Home Football New Coach: Rod Perry

New Coach: Rod Perry

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It's looking very likely Perry will be the new coach tomorrow morning.

On that note, I don't know what to say. It's very underwhelming. On the surface, it doesn't seem good, it doesn't seem bad, it just…is.

Digging a little deeper, I suppose the hire is more negative than positive.

  • Perry is old
  • He has no track record recruiting
  • Colts secondary was never very good
  • Another guy from Riley's good ol' boy network
  • Seems to have a passive, laid back personality

I'm having a hard time coming up with any positives. I can come up with hypotheticals, such as

  • Maybe he'll be a good recruiter (since he has LA ties)
  • He has a lot of experience, so he should be a good coach

Etc.

But I have no idea if any of that is true. The bottom line is that we don't know much about this guy, he seems past his prime, and on the surface it's an underwhelming hire. We're left hoping he's good rather than feeling any excitement.

The take home point is that Riley went after a coach, not a recruiter. Most in Beaverville (I just hate the Beaver Nation "deal") believe we need recruiters. In parting, this hire could have made a splash, but it feels like another Riley kerplunk. Isn't that a neat story?

232 COMMENTS

    • IMHO, I’d say Mr. Perry is a bit more experienced and qualified for a higher salary than the green young buck Heyward.

      ROD PERRY PERSONAL

      College: Colorado 1972-74.
      Playing Career: Los Angeles Rams 1975-82; Cleveland Browns 1983-84.

      Coaching Career: Columbia 1985; Fresno City College 1986; Fresno State 1987-88; Seattle Seahawks 1989-91; Los Angeles Rams 1992-94; Houston Oilers 1995-96; San Diego Chargers 1997-01; Carolina Panthers 2002-06; Indianapolis Colts 2007-present.

      Keith Heyward – played professionally for the BC Lions in the CFL, the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe and the L.A. Avengers in the Arena League

      Prior to joining the OSU staff in 2008, Heyward spent one season (2007) as an assistant at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the two seasons prior to that as a graduate assistant at Oregon State.

        • Heyward was supposed to be able to coach the whole secondary, but couldn’t do it and had to rely on an graduate assistant for the safeties. I think that says a lot.

  1. So I had a shitty Monday, but WTF?

    How would you like walking into a job and the homies talking shit about you…

    Fair shot until proven…

    and my homies know I’m a half empty homefry

  2. I know he’ll get lots of help recruiting LA (i.e. Brennan), but I wonder if he can connect to young college kids well, motivate, and help put the fire in the defense? I also wonder if this isn’t hitting the pause button for him – does he stay a year or two then leave if an NFL job opportunity becomes available to him? If that’s the case, I think a younger coach who wants to carve out a name for himself would be better.

    With all the changes in the Pac-12, this does seem pretty underwhelming. Maybe he’ll turn it down and Riley will go back to his rolodex (which he probably has).

    Didn’t the Colts play a lot of zone in the secondary?

    • Yeah, cover 2. Very bend/don’t break. Bob Sanders anchored that secondary. When he wasn’t in there, they were horrible.

      I’m hoping he turns it down, too. I’d be more excited to have Aric Williams.

      • I think the reason it has taken so long to name him is that he is looking for another NFL job, but that opportunity is not out there for him.

      • Is Aric Williams available?

        On the zone D, I would actually like to see OSU mix in some more zone. It seems like its a good way to take advantage of inexperienced college qb’s and to cover up the individual limitations of players. Its been a while since “leaving a man out on an island” seemed like a good strategy for OSU. For the last several years its been “we do that because that’s what we do” rather than because they’ve had the right talent.

        I seem to recall it was about the season of, or before the Insight Bowl (when was that?!?) that there really seemed to start being a drought in CB interceptions at OSU.

        • I assume he’s available because OSU seems like an upgrade (only due to conference affiliation) over Montana.

          Yeah, it would be interesting to see if zone or man results in more interceptions. We’d probably have to study the NFL for that since the talent is more balanced across the board.

          For the last several years its been “we do that because that’s what we do” rather than because they’ve had the right talent.

          Very well said. Great point. I’d love to hear the argument for that style at OSU. It’s not like they sign a quarter dozen Champ Baileys each year.

      • And Bob Sanders was an absolute freak when he was healthy, not sure you could really give Perry credit for that.

        Doesn’t this feel a little like Perry is “spent goods”? On the surface it looks like a demotion for him.

  3. Yeah…..underwhelming. But he sounds like he shouldbe able to coach — I guess we will find out if he can reach todays college kids. And he can telll the recruits NFL stories….

  4. Aren’t young aggressive football players looking for a “Grandpa” figure to look up to? Now we can say we have just what your mom and dad want. The reason Perry is taking so long is because he wants to make sure his Medicare is good in Oregon.
    If you believe that this guy was number 1, 2 or 3 on Riley’s list then put down that pipe!

  5. a very “meh” hire. he may not himself be a huge recruiting asset, but if i were a db being recruited by the beavers it would be appealing to have a position coach with that much nfl experience. down the road i guess i could see this looking like a good move by riley, buuuuuuuut probably not.

