Legendary - The Career of Porter Davis

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LSU Turns to Troy's Wayne Bolt in Surprising Coaching Hire
Tigers bypass splashier candidates in favor of veteran defensive architect with deep Southern roots
By Connor Whitfield | Jan 7, 2019, 8:42am EST



The name wasn't on many early lists.

It certainly wasn't the splashy hire most LSU fans expected.

And that is exactly why Tuesday's announcement caught much of the college football world by surprise.

LSU has named Troy head coach Wayne Bolt as its next head football coach, ending a search that featured some of the biggest names in the profession and one that many believed would conclude with a far more recognizable hire.

Instead, Athletic Director Joe Alleva opted for experience, defensive pedigree, and a coach whose résumé spans nearly four decades in college football.

"Coach Bolt embodies the toughness, discipline, and leadership qualities we believe are necessary to return LSU football to championship contention," Alleva said during the announcement. "His track record of building defenses and developing players speaks for itself."

Bolt arrives in Baton Rouge with a modest 24-15 record as a head coach, a mark that immediately raised eyebrows among portions of the LSU fanbase. Compared to the résumés of some other candidates linked to the position, Bolt's record does not jump off the page.

But LSU officials were looking beyond the win-loss column.

Few coaches in the country can match the depth of Bolt's coaching background.

A former All-American offensive lineman at East Carolina, Bolt began his coaching career under legendary coach Pat Dye, following him from East Carolina to Wyoming and eventually to Auburn. He later worked under Danny Ford at Clemson before returning to Auburn for another stint.

His longest and most influential stop came at Troy.

Bolt joined Larry Blakeney's staff in 1991 as offensive line coach before eventually becoming defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Under his leadership, Troy developed one of the nation's most respected defenses. In 2002, just the Trojans' second season competing at the Division I-A level, Troy ranked fourth nationally in total defense, allowing only 276.8 yards per game.

That success eventually led to opportunities at UAB, Iowa State, and Auburn, where he reunited with Gene Chizik. When Chizik accepted the Auburn head coaching position in 2009, he personally brought Bolt onto the staff as Director of Football Relations.

Following Auburn's coaching change in 2012, Bolt returned to Troy as defensive coordinator and eventually became head coach, helping guide the Trojans into one of the Sun Belt's most consistent programs.

Over the course of his career, Bolt has coached on ten bowl teams and helped develop more than twenty future NFL players.

Those credentials appear to have resonated strongly with LSU decision-makers.

Still, the hire is likely to be remembered as much for who LSU didn't hire as who they did.

Arkansas head coach Porter Davis loomed over the search from the very beginning.

Davis was heavily linked to the LSU opening before the Tigers ultimately hired Matt Limegrover ahead of the 2017 season. Two years later, after leading Arkansas to an SEC Championship, a Sugar Bowl victory, and the school's first 12-win season, many around the sport viewed him as the obvious choice.

Several national outlets went as far as describing Davis as the favorite if LSU could convince him to leave Fayetteville.

That never happened.

While neither side has publicly commented on the extent of LSU's interest, multiple reports indicate Davis was never seriously involved in the later stages of the search. Whether that was because Arkansas' coach had no desire to leave, or because LSU preferred a different direction, remains a topic of debate throughout SEC circles.

Regardless, many fans will inevitably view the decision as a missed opportunity.

The comparison becomes even more striking when considering the trajectories of the two coaches.

Davis just completed one of the greatest one-year turnarounds in conference history. Bolt, meanwhile, arrives from the Sun Belt with fewer than forty games of head coaching experience.

Yet LSU officials insist this was never about making the biggest splash.

The Tigers are coming off a disastrous 2-10 season after going 9-4 just one year earlier. Program leadership reportedly prioritized stability, defensive toughness, and long-term program building over headline-grabbing name recognition.

In Wayne Bolt, they believe they found exactly that.

Whether LSU fans agree remains to be seen.

For now, the Tigers have handed one of college football's most prestigious jobs to a veteran coach who spent decades earning respect throughout the profession rather than building a national brand.

It may not have been the hire fans expected.

But LSU is betting it will be the one they need.

