dies. I’m glad he’s a big dreamer, but that’s not reality. Reality is growing the program to be competitive at DIAA before being competitive at DIA, because in order to do that it’ll take more then 10 years.

Someone on the board asked if we were out to make a splash or build a program? According to Doc we are out to make a splash! He’s the one that said we have a “Big Name” and I’m still waiting to hear this big name. Rocco is definitely not a big name! Now I’m not saying he’s not going to be good, but he’s not the big name Doc said we’d get.

If you ask me Falwell needs to stop trying to run the athletic department and hire an AD and allow that AD to make athletic decisions. Most of the hires Falwell has made have been busts.

[Sly Fox]

This is the man who has been the obvious candidate since the moment we learned Coach Karcher was gone. I feel really good about this selection.

[The Insider]

Like I said, I’m not questioning the decision. I just want to know where the “Big Name” is?

[tallyw]

The said:

“Dr. Falwell could not have made a better decision.” The True Flamer

I’m glad he’s a big dreamer, but that’s not reality.

Hmm ;D

"The Insider" is on the outside for this one. Dr. Falwell has been the leader of organizations that have literally shaped the course of history. Liberty is another testiment to his leadership. Is he an AD? No. But he's never taken on a challenge with the credentials to get where he believes his organization should be. In 1997 I recall him asking the student body to pray for $50 mil in debt relief.

I'm sure he had people like "The Insider" say "C'mon doc... be realistic.. $50 million for debt relief is rediculous. You need to eat away slowly at this by doing x, y and z." Instead he set about believing that God would come through. God came through within a year.

Now, for me... I've seen way too much happen first hand on the mountain to start to doubt something as small as D1 football. The school has only been around 34 years... You're telling me that it's unrealistic to go from I-AA in a third of that time? Ohh ye of little faith and history.

Let's give the Doc a break. We still don't have official confirmation of the names let alone have the experience to know what's going on and what it will take to get us to 1-A.

[HarrisburgFlame]

I will put my support behind coach Rocco and hope he can get our program to where we all want it to be. I am disappointed in the hire, I really hoped we could get a real winner. I am going to do a few web searches and hopefully I will find something that makes me feel better. Not to be a downer - I hope I am wrong. But I really think this was a hasty move.

[HarrisburgFlame]

One last point. It seems Coach Rocco has always been a position coach on the defensive side of the ball. We can all agree we need help on defense but we just hired a guy who has never been a coordinator - not even a special teams coordinator.

I just don't get it..

[baldspot]

I personnally didn't like it when the Eagles hired Andy Reid for the very same reason. He had only coached Brett Farve in the NFL and the Eagles wanted to make him their head coach? Guess I was wrong then. Hope I am right this time.

Coach Rocco was a special teams coor at Texas and is currently the Assoc Head coach at UVA.
He has an impressive resume having been associated with Joe Paterno, John Mackovic, Tom Coughlin and the Jets. Also, Texas, Penn State, Boston College, Maryland, Wake Forest and UVA recruit the same areas as LU and Rocco has been a part of their programs. Hopefully he has someone from FL on his staff for recruiting purposes as well. The biggest thing I like about him is he should already know about the Liberty Way and therefore use it to attract our kinda player instead of trying to get around it like a previous big name head coach who didn't make it to the playoffs in 11 years.

Rocco personnally played in three bowl games, coached in several more and has helped developed pro players.

[krh44]

TV13 just said that LU has annonced a press conference for Friday.

[Chris Lang]

krh44 said:

TV13 just said that LU has annonced a press conference for Friday.

Yes. 9 a.m. Friday. Look for a "strong" story in the fishwrap tomorrow. (Hi Sly!)

[Sly Fox]

Bring, it, Chris. ;D

I understand the misgivings of some, but considering the circumstances I believe Coach Rocco will make a very nice fit. Obviously we know who will be running the offense. I'm curious who he will bring on board to be the defensive coordinator.

[fsn32]

sumner said:

Obviously we know who will be running the offense.

Not so fast my friend... that may not be a given.

[givemethemic]

Sly check you pm

[bigsmooth]

HF, just a question... you would you want?? were you wanting jeff bowden?? he has zero head coaching experience as well. i would have liked to have a bigger name, but maybe they were not available or maybe no big name was interested. i personally would have liked to see a longer search, but how do we know how long the search has been going on? im also not defending rocco b/c he is at UVA, but maybe he could be the next top I-AA coach. a little more on rocco:

-RECRUITING COORDINATOR 2001,2002- according to the guru's one class was ranked 5th, the other in the top 10.
-LINEBACKERS COACH- helped in development of darryl blackstock playing for the cardinals
-DEFENSIVE ASST FOR JETS- tutored UVA alum and current steeler james farrior-- a pro bowler.
-OL LINEBACKERS/SPECIAL TEAMS AT TEXAS- won 3 cons. big 12 championships, and three bowl games under john mackovic
-DEFENSIVE LINE COACH AT BC- helped team go to back
to back bowl games under tom coughlin
-OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH AT TULSA AND MARYLAND
-ASSISTANT LINEBACKERS COACH AT COLORADO
-DEFENSIVE LINE COACH AT WAKE FOREST

clearly a knowledgable defensive coach. and we have not had a good defense at LU in a long time! rocco can also recruit. i hope if he is the coach that we all get behind him. i know we may have wanted a bigger name, but he could be a diamond in the rough. GO FLAMES!!!