  6. Everyone talks about what a great recruiter Heyward was…Exactly what great recruits did he ever bring to Oregon State? I personally think he was a solid recruiter, but people make it seem like he was a recruiting god.

  7. I’m typically not one to speculate and I will say that I typically trust Riley, but I’m trying to understand this hire. I’ve been asking my contacts if this hire is more to “help” Banker or possibly replace him if he doesn’t improve and I can’t get an answer. So my thought now is that because Riley wanted a experienced hire with more coaching, he may be looking at Perry as a possible replacement for Banker should things not improve. Especially considering Perry’s experience and that most coordinators are promoted to that position after serving as the secondary coach. So, let’s say that Banker gets fired, Perry moves into the coordinator role, and then Riley goes out and hires a good recruiter…..

    I’m asking myself if that would be a good move? I don’t know enough about Perry to make a determination, but the logic could work – I need to think through this potential scenario more.

  8. This guy has a lot of NFL experience so he must be capable of coaching college kids the fundamentals plus some. I would also assume that he will get a lot of help on how to approach college kids and how to pitch his experience in a way that will appeal to them. “I spent X years in the NFL, I coached (insert some famous NFL DB) and I can tell from watching you play that you have a lot of potential to make that next step and I know exactly how to get you there.” Maybe it isn’t that simple but it probably isn’t as difficult as you think either. Bottom line, he will be able to recognize talent, he has a professional history that would appeal to anyone, and he will be able to coach – I don’t think you can question the coaching ability of someone who has spent that many years coaching in the NFL.

    He is also black, which I think was mandatory for this hire.

  9. In fairness, if he was the secondary coach with the colts, and not the D coordinator, he cannot be be held accountable for scheme so much – anybody familiar with the play of individuals? I stopped following NFL years ago.

    I think its also worth considering what he did, and how DB’s did, in Carolina.

    I like the notion above that he may be a means to pressuring, improving or replacing Banker, but I doubt that’s Riley’s motive.

    If its him, hope he can teach, and still has fire to motivate and facilitate controlled aggression.

    • According to an article I saw his title with the Colts was assistant secondary coach.

      To me that doesn’t sound like he was the secondary coach, but merely an assistant.

  10. I’m not over or underwhelmed. I think you can throw me into the more positives than negatives category. Perry’s NFL connections alone should get him in the door of several recruits. His resume suggests he should only have to be able to sell a donut to a cop to be able to form relationships necessary for recruiting in LA. If he can do slightly better than that, then he should be fine on the trail.

    What I wonder about is not his ability to coach. I wonder about the schemes he’s coached and how set in his ways he might be. We’re not talking about a guy who knows Banker’s methods by heart. With his experience that shouldn’t take him long. But he wouldn’t be coming into a situation where he was expected to be the compliant newbie who works his way from CB’s to all DB’s with considerable help from our former AA S GA over there.

    Perry would be stepping in as a coach in his own right. One might say he has the credentials to be DC if we were going to make this a lateral move. So how much will Banker defer to the sage? Will he just let Perry do his think in the back 40 and worry about the front six or seven?

    We would need to see a different approach in OSU’s secondary scheme in order to make Perry feel at home. His style is not a reactionary, sit on your heels and wait for the play to come to you style. His style is to run downhill… more of a spider web than a net.

    One thing Banker might truly love is that Perry’s safeties are often the leading tacklers on whatever team he’s coaching.

    Unless we’re talking about OSU alum Rod Perry who pioneered the Iditarod and cemented its international fame with the help of his lead dog, Fat Albert. If that’s the case, then I’m all sorts of wrong.

  11. My biggest concern with this potential would be his passion for his job. He is essentially getting demoted and at his age I wonder what will motivate him. We need scrappers, not scrap.

  12. Some old guys can recruit just as some young guys can’t recruit for shit.

    We’ll see whether or not he can recruit in due time.

    As for the Colts secondary, Perry was a special assistant to the defense, not the secondary coach. He was secondary coach for the Panthers and the Chargers though. Chargers had the top defense in the NFL when he was there. The Panthers had two undrafted CBs and were in the top 10 on completion percentage against.

    I think there’s more evidence that he’ll be a good coach than a bad one.

  13. Why is an old NFL coach, with no ties to OSU, interested in Corvallis? It only makes since if he is out of a job and biding his time until another NFL job pops up. Corvallis is not place people where people who have never lived there, seek out jobs. Compared to any NFL city, Corvallis is a wasteland. This guy had to be so far down Riley’s list that in draft terms, this is called a REACH. This is a budget move and little else. Lets see what the salary is and that will tell us a lot. My guess is $150K, not comparable to the NFL but better than nothing.

  14. Why is this called a “reach” again? Not sure I’m following you. Wasn’t Rod Perry one of the first names we heard mentioned? Any why would we suddenly be so budget conscious now, when we’re getting this new Pac-12 money TV money coming in? By the way, quite a few college towns could be considered “wastelands” when compared to NFL cities, if your criteria is the size of the population. Corvallis is actually a nice town to live in, especially in the summer time during football camp.

