Jon Vilma on search committee

[F-MarioCristobal]

So I'll start off by saying I used to train athletes at a facility owned by a former All-American at ETSU for football who also played in the NFL for the Saints, Derek Fudge. I used his facility part time and he would always bring in old friends from the league to talk to kids that worked out there and just anyone that wanted to come.

About 3 years ago, in about mid January, he had Jon Vilma come in to talk. Fudge was on the practice squad for the Saints when Vilma first came in and they have been friends since then. After he talked to the kids at the facility I stayed and talked to Vilma for literally hours about Canes football. We talked about everything from his playing career at UM to the current state of the program and the future of the program. Keep in mind, he was high on Al Golden at the time, but he told me that he knew Golden would either win and go to a program in the northeast, or he would end up fizzling out and lose and then cave to the pressure that comes along with winning in Sfla. This was when there were still Al Golden fans out there, before he was ultimately exposed the next year. Vilma called it, as he first tried to leave for PSU the following season, then failed the following year and was sunk, set up to fail this year and was eventually fired.

He talked about the Larry Coker years, and about how screwed up the situation was with Butch and how many titles they would have won and where the program would be had Butch stayed. He was a huge Butch endorser. I can basically leave it at that about Butch. I think he would be in favor of Butch if he were asked, but here's what scares me about him being on this committee..

This conversation was right after Charlie Strong beat UF in the (fiesta?) bowl game. He was sold on Charlie Strong and said that he was the perfect fit for the job. He was convinced that Golden would be gone and we needed to jump on him at first chance and he would be the best fit at UM the next time a hire was going to be made. This was when Strong was a hot commodity, I have no idea what his opinion is on Strong now, after the few years in Texas, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say he has to still be pretty high up there for Vilma. That is how high Vilma was touting Charlie Strong. I was on board at the time, and so was the guy that owns the facility (a huge FSU fan) and they both agreed he would dominate. I'm scared that if the committee rules out Butch for whatever reason, that Vilma is going to for sure favor Strong, possibly even over Butch idk. If Blake wants Strong as well.

Just wanted to throw that out there. I don't want people thinking Vilma is 100% Butch Davis, he loved Butch Davis at the time, but Strong was his #1 . I never have much insight at all, but I can tell you this is 1 time I actually have some info. Beware of Charlie Strong my friends. I hope they are hesitant about whats going on at Texas that's all I got.

 

[MIA42178]

Everyone agreed with that then. That was 13 losses for strong ago

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

Everyone agreed with that then. That was 13 losses for strong ago

That' what I'm saying. Idk if Vilma has changed his mind since then. I hope he's not a believer that it's just Strong is a bad fit at Texas.

Literally as soon as I got the update that Vilma is on the committee I said oh ****. I'm going to the facility tomorrow night I've got some clients coming in. I'm going to ask the guy if he can talk to Vilma at all or if he's heard anything. They still communicate on the regular about 3-4 times a month, or more on some occasions. They are still close by all means

 

[4th-and-14]

Everyone agreed with that then. That was 13 losses for strong ago

Including an Iowa St. shutout, among many other really bad losses.

 

[Gamineal]

nice to his career back on track

My guess no Sean Payton

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

I should have an update on this tomorrow. I sent a text to the guy that owns this facility to talk to Vilma and he said he already texted him congratulating him for being selected for the committee. They texted back and forth a bit and Vilma basically told him (not verbatim but similar) that his noles (this guy is a huge FSU fan as I mentioned) aren't going to keep kicking the canes *** if he has anything to do with it.

I'm not sure if he is going to shed any real information or not but we'll see. Seems like Vilma wants to be heard, and should be as part of the committee. Seems committed to getting this right, making it his own priority if no one else will. He's taking it serious as we would all hope. I'm not doubting him, he's a smart dude.

 

[Canes21]

ETSU, huh?

So Vilma was in JC a few years ago and I didn't even realize it?

 

[frostycane]

I will be honest, what made Strong good at Louisville was his connection to the SoFla athlete. He does not use/need those connections at UT, but being UT is a different ball game with different players etc. I do not think he would be as bad of a hire as some on here. He has shown he can win, we are a **** of a lo more like UL right now than we are UT. I just think we could do much worse than Strong, thats all. I am all for Butch.. but if the University decides to go in another direction I wouldn't be ****ed if it was him. At this point the only hire that would make me turn in my cane card is Mario...lol Not sure I could support a team coached by him.....

 

[MiamiManiac]

So I'll start off by saying I used to train athletes at a facility owned by a former All-American at ETSU for football who also played in the NFL for the Saints, Derek Fudge. I used his facility part time and he would always bring in old friends from the league to talk to kids that worked out there and just anyone that wanted to come.