[Stevev]

I feel pretty good about Rocco and thinks that he has good enough qualifications to bring us back to being competitive and hopefully then some. A "name" coach is not always the way to go. We have been down that road before with Sam R. and it didn't get us too far. I see no sense in getting some "over the hill" guy who is only going to stick around a few years and then call it quits. Hopefully Rocco can do some good recruiting immediately and maybe get some 1A transferes (could use some lineman on both sides of the ball) to get us to a competitive level and then work from there. Lets give Coach Rocco a chance to build the team and see where it takes us. Look forward to see what he can do.

[madmat79]

Sounds like defense will be shored up for sure. Any ideas about who Coach Rocco would bring in as the offensive coordinator and what type of offense would they employ? Strong armed QB, quick back, with several physical backs.

[madmat79]

Could Coach Christmas have been around for just such a consideration?

[HarrisburgFlame]

bigsmooth:

You guys are right - I need to stop pouting. I agree a big name is not always the way to go. I was upset for three reasons mainly:

1. The name recognition factor and the fact we hired a guy who has basically been on outside LBers coach all his life.

2. Really wanted someone with head coaching experience and success

3. I felt the search was rushed and I suspect that no "name" coaches showed interest and that is disappointing with some of the names flying around.

I'll get on board and I'll be fine. I hope and pray that my disappointment is unfounded. But when Coach K left I was hoping for a real step up. Time will tell but if you put Rocco's resume up against Coach K - it's a wash. i thought this next hire was going to be the hire to take us to the next level and we were going to shock and awe because Jerry wants a Top 20 program. Then we go out and hire the LB coach at UVA and a guy that was part of a staff with the NY Jets that took a playoff team and went home after 16 games then left for C-ville.

Somebody smack me quick - I hate being negative but there is a sense of dread I have right now that we'll be back in the same spot in 5 years.

[Sly Fox]

The obvious choice for OC would be Danny's brother Frank Jr. But its been made abundantly clear to me by some of our esteemed posters that it is far from a slam dunk. Frank Jr. was our OC a few years ago before taking over as Head Coach at LCA (for those not familiar LCA, it is the K-12 school operated by the church from which LU was born).

If Frank is not the man, its good to know that Danny has been enough places that he should have a great network of options from which to choose.

For the record bigsmooth, Texas won three consecutive conference championships while Rocco was on Mackovic's staff. But the first two were in the now extinct Southwest Conference (Shout out to H-burg) and then in the first ever Big 12 Championship game UT pulled off the miracle against Nebraska in St. Louis. 4th & inches, James Brown rolls left and hits a wide open Derek Lewis. That was one of the coolest moments of my time covering the Horns in Austin.

[HarrisburgFlame]

I remember that call against Nebraska - brilliant. Thanks for the SWC shout out as well!

[Sly Fox]

Hburg - I fully understand your frustration. I too would love to have more insight into how the process went down. But in the end, I feel comfortable with the selection. He fits the profile of a young (hey, my idea of young increases every year) and energetic coach with I-A experience. Sure it would be better if he had head coaching experience. But its been my experience that often times certain men thrive when responsibility is placed on their shoulders (of course the opposite can be the case).

I interviewed him briefly for a story I was working on nearly a decade ago. That's not much to go on but that seems to be giving me more peace about this hire than intellectually I can muster.

This hire just makes too much sense not to earn full support from the players, students & alumni.

[PittLU]

With all of the upper level experience that Coach Rocco has, why would he come to Liberty? It almost seems to me that with his contacts he could have been in a coordinator position at a high IA or possilbly pro level shortly. I honestly think this was a steal for LU. Forget names. We love LU so much that we need to take a step back and realistically look at the situation for what it is. We are a floundering I-AA football program in a week conference and not an attractive draw for the run of the mill athlete programs of our size draw.

What we get in Coach Rocco is a coach that will not come in right away and dismiss the Liberty Way as a recruiting hindrance. We have a guy who is an experienced recruiter in the football hotbeds of PA and VA. With his experience and knowledge of Liberty, he will be able to focus his skills on recruiting talented athletes that will fit the Liberty mold.

So freakin what if he wasnt a coordinator! Why does a HC have to have that experience? At the pro level - probably necessary, but college is all about the players baby. I will take a talented recruiter over an X and O guy every time - as long as he is wise in his coordinator selections. From the rumors floating around, the jury is out on that.

The only thing I am not happy about is putting the cart before the horse. I wish we had an AD in place before the selection was made. I know that Dr. Park came at the suggestion of Karcher, but that was a bad deal from the start. I am sure Coach Rocco will get along with whoever we hire, but if we really are hiring a name AD, it may be moot anyway because you will have the real back office AD (Mickey Guridy by chance?) running the show with name AD out pressing the flesh. Maybe this is where the "name" will be. It could get tricky if we dont hire a name and we get an AD with an agenda that would rub Coach Rocco the wrong way, but that is another story for another thread.

Bottom Line - Coach Rocco is the perfect pick

[PittLU]

Sorry for the "week" - no spell check and it is late....

[Sly Fox]

LUPITT - Don't assume a decision hasn't already made on the AD position. I have a feeling you'll meet both choices tomorrow morning at the news conference.