Breaking: North Texas set to Hire SHSU DC Skyler Cassity

[El Paso Eagle]

28 minutes ago, Glory to the Green said:

They talk Cassity at the 15:30 mark. GMG!
 

 

Thank you!!

[TalonsUp]

Thanks G2G! Lots of good information shared

[p_phelps]

7 hours ago, GMG_Dallas said:

So that justifies being ranked 117? Not buying it.

We wanted an experienced coach and instead got a 30 year old who's spent as much time as a grad assistant at Texas State and Texas Tech as he has a DC.

I guess you ignore the the top 30 defense this year. Why are you bitching. We got a dc that's had success in 2 stops 

[p_phelps]

4 hours ago, GMG_Dallas said:

Cool. 1 good year against horrible opponents and allowed 45 to a 4-8 UCF team. When he fails and we're back with a new coaching staff, don't ask why.

Dude... who did you want to hire. This is a Home run hire

[El Paso Eagle]

Comment on Cassity from a Sam Fan

4-2-5 base, not super aggressive, likes to play simple so that the players can play fast and not think as much

[SUMG]

The guys on the above DCTF podcast, said that Cassity really likes to get after the QB. Love hearing that. It's been a complaint of mine for years here. We don't put opposing QBs under nearly enough duress. Love this hire. 

[Big Z]

21 minutes ago, p_phelps said:

I guess you ignore the the top 30 defense this year. Why are you bitching. We got a dc that's had success in 2 stops 

tis the season to be bitching! FAAAA LAAAAA LAAAA...LAAAAA LAAA

[TheReal_jayD]

25 minutes ago, p_phelps said:

Dude... who did you want to hire. This is a Home run hire

He can’t answer that. 

 

25 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Comment on Cassity from a Sam Fan

4-2-5 base, not super aggressive, likes to play simple so that the players can play fast and not think as much

The 4-2-5 will help in a number of ways, mainly recruiting. But simplifying will held the most, I felt caponi defense was way two complex and always 1-3 guys confused and several players were thinking to much and not allowing to cut loose 

[greenminer]

What's a reasonable expectation for our defense?  Given this offense and the history of the Leach tree, I dnh't think T30 is within reach, but can we feel comfortable if Cassity gets this in the T30-60 range? Do we win 9-10 games with that level of play?  Consider me cautiously optimistic.  I totally get the concerns, too.

[GMG_Dallas]

1 hour ago, p_phelps said:

I guess you ignore the the top 30 defense this year. Why are you bitching. We got a dc that's had success in 2 stops 

One stop. 51st and 117th at ACU is not success. Stop lying to yourself. I'm bitching because this is an atrocious hire. Allowed 39 to Texas State and 45 to a bad UCF team which included being ran over for almost 400 yards and 6 TDs.

58 minutes ago, p_phelps said:

Dude... who did you want to hire. This is a Home run hire

 

31 minutes ago, TheReal_jayD said:

He can’t answer that. 

I would have wanted one of the Co-DCs (or both) from Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, or Miami (OH). We could money whip any and all of their DCs. You want to see success that doesn't involve getting steamrolled for 40 like Cassity's defense, look at those teams.

NIU: 7th in total defense, highest G5 ranking. Held now #5 Notre Dame to 14 and NC State to 24. Most points allowed was 25 to Ball State. They have co-DCs we could have doubled in pay for less than Caponi.

Bowling Green (I brought them up in a thread a couple days ago, sorry you don't read other posts): 29th in total defense, have co-DCs one of which spent almost a decade as DC in DFW high schools (including Haltom City when Lance Dunbar was there). Held Texas A&M to 26 and now #3 Penn State to 34, both on the road.

Miami (OH): 14th in total defense. Held Northwestern to 13, Cincinnati to 27, and Notre Dame to 28.

Most don't have Texas ties. I don't think that matters as much in today's day. I'd like to know when's the last time Texas ties helped us in football anyways. It certainly doesn't stop the bigger Texas programs. What all those schools do have is low ressources and yet a demonstrated ability to hold their P4 opponents to respectable scoring outputs.

Regarding Cassity, I put zero stock in his top 20 defense. That is 100% a reflection of the CUSA competition. Allowing 39 to Texas State and 45 to a 4-8 UCF team is unacceptable and shows what he's actually capable of.