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Maybe he just wants to be a housewife and not a ho

hos get paid, housewives ask permission

Caesar would throw up if this was RL lmao

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Maybe he just wants to be a housewife and not a ho

hos get paid, housewives ask permission

Caesar would throw up if this was RL lmao

Definitely have been some interesting hires in here. Fun to see it divert from real life though

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Ole Miss and Hugh Freeze Part Ways After Seven Seasons
Rebels describe separation as mutual as speculation surrounding the program continues to grow
By Tyler McKinney | Jan 7, 2019, 10:18am EST



Ole Miss has officially parted ways with head coach Hugh Freeze, ending a seven-year run in Oxford that featured both notable highs and a disappointing finish.

The university announced Monday morning that Freeze and the program had reached a "mutual decision" to move in a different direction following the 2018 season.

Neither Freeze nor university officials provided extensive comments regarding the circumstances surrounding the departure.

The timing of the move has raised eyebrows across the SEC.

Unlike several other coaching changes this offseason, Ole Miss did not immediately move on from its head coach after the conclusion of the season. Freeze survived the initial wave of firings despite a disappointing 3-9 campaign in 2018 that included a 2-6 record in SEC play.

At the time, many around the conference believed the Rebels were prepared to give Freeze another opportunity to turn the program around.

There was reason for that patience.

Just one season earlier, Ole Miss had finished 7-6 and earned a bowl appearance. More broadly, Freeze compiled a respectable 55-37 record during his seven seasons in Oxford, helping elevate expectations around the program and delivering several memorable victories during his tenure.

University officials reportedly felt those accomplishments warranted additional consideration before making a final decision.

Ultimately, however, Ole Miss leadership determined a change was necessary.

While the school has publicly characterized the move as mutual, there has been widespread speculation that factors beyond wins and losses may have influenced the decision.

Multiple reports have linked the Rebels to a potential NCAA investigation involving recruiting practices during Freeze's tenure. While no formal findings have been announced, rumors surrounding the program have continued to circulate throughout the coaching carousel season.

Some around college football believe the timing of Freeze's departure may help both the coach and university distance themselves from any potential future issues.

Neither Freeze nor Ole Miss addressed those rumors in their public statements.

The uncertainty leaves plenty of unanswered questions.

What is clear is that Ole Miss now finds itself in a difficult position.

By waiting until now to make a coaching change, the Rebels have placed themselves behind many of the sport's other major openings. Alabama has already hired Luke Fickell. LSU recently turned to Wayne Bolt. Several other Power Conference jobs have also been filled.

As a result, many of the most sought-after candidates have already accepted positions elsewhere or have at least narrowed down their options.

That reality could force Ole Miss to expand its search beyond the names that were initially expected to headline the process.

The challenge facing the next coach will be substantial.

Despite the struggles of the 2018 season, the Rebels still possess SEC resources, a passionate fan base, and fertile recruiting territory throughout Mississippi and the surrounding region. At the same time, uncertainty surrounding the program and the possibility of NCAA scrutiny could complicate efforts to quickly rebuild.

For Freeze, the departure closes a chapter that featured both success and controversy.

He leaves Oxford as one of the more successful coaches in recent school history, but also one of unmet expectations. Especially after making headlines with some of the top recruiting classes in the nation

Freeze is now the fifth SEC head coach to leave a program in the conference this offseason.

The coaching carousel has already reshaped much of the league.

Now Ole Miss must determine who will guide the Rebels into an increasingly uncertain future.

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Florida Brings Charlie Strong Home
Former Gators assistant returns to Gainesville looking to restore a proud program
By Alec Harrington | Jan 7, 2019, 11:07am EST



Florida's coaching search is over.

After weeks of speculation and one of the most closely watched searches in college football, the Gators have hired Ohio State defensive coordinator Charlie Strong as their next head football coach.

The move brings one of the most respected defensive minds in the sport back to Gainesville, where Strong spent years helping build Florida into a national powerhouse.

For many around the program, the hire feels like a homecoming years in the making.

Strong's ties to Florida run deep. Before becoming a head coach, he spent over a decade working in Gainesville under both Ron Zook and Urban Meyer. Following Zook's dismissal, Strong even served as Florida's interim head coach for the 2004 Peach Bowl before remaining on staff under Meyer as defensive coordinator.

Those Florida defenses became some of the most feared units in the country, helping establish Strong as one of the nation's premier assistant coaches.

Now, nearly fifteen years later, he returns to lead the program himself.

