What I'm reading is that it's either Lake or the Texas DC, not even going to try to spell his name. It's a pretty good source, but you know how these things can change on a dime.
I would prefer PK over Lake but I have a hard time believing he's going to just walk away from one of the most talented teams in the nation in the middle of a playoff run for a full defensive rebuild. I'm guessing that Leonhard is willing to wait for a HC (or NFL DC) job and maybe Durkin has too much baggage. I've heard Geoff Collins thrown around as well but that just might be on availability alone.
mandb has mentioned a few times that he didn't care for Lake at UW and that the better defenses were mostly PK but at the very least he would give us credibility on a number of fronts, including NFL experience and development. Seems to be the most natural fit as well. I think this also means that he and Riley worked out his aversion towards the Air Raid (which CLR doesn't run a true version of but nonetheless) and that he'd have autonomy over the defense and more say in practice methods.
I haven't seen enough UW film to say one way or another but how much of their opinion on Lake is based on his time as HC? Even if he isn't as good as PK is, he's still a significant upgrade from what we have and should help us from a credibility standpoint on the recruiting trail.
As far as the other JL, I'm guessing the reasons why he might not want to come here are cultural fit (he seems like a smaller town guy), and he wants a HC job. I would absolutely prefer Leonhard over Lake but Lake is more likely for a number of reasons.
None of my opinions about Lake as a DC is based on his time as the HC. Lake was becoming a very desired coach with potential DC opportunities and UW gave him the CO/DC title to keep him around, which at the time seemed like a good (and obvious) decision at the time. It just seemed like with each 'promotion', his ego grew and his recruiting chops declined.
Lake was not a bad DC. He just wasn't as good as PK. If this comes to pass, will Lake be humbled from the past and learn to become more than just a 'good' DC'?
You are both nuts....this hire is like when they picked Helton over other candidates and then gave him an extension when everyone but the AD knew he didn't have what it took to deliver. If this is the direction they go...I don't see anyway this team ever builds a defense competant to compete in the Big 10...he shouldn't be anymore than a DB Coach...that is what he is acutally well qualified for...nothing more...but he does check a box and that's important at USC.
Why would he leave LA as the Asst HC for a DC job in college?
And those Husky Ds were run by Kwiatkowski.
This would be a deflating hire....hopefully it's not true.
Isn't this the guy who beat a player at UW? Bobby Knight type of guy. Sc must be desperate.
He has a reputaiton of competence.
America and USC need to take care of business and stop screwing around.
Its all a crap shoot. Tons of additional variables.
Carroll was our 5th choice and Chip was a slam dunk hire.
Hope he's a drastic improvement from
208. Hard not to be
mandb has mentioned a few times that he didn't care for Lake at UW and that the better defenses were mostly PK but at the very least he would give us credibility on a number of fronts, including NFL experience and development. Seems to be the most natural fit as well. I think this also means that he and Riley worked out his aversion towards the Air Raid (which CLR doesn't run a true version of but nonetheless) and that he'd have autonomy over the defense and more say in practice methods.
I think it is a good hire. If my memory holds correct, Lake was a very good DC at UW.
He sent several DBs to the NFL. Fact.
Also, if I am correct, he is a very good recruiter.
Maybe he can wear some bling like Deion. Might help recruiting.