Coach Jaxson Grady - Life After Death at Tulane

[cooljayhu]

This will be my first dynasty attempt in a couple years and I have decided it will be a sort of journal type thing following the career of a created coach. I have pretty good storyline going so I hope you guys enjoy. I will just do a quick recap the 2007 season storyline as I am not officially the head coach until the 2008 season (you'll see why later).

System - 360
Rosters - My Own - I try to look at who is good and who sucks and adjust accordingly, however it is obviously not exact as I can never seem to get certain teams to be as good or as bad as they currently are (ie. Notre Dame, USF, and Louisville).
Settings - Heisman with personalized sliders (will adjust for realism) and 8 minute quarters
Recruiting - no restrictions my first year but I will have some later for evident reasons

[cooljayhu]

Coach Profile

Coach Jaxson Grady




Coaching History

Tulane Green Wave:
Offensive Line Graduate Assitant: 2002-2003
Offensive Line Coach: 2004-2007
Assitant Offensive Coordinator: 2007
Assitant Recruiting Director: 2006
Head Recruiting Director: 2007
Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator: 2008-Present

Coaching Totals[/u]
Career Record: 0-0
Winning Seasons: 0
Record vs. Top 25
Record vs. LSU: 0-0
Record vs. USM: 0-0
Bowl Record: 0-0
Conference Title: 0
National Titles: 0-0

Season History[/u]
2008: 0-0 (0-0)

Dynasty National Champions[/u]
2007: USC (13-0) defeated LSU (12-2) 38-17

Heisman Trophy Winners[/u]
2007: Hawaii QB Colt Brennan (5122 passing yards, 51 TDs)

[cooljayhu]

January 29th, 2007

My first journal entry in my first ever attempt at a journal. Hey ya'll my name's Jaxson Grady Offensive Line coach and Assitant Recruiting Director of the Tulane Green Wave football team. I have been wanting to do something like this, you know chronicalling my "journey" as a coach, but this is the first time I have even made an attempt. Anyway, I guess for my first journal entry I will catch ya'll up to speed on my trip from high school star to a player Green Wave to where I am now.

My football career started as innocently as any other, playing Pop-Warner football on weekends dreaming that I was Joe Montana or Barry Sanders (despite the fact that I played offensive and defensive line). Soon, however, my coaches began see me dominating the competion. Often opposing parents would actually request their child be moved to the opposite side of me. I never really liked doing that to people, you know destroying them, but it was just something I could do since I was 8. Anyway, weekend afternoon games soon turned into Friday night games in front of 15 000 fans at my alma mater, Holy Cross High School in New Orleans. I played LT and DT there from 1994-1997 earning three Varsity letters for my efforts.

My football career really picked up steam in 1996, my Junior Season. I earned First Team All-District honours leading the Tigers to an 11-1 record and a berth in the state playoffs. We lost in the semis but it was a great experience and it really thrust me into the spotlight. Soon after our season ended I had several coaches from small Div-1A schools calling me on a weekly basis. My senior year was a complete blur, we lost alot of guys from that 11-1 team, ending up with a record of just 8-4. However, I had the season of my life. I made 62 tackles with 8 sacks on defense and 84 pancakes and no sacks allowed on offense. I was named first team All-State and was rated as a 3-Star prospect.

It wasn't long before several bigger schools had offered me scholarships, however my heart was set on just one team the Tulane Green Wave, my favorite team since I was young. I committed as soon as I was offered. Thinking back maybe I should have taken a bit more time to weigh options, but I don't regret playing for Tulane. In my 4 years at Tulane I started 23 games at LT and was named a team captain and 2nd team All-Conference my Senior year. Halfway through my Junior season, I realized my NFL dream was never going to come true so I really buckled down with my academics. Little did I know that as one football door closed another would open. After graduation, Coach Scelfo asked me to stay on as a Graduate Assistant on the O-Line. I quickly gained a reputation as a detail freak and a tireless worker. I was promoted to Offensive Line coach in 2004 and to assitant recruiting director in 2006.

After another stinker of a season in 2006 and despite our obvious struggles due to Katrina Coach Scelfo was fired. It wasn't all bad news as the new head man Bob Toledo kept me on as O-Line coach and promoted me to Assistant Offensive Coordinator. Also, Coach intended to keep the current Recruiting Coordinator, my boss, Chris Smiley on, but after an abysmal recruiting class, which ranked 111th in the country, he was fired. Toledo requested I be promoted to Recruiting Coordinator, a role that I cerish. I love travelling around the country, talking to prospects and convincing them to come here. So anyway with a promising future ahead of me I am already the Assitant Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator and I am just 28 years old! I can't wait to see what the future holds.

[cooljayhu]

Since this dynasty is centered around Grady as a Head Coach I simmed the '07 season. My next post will be a recap of the year.

BTW I know your gonna WTF? when you see the results but honestly that is how the season went and I simmed everything.