    • I am tending to think this was his number 1 guy that we were hearing he wanted. I also don’t think he will be around very long, I think if he gets another shot at the NFL where he’s spent his entire career he will go. So, if I am thinking that he is not looking for a place to retire at but looking to go back to the pros how committed is he going to be at grinding it out on the recruiting trail?

      I don’t mind the hire, I think he might be very good for the defense (not just DB) and be good for Mitch as well, what I am not so sure about is his ability to get out and connect with 17 yr old kids. We have some built in disadvantages playing where we do, we don’t have a huge stadium to attract the top recruits so we NEED somebody who is charismatic enough to pull these kids in. I would like to think that is some young energetic coach like Osia Lewis or Tony White or some of those others that have been mentioned.

      We really need to finish off expanding Reser, and get it up to the 55,000 if we really want to compete in this league.

      • I don’t think expanding Reser will do much other than give the tv cameras even more empty seats to show during their broadcasts. Gotta sell out in the current stadium if you want an expansion to get the green light. Reser will not be expanded again during the Riley Regime unless he somehow figures out a way to draw back in the fans that have already given up.

        • I totally disagree with you. I don’t think you need to sellout every game to expand Reser. “Build it and they will come”.

          Here’s the deal, If you expand Reser to 55,000 you know that at least half of those games are going to sellout, Usc, UW, and the CW. You will probably come close to selling out the rest of the Conference games. If you don’t sellout Eastern WA or a Boise St that’s okay, and here’s why. The facility will number one looks more pleasing and it will create a better fan experience, which in turn will bring back more fans. Secondly, it will appeal to recruits who will want to be apart of something bigger and newer. Thirdly, it will project a better image across the television set when the stadium is full for those big games. Last year, there wasn’t one 5 star recruit that didn’t go to a stadium with at least 55,000 seat stadium. You want wins? you want better recruits that is the way to do it.

          You only have to look at the Conference foes to understand this, UW rebuilding its stadium, Cal recently renovated its stadium, Stanford recently renovated and actually downsized from the Olympic stadium it had before, Wash St approved for renovations starting this year. UO recently added more seats, Ucla the Rose Bowl recent went through renovations. So you can see where the cash cow is in this formula and you must treat it like it is. You can choose to do nothing and keep falling further and further behind. Its inevitable that the stadium will be upgraded its a matter of when? Do you wait so long that it becomes a necessity and your program has fallen to the depths of the conference?

          • We only play USC at home once every 4 years. And the Civil War and UW happen in Reser every other year. And saying we will “probably come close to selling out the rest of the conference games” doesn’t make any sense, considering we don’t “currently” sell out the rest of the home games.

            How many times have you seen the upper levels of Reser’s filled since they finished Phase 1? I can tell you the last 2 times USC came here, those sections weren’t full, because I was at both of those games. Last year there wasn’t a single game where the stadium was at capacity.

            You’ve heard the social psychology teaching lesson Causalation showing a positive correlation between ice cream sales and violent crime right? Point is, I don’t think it’s the stadium size that is bringing the 5-star recruits in, it’s the quality of the program.
            http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Causalation

        • I’m very much against expanding Reser. If “build it and they will come” were true 90% of businesses wouldn’t fail.

          Given the economy is getting worse and many fans have soured on Riley, I expect attendance to drop.

          • OSU needs to reorganize the way they seat fans in Reser. Go every other section “loud” then “geriatric” then “loud” then “geriatric” etc etc.

            Let it be known that if you buy tickets in section A B or C you will be expected to sit in your seats durng the game,play with your grand kids,eat your dinner at 3 o’clock…old people shit.

            Sections D E and F will be full of screaming jumping up and down half drunk football fans that want to yell at the zebras and talk shit about the opposing teams.

            I laughed my ass off during the Wisconsin game in the second half when the camera panned the Beaver fan section and they commented about how there wasn’t much to cheer about or some shit. It was a bunch of 80 year olds sitting on their wrinkly asses like they do all game,every game.

  15. Off topic somewhat but related to success of 0-5 star recruits at the ‘next level.’

    “Here’s a look at the recruiting rankings for each of the players on the active rosters for the New England Patriots and New York Giants.”

    A Case or Walk-ons?

    • Well a couple things to note about the article:

      1) Pats lost the superbowl because they didn’t have the talent to compete. And the only low rated impact player for the giants was Cruz.

      2) OSU shouldn’t be looking to be a Pats farm system. We should be looking for players who can be talented and contribute at the college level. While being a great pro is a nice bonus, it has little impact on the success of our program.

  16. There are plenty of college towns just in our league that are not wastelands. Seattle, San Francisco, LA, Phoenix, Denver. But many others as well. My daughter lives in Corvallis and can attest that there are very few good resturants, only one decent hotel, and if OSU doesn’t bring in something, there is no cultural attraction. Corvallis is very limited as to what it offers. It is not a destination for most people.

    • Phoenix not a wasteland?

      I’d rather live in Farmington… and I really don’t want to live in Farmington.

