Thanks to Sirmon for his years helping our Bears. Met his family at a WSU game and they are football folks through and through. Best wishes to him.
Come on Wilcox, bring in another great hire on defense. I never felt Sirmon was the type to get his guys to run through brick walls for him. With Rivera on crew, I suspect they will both look for someone who motivates guys to play smart and with their hair on fire.
Rivera to the rescue. My guess is this move started with a review by our new GM who wanted a DC that was a bit more of a risk taker. Sirmon ran a defense that was supposed to shut down big plays and make other teams run a lot of plays to get into the end zone, thereby increasing the odds of a breakdown forcing a turnover whether by punting or takeaways. I'm guessing Rivera probably has a replacement in mind right now that can mix it up a bit and be unpredictable. Time will tell.
Sirmon's defense seemed to be the definition of like cognitive dissonance. We didn't have the depth to stay on the field like we needed to for a bend-but-don't-break defense, which I'm guessing is why we always looked gassed and broke on 3rd and longs. Unfortunately, we also didn't have the recruiting to be a havoc-based defense that gets off the field quickly.
Regardless, I agree. Rivera and Wilcox would never let a coach go like this without a plan in place, and I don't believe Sirmon would just randomly quit on Wilcox based on their relationship.
If that's the case, that has huge meanings. Wilcox and Sirmon are buddies who are inseparable. Wilcox even showed a very successful TDR the door in order to make Sirmon the DC.
If Wilcox in fact listened to Rivera and let Sirmon go, then that shows how much control Rivera has over Wilcox.
It's all conjecture on my part, but JW is on the ropes and if Rivera suggested a change at DC, then it was going to happen. JW made YUGE changes on the offensive side and brought in some excellent position coaches on defense. I just don't think Sirmon would have given up a DC position at a P4 school on the rise, to take a position coach job in the NFL...and he took the job late, which means something wasn't right. He is JW's buddy and I think if Rivera did a review, then the writing was on the wall and JW gave Sirmon time to shop the market and pick up a decent job.
My big concern now is that with the spring portal opening might Uluave and others decide to move on.... or will it allow the Bears to bring in additional talent that even improves on any losses. Spring ball could be critical as key players get to assess the situaion.
I always thought Sirmon was too conservative in his D calls. However he was a really good ILB coach. I met Cade Uluave's parents and apparently he really liked Sirmon and that's one reason he stayed at Cal instead of going into the portal. I sincerely hope he stays with us now. Losing him would be a devastating to next year's defense.
I was a Sirmon hater but I think he did a good job last year. We just didn't have the depth to maintain the intensity for 4 quarters in tight games as the season went along. The defense was notably gassed in those cases. At least, I'm assuming that was a depth issue and not because they weren't subbing as much as they could've and shouldve.
The timing is because New Orleans just got a new head coach. Late because he was busy being the OC in the Super Bowl. So he’s just getting his staff together.
I agree with others timing sucks. I was fine with Sirmon. I think he and JW are good coaches. They have worked very hard. We have come so painfully close to turning the corner in terms of having a good season. Both coaches both seem tired. Besides solid coaching, we need more energy.
Sirmon was a solid coordinator who served Cal admirably. How good would his numbers have been in 2024 (and other years) with a better offense (that did not put the defense on the field so much)? College football is a pain in the a$$ now. The NFL is probably an easier task with no recruiting required. Easy choice.
Wilcox and Sirmon's buddy Keith Hayward resigned as OSU DC last month. Maybe he's available.
Those three coached together everywhere. Heyward was at Cal for a short stint, but we all knew he wouldn't be here long because he was ready to step up as DC.
LOL Tosh makes about $2 million a year at Oregon and can live like a king in Eugene with that. Peter Sirmon made about 1/2 that at Cal. I am surprised that the Saints are paying enough more than that to get him to switch from a DC to a LB Coach. Maybe there is more to the story?
I understand why you and others might think this was a RR personnel move but it’s been a poorly hidden secret for a while now that sirmon wanted out. He was just waiting for the right time and opportunity. He def was not fired or forced out by RR or JW. RR isn’t even officially hired yet so I tend to doubt seriously that he had a big influence on this decision
Yeah. And it was clear Simon really didn’t like the lack of continuity now that there’s so much player turnover year to year. He missed the days when he and the rest of the defensive staff could develop a player over several years. Like other coaches in college football and basketball he, for this very reason, decided to move on from college coaching.
Tosh is lucky to still be employed at Oregon as the fan base is not happy with him. He was embarrassed by Chip Kelly’s offensive. He’s in that position because he is a good recruiter not because he is a good DC. But the way the game has changed, Oregon no longer needs him - they have all the $ they need for recruiting. He has one season left.
Now Cal has a chance at stopping 3rd and longs and 4th downs
Ha ha! Kinda goes with the territory if you’re a defense designed to prevent the big play. Cal had the #2 defense in the ACC
In terms of points scored against them. No more important metric than that.
The TIMING of this is far from ideal!!!
Thanks to Sirmon for his years helping our Bears. Met his family at a WSU game and they are football folks through and through. Best wishes to him.
Come on Wilcox, bring in another great hire on defense. I never felt Sirmon was the type to get his guys to run through brick walls for him. With Rivera on crew, I suspect they will both look for someone who motivates guys to play smart and with their hair on fire.
Rivera to the rescue. My guess is this move started with a review by our new GM who wanted a DC that was a bit more of a risk taker. Sirmon ran a defense that was supposed to shut down big plays and make other teams run a lot of plays to get into the end zone, thereby increasing the odds of a breakdown forcing a turnover whether by punting or takeaways. I'm guessing Rivera probably has a replacement in mind right now that can mix it up a bit and be unpredictable. Time will tell.
