The Missouri Tigers were unwilling to see how things would shakeout after a few more games. The university has already dismissed defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross.
Being dismissed is really just a polite way of saying DeMontie Cross was canned or fired or shown the door.
The university released a statement:
“I am very appreciative of all that DeMontie has done for Mizzou, and am sorry that this did not work out, however, after careful evaluation, I believe it is important to make this change now,” head coach Barry Odom said in a statement.
Well, the evaluation wasn't all that long.
In addition to being an original member of Odom’s staff, making this somewhat a head scratcher, Cross also played safety for the Tigers from 1994-96 and began his coaching career as Mizzou’s outside linebackers coach in 1998-99.
Basically, he is a Missouri guy through and through. It would be like firing the Burger King mascot guy from being the mascot of Burger King
There is data to show why DeMontie Cross was fired.
The Tigers rank 114th nationally in scoring defense, 90th in total defense and 102nd in yards per play allowed through two weeks of this young season. Missouri allowed 6.07 yards per play in 2016, good for 93rd nationally. All of those numbers don't stack up well in the defense (sorry) of Cross.
Still, it isn't even the middle of September yet. At the same time, maybe Odom felt as though he needed to hurl someone under the bus.
Cross was also the linebackers coach. He was not, however, the mascot of a fast-food chain.
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