Which SEC Coach Will Get 'Croomed' in 2007?

'Croom' is a verb. The dictionary says so:

Croom: kroom

[kr-oom] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–verb (used with object), -ed, ·ing.

to cause (a person) a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity; mortify the fans and administration of an opposing SEC football team, resulting in the removal or firing of their head coach

[Origin: 2004–05; < LL humili?tus (ptp. of humili?re to humble), equiv. to L humili(s) humble + -?tus -ate¹

, see Mississippi State vs. Florida, Ron Zook; Mississippi State vs. Alabama, Mike Shula]

-Related forms

hu·mil·i·a·tor, noun

hu·mil·i·a·to·ry

[hyoo-mil-ee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee or, often, yoo-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation, hu·mil·i·a·tive, adjective

-Synonyms dishonor, disgrace, shame; degrade, abase, debase. See humble.

-Antonyms exalt, honor, contract extension.

Sylvester Croom's three years at Mississippi State have been remarkable similar: in each of his football campaigns, he's managed a total of three wins with a major upset thrown in two out of three times.

The upsets have been so massive that by winning, the opposing coach ends up Croomed. Evidence: Ron Zook was canned after the Gators lost to Croom's Dogs in 2004, and Mike Shula didn't survive 2006 at Bama after losing to Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa.

After the jump: who might be Croomed in 2007?

If Croom holds true to form, the Dogs will again win anywhere from 2-4 games with an upset distinctly possible if not statistically probable. Who will get Croomed in 2007? Keep in mind that a Crooming is impossible unless losing to Mississippi State is considered an unforgiveable sin. That immediately pardons Rich Brooks of Kentucky, Ed Orgeron of Ole Miss, and of course Tulane, Gardner-Webb, and UAB.

The schedule suggests only a few possibilities. And predicting a Crooming is mostly a process of elimination; that is to say, by looking at all of the facts in evidence, we can slowly rule teams out from contention of a possible Crooming, leaving only teams who could possibly suffer one per the definition of Crooming above. A Crooming is most likely in Starkville, although there was the previously mentioned Road Croom at Alabama. I'm inclined to think Road Croomings won't happen often in the future. But let's take a look; here's Mississippi State's lineup in 2007, minus the excepted (see above) programs.

LSU
~~@ Tulane~~
@ Auburn
~~Gardner-Webb~~
@ South Carolina
~~UAB~~
Tennessee
@ West Virginia
~~@ Kentucky~~
Alabama
@ Arkansas
~~Mississippi~~

So far the Croomings have occurred at the expense of a program with either great recent success (Florida) or a storied tradition (Alabama.) Arkansas seems like a ripe target, not because they'll be inferior to MSU, but because they fit the profile to some extent. But Houston Nutt losing to Croom just doesn't seem so inconceivable, and I'm not sure that the Dogs downing the Hogs would truly shock either fanbase. I know I'd be surprised, but not stunned. Let's rule out Arky.

~~@ Arkansas~~

Besides the fact that WVU doesn't play in the SEC, they've enjoyed too much success as of late to consider firing Rich Rodriguez... even if they fail to put up a point against Mississippi State. No chance of a Croom here.

~~@ West Virginia~~

Alabama? Nick Saban gets a pass in his first year back. Besides, back-to-back Croomings of the same team seem about as likely as sighting Frank Broyles sunbathing in a Borat thong. Nick Saban's safe, anyway.

~~Alabama~~

South Carolina? Steve Spurrier's not going anywhere, although I'm sure most of his memories of playing the Western Dogs aren't too pleasant. Impossible to Croom Spurrier, even with an MSU win. Impossible!

@ South Carolina

Auburn? Sheeah, right. Tommy Tuberville has turned them into a perennial contender. While a loss to Croom would indeed be a shock, no one would utter a word about firing the guy who beat Bama five straight times.

@ Auburn

So. We're down to LSU and Tennessee.

Both fit the profile: they are storied programs gunning yearly for a conference title, a BCS bid, or even a national championship game appearance. A loss to MSU would quite possibly result in the removal of either Phil Fulmer or Les Miles. Losing to the Dawgs is just not an option for either program.