Sirmon's defense seemed to be the definition of like cognitive dissonance. We didn't have the depth to stay on the field like we needed to for a bend-but-don't-break defense, which I'm guessing is why we always looked gassed and broke on 3rd and longs. Unfortunately, we also didn't have the recruiting to be a havoc-based defense that gets off the field quickly.
Regardless, I agree. Rivera and Wilcox would never let a coach go like this without a plan in place, and I don't believe Sirmon would just randomly quit on Wilcox based on their relationship.
If that's the case, that has huge meanings. Wilcox and Sirmon are buddies who are inseparable. Wilcox even showed a very successful TDR the door in order to make Sirmon the DC.
If Wilcox in fact listened to Rivera and let Sirmon go, then that shows how much control Rivera has over Wilcox.
It's all conjecture on my part, but JW is on the ropes and if Rivera suggested a change at DC, then it was going to happen. JW made YUGE changes on the offensive side and brought in some excellent position coaches on defense. I just don't think Sirmon would have given up a DC position at a P4 school on the rise, to take a position coach job in the NFL...and he took the job late, which means something wasn't right. He is JW's buddy and I think if Rivera did a review, then the writing was on the wall and JW gave Sirmon time to shop the market and pick up a decent job.
I agree the timing is very odd for this move. As long as we make an improvement I'm ok
And we have to keep Cade at all costs. I'm mentally preparing for him to be in the portal.
Maybe Rivera used his NFL connections to find Sirman the NO job and help him save face.
I’m not mad at this
Agreed. Timing stinks, but maybe it gets Wilcox more involved with the defense. Sirmon's had a foot out the door for a year now.
Nor am I.
My big concern now is that with the spring portal opening might Uluave and others decide to move on.... or will it allow the Bears to bring in additional talent that even improves on any losses. Spring ball could be critical as key players get to assess the situaion.
I always thought Sirmon was too conservative in his D calls. However he was a really good ILB coach. I met Cade Uluave's parents and apparently he really liked Sirmon and that's one reason he stayed at Cal instead of going into the portal. I sincerely hope he stays with us now. Losing him would be a devastating to next year's defense.
It is a big loss, but not the biggest we've had. The timing is the worst. Hopefully we can get TDR back
I was a Sirmon hater but I think he did a good job last year. We just didn't have the depth to maintain the intensity for 4 quarters in tight games as the season went along. The defense was notably gassed in those cases. At least, I'm assuming that was a depth issue and not because they weren't subbing as much as they could've and shouldve.
I generally agree, but that's the problem at its core. He ran the 40th best defense in the nation last year, and that was an improvement.
It's time for new new. Wilcox is probably next, but at least he gets a full coaching staff revamp in his final attempt.
The timing is because New Orleans just got a new head coach. Late because he was busy being the OC in the Super Bowl. So he’s just getting his staff together.
I agree with others timing sucks. I was fine with Sirmon. I think he and JW are good coaches. They have worked very hard. We have come so painfully close to turning the corner in terms of having a good season. Both coaches both seem tired. Besides solid coaching, we need more energy.
Sirmon was a solid coordinator who served Cal admirably. How good would his numbers have been in 2024 (and other years) with a better offense (that did not put the defense on the field so much)? College football is a pain in the a$$ now. The NFL is probably an easier task with no recruiting required. Easy choice.
Might be the first big move of the Ron Rivera era.
Super interesting. So Rug thinks that this had to do with RR and Bozeman thinks this has nothing to do with RR.
Either way, I’m not too sad about this (although I was not expecting this at all). When we had TDR, I thought we had a better defense.
Maybe Justin will just be d coordinator?
Where TDR at?
Wilcox and Sirmon's buddy Keith Hayward resigned as OSU DC last month. Maybe he's available.
Those three coached together everywhere. Heyward was at Cal for a short stint, but we all knew he wouldn't be here long because he was ready to step up as DC.
Bring TDR back!
Saw a comment earlier about Tosh. I didn't know what he was talking about, but I guess it was known to some people that Sirnon was leaving.
LOL Tosh makes about $2 million a year at Oregon and can live like a king in Eugene with that. Peter Sirmon made about 1/2 that at Cal. I am surprised that the Saints are paying enough more than that to get him to switch from a DC to a LB Coach. Maybe there is more to the story?
Fuck Tosh. I think this was a GM suggested change.
I understand why you and others might think this was a RR personnel move but it’s been a poorly hidden secret for a while now that sirmon wanted out. He was just waiting for the right time and opportunity. He def was not fired or forced out by RR or JW. RR isn’t even officially hired yet so I tend to doubt seriously that he had a big influence on this decision
Yeah. And it was clear Simon really didn’t like the lack of continuity now that there’s so much player turnover year to year. He missed the days when he and the rest of the defensive staff could develop a player over several years. Like other coaches in college football and basketball he, for this very reason, decided to move on from college coaching.
Interesting. I didn't know Sirmon wanted to leave. Where do you get these information?
I hope we can have a post about Todd Bozeman and how he was framed. I blame Wyking Jones and Ben Braun.
Tuck Fosh indeed. Traitor.
Fuck Tosh and the boat he rode in on.
Tosh is lucky to still be employed at Oregon as the fan base is not happy with him. He was embarrassed by Chip Kelly’s offensive. He’s in that position because he is a good recruiter not because he is a good DC. But the way the game has changed, Oregon no longer needs him - they have all the $ they need for recruiting. He has one season left.
But it’s still Eugene. Maybe good if you’re into Duck hunting.