re: Historians: Did people vehemently defend Curley Hallman while he was the head coach here?

Hallman was a very successful coach at Southern Miss-he took over for Mike Archer-who left a very bare cupboard. Hallman did a decent job of recruiting but never could get a winning season. He's probably best known for the "pick six game' at Auburn "The beginning of the end for Hallman came on September 17, 1994 at Jordan–Hare Stadium against Auburn. LSU led 23–9 early in the fourth quarter, and the Bayou Bengals were in good position to end Auburn's 13-game winning streak. But LSU quarterback Jamie Howard threw two interceptions that were returned for Auburn touchdowns, tying the game. LSU regained the lead with a field goal, but when the Bayou Bengals were trying to run out the clock, Howard threw his fourth interception of the game, and incredibly, Auburn returned the pick for another touchdown, giving the home team a 30–26 lead. LSU drove into Auburn territory in the game's final minute, but Howard threw his fifth and sixth interceptions on consecutive drives, sealing the win for Auburn.(Wikipedia). His most notable win came at Alabama the year before when the Tigers who were a 3 TD underdog stunned the college football world by upsetting the Tide ending their 31 game winning streak. Many wanted him gone and some realized he was improving the talent but his coaching ability was suspect. The following year-Gerry Dinardo took over and mostly with Hallman's recruits went 7-4-1 and beat Michigan State, coached by Nick Saban, in the Independence Bowl 45-26. So yes, Hallman did a decent job of recruiting!

Anybody remember cheering:

“Up the middle, off tackle, draaaaaw, punt!”