"Charlie Strong understands what Florida football is supposed to be," one longtime booster told reporters following the announcement. "He's been here. He's recruited here. He's won here. This just feels right."

The hiring concludes a winding coaching journey that has included both significant success and notable setbacks.

Strong first broke through as a head coach at Louisville, where he compiled a 34-18 record and transformed the Cardinals into a consistent winner. His success in Louisville earned him national recognition and eventually opened the door to bigger opportunities.

In 2015, Strong was hired by LSU, one of the premier jobs in college football.

The move never materialized the way either side hoped.

Over two seasons in Baton Rouge, Strong posted a disappointing 9-15 record before being dismissed following the 2016 campaign. While LSU struggled to find consistency, many around the sport believed Strong's strengths remained better suited to the defensive side of the ball.

Those beliefs were reinforced during the last two seasons at Ohio State.

Strong helped oversee one of the nation's top defenses in Columbus while rebuilding his reputation as an elite coordinator and leader. By the end of the 2018 season, he had once again emerged as one of the hottest names on the coaching market.

Florida ultimately decided he was the right person to guide the program forward.

The Gators entered the offseason searching for stability after parting ways with Will Muschamp following a disappointing 5-7 campaign. While Muschamp enjoyed periods of success, Florida never consistently reached the championship level expected by one of the SEC's flagship programs.

Strong now inherits a roster with talent but plenty of questions.

His first priorities will be rebuilding confidence inside the program, strengthening recruiting efforts throughout Florida, and restoring the physical defensive identity that once defined the Gators.

Fans appear eager to give him that opportunity.

Reaction throughout Gainesville has been overwhelmingly positive, with many former players publicly supporting the move. Strong's familiarity with the university, combined with his recruiting connections throughout the Southeast, made him one of the few candidates capable of generating immediate excitement.

Of course, excitement only lasts so long in the SEC.

Strong returns to a conference that has undergone dramatic change this offseason. Alabama has already turned to Luke Fickell to replace Nick Saban. LSU recently hired Wayne Bolt after moving on from Matt Limegrover. Ole Miss parted ways with Hugh Freeze earlier this week.

The pressure to win immediately will be immense.

But for now, Florida believes it has found exactly what it was looking for.

A proven recruiter.

A respected leader.

And perhaps most importantly, someone who already understands what it means to wear orange and blue.

After years of watching Charlie Strong build programs elsewhere, Florida has finally handed him the keys to one of college football's most prestigious jobs.

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Kentucky Bets on Innovation, Hires Robert Anae as Head Coach
Wildcats turn to longtime offensive strategist in search of a new path forward
By Nathan Keller | Jan 8, 2019, 9:47am EST



Kentucky has found its replacement for Mark Stoops.

The Wildcats announced Tuesday morning that Troy offensive coordinator Robert Anae will become the program's next head coach, ending a search that many expected would result in a more established name.

Instead, Kentucky is betting on offensive innovation.

Anae arrives in Lexington without previous head coaching experience, a fact that has generated mixed reactions across the SEC. While some view the hire as a gamble, Kentucky officials believe the veteran assistant offers exactly the type of fresh thinking necessary to compete in an increasingly difficult conference.

"We believe Coach Anae brings a vision for modern college football that fits where this program needs to go," Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement. "His track record of developing offenses and adapting to changing trends made him stand out throughout this process."

The path to Kentucky has been anything but conventional.

Anae first established himself as one of the nation's more respected offensive coordinators at BYU, where his creative schemes helped produce some of the most productive offenses in school history. His success there earned him an opportunity at Tennessee, where he spent one season as offensive coordinator before moving on to Troy.

For the past three years, Anae has served as offensive coordinator under Wayne Bolt, helping transform Troy into one of the Sun Belt's most consistent programs. During that span, the Trojans became known for their balanced offensive attack, player development, and ability to compete against programs with significantly greater resources.

When LSU hired Bolt away from Troy earlier this offseason, many around the profession believed Anae would soon receive opportunities of his own.

Few expected one of those opportunities to come in the SEC.

The hire follows Kentucky's decision to move on from Mark Stoops after back-to-back 4-8 seasons. Stoops finished his six-year tenure with a 30-43 record, and while there were occasional flashes of progress, the Wildcats never established the consistency necessary to climb the conference standings.