[cooljayhu]

January 8th, 2008

Happy Holidays everybody. Man o' man what a season. I mean seriously what a rush. Sorry for not writing in such a long time guys, I have so many responsibilities right now it is ridiculous. I have to coach the O-Line, break down gametape with Coach Toledo, and fly around the country recruiting. That last bit has been the most fun though, as Coach Toledo clamoured Tulane's AD Rick Dickson for funding to engage in an aggresive recruiting campaign. So far, it has paid off as I have a ton of high-profile recruits who have the Green Wave in at least their Top 3 list. I have only picked up 3 commitments (one 3-star and two 2 stars) but I expect alot more after our showing in......... the Sugar Bowl!

That's right we made it all the way to the Sugar Bowl this year with a record of 13-1; our only loss coming to rival and SEC Champ LSU 31-14. C-USA and Sugar Champs, finishing 6th in boll polls. Man what a year. All year long we heard how we weren't that good and how we never played anybody. It was all a bunch of bull. We received an At-Large bid for the Sugar Bowl, replacing LSU (who lost to USC in NCG - HA!). Facing another At-Large bid receiver, Big East champ USF. Leading up to the all we heard was how the 10-2 Bulls were gonna expose us as the "frauds we were". Guess what? It never happened as we smoke them 42-24 and silenced our critics.

Honestly, our Cinderella ride was due in large part to our star player RB Matt Forte. Coaching this guy was a real treat as it seemed he could do no wrong. He ended the year with 2421 yards and 14 TDs rushing. I nicknamed him "The Fortress" after the LSU game because no matter how many times Glenn Dorsey and the Tigers defense would pummelled him (he carried 42 times that game) he just kept on coming at them. I think Forte is destined for great things in the NFL. He is rated a middle-to-late rounder by many, but just like us this year I think he is gonna shock some people.

We had 3 All-Americans this year in Forte (1st Team) and my new sons LT Troy Kropog (1st) and RG John Landa (2nd). Additionally, I was amazed when Troy won Outland Trophy given to the best Interior Lineman. It was the proudest moment of my coaching career.

Anyway, I'll write in here again after National SIgning Day to give you a quick recap of my recruiting expeditions and then it's almost football season again. Man time flys.

[cooljayhu]

February 8th, 2008

National Signing Day has come and past. Everybody take a few minutes to catch your breath...... there thats better isn't it? Man, what a hectic month since the Sugar Bowl. I don't actually remember sleeping at all these past 4 weeks (not that I get much sleep during the season either). All the hard work paid off though. I recruited my pants off and, thanks alot to the increased funding from the Athletic Department and that Sugar Bowl win, I reeled in the 17th ranked class. That's right we went from 111th to 17th in just one season. I'm not going to take all the credit but just look at the numbers, it's pretty obvious I was the right choice at recruiting director. Here's the numbers:

4-Stars: four
3-Stars: fifteen
2-Stars: six

There is a number of potential stars in this class including QB John Thomas (81 overall with 81 speed) and WR Reuben Bennett, but the real get of the class may be pint-sized (5'6" 192 lbs) HB DeAndre Williams. DeAndre set numurous school rushing and returning records at Holy Cross (my alma mater) and with his amazing speed (99 speed) and elusiveness he will be a threat to score any time he touches the ball. In all, I think this class may be the start of something very special at Tulane as they build a foundation of excellence that will propel this program into the future.

Phew what a relief that all the stress in my life is now gone. Oh wait, thats right, recruiting is a year round thing as I now scout the next crop of potential Green Wave stars. See you guys later.

[cooljayhu]

February 27th, 2008

The story broke at 9:22 AM EST on Saturday the 24th. It spread like wildfire across the nation to every major news outlet in the country. When I first saw it on the Sportscenter ticker I thought I must still be dreaming. It couldn't possibly say what I think it says:

"The NCAA has suspended football operations at Tulane University pending a full investigation into recruiting tactics under former Head Coach Chris Scelfo and former Recruiting Coordinater Brad Smiley."

Panic immediately set in as I called everyone I could possibly think to call at that moment. Coach Toledo, my life-long friend and attorney Eric Konshuh, my fellow assistant coaches, and anyone else who could shed light and give advice on this situation. I couldn't even fathom what the NCAA could have discovered? I was Smiley's head assitant so it is logical I will be under investigation too. But, I have never and would never do anything wrong. I never offered money or gifts to athletes. I never gave money to their family. Heck, I never even picked up their tab at a restaraunt.

This whole investigation really puzzleds me. I mean it's not like we set the world on fire recruiting, at least not under Coach Scelfo and Smiley that is. From 2002-2006 our Recruiting classes never ranked higher than 46th in the country. Heck, we never even led the C-USA in those 5 years. The whole thing seems fishy to me, but the NCAA must have some substantial evidence if they shut us down completely.

To think that Scelfo and Smiley may have been handing out gifts to recruits makes me sick. I trusted these guys and they turned their backs on what it means to coach the Green Wave. I'll fill you guys in with more when the investigation gets wrapped up.

[cooljayhu]

March 16th, 2008

So it's been almost 3 weeks since the story broke. 3 agonizing weeks that I spent wondering what might be our program's fate. I thought that me might get off fairly easy; maybe a few lost schollies and probation, but boy was I wrong. As I sat in the courtroom in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions, I could barely begin to comprehend what Commissioner Miles Brand was saying:

"The NCAA has painstakingly and thoroughly investigated recruiting violations committed by the University of Tulane's football program at the request of unnamed sources. By way of this investigation we have made some startling discoveries and uncovered a legacy of bribery and cheating built by former Head Coach Chris Scelfo and former Recruiting Coordinator Brad Smiley."

