Vassallo: A Dozen Reasons to Retain Matt Luke

Should Ole Miss retain Matt Luke as head football coach? Often the convenient thing to do is to click the “reset button” and make a change, especially when it would be the more exciting and popular choice to do so. However, in this instance, it might not be the wise one. Here’s why:
1. This team has done anything but quit. A newfound momentum over the past two games has the stretch run looking more promising than ever.
2. The offense is clicking on all cylinders with the emergence of a versatile new QB. Scoring points is not our weakness.
3. Changing the head coach will, in all likelihood, shuffle the deck with the assistants as well. These players have already gone through a lot.
4. The effects of the NCAA cloud are certain to loom over the horizon for at least the 2018 season. Giving Coach Luke a second year to advance this program under the circumstances that he inherited is not unreasonable.
5. What do we need most for 2018? I’ll argue all day long that a few fast, hard-hitting defensive players easily outweigh a new head coach.
6. A 6-6 season is still very realistic. Under normal circumstances, this would make the Rebels bowl-eligible.
7. With arguably the best QB in the league – and coming off the bench at that – there is much to look forward to next year.
8. Coach Luke is a Rebel to the core. How many times have we heard, “Wouldn’t it be great to have an alum as our head coach?”
9. Winning on the road in this league versus a 6-2 team (Kentucky) is quite an accomplishment, especially following a tough home loss.
10. The team definitely looks like they are having fun playing for this coaching staff. That enthusiasm is difficult to disguise.
11. Timing is everything, and bringing in a new staff in the midst of a hurricane is not the smartest way to cope with the storm. Calling for a “relief pitcher” with the bases loaded is much more difficult than handing the ball off at the start of a new inning.
12. And last but not least, recruiting will be turned inside out with a coaching change at this time. Football games are won in February, not September. Just ask Nick Saban if you have any doubts.

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Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
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