      And if you’re going to include Denver, then you may as well include Portland.

      • Let’s see, I am an NFL coach and Phoenix has an NFL team, also a symphony, Broadway shows, both a NBA and MLB teams, year round golf, museums, and hundreds of resturants. And you say for someone like that, Corvallis is better. It’s time to stop smoking so much weed first thing in the morning.

        • Did I say Corvallis was better for your hypothetical?

          I was simply speaking to the wasteland aspect of your argument. Phoenix is a never-ending series of grimy, dusty, soulless and inhospitable strip malls and trailer parks. If you think being cooped up for seven months out of the year makes for year round golf, more power to you. The water is the worst there is, and it won’t last much longer. And the people are by far the rudest I’ve ever met.

          And it’s not just my opinion. As you know, snowbirds from the Phoenix area live up here in Oregon during the summer months so they can do things with their lives, like go to the grocery store or their mailboxes without dying. Many of them have decided over the past two decades to just pack up their Phoenix homes and move up here for good. They talk fondly of Phoenix and how they “escaped” from the “Detroit of the Desert” just in the nick of time.

          It’s funny. Wasteland is the one word they would use to describe that place.

          And it’s sad. The people make it that way. The terrain is/was beautiful.

    • Oh, and if you need a good restaurant in Corvallis, I can give you a suggestion for about a dozen different cuisines. Most are just excellent, but three or four are the best in their specialty I’ve had.

          • That is a bummer that its gone. The Mexican bakery there was the best. I always wondered how they made money though since they undercharged for their food.

        • I have. I’ve also had great pastries at Pilos and Patissier. Why do those three have to all be next to each other?

          I’ve never been a fan of New Morning. I like their salads, but their breads and pastries are what turn me off.

          It’s funny that I was talking with my dad yesterday about trying to find good Chinese in Oregon. I told him we had a couple decent ones here… the same which were here years ago when he lived here. Not great… not bad… but consistent. We’ve scoured Portland and the area for Chinese, and Wong Kings and Fong Chong are really the only consistently good places. Both have superb dim sum, but neither are outstanding for overall food. And my dad likes a place he found in Dundee called Chan’s. It’s better than average and certainly better than anything here or in Portland.

          I’ts like the Pacific Northwest is going through a Chinese food funk. You have to drive to Vancouver, where a concentration of excellent Chinese restaurants thrive… and they are so good. What’s so hard about someone from America driving up there to see what a real Chinese restaurant looks like.

          That changed a year ago when me and my dad were in town for the UCLA game. We went to Normals before the game like always. But we felt like getting some pho for the after action. So we went to the place up by Winco and found a new Chinese restaurant in its place, Queen’s Chopstick. I can’t begin to describe how good their food is. Every bite just bursts with freshness and flavor. The place is too small for my liking… the liking that says I want to get in and eat whenever I might show up instead of having to wait for a table. But man! It is some really good food. Of course, the owner is on the floor constantly, so we chatted with him. And he is a pro who could work anywhere in the world doing what he’s doing. He just ended up in Corvallis because he had family attend and he loved the town.

          Go figure.

          I’m meeting my dad there for lunch next weekend. Every time in the last year he begins to rant on the state of Chinese food in the Pacific Northwest, I know I’m getting a free meal in Corvallis.

          • Holy shit, I was watching the local news tonight and they run a feature on restaurant inspection scores…guess what restaurant scored a 45? The funny part is they got fined again for trying to cover up their failing score that they are required to post. They finally passed at a 75. I drive past there about once a week, but have never tried it. I’m a Pho guy.

      • What are you thinking? As far as upper end stuff goes, there were a few exceptional restaurants that have shut down over the past year or two: Le Bistro (French), Iovino’s (Italian), and Strega (American). Wife and I were very disappointed.

        • I thought Le Bistro is gone. I am not really a fan of that kind of atmosphere first dining. I care more about the taste and flavors then if it is arranged in some artistic manner on the plate.

          • It is gone. And I don’t care much for atmospheric dining or food presentation either. I will not go to a fancy, expensive restaurant unless the food is exceptional and a serious cut above cheaper competition.

            And the Le Bistro filet mignon was quite simply the best tasting meal I have ever had, period.

        • I agree that Corvallis does lack in the high end. I am fine with that. Other than a rare meal with the parents for a special occasion I never ate at those restaurants. I thought Iovino’s was not that great (I think they are still around just moved to South Town). Le Bistro was solid but spendy. The Gables was pretty good and not too overpriced but that is gone now. The wife and I prefer the ~10$ meals that are as good as anything you would get at a fancy restaurant but without the bells and whistles. I like Evergreen for Indian, Tarn Tip for Thai, Block 15 for a burger and beer, Flat Tail for a burger and beer while watching a game, Aomatsu for sushi (though I haven’t tried the new one), Shogun Bowl for cheap take out sushi, Bento is good for a quick bite, Terminus is good… their menu is small and changes a bit though. I think for Chinese you have to pick and choose. King Tin has a great won ton soup and whole steamed fish.