That reality forced Kentucky officials to take a hard look at the future.

Competing in the SEC has never been easy, particularly for programs that do not possess the recruiting advantages enjoyed by powers such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, and now Arkansas.

Kentucky's leadership ultimately concluded that simply trying to mimic those programs would not be enough.

Instead, they sought a coach capable of creating a distinct identity.

That search led them to Anae.

"At some point you have to be willing to do something different," one SEC administrator said following the announcement. "Kentucky knows they aren't going to out-recruit everyone in this league. They have to find another edge."

Whether Anae can provide that edge remains the central question.

Supporters point to his decades of offensive experience, his reputation as a teacher, and his ability to maximize talent. Critics counter that he has never managed a program, recruited at an SEC level, or faced the week-to-week demands of leading a team in college football's toughest conference.

The truth likely lies somewhere in between.

What is undeniable is that Kentucky has made one of the more intriguing hires of the offseason.

Rather than chasing a proven head coach, the Wildcats have placed their future in the hands of a career assistant whose best work has often come away from the spotlight.

Now he will step directly into it.

And if Kentucky is going to close the gap on the rest of the SEC, Robert Anae will need to prove that innovation can accomplish what tradition and familiarity have not.

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Strong gonna get folded at Florida

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Strong gonna get folded at Florida

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Ole Miss Turns to Chuck Martin to Lead Program Forward
Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator inherits Rebels program facing uncertainty on and off the field
By Tyler McKinney | Jan 8, 2019, 1:17pm EST



Ole Miss has found its next head coach.

The Rebels officially announced Tuesday afternoon that longtime Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin will replace Hugh Freeze, ending a coaching search that was as challenging as it was important.

For Ole Miss, the hire represents both a new beginning and a calculated gamble.

Martin arrives in Oxford after spending years helping oversee one of college football's most consistent offenses at Notre Dame. While he may not have been the splashy, headline-grabbing hire many fans envisioned when the position first opened, university officials believe he possesses the leadership and organizational skills necessary to guide the program through a difficult period.

"We were looking for someone who could build a sustainable foundation for success," Athletic Director Ross Bjork said in a statement. "Coach Martin has a proven track record of developing players, building strong cultures, and leading successful offenses. We believe he is the right person for this program."

The path that led Ole Miss to Martin was far from ideal.

Unlike many schools that made coaching changes immediately after the regular season, the Rebels waited weeks before ultimately parting ways with Hugh Freeze. While Freeze finished with a respectable 55-37 record during seven seasons in Oxford, a disappointing 3-9 campaign in 2018 coupled with mounting speculation regarding NCAA scrutiny eventually led both sides to move on.

That delay came at a cost.

By the time Ole Miss officially entered the coaching market, several of the most attractive candidates had already accepted jobs elsewhere. Alabama hired Luke Fickell to replace Nick Saban. LSU moved quickly to secure Wayne Bolt. Florida landed Charlie Strong. Kentucky filled its vacancy with Robert Anae.

The Rebels found themselves searching for answers while many of their competitors were already introducing new coaches.

Rather than chasing the biggest remaining name, Ole Miss elected to prioritize stability.

Martin's résumé may not generate the same excitement as some of the coaches linked to the opening, but it is difficult to argue with his experience. During his time at Notre Dame, Martin played a major role in developing productive offenses and helping the Fighting Irish remain a consistent national contender. His reputation as a teacher, recruiter, and relationship builder resonated throughout the search process.

Several sources close to the program indicated that Martin impressed university officials during interviews with a detailed plan for rebuilding confidence inside the program while navigating the unique challenges currently facing Ole Miss.

Those challenges are substantial.

The Rebels remain one of the SEC's most intriguing programs, possessing fertile recruiting territory, passionate supporters, and a history of producing elite talent. However, uncertainty surrounding the program and continued rumors of potential NCAA investigation have created obstacles that few coaching candidates were eager to inherit.

Martin never publicly addressed those concerns during the hiring process.

Instead, he focused on football.

Sources familiar with the search described Martin's message as simple: establish discipline, develop players, and create a program capable of competing consistently in the SEC.

That approach appealed to university leadership.

The hire has already generated mixed reactions among fans. Some supporters hoped Ole Miss would pursue a bigger name with previous head coaching success, while others view Martin as exactly the type of steady leader the program needs at this moment.