I was ridiculed for calling out our game management and highly inconsistent offense early this year only to be proven right. I'll take the hit here again but I don't want to read BS about what went wrong if and when he fails.

Edited 13 hours ago by GMG_Dallas

[greenminer]

6 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

For those of you unhappy or questioning this hire, care to name who you would have preferred?

I'm sure there are some more experienced guys that have legitimate claim to serious looks.  I just never got the vibe that there was one or two home-run hires available to us.

[GMG_Dallas]

7 minutes ago, greenminer said:

What's a reasonable expectation for our defense?  Given this offense and the history of the Leach tree, I dnh't think T30 is within reach, but can we feel comfortable if Cassity gets this in the T30-60 range? Do we win 9-10 games with that level of play?  Consider me cautiously optimistic.  I totally get the concerns, too.

I would take 30-60 as a success overall but what I really don't want is a defense that gets absolutely steamrolled in any one game. Show me you can adjust during games to counter opponent's adjustments. I do put some of Caponi's failure on Eric Morris with his poor game management so I guess we'll see if he can do some soul searching this offseason.

[L Ron Studdard]

ESPN'S SP+ rankings for SHSU:

Offense #119

Defense #47

Special Teams #133

 

It'd be huge if Cassity could replicate a top-50 defense here.

[Side.Show.Joe]

I really like this hire. Cassity was one of my top choices. Glad to see a guy that has done it successfully at a program with even fewer resources than us. But, C-USA is loaded down with weak competition. I hope he can bring the same results against a tougher AAC schedule. 

[TIgreen01]

He’s not sniffing top 50 here while we run up tempo air raid.  All of you will be disappointed if that’s your mark.  We need to get into the 60-75 range and keep scoring in the 26-28ppg range.  Or lead the league in sacks, negative plays generated or turnovers.  At this point I’ll take either.

I like hearing he plays a simple scheme, too and agree with the comments about us being too complex and confusing too many players too often under Caponi.  I’m a big fan of KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid!

[billyboy85]

When can he start? 

[p_phelps]

1 hour ago, greenminer said:

I'm sure there are some more experienced guys that have legitimate claim to serious looks.  I just never got the vibe that there was one or two home-run hires available to us.

Dude has been successful at 2 different schools... never been fired... how's that bad

[Glory to the Green]

2 hours ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Thank you!!

No problem. I thought it was good info, too. 

[p_phelps]

1 hour ago, GMG_Dallas said:

One stop. 51st and 117th at ACU is not success. Stop lying to yourself. I'm bitching because this is an atrocious hire. Allowed 39 to Texas State and 45 to a bad UCF team which included being ran over for almost 400 yards and 6 TDs.

 

I would have wanted one of the Co-DCs (or both) from Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, or Miami (OH). We could money whip any and all of their DCs. You want to see success that doesn't involve getting steamrolled for 40 like Cassity's defense, look at those teams.

NIU: 7th in total defense, highest G5 ranking. Held now #5 Notre Dame to 14 and NC State to 24. Most points allowed was 25 to Ball State. They have co-DCs we could have doubled in pay for less than Caponi.

Bowling Green (I brought them up in a thread a couple days ago, sorry you don't read other posts): 29th in total defense, have co-DCs one of which spent almost a decade as DC in DFW high schools (including Haltom City when Lance Dunbar was there). Held Texas A&M to 26 and now #3 Penn State to 34, both on the road.

Miami (OH): 14th in total defense. Held Northwestern to 13, Cincinnati to 27, and Notre Dame to 28.

Most don't have Texas ties. I don't think that matters as much in today's day. I'd like to know when's the last time Texas ties helped us in football anyways. It certainly doesn't stop the bigger Texas programs. What all those schools do have is low ressources and yet a demonstrated ability to hold their P4 opponents to respectable scoring outputs.

Regarding Cassity, I put zero stock in his top 20 defense. That is 100% a reflection of the CUSA competition. Allowing 39 to Texas State and 45 to a 4-8 UCF team is unacceptable and shows what he's actually capable of.

I was ridiculed for calling out our game management and highly inconsistent offense early this year only to be proven right. I'll take the hit here again but I don't want to read BS about what went wrong if and when he fails. 

You're a dumbass if you think think this is a terrible hire when he's been successful every stop. Sam houston would curb stomp us, liberty would curb stomp us. You just like to bitch for the sake of it. You're naming guys without any Texas ties. It's one of the dumbest things I've witnessed see you mad at hiring a young and successful DC that will bring players with him. 