          Although judging a book by it’s cover (I know, I know) Perry (and a lot of NFL assistants) would probably prefer a nice greasy cheeseburger and a flavorless lager over a fancy meal anyway.

          • Sada’s is the new sushi place, and he’s REALLY good. It’s the best miso I’ve had in years, and he loves his Sake. I like Aomatsu as well (Izumi down here in Eugene). Sada’s is head and shoulders above.

            Pub foods can be got at Squirrel’s and Murphy’s, but the Woodsman is surprisingly the best for that.

            I’ve never been to Fireworks (used to be Intaba’s). I’ve heard it’s good from the hipster types who also like dining at Rock Bottom in Portland. And the same tell me things about Block 15, Big River, Aqua, Flat Tail. Haven’t heard much about Luc or Loca Luna.

            La Roca (La Rockita) is as solid as you get for Mexican food.

            The Mediterranean place near Murphy’s is really good too. Location sucks though.

            Baguette’s sandwiches should be regulated by the FDA.

          • I love Baguette. Is something up with their kitchen? All there stuff looks new and clean.

            I agree on Squirrel’s that is probably my favorite burger in town. When I went to the Woodsman I just ate the Thai food and it was OK… I prefer Tarn Tip. I need to try Sada’s still… although I hear it is spendy. One nice thing is Aomatsu’s has been doing more specials since Sada’s opened. I agree on La Roca… best Mexican food I have had that wasn’t home made. I tried a bite of the Mediterranean food from a friend and it seemed good but I didn’t eat enough to get a real sense of how good.

          • The Woodsman has great Thai, incredibly incongruous but you’ve got to try it.

            And my absolute favorite Corvallis restaurant is Local Boyz. So, so good.

          • local Boys is so good… last time I was in there though they had different short ribs than usual and they were kind of chewy. Guess I got to go chicken now.

      • Jack, I would like to know what places you consider for “best in their specialty I’ve had”? I’m always looking for new places to eat.

        • Normal’s is the standard bearer for vegetarian. And I’ve had probably more vegetarian than any other cuisine. None of them match what Normal’s does with their food. I don’t get it.

          Queen’s Chopstick, like I said, is the diamond in the rough. And I’m not saying it’s good for Corvallis, like King Tin is. It would be a great draw in the middle of China Town (LA/SanFran/Honolulu) or up in Vancouver. You just have to figure out when the international students don’t pack the place for meals or a study break.

          And if you’ve ever had anything beef at Baguette’s, then I don’t need to tell you what they’re about. I haven’t made it off the beef part of the menu yet. It’s like the Mexican restaurant I loved to go to in Houston where I only ever ordered their spinach and cheese enchiladas topped with sauteed garlic shrimp. Why deviate from perfection? Others have told me that the rest of the menu is as alarmingly good, however.

      • You can’t be serious about those Corvallis resturants being the best you’ve had. Or if so, you don’t travel much. An NFL coach is used to great resturants, not “Jack in the Box”. Pun intended.

        Jack don’t give up your day job as a blogger, you would never make it as a food critic.

        • I think I missed the pun. Where is it?

          So it sounds like we’ve found the solution to all of the football team’s problems. We need more 5 star restaurants and bigger hotels in Corvallis.

          Luckily Pat Casey doesn’t eat out and only stays at Holiday Inn Express, otherwise we wouldn’t have any baseball championships.

          • An assistant OSU baseball coach is paid what, $60K. And an assistant OSU football coach is paid $150K to $350K. Why would you assume that the expectations of amenities would be the same?

          • ok, apples and oranges, i see what you’re saying. have you been to Tuscaloosa, Auburn City, Eugene, Columbia South Carolina, University Park. Not exactly thriving metropolies. Yet some of the highest paid coaches in college football live or have lived there.

        • I’m not disagreeing that there aren’t PAC 12 programs located in big cities but the cities you listed are most definitely not considered college towns.

          For a town of its size, Corvallis has been named by multiple publications as one of the best places to live in America. I don’t think I would consider it a wasteland.

          Also, Colorado is in Boulder which is not Denver, but Boulder is a better place to live anyway…

          • The point is that by comparison, Corvallis has much less to offer a former NFL coach than many other places that employ college football coaches. Even some high school recruits say the town is too small for them.
            By the way Boulder is just 25 miles to Denver, and if you are living in Corvallis, 25 miles gets you to Salem. Ugh!

          • I see you’ve never driven from Boulder to Denver.

            On a good day, that drive is 45 minutes down the turnpike. There aren’t many good days when it comes to traffic and weather conditions on the Front Range. And if you thought the rush was just due to professionals commuting… it’s not. During the hours one might commute to Denver to enjoy cultural amenities (the weekends) 20-somethings from all directions are in their cars too.

            That kind of weekend commute occurs here too. But it’s a ten-fold effect in Denver compared to Portland.

            So I guess you could choose between an hour and change commute into Denver over 25 miles or an hour and change commute into Portland over 80 miles.

