Sez Me …
While not our prodigal sons by definition, the best of them do leaveth.
That’s not changing.
Some of our best high school football players get homesick or don’t find the opportunities and niceties they expect from their chosen, out-of-town universities and “returneth.” Most do not.
For them, San Diego’s grass is not as green as elsewhere, where there can be more fame, fabulous facilities, national exposure — and now, especially, more money. Up front, thanks to NIL. Millions they can’t possibly get here. But they were bailing before the collegiate sea change.
And, even as an Aztecs alum, I can’t blame one of the kids for dreaming bigger dreams. It’s what they want and deserve.
I bring up what we already know because San Diego State has hired a new head football coach to replace the “retired, golden-parachuted” Brady Hoke. And new guy Sean Lewis was asked about recruiting local kids and keeping them here.
Of course, he said it would be a priority. It should be, even though it hasn’t always been one. Some coaches figured they’d be wasting their energy recruiting some local youngsters. Highly successful Don Coryell and Claude Gilbert recruited by automobile, strictly JCs.
But that changed under orders following Gilbert’s 1980 firing, and the prep recruiting process was not at all successful for years.
I suppose you can blame Coryell, in a way. For more than 20 years the Aztecs’ recruiters didn’t have a presence at our local high schools. Strictly double-transfer and junior college kids. Grossmont High School linebacker Travis Hitt — he was really good — was Coryell’s first and last freshman recruit (1973).
I watch a whole lot of college football, but until Lewis was hired, I’d never heard of him. Former head coach at Kent State, and most recently Colorado’s offensive coordinator under Deion Sanders (before he was replaced). OK.
Not that I expected a major splash after Hoke “retired,” but Lewis didn’t break the surface. He’s what they want, fine. He could be the perfect hire. But he needs time for reconstruction after he blows up this thing.
What the Aztecs need is to turn the most boring offense in the school’s modern day history into an exciting adventure, and Lewis goes 100 mph, which is 100-mph faster than Hoke’s jalopy.
The modern college passing game was invented by Coryell on that campus and the last two seasons a safety has been throwing passes. Recruit quarterbacks. Recruit receivers. Recruit speed. It’s all out there.
Lewis has to change a culture. Can he recruit locally? San Diego has become a football hotbed. There is Division I talent here.
But recruiting San Diego just to say you’re recruiting San Diego isn’t cutting it.
He doesn’t need the 5-stars, or even the 4 stars, although that would be nice — and some do circle back. He needs skilled players who can be coached up. Happens in a lot of places. The Mountain West just got better with Oregon State and Washington State joining the schedule. It may be harder, but also more attractive.
To compete, Sean Lewis has to be Jerry Lewis. Wacky, but brilliant. Unconventional. Unorthodox. Unfazed. Unafraid. Dare to be great.
The other way didn’t work and can’t anymore. Sean’s not on a short leash. His program is. College football is about money now, and his school doesn’t have sugar daddies to cover $86-million buyouts.
Wazzu quarterback Cameron Ward is in the transfer portal and already has been offered $1 million plus by at least a dozen schools with extra dough for others. Can SDSU do that playing outside a Power 5 conference?
Right.
Not even winning will fill Snapdragon.
It’s time to stop trying to kid a kidder. This is it. The brink.
If it works, maybe a trip on the Road to Wellness. If not, a trip down Death Road, to the wealthy undertaker, who cremates programs.
Sean Lewis could be San Diego State’s last major college football coach. …
Helix High School has produced the greatest college basketball player (Bill Walton) and college football player (Reggie Bush). I will accept no substitutes. …
Agree with Alex Smith. During their dynasty run, the Patriots played in the weakest division in history. Thing was, they weren’t playing divisional rivals in those Super Bowls. …
Why would Bill Belichick tank so he could draft Caleb Williams? Does he expect to be back? …
Rex Ryan on Belichick: “Tom Brady was the only reason you won, anyway.” Man, Rex is great. Although Bill had to have a smidgen to do with it. …
The 59-yard field goal in Philadelphia weather by the Eagles’ Jake Elliott vs. the Bills is one of the more extraordinary in the “colorful” history of the kicking game. Now that was hard. …
I like Frank Reich, but Carolina is a graveyard. Including interims, the Panthers’ next head coaching hire will be their seventh since 2019. …
The Steelers went 58 straight games without gaining 400 total yards. They have been to the red zone four times in a game once this year. Mike Tomlin riffs miracles. How could Notre Dame not hire this guy? …
Flexing games is incredibly insensitive to traveling fans. People who spend the money always get screwed by those who make it. …
Maxx Crosby says he played through a septic knee Joint, and then explained to a wise guy Raiders reporter that it wasn’t a Vegas dive bar. …
Joe Flacco will start today for the Browns. Otto Graham: “Not if I have any say in it.” …
Jon Gruden returning to Vegas? Nah. My mole inside the Raiders says Mark Davis had a terrific interview with what Son of Al found to be the coach with the greatest resume: George Santos. …
Hear tell Ohio State was “devastated” following its loss to Michigan. This isn’t the Gaza Strip, Buckeyes. It’s football, stupid. Billion-dollar program. Play better. …
Satchel Paige: “Nobody likes the ball low and away, but that’s where you’re getting it from me.” Oh, to have spent some time with him. …
Del Norte High School, I feel your pain. Why would such a devastating thing be named Hail Mary? Great season. …
Ham & Eggers: Big news. The Great North India Street Pothole now has valet and shuttle parking. Ideal spot to watch vintage film noir and have a cocktail. …
Klay Thompson says contract negotiations with the Warriors are weighing on him and affecting his play. I can see that. He’s only making $40 million this year. If he can’t block things out, hit the road. Tony Gwynn won a batting title the year he went bankrupt. …
Darryl Hall has filed a restraining order against John Oates. John can’t get closer than 10 feet to him on stage. …
I was right. Just prior to Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles procedure, his doctor walked across a lake to the hospital, healed some sick, raised some dead, had a blind man read an eye chart, and did things with loaves and fishes for the starving staff. …
I think it’s great if Rodgers can play this year. I also think it’s stupid if he does. For what? The Dog-Ass Jets (thank you, Dan Jenkins) have to put the kibosh on this nonsense. …
The Postal Service next year will dedicate a stamp to John Wooden, which ensures a delivery championship. Surprising was the runner-up for the honor. Newman. Because the mail never stops. …
So tired of hearing: “This team lacks an identity.” Media crap. Where does it go to get one, DMV?