Despite their repeated attempts to contact me over the past few weeks, I chose to ignore Scelfo and Smiley. I mean the didn't just turn their backs on me, they turned their backs on sportsmanship and, most importantly, on Tulane. Despite, the mountain of evidence about to be presented they maintain they did nothing wrong and were simply trying to revive a dead program. In fact, they even tried to use Katrina as an excuse for their actions, something that made me (and I am sure the committee as well) blind with rage. Brand continued on and the room was deadly silent as they waited with baited breath for the Committee's ultimate decision:

"During the years 2002-2006, no less than 174 players, including 46 of 70 players on the actie roster during the 06-07 season, received gifts, benefits, and bribes from former coaches Scelfo and Smiley, whether directly or indirectly. The gifts given out during the 5 years included family vacations, cars, and clothes. Monetary bribes totalled in excess of $160 000. Their obvious disregard for fairplay and sportsmanship has deeply saddened and dissapointed this committee."

At this point I knew what was coming so I felt no shock, only outrage when Brand finished his report with: "As such, with the findings of this committee and the disgustingly arrogant nature of the two perpetrators, who repeatedly deny or excuse their numerous violations, we feel that the most severe of penalties is neccesary in this case. We, the NCAA Committee on Infractions, have a serious lack of control at Tulane University and as such they will receive a one-year suspensions from competition in football. They will be eligible for play in the '09-'10 season pending a review conducted before the season."

A collective gasp of shock rang out through the courtroom, but Brand was not finished there: "Additionally, all players who accepted bribes and all coaches who gave out bribes will receive life-long bans. Current players who did not receive bribes may transfer elsewhere, but will not be required to sit out the next year. Finally, all 11 wins from the 2006 regular season will be forfeited, as well as the C-USA Championship and Bowl Game wins. All records set at Tulane during the 2006 season will be expunged from the record books. That is all for now, thank you all for attending."

So that was it. The Death Penalty. Only the second team in history to receive the "highest of high honors" from the NCAA. All of my hard work last season was for nothing. It was like we didn't even exist last season. Hell we might as well not even exist we can't even play next season and maybe not even the year after that depending on Brand's decision next year. Man, I don't know what I am going to now, football has been my life these past 20 years and now it is gone. This may just be my last journal entry cause I really don't know what is going to happen now. See ya'll later, if at all.

[cooljayhu]

March 20th, 2008[/u]

These past few days I have been a complete wreck, I haven't slept much and I have ate even less. It wasn't until yesterday morning that the gravity of the situation sank in. I attempted to call around to a few football programs just to gauge interest in any assitant coaching positions. There was none. Every coach and athletic director I spoke to had some bogus reason for not wanting an experienced, young, and unemployed coach who was willing to coach for the bare minimum. Whether it was "We just don't have any more room on our coaching staff" or "you're just not a good fit for our program" it seemed as if I had a disease. It was then that I came to a realization, I had been "black-listed". The investigation and subsequent Death Penalty had tarnished my reputation as a coach and person. The other programs felt that I was part of a beyond-control program and they wanted no part of me. I thought there was nothing left to do but pack up shop and go looking for a real job.

The day after the hearing, Tulane's president Scott Cowen announced that Athletic Director Rick Dickson had "stepped down" (aka resign or your fired) and that Head Coach Bob Toledo had decided to retire rather than wait out the year of suspension. One day later, Cowen announced that former Green Wave standout Rodney Holman had accepted the Athletic Director position. Holman was a tight end on the last Tulane team to defeat LSU in 1982. He played 13 seasons in the NFL and was a 3 time Pro Bowler. Holman said at the press conference that Tulane had not given up the fight to appeal the NCAA Death Penalty. At first I thought, whatever dude it ain't gonna work, but that was until he stepped into my office today.

I was alone in my sad excuse for an office, packing up all my belongings (3 tiny boxes) and saying my goodbyes to my home away from home for the past 8 years. "Oh great you've already packed up for the move" said a voice behind me.

Startled, I swung around to see the smiling face of Rodney Holman, the new AD. "Move. What move?" I replied.

"The move to you bigger office down the hall" said Holman.

"The only office down there is the..." I trailed off realizing what he was implying. "Are you offering me the Head Coach position?" I asked excitedly.

"You bet your ass I am. I have heard good things about you, son. You're going places and I think you are just the man for the job."

"You need to to catch up," I replied, "there is no job. Not until next year at the earliest."

"Not if I have my way. The way I see it if we are going to appeal this Death Penalty we better have a coach that can plead our case. I want to show the NCAA that Tulane isn't going anywhere and we are going to fight this to the bitter. You, being a Tulane grad would be perfect to show them that Sceflo and Smiley aren't what this program is all about."

There was no need for all the convincing; I knew I was in the moment he offered me. "I'm in, let's make it known that Tulane football ain't dead yet; not by a long shot."