The truth likely won't be known for several years.

What is certain is that Martin enters one of the most challenging situations in the conference.

He follows a coach who delivered plenty of success but whose tenure ultimately ended under a cloud of uncertainty. He inherits a roster that endured a difficult 2018 season. And he arrives at a time when the SEC West may be more competitive than ever.

In another offseason, Chuck Martin might have been viewed as an underwhelming hire.

Given the circumstances surrounding Ole Miss, he may prove to be exactly what the Rebels need.

Now comes the difficult part.

Turning stability into victories.

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2019 Coaching Carousel Comes to a Close
From Nick Saban's retirement to surprise hires across the SEC, college football enters a new era
By Connor Reese | Jan 8, 2019, 6:42pm EST



More than a month after the first rumors began circulating, the 2019 coaching carousel has finally slowed to a stop.

What began with speculation surrounding several struggling programs quickly transformed into one of the most eventful offseasons in recent memory. Hall of Fame coaches retired, SEC programs changed directions, and dozens of assistants suddenly found themselves running programs of their own.

No move was bigger than the one that started it all.

Nick Saban's retirement at Alabama sent shockwaves throughout the sport and created the most coveted opening in college football. The Crimson Tide ultimately moved quickly to hire Miami (OH) head coach Luke Fickell, fresh off a 13-1 season and a National Coach of the Year campaign.

The move signaled Alabama's desire to maintain its championship standard while turning the page on one of the greatest coaching careers the sport has ever seen.

The SEC, unsurprisingly, sat at the center of much of the chaos.

LSU dismissed Matt Limegrover after a disastrous 2-10 season just one year removed from a promising 9-4 debut. Rather than pursuing a splashy national name, the Tigers surprised many observers by hiring Troy head coach Wayne Bolt. The longtime defensive coach inherits one of the conference's most talent-rich rosters but will face immediate pressure in Baton Rouge.

Florida also made a change after moving on from Will Muschamp. The Gators turned to former Florida assistant and Ohio State defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, bringing a familiar face back to Gainesville in hopes of restoring the program to championship contention.

Kentucky elected to take a very different path.

Following the dismissal of Mark Stoops, the Wildcats hired Robert Anae away from Troy. The longtime offensive coordinator has never been a head coach, making him one of the most intriguing hires of the offseason. Kentucky officials believe innovation, not simply imitation, offers their best chance to close the gap with the conference's elite programs.

Ole Miss was the final SEC domino to fall.

The Rebels and Hugh Freeze officially parted ways after seven seasons and a 55-37 record. While Ole Miss described the separation as mutual, rumors surrounding potential NCAA scrutiny continue to linger. Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin was eventually selected to lead the program forward.

Outside the SEC, several other noteworthy moves shaped the national landscape.

Houston promoted offensive coordinator Calvin Magee after moving on from Tony Levine. Memphis replaced Anae with Mike Bajakian. Southern Miss hired Josh Henson following Jarrett Anderson's departure to Baylor. Troy turned to former Louisiana-Lafayette offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield after Wayne Bolt's exit to LSU.

Colorado State hired Will Muschamp only weeks after Florida fired him, while Baylor landed Southern Miss head coach Jarrett Anderson in one of the more underrated moves of the cycle.

The carousel was not limited to head coaches.

Several prominent former head coaches accepted coordinator positions throughout the country.

Former LSU head coach Matt Limegrover quickly resurfaced as an offensive coordinator candidate and remains one of the more respected offensive minds in the profession despite his difficult tenure in Baton Rouge. Hugh Freeze is expected to draw significant interest for coordinator opportunities should he choose to remain in coaching. Meanwhile, longtime Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops elected to sign a five-year extension with the Sooners rather than explore retirement or outside opportunities.

The offseason also featured a remarkable number of extensions.

Urban Meyer signed a new deal at Ohio State. Auburn retained Hugh Hughes. Tennessee locked up Mike Wells. Gary Patterson remained at TCU. Bo Pelini stayed at Nebraska. Numerous other programs opted for stability rather than change.

In many ways, that may prove just as significant as the hires themselves.

As spring practice approaches, every fan base believes it made the right decision.

History suggests many will be wrong.

But for now, hope remains undefeated.

The coaching carousel is complete.

The race toward the 2019 season has officially begun.