About 3 years ago, in about mid January, he had Jon Vilma come in to talk. Fudge was on the practice squad for the Saints when Vilma first came in and they have been friends since then. After he talked to the kids at the facility I stayed and talked to Vilma for literally hours about Canes football. We talked about everything from his playing career at UM to the current state of the program and the future of the program. Keep in mind, he was high on Al Golden at the time, but he told me that he knew Golden would either win and go to a program in the northeast, or he would end up fizzling out and lose and then cave to the pressure that comes along with winning in Sfla. This was when there were still Al Golden fans out there, before he was ultimately exposed the next year. Vilma called it, as he first tried to leave for PSU the following season, then failed the following year and was sunk, set up to fail this year and was eventually fired.
.

I'm going to assume you're high and typed that wrong

 

[MedleyCane]

I still don't get how one can live or grow up in south Florida and be a Noles' fan.
That's some effed-up mental disorder.

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

ETSU, huh?

So Vilma was in JC a few years ago and I didn't even realize it?

Yep. Really hole in the wall place that Fudge runs out here. Jason Witten has been in several times, Vilma came in once and he's planning on it again soon, he had Fulmer come by, the Sensabaugh brothers are always here, and I had a friend from Cincinnati that was really close to Andrew Norwell from the Panthers (Ohio State grad) that I talked to and set something up and had him come by and he actually set us up with DeAngelo Williams. There's been quite a few guys come in here that go completely unnoticed in the area.

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

So I'll start off by saying I used to train athletes at a facility owned by a former All-American at ETSU for football who also played in the NFL for the Saints, Derek Fudge. I used his facility part time and he would always bring in old friends from the league to talk to kids that worked out there and just anyone that wanted to come.

About 3 years ago, in about mid January, he had Jon Vilma come in to talk. Fudge was on the practice squad for the Saints when Vilma first came in and they have been friends since then. After he talked to the kids at the facility I stayed and talked to Vilma for literally hours about Canes football. We talked about everything from his playing career at UM to the current state of the program and the future of the program. Keep in mind, he was high on Al Golden at the time, but he told me that he knew Golden would either win and go to a program in the northeast, or he would end up fizzling out and lose and then cave to the pressure that comes along with winning in Sfla. This was when there were still Al Golden fans out there, before he was ultimately exposed the next year. Vilma called it, as he first tried to leave for PSU the following season, then failed the following year and was sunk, set up to fail this year and was eventually fired.
.

I'm going to assume you're hight and typed that wrong

As in Golden never should have came back after the 2014 season. He was never going to make it and it was obvious.

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

I still don't get how one can live or grow up in south Florida and be a Noles' fan.
That's some effed-up mental disorder.

Derek is actually from Panama City, Fl. He came to school here at ETSU, and has lived here ever since. (East TN)

He actually played against Miami in their only meeting in 98? I think. He led the team in tackles that game. Actually tells a pretty good story about getting rocked by Davenport but he blew up Edge and sacked the QB (Kenny Kelly or Covington I'm assuming) Butch told him after the game he was the only one that belonged on the field with Miami off that ETSU team

 

[Canes21]

ETSU, huh?

So Vilma was in JC a few years ago and I didn't even realize it?

Yep. Really hole in the wall place that Fudge runs out here. Jason Witten has been in several times, Vilma came in once and he's planning on it again soon, he had Fulmer come by, the Sensabaugh brothers are always here, and I had a friend from Cincinnati that was really close to Andrew Norwell from the Panthers (Ohio State grad) that I talked to and set something up and had him come by and he actually set us up with DeAngelo Williams. There's been quite a few guys come in here that go completely unnoticed in the area.

DeAngelo Hall ever come by? My brother has seen him in the area 2 or 3 times in Bristol. I go to ETSU. I might have to check out Fudge's place.

 

[prinmemo]

I should have an update on this tomorrow. I sent a text to the guy that owns this facility to talk to Vilma and he said he already texted him congratulating him for being selected for the committee. They texted back and forth a bit and Vilma basically told him (not verbatim but similar) that his noles (this guy is a huge FSU fan as I mentioned) aren't going to keep kicking the canes *** if he has anything to do with it.

I'm not sure if he is going to shed any real information or not but we'll see. Seems like Vilma wants to be heard, and should be as part of the committee. Seems committed to getting this right, making it his own priority if no one else will. He's taking it serious as we would all hope. I'm not doubting him, he's a smart dude.

I think this means they'll go with someone that is established (Gundy type if from current CFB, an NFL HC like John Harbaugh, or Butch). No up and coming coaches

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

ETSU, huh?

So Vilma was in JC a few years ago and I didn't even realize it?

Yep. Really hole in the wall place that Fudge runs out here. Jason Witten has been in several times, Vilma came in once and he's planning on it again soon, he had Fulmer come by, the Sensabaugh brothers are always here, and I had a friend from Cincinnati that was really close to Andrew Norwell from the Panthers (Ohio State grad) that I talked to and set something up and had him come by and he actually set us up with DeAngelo Williams. There's been quite a few guys come in here that go completely unnoticed in the area.

