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The Texas State Bobcats will not be moving into 2016 with a withering Dennis Franchione that we still can't believe once gave Alabama the stiff arm. Instead, the new coach will be Everett Withers.
Who is Withers? Until today he was the coach at FCS power James Madison, before that a co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State and before that a sort of extended interim head coach at North Carolina who only lasted for one 7-6 season.
He's a surprising hire, especially with #TXST being known for an athletic department that is... lacking. Withers has 27 years of experience in the NFL and NCAA, and led James Madison to the No. 5 seed in this year's playoffs.
In other words, the hire looks -- really good.
Not that I would know. For that, we turn to you, Twitter, for analysis. Fresh off being named Auburn's defensive coordinator, Twitter will not be silenced. Hell, it's even about to do away with that 140-character nonsense.
To the taeks.
WOW surpised but Happy That Everett Withers is the new HC at Texas State. Surprised.
— Terrance Banks (@tbanks1906) January 7, 2016
A huge welcome to @TXSTATEFOOTBALL to HC Everett Withers. Exciting times for #TXST. pic.twitter.com/8emWOfsFWV
— Bill Culhane (@BillCulhane22) January 7, 2016
LT: Good for Everett Withers heading to Texas State. @CAAFootball coaches moving on to FBS jobs shows league is top-tier of FCS.
— Eric Wieberg (@ewieberg) January 7, 2016
@FreeStuart @THETXSTUniv The short version: Everett Withers is a straight-up winner.
— Greg Tepper (@Tepper) January 7, 2016
New Texas State Head Football Coach Everett Withers was UT's DB coach under Mack Brown from 1998-2000.
— Dennis de la Pena (@dennisonfox7) January 7, 2016
Former Ohio State assistant, JMU headman. I like this hire for Texas State https://t.co/8KG8vV8TvF
— Matt Brown (@MattSBN) January 7, 2016
Maybe Everett Withers is just a fan of the Hollywood classic: "Necessary Roughness."
— Tucker Martin (@jtuckermartin) January 7, 2016
Everett Withers' HC record. A lot of exp and good results at James Madison. #txst #EatEmUpCats pic.twitter.com/YeU5age3QA
— Solar Underwood (@arisogle) January 7, 2016
@TXSTATEBOBCATS Who needs Tom Herman when you got Everette Withers who was also under Urban Meyer. Welcome him #TXST @txst @Brant_Freeman
— Sean Patrick Shetler (@spshetler) January 7, 2016
Reading all the HC news on my TL about @JMUCoachWithers like... #WelcomeWithers #TXST pic.twitter.com/2s4S8rcKD1
— yung kalster (@muykaliente) January 7, 2016
One of the more important things about this hire was to get someone that would unite the #TXST fanbase. Early impressions are good.
— Will Butler (@THETXSTUniv) January 7, 2016
Withers learned from some great coaches & led stingy defenses at North Carolina & Ohio State. Offense at JMU wasn't too shabby either. #TXST
— Tyler Mayforth (@tylermayforth) January 7, 2016
This is a huge get for his staff. Now #TXST can lock down some in-state talent. #FunBelt https://t.co/SgRfpskft9
— Chad Washington (@ChadDWashington) January 7, 2016
But not everyone is happy.
Everett Withers takes off for Texas State after 2 years? Don't blame him, but he better thank Vlad Lee for that. Def not b/c of his defense
— Michael Prince (@ThePrince5) January 7, 2016
Everett Withers ... say it ain't so. Come on man! How could you?
— Khalil P. Garriott (@khalilgarriott) January 7, 2016
"@WHSVScoreZone: Everett Withers will be the next football coach at Texas State, leaves JMU after 2 seasons. @WHSVnews" This sucks!
— Dave Rexrode (@DRexrode) January 7, 2016
RT @marcdavissports: Head football coach Everett Withers is leaving JMU to become the head coach at Texas State. @NBC12
— Erin (@elb8302) January 7, 2016
Thanks for nothing Everett Withers
— Alex McGuire (@Alex_TheGreat15) January 7, 2016
Most of those folks appear to be JMU fans understandably upset about his leaving. Or maybe they're UTSA fans or something. Either way, it looks like Texas State could be set for a resurgence under its new coach.