Both head coaches have been at their schools long enough to have the "new coach" pass revoked, and have some faction of discontented fans already calling for a change. This makes a Crooming possible. Les Miles, despite his twin ten-win years at LSU, failed to win the SEC even though he fielded the most talented team in the conference, and fans still aren't sold on him. Phil Fulmer, of course, is dealing with the baggage of a 5-6 season in 2005 and is for the first time in a decade starting to feel the hint of some real pressure to get the Vols back to national prominence.

Going by Sylvester Croom's record of success, or lack thereof, in the SEC, it seems statistically probable that one of these two coaches will be Croomed in '07.

Remember, I'm not saying that either the Vols or the Tigers should lose to the Dawgs. By no means am I saying anything of the sort! Precisely because of the fact that they're supposed to win (and win big), the potential for a Crooming exists. Per the odds based on Croom's past three years, there is a 66% chance that one of these two teams will go down, and that their respective head coach shall be Croomed.

Who will it be? Fulmer or Miles?

Or is it someone else? Discuss.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

6-25-2007 @ 2:19PM

Gamecock Man said...

Well, I'd say Fulmer is the more likely. While Les Miles would be in serious trouble if LSU lost to MSU, I think that's pretty unlikely, even if Miles isn't a great coach, LSU will be too good this year to lose to MSU. UT, on the other hand, is a little more vulnerable, although it would still shock me to see them lose to the Dogs.

Honestly, while I wouldn't be surprised to see MSU upset another decent SEC team this year (maybe Bama or Arky), I don't think they have much of a chance against either UT or LSU.

6-25-2007 @ 3:32PM

Pete Holiday said...

I wouldn't rule out Auburn, either. The tigers are Fickle. Add to a MSU loss a sub-par season and a thumping at the hands of Alabama and you can expect a LOT of talk about getting rid of him.

That said, it's still more likely to be Tennessee.

LSU is still riding the Saban wave (by virtue of of coordinators that Miles kept), and they'll ride it until Pelini is gone and Miles has ridden the program is back to where it was before Saban showed up. A loss to MSU won't really hasten that progression, I don't think.

6-25-2007 @ 3:48PM

Holiday's right. Auburn fans would turn on Tuberville if he had a couple of bad years, just like they turned on Terry Bowden. Now, Tuberville isn't Bowden--Auburn has continued to recruit well, and will probably continue to play fairly well as a result. But you never know, I guess.

6-25-2007 @ 5:05PM

PDawgPosse said...

SEE YA FULMER!!!!!!

6-25-2007 @ 5:29PM

The U will be BACK! said...

Before I scrolled down, and saw the schedule, all I could ask myself was "Do they play Tennessee this year?"

No offense to traditionally one of the best programs year in and year out... but UT has had a nasty habit lately of laying an egg! And Fulmer is DEFINITELY on the hot seat!

If there is one game he'd better circle on the calendar, it THIS one!

6-25-2007 @ 5:41PM

Travis said...

Gawd, I can't wait until that bafoon (Croom) is gone. If State goes 3-9 again, the only coached "croomed" will be Croom.

6-25-2007 @ 8:08PM

I actually don't think Croom is all that bad. It's just impossible to win fairly at MSU.

6-25-2007 @ 6:46PM

Floyd McHenry said...

For sure, it will be Phat Phil, as the MSU DAWGS takes out Ainge(less) Vols this year!!

6-25-2007 @ 7:21PM

rammerjammer said...

Now that was funny! I'd have to go with UT too, for the same reasons. However, I'm not sure you can rule out Arkansas. I think Nutt has the right ingredients for a Crooming.

6-25-2007 @ 7:52PM

Jarvis Brown said...

I like your idea of the Crooming. I didn't know that "croom" was in the dictionary. I guess I have to get the Bear Bryant version.

6-26-2007 @ 2:33AM

Dan said...

It will more than likely be Fulmer if anyone....But don't rule out an Alabama loss at Starkville...I know it's far fetched but Sly seems to tune up his players for that one.