DeAngelo Hall ever come by? My brother has seen him in the area 2 or 3 times in Bristol. I go to ETSU. I might have to check out Fudge's place.

Nope. But Thomas Jones has.. I forgot about him. He's got a little garage looking space going on. He wants to expand or get in with a bigger gym and rent out something bigger. This place started out with 3-4 guys coming in every now and then to full basketball teams, football teams and everything. He's busy helping out with Science Hill football and some times hanging out around ETSU football so it's weird scheduling these days. He's got other guys like me holding it down whenever I run a workout or something, which is rare these days. What year are you at ETSU? Are you from the area?

 

[Canedog]

Just because Strong isn't getting the job done at Texas doesn't mean he would not do well at Miami. Strong is not at the top of my list but I think he would kill it in recruiting where he has struggled crooting at Texas for a number of reasons. Strong may not get a third year at Texas if they lose the last two games and his recruiting class remains below standard and does not have players who would give Texas fan reason to believe next year will be much better there.

If Strong is available, my guess is Miami goes hard to sign him.

 

[Canes21]

ETSU, huh?

So Vilma was in JC a few years ago and I didn't even realize it?

Yep. Really hole in the wall place that Fudge runs out here. Jason Witten has been in several times, Vilma came in once and he's planning on it again soon, he had Fulmer come by, the Sensabaugh brothers are always here, and I had a friend from Cincinnati that was really close to Andrew Norwell from the Panthers (Ohio State grad) that I talked to and set something up and had him come by and he actually set us up with DeAngelo Williams. There's been quite a few guys come in here that go completely unnoticed in the area.

DeAngelo Hall ever come by? My brother has seen him in the area 2 or 3 times in Bristol. I go to ETSU. I might have to check out Fudge's place.

Nope. But Thomas Jones has.. I forgot about him. He's got a little garage looking space going on. He wants to expand or get in with a bigger gym and rent out something bigger. This place started out with 3-4 guys coming in every now and then to full basketball teams, football teams and everything. What year are you at ETSU? Are you from the area?

Yea, I am from Bristol. Live right at the Speedway, so it's not too far of a drive to JC. I'm in my 4th year, but only technically a junior since I haven't been full time the entire time.

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

ETSU, huh?

So Vilma was in JC a few years ago and I didn't even realize it?

Yep. Really hole in the wall place that Fudge runs out here. Jason Witten has been in several times, Vilma came in once and he's planning on it again soon, he had Fulmer come by, the Sensabaugh brothers are always here, and I had a friend from Cincinnati that was really close to Andrew Norwell from the Panthers (Ohio State grad) that I talked to and set something up and had him come by and he actually set us up with DeAngelo Williams. There's been quite a few guys come in here that go completely unnoticed in the area.

DeAngelo Hall ever come by? My brother has seen him in the area 2 or 3 times in Bristol. I go to ETSU. I might have to check out Fudge's place.

Nope. But Thomas Jones has.. I forgot about him. He's got a little garage looking space going on. He wants to expand or get in with a bigger gym and rent out something bigger. This place started out with 3-4 guys coming in every now and then to full basketball teams, football teams and everything. What year are you at ETSU? Are you from the area?

Yea, I am from Bristol. Live right at the Speedway, so it's not too far of a drive to JC. I'm in my 4th year, but only technically a junior since I haven't been full time the entire time.

I went to UT and played baseball then transferred to king to play then transferred to Tennessee Tech to play as a grad transfer lol. My brother is at king now.

 

[Canes21]

Yep. Really hole in the wall place that Fudge runs out here. Jason Witten has been in several times, Vilma came in once and he's planning on it again soon, he had Fulmer come by, the Sensabaugh brothers are always here, and I had a friend from Cincinnati that was really close to Andrew Norwell from the Panthers (Ohio State grad) that I talked to and set something up and had him come by and he actually set us up with DeAngelo Williams. There's been quite a few guys come in here that go completely unnoticed in the area.

DeAngelo Hall ever come by? My brother has seen him in the area 2 or 3 times in Bristol. I go to ETSU. I might have to check out Fudge's place.

Nope. But Thomas Jones has.. I forgot about him. He's got a little garage looking space going on. He wants to expand or get in with a bigger gym and rent out something bigger. This place started out with 3-4 guys coming in every now and then to full basketball teams, football teams and everything. What year are you at ETSU? Are you from the area?

Yea, I am from Bristol. Live right at the Speedway, so it's not too far of a drive to JC. I'm in my 4th year, but only technically a junior since I haven't been full time the entire time.

I went to UT and played baseball then transferred to king to play then transferred to Tennessee Tech to play as a grad transfer lol. My brother is at king now.

I never expected to see other people from the area on here. I especially didn't expect to hear that Vilma has been here before. I'd love to just sit and talk with that man for hours about Canes football.