re: For the old-timers...when did Cholly Mac first get on the hot seat?

When Paul Dietzel returned as AD in 1979 ... Mac's fate was sealed. Remember, when Dietzel left LSU for Army in 1962, he did not recommend McClendon as his successor. It's no secret that the 2 men did not get along ... 2 very different personalities. Mac almost took a job at KY, but was given a pay raise to stay at LSU and take over as head coach.

Through 1970, Mac was in very good standing with fans and the administration. He was offered a very lucrative contract by Texas A&M in 1971 to succeed Gene Stallings. He instead stayed at LSU and was given a nice pay increase.

In 1971, Bama switched to the wishbone. Mac, who had beaten Bear's teams in 1969 and 1970, would never do so again. The inability to beat Bama in games in big-time conference showdown games, especially 1972 and 1973, began to erode his support. The switch to the veer proved unsuccessful.

Just as important to the decline of the program was recruiting. The name that doesn't get mentioned, but had a tremendous impact on Mac being forced to leave was his inability to recruit Johnny Hector to LSU. Hector was a legend at New Iberia, but chose to go to Texas A&M instead of LSU. This, coupled with 9 straight losses to Alabama, was the end for Mac. His teams in the late 70's were good ... but far from great. They made 3 straight bowl games, but the team was barely top 20 caliber. His teams went from being "very good" in the late 60's and early 70's to being "good" or "competitive" in the late 70's. He wasn't getting as many star recruits, and the fan base wanted a change.