Bob Pruett named Virginia def. coordinator.

[BLITZBURG]

Bob Pruett was named def. coordinator-asst. head coach earlier this week at the University of Virginia.This is a good hire by Al Groh,Pruett is a proven winner.Head coach at Marshall for 9 years Pruett compiled a record of 94-23 along with 6 Mac titles-1 NCAA DIV IAA championship and 5 bowl wins.Pruett should also be a factor in the recruiting department.

[BLITZBURG]

Correction from previous post-Pruett compiled 5 MAC title.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

HIM AND AL GROH TOGETHER ON THE SAME STAFF, COULD REALLY PROPEL THEM IN THE ACC, IF THEY GET QUALITY RECRUITS.

[someoverkill]

First of all, this is a great great hire. This guy did great things at MU and he will do great things at Virginia. Leave him alone and he will get the Defense right where you need it to be!

[getagrip]

Pruett was the right coach at the right time at Marshall, but he's given waaaaaaay too much credit for Marshall's success during his tenure. As soon as the going got tough, he left. Plus, don't forget those NCAA violations that occurred on this watch.

[Foolsgold]

Pruett’s leaving had nothing to do with when times got tough. It had everything to do with money and respect. He had taken Marshall from 1AA to the MAC, and on to CUSA. He wanted to be justly compensated for it, Marshall refused and quit. It’s all about the money.

[someoverkill]

Parish got the ball rolling and the guys that followed all did a great job. Pruett was a helluva coach and he took Marshall to just about as high as they can go for the size town their in. It is put up time for the current coaching staff. Marshall needs at least 7 wins this year. If they dont get 7 wins +, it will be hard to get the program to the level it once was. Pruett and Groh is a great combination. I believe in the next 3 years, Virginia may seriously compete for the ACC title.

[getagrip]

He had taken Marshall from 1AA to the MAC, and on to CUSA. He wanted to be justly compensated for it, Marshall refused and quit. It’s all about the money.

Are you kidding? Marshall was already doing well when he got here. Jim Donnan and George Chaump had more to do with Marshall's success, although Pruett had the right personality to take over a program that was about to peak. He signed a new contract several years in a row. You're right, he didn't get offered a more money after his final season. I don't understand why. It was a fabulous 6-6 season.

Obviously, he had earned a lot of credit by then, but you're not going to get a renegotiated contract after going 6-6 - especially when so many other contracts had been renegotiated.

By the time he left, too many players were getting in trouble, there had been an academic scandal, and the program had scholarships taken away because of a lack of institutional control. Then, he left at an awful time right before spring practice, making it difficult for the next coach to get started. Great example, great leader.

[someoverkill]

Didnt Snyder get a redone deal after season number one? I may be wrong. I do know that Marshall has not enjoyed a winning season since Pruett left. That will change this year, or there will have to be a change.

[getagrip]

Didnt Snyder get a redone deal after season number one? I may be wrong. I do know that Marshall has not enjoyed a winning season since Pruett left. That will change this year, or there will have to be a change.

He did get a deal, but if memory serves it didn't include more money. I think a year or two was added to the contract. It was a show of support, and a commitment, because of the circumstances in which Snyder started coaching the team - thanks to Pruett. However, I agree with you about this year. Things don't get better, he'll be gone.

[someoverkill]

so they gave him a couple of extra years because Pruett left him a program that was constantly winning 9-10 games + and was relevant? Wow, that was generous. If I were MU alumni, I would have Pruett's picture in my family living room!

[getagrip]

The program was going downhill when Pruett left right before spring ball. The winning program was a fabulous 6-6 his final year, and the program was just beginning to feel the effects of getting into NCAA trouble under Pruett. Plus, the number of players' off-the-field incidents was increasing.
Snyder didn't get hired until after spring ball. That's a tough situation for any coach to start, especially one in his first head coaching job. I'm not sold on Snyder, but I understand why he was given a little longer leash that most coaches. Despite Marshall's past success, he did not come into a good situtation in large part because of Pruett.

Any picture of Pruett should be under the heading "Overrated." He's the definition of the word.

[someoverkill]

You're talking about a school who used to regularly lose to Furman and Chattanooga. Pruett took them to places they will never be at again. IE> National title games and bowl victories. You said Snyder was given a longer leash. I have no problems with MU honoring Snyder's original contract. however, they extended him with absolutely no evidence that he could get the job done. What were they afraid of, him leaving a 4-7 program for another job? He left a better job in Columbus. The D Coordinator job at OSU is much better than head coaching a 4-7 C-USA program.