          • That’s false. I’ve lived in the Denver metro area for a decade and commuted to Boulder from dntn Denver at rush hour in the snow for the Beaver hoops game and made it in 35 minutes. On weekends it’s less time – people don’t use 36 on wknds – it’s I-70 to the mnts. Accidents are the only issue but most of the hwy & interstate are wider and speed limits higher than Oregon. As long as it’s not raining – Coloradoans can’t handle rain.

          • When I lived there the worst driving day of the year was the first snowfall. It was like nobody had ever driven in snow before.

            And I’m not talking about the commute from the city outward. That’s easy. Hell, I could make it from the Springs to Littleton in about 45 minutes. But that was at 5:30am on weekdays… and I wasn’t exactly doing the speed limit.

            Of course, it was all the fault of Californians and Texans.

  17. I completely disagree. The strenght of Indy’s defense the last 5-6 years has been their pass defense. The run defense has been consistently horrible. Also, I’d take a coach with a solid NFL coaching pedigree any day over another ex-Beaver up and comer (e.g., Aric Williams).

    On another note, since when did Heyward coach the DBs to look for the ball? Poyer started to do it this year, but other than that, I recall that we bitched about the inability for DBs to find the ball for as long as I can remember. Further, if Heyward was one of our best recruiters, then why have most of our DBs in the Riley era been converted WRs or QBs? OSU’s failure to recruit true lock-down corners has been a recurring theme on this blog for years……

  18. So if Perry was the target a month ago, why did it take him so long to land him. You would think that if a coach really wanted to be here, he would have said yes, weeks ago.
    Answer, he was looking for something better!

    • I don’t get your point. Is that supposed to be some kind of insult?

      He probably was hoping/looking for something better. He’s an NFL guy, I’m sure he would have preferred to continue to be in the NFL. Is the DB coach at Oregon State supposed to be some sort of destination gig?

  19. We need a strong recruiter who also teaches sound DB technique. We need a guy who can close on 4-star athletes. Rod Perry isn’t the worst coach but I don’t like us getting older as the majority of the conference gets younger. We just bring it on ourselves it seems. We need to have fans excited about the energy in the program and our future over the next half decade.

    Reser Phase 3 becoming more crucial:
    http://beaverbyte.com

    • Why are we talking about adding more seats to Reser when we can’t fill the current stadium on a regular basis? Oregon has said that there are no plans to increase the size of Autzen and want to keep a demand for season tickets strong. I think that is a better strategy for us. Build up the base of season ticket holders and gradually raise ticket prices. It only takes a few down years to turn off the fan base. I bet the number of season ticket sales this year is down from last year. The last thing we need is a bigger stadium to show off the empty seats.

      • There used to be a joint in pdx called the Beaver Inn which was infamous for it amputee on the stage. Arm was missing from the elbow down. Anybody else remember that place?

        • Are you talking about the dive bar on the south end of 82nd? I think that one was actually called Beavers Inc. I never had the courage to go in there, but I must admit I watched a Barbra Streisand look alike in chaps just up the street at the “Poor Haus” and lived to tell about it.

  20. Nothing to add here. Angry already listed all the highlights of this hire. Old, not a recruiter, yada yada, yada. Will Riley ever get it right?

          • How is it that it’s Mike Riley’s fault if the guy hasn’t accepted the job? It’s been offered. There’s no delay on the part of our current staff. there’s a delay on the side of the prospective employee.

          • Then move on. It’s an indication of his affinity for the job. We need a hungry up and comer with energy who sees this a good career move., not a fall back position.

          • Personally I’d rather have a guy who has a 20+ year career coaching at the NFL level than an ex-player or something who may or may not know anything about coaching. I’m not really sure who exactly a lot of you were expecting to land as the Oregon State secondary coach. I’m not saying that this guy is going to turn all of secondary players into all-conference caliber guys, but I think anyone who has lasted as long as he has in the NFL coaching DB’s probably knows a little bit about what he’s doing.

  21. Maybe Perry is actually taking the time to watch film of last years defense and is having second thoughts about what he could actually accomplish working under Banker.

  22. So this guy went from the worst team in the NFL to perhaps the worst team in the PAC-12. Perhaps he is here to help us cope with crushed expectations. Too bad he was not here to help us after the Sac St. game. I think the whole defensive staff should go! We will never beat the Ducks with clowns like Banker running things. I was hopinf for a splash and then again I am dealing with the Beavs so my low expectations were met.

  23. Based on Riley’s quotes, it’s clear this offer was extended before LOI day. By delaying (i.e. looking for another NFL gig), Perry cost the Beavers Wallace and perhaps Shelton. The guy is still lollygagging. Ominous start to his OSU career…?

    The OSU Sloths? The OSU Turtles? I think we need a new mascot. I’ve walked through a beaver pond and can confirm they’re both quick and aggressive. Does anyone mind if from this point onward I refer to OSU as the Oregon State Sloths?

  24. After Monday’s tech talk and Tuesday’s restaurant reviews I was hoping we could move on to recipes or quilting. All this bitching about hiring an AARP/DB coach is giving me a headache in my eye. JB

    PS: If Langsdork isn’t installing a quick kick option he’s not paying attention.