7-07-2007 @ 10:07PM

TIGERinATL said...

Both Zook and Shula were staring unemployment square in the face, at the times of their respective Croomings -- the loss to MSU just sealed their fate. Shula's Crooming wasn't even that big of a shock. Looks to me like Houston Dale Nutt is the most likely both to lose to MSU and for it to result in his Crooming. Especially given the off-season issues and the fact that his own fan base is pulling his phone records to try to get him fired already.

6-26-2007 @ 9:38AM

GA War Eagle said...

AU loyal to Tubbs 100%

You're dreaming Gamecock Man -Tuberville's got the most secure job in the SEC. It would take many years to eradicate the political capital of 5 in a row over UA (and soon to be 6 over the midget -really the guy is diminuative; must not be over 5').

While, based on last year's team, I might agree that it's possible to lose to MSU, we'll be better this year so we'll have to see how '07 starts out.

Back to Tubs -If he doesn't jump to the NFL, he's on track to go down in the history books as legendary as Bear Bryant -can't wait for football season!

War Eagle

6-26-2007 @ 10:20AM

Auburn Al said...

Gamecock Man,
Please limit your comments to baseball, something USC has success in (No, I'm not a Spurrier hater; he's the best offensive mind the SEC has ever had). The average AU-MSU score over the last 5 years has been roughly 41-10; doesn't look like it's changing soon. As a '92 Auburn graduate who has been following them for going on 30 years, there has never been a time when Auburn is as loaded and stable as now. Good coaching, good representation, deep talent, etc... We are capable of beating anyone on our schedule, regardless of playing home or away. Loving being an Auburn Tiger in 2007!

6-26-2007 @ 12:14PM

To the offended Auburn fans,

No need to get upset--I'm not an Auburn hater. I actually root for Auburn when they play most teams in the SEC because I have some relatives who went to school there. And I don't think that they'll lose to MSU this year or any other time soon, for that matter. But it's easy for you to say that you would support Tuberville through thick and thin right now, while you're riding high on three great years. I do think it would take a few years for Auburn fans to turn on Tuberville, but it could happen. Just look at Lloyd Carr. In the late 90s, Michigan fans thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. He won half of a national title and had a great record against Ohio State. And look at him now. Michigan hasn't competely fallen by the wayside, having played in a couple of BCS bowls in the past few years. But a lot of fans want him out because he can't deliver against OSU and in other big games. Not to say that that will happen to Tuberville--he continues to recruit well and has surrounded himself with great assistants, a sure blueprint for success. But if he lost a few to Bama, I'll bet some Auburn fans would turn against him really quick.

And by the way Al, I'll comment on whatever I damn well please. It's kind of ironic that you think that you can treat me the same way that Bama fans treat you just because your team has won a few more games over the years.

6-26-2007 @ 12:18PM

l k ecret said...

Croom or no Croom, this is Nutt's last year at Arkansas

6-27-2007 @ 1:27AM

rednilla said...

I could actually see a loss to MSU for Auburn, and I'm an Auburn student. The only way it happens is if Auburn plays it's worst game of the year and MSU plays its best, but it's possible. Tuberville does as good a job as anyone in the country when attempting to motivate his players to play in a big game (I think his record over the last few years against top ten teams is 9-1...it seems like that's right, but I'm not sure), but he's certainly laid his share of eggs at Auburn. Georgia Tech wasn't supposed to beat Auburn in 03 or in 05, but they did. Neither Arkansas nor Georgia was supposed to beat Auburn last year, but they did. I don't see it happening, but it's possible...still, even if he did lose to MSU, it'd take a couple of losses to Bama in a row before rumblings about firing him would start again, and unless he has three poor seasons in a row, he's not going anywhere for a while.

Oh, the mention of CTT going to the NFL is almost laughable, not because I think the commenter is stupid for saying it, just because I think Tommy knows exactly how good he's got it at AU right now. Because of his near firing during 03 and subsequent undefeated season in 04, he probably has the most job security in the SEC. It would shock me to see him leave for the pros...I guess it's possible, but I think he learned from his buddy Steve that it's not all great in that league.