Edited 12 hours ago by p_phelps

[NT93]

42 minutes ago, Side.Show.Joe said:

But, C-USA is loaded down with weak competition. I hope he can bring the same results against a tougher AAC schedule. 

Not to derail the thread, but I think this part is important for those who say we’re no better than we were two years ago.  It’s not a lot better, but I think being 6-6 in the AAC is better than 6-6 in C-USA.

As to the hire, I probably shouldn’t have an opinion because I really know nothing about him other than what I’ve read here, but it seems like a solid hire.  Not a home run, but solid.

[GMG_Dallas]

46 minutes ago, L Ron Studdard said:

ESPN'S SP+ rankings for SHSU:

Offense #119

Defense #47

Special Teams #133

 

It'd be huge if Cassity could replicate a top-50 defense here.

SHSU strength of schedule: 124

Opponent offensive SP+ ranks:

113 Rice, 48 UCF (allowed 45 points), 106 Hawaii, 124 New Mexico State, 26 Texas State (allowed 39 points), 132 UTEP, 88 WKU, 107 FIU, 125 La Tech, 134 Kennesaw State, 60 Jax State, 46 Liberty.

For comparison, we played 21 Memphis, 25 Tulane, 29 Texas Tech, 42 Army, 44 S Alabama, 51 UTSA.

[L Ron Studdard]

12 minutes ago, GMG_Dallas said:

SHSU strength of schedule: 124

Opponent offensive SP+ ranks

SP+ is opponent-adjusted, hence SHSU being #47 even with the raw top-25 scoring D. It's probably not the gospel but has seemed to be a pretty good indicator of games this season.

Edited 12 hours ago by L Ron Studdard

[GMG_Dallas]

46 minutes ago, p_phelps said:

You're a dumbass if you think think this is a terrible hire when he's been successful every stop. Sam houston would curb stomp us, liberty would curb stomp us. You just like to bitch for the sake of it. You're naming guys without any Texas ties. It's one of the dumbest things I've witnessed see you mad at hiring a young and successful DC that will bring players with him. 

Define success. Can you use it in a sentence?

2023 rankings at ACU: 117 in total defense, 81 in scoring defense, 87 in 3rd down defense, 85 in red zone defense, 115 in first downs given up, 88 in tackles for loss, 102 in total sacks, 53 in total turnovers (yay top 60). This was out of 122 schools.

Is that success?

He had one good year against horrible CUSA competition and y'all are impressed. If this is how our leadership thinks, no wonder we're constantly bad. We could have hired anybody and some of you would have applauded it. Holy crap.

I brought stats. Your turn.

Also to add, literally who cares about Texas ties in 2024 for defense. Our last bowl win was under a defensive coach with zero Texas ties and that defense was damn good.

Edited 11 hours ago by GMG_Dallas

[GMG_Dallas]

21 minutes ago, L Ron Studdard said:

SP+ is opponent-adjusted, hence SHSU being #47 even with the raw top-25 scoring D. It's probably not the gospel but has seemed to be a pretty good indicator of games this season.

I saw that in the description of sp+, thanks. Doesn’t change SHSU played mostly teams ranked in the bottom 30 on offense. Was SHSU's defense good or did they play atrocious offense? Other than Liberty, what decent offense did they do well against? The answer is nobody.

[p_phelps]

10 minutes ago, GMG_Dallas said:

Define success. Can you use it in a sentence?

2023 rankings at ACU: 117 in total defense, 81 in scoring defense, 87 in 3rd down defense, 85 in red zone defense, 115 in first downs given up, 88 in tackles for loss, 102 in total sacks, 53 in total turnovers (yay top 60). This was out of 122 schools.

Is that success?

He had one good year against horrible CUSA competition and y'all are impressed. If this is how our leadership thinks, no wonder we're constantly bad. We could have hired anybody and some of you would have applauded it. Holy crap.

I brought stats. You're turn, dumbass.

Also to add, literally who cares about Texas ties in 2024 for defense. Our last bowl win was under a defensive coach with zero Texas ties and that defense was damn good.

The fact that he's had better defense every year hes been a DC since 2018.. again, name someone who's better to be had. Why even be a fan here, you're clearly miserable.