  25. Seems like we should pull the offer unless active negotiations are underway. I can’t imagine we are just sitting on this. This can’t be the only viable candidate.

  26. We should bring Jon Smith in as the OC!!! WTF! Langsdorf couldnt get the O in a sort of rhythm last year!! Im guessing if we can score more then the other team we win!! lol bring ol jonny boy back!

  27. Does anyone else remember Perry for more than coaching? My parents were good friends with Eric Ekern, older brother of Carl. So we met all the brothers many times, and I kinda grew up a Rams fan.

    So I was unhappy while I watched Perry slide across the turf on his belly, looking up as Stallworth ran it in. He was so close to tipping it away.

  28. Sorry Pettiboner but back to eateries for just a second now that I’ve ridiculed Bobby D’s “most asked questions” on Cliff’s blog. Can’t believe nobody has mentioned Bombs Away on 26th & Monroe next to the legendary Superette. Surprisingly decent food for a student watering hole.
    As far as spendier places, Aqua(owned by the same people who had the Bistro) is quite decent. Yes, Alex, I’ve had great filets at the Bistro also. Drove down to Corvallis several months ago to dine with my soon-to-be 90 year old mother at Luc and it was quite good. Lastly, the son of a friend I played little league with while growing up in Corvallis in the 50″s has opened a place called del Alma. CR dines there once a week. Last summer when mom and I were there Craig was there with Michelle and the two girls. In fact, last time I was at Aqua about two years ago CR was their with his two neices. I guess if I really wanted to embellish the facts I could say I’ve dined with Barack’s daughters twice, once with and once without Michelle. BTW, I can see why CR frequents del Alma. The meal was excellent.

      • Most humble of apologies Pettiboner–shit, I did it again! It just seems ingrained in me and seems so natural. I don’t think I can purge myself of this habit. You’ll always be pettiboner to me. Just assume an apology is attached everytime I refer to you as such. Hopefully you understand.

    • How does bombs away end up on your list for good cuisine? I would believe you if you mentioned their beer or hippy atmosphere as the best in Corvallis but their food is no reason to go there.

  29. As a sense of doom and despair settles in on the Beaver fans.

    And if you think this is bad wait until the financial system collapses taking the economy with it.

    College athletics are all about games, what’s coming is all about life. Keep it in perspective and in the mean time GO BEAVS!!!!

      • Holy Crap!
        That is exactly what we need, the Ducks getting the highest rated RB in the 2013 class.
        Knowing Kelly he will find a way to put Tyner, Thomas and Huff plus one of their sprinter receivers on the field at the same time and whichever one has the one on one coverage will go for a 70 yard touchdown.
        The talent at the skill positions that the Ducks are getting is like Alabama, USC and LSU. If they get some of their DL to develop it could be long 3-4 years for us.

        • “it could be long 3-4 years for us”

          Kenny – why don’t you just admit you’re a duck troll? I’ve been reading this site for a year and a half, and only recently you started making comments – but please, quit trying to hide the fact you’re a duck.

          • Why is he a duck troll for saying the next 3-4 years will be rough for us? The last 3-4 years have been rough for us and the ducks are only improving. Noting this FACT doesn’t make someone a duck troll. For christ’s sake the whole basis of this site is how the ducks are improving while the beavs sit in the mud. SURPRISE! The ducks are better than us and will continue to be until chip leaves or they get hit with major sanctions. Get used to it and quit calling people trolls for acknowledging it

          • GOBEAVS – You missed my point. I’m as frustrated as you are with the current state of the football program, and the entire athletic department for that matter. I agree the ducks will be better than us until Chip leaves or the sanctions hit. The last 3 years have been rough, as will the next few years. I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said.

            The only thing I was trying to point out is that Kenny Beaver is a duck troll. If you read his comments he says “we”, “us”, etc when talking about the beavers, and it irks me. I’m only trying to call him out for what he is….a duck trying to pose as a beaver.

  30. I’m starting to doubt Perry will be the new coach. Beaver fans might have to convince themselves they’re happy about a different retred. ;)
    That will be funny to watch.

    • This just in, Gomer Pyle is the next DB coach. Pyle said “Gollleeeee, I can’t believe Coach Riley is interested in me considering my age”.
      Riley said, “OSU is extremely proud of having Gomer join our staff. He has a very positive attitude that is infectous, and will learn how to recruit from some of the best. Gee, I can’t think of another guy who would fit in as well as Coach Pyle”.

  31. I think the long term coaches at Oregon could have left numerous times in the past had they wanted to. The only coaches that can be pried out of Oregon are the newbies. Frost is the most likely to jump somewhere. But he has said he loves working for Kelly who lets the assistants be very active. Talk about a guy who has developed a great resume in a short time with going to the BCS NC and Rose Bowls. This guy will be a head coach some day.

  32. Another day of nuthin’!

    So…

    I’m going to predict our pitching staff:
    Starters – Fry, Wetzler, Schultz
    Middle relief – Duke, Rodrigues
    Set-up – Boyd
    Closer – Bryant

    I know angry likes Boyd as a starter. But I like to have him available for three or four innings per week to set up Bryant. I think the killer B’s can close out game after game after game on the back of our young starters.

      • He started half last season, splitting time with Schultz. He had arguably the better season of the two. Although, I think both did admirably for frosh in a platoon situation.

        If Duke’s arm is back, I don’t know where he goes. Is he a starter? Or is he a potential stopper? I put him in the middle because I think he just needs to stretch his legs first.

        Do we have eyes on the scrimmages this week? Any thoughts on P rotations?

      • Oh… and I don’t know the strategy for arms. Do you mix them up? Or do you just throw the best in order? Or (he mumbles to himself) is that a genius unique to each manager/coach?

  33. We didn’t really get an answer for SS this year. Did we?

    Keyes to start there?

    Smith at 2B?

    Danny at 1B and Jake at 3B.

    I think Gorton has been groomed to take the C spot. So we’ll see how well he calls a game early in the season.

    That leaves the outfield open. I have to think Davis and Conforto get long looks out there. And Gordon probably takes a spot due to experience.

  34. Sheesh!
    http://portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=132829173699569900

    So… Fry shut down for UCSB… Gorton and Gordon suspended for the first five games… Duke a month away… yeah.

    According to the news (which we know is always true) that moves Jake to C, Keyes to 3B, Dunn to SS, right side stays the same.

    Barnes in LF is fine. He either breaks out or stays decent. Matthews in CF? I had questions about Stamps out there, but that worked out pretty well. And Conforto will take RF.

    I thought Davis would take RF with that arm. But as long as he gets his chops at the DH, I guess I won’t complain.

    I really look forward to seeing Davis and Conforto in a line-up with Keyes and Jake. And Danny and Dunn swinging well wouldn’t hurt my feelings either.

    • That’s too bad that Gorton has to sit out five games for something like that. I had been hearing really good things about him at the catcher position throughout the off season. Hopefully he does well right off the bat and keeps his confidence up.

      • I guess the rules are the rules. I wonder what “ticky-tack” violation was committed. Usually players don’t get suspensions unless impermissible benefits are involved. They probably got a ride from the bus station from a coach one day.

        • It was something like he accepted an invitation from somebody to watch one of the football games this past fall in one of the luxury boxes. This person was classified as an OSU booster and therefore they said he accepted a free gift.

          • Does anybody know if Mark Donegan, Precision Castparts CEO, is a UofO booster? Somehow Kenyon Barner gets to sit court-side at multiple Blazer games with his girlfriend, Donegan’s daughter, but nobody seems to think it’s an issue.
            If baseball players in a luxury box get suspended because the box owner is classified as a booster, I’d like to know if Donegan could be classified as a booster.

    • After reading through the bio’s, it’s encouraging to see a lot of the incoming recruits at least played in/ and or won their state championships. Meaning, they’re used to winning and bring in the Rodgers type winning attitude, something the team has been missing the last couple of years. Hopefully it isn’t beaten out of them in the next 2 years.

  35. Tonight is Step 1 in our quest to sweep the WA schools at Gill. OSU needs to grab the lead early and sustain it through to the end. They should be able to. OSU is very tough at home and will look to have fun tonight with plenty of run and gun and high flying action.

    Oregon St. vs Wazzu:
    http://beaverbyte.com

    • Not so fast my furry little friend.
      Enjoy tonight because on Saturday, you will be put in your place by the mighty Purple and Gold.

        • We lead the conference, have the best talent, and will win the rest of our games. Get used to looking up from the bottom.

          • How would you even know what the view from the catbird’s seat looks like when you sit in the backseat. How did your beavers do last year, about as good as this year? We have a better coach and superior players which the standings and scoreboard support. You guys win a game or two and think that you are going somewhere. In a few days you will see your ultimate destiny.

          • Come on now. Stop letting the husky lick the peanut butter off of your undersized dick and start looking for a job. You should have better things to do than anonymously talk shit on opponent’s blogs during this time of the day.

          • This IS sad. Puppies got no game for smack talk. I guess they’re just so used to rubbing their heads against those of Duck High for so long that the above seems more than impotent.

          • Just got back from getting my shoes shined by an OSU beaver and having lunch where the busboy was proudly wearing his OSU shirt with holes in it.. Boy those OSU grads sure get some great jobs.
            Scoreboard last time read the mighty Huskies 95 OSPew 80. Coach Romar called off the dogs so we would not put a C note on you guys. Good thing he is against cruelty to muscrats!
            Look for the Dawgs to hit the century mark this time.

          • Gawd! You can’t even remember the last game?

            And why would we want to watch Georgia play? I thought we were talking about the Beavs versus the puppies so small that they go around asking everyone to lean over… sorry… bow down to hear them. It’s like “Benny hears a who” in this place when you guys show up.

            And thanks for retreading my own jokes right back at me… moron.

            Milton Bradley called. They say they can sell you game if you ever want some.

  36. This Website SUCKS BIG ONES. Too Negative, we could have the very best of everything and you people would still bitch and moan. Angry, shame on you, you are worse than my wife when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of College Sports.

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