Is there any more of a thankless job in college football right now than Texas head coach?
CFB Coaching Carousel 2016-17
Yes.
That's probably the best job in the country. And their expectations have been beaten down by darned near a decade of underperformance. And Strong recruited a ton of talent. A gem of a spot for the right guy, and Tom Herman sure looks like the right guy.
Strong is a good coach, but his mentality and the situation he inherited from Mack Brown were just oil and water. It's no one's fault.
2ndGenIllini
- Chambana
Fisher and Herman would be the 2 biggest names I could see them trying to attract, and I think theres still a small chance they retain Orgeron. But a darkhorse candidate I could see being a good fit is Larry Fedora. Has done a nice job at UNC and recruits the south well.
For the coach, obviously. But poaching coaches from within the conference is not the norm.
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A world where Houston got the golden ticket into the Power Five is a pretty interesting hypothetical, because Herman and Houston does seem like a great marriage. But alas, we now know Houston isn't going to get that call.
Fedora to LSU wouldn't surprise me at all.
Coaching Carousel Update
Texas: This whole thing has been handled completely wrong. You have boosters telling the media that Strong is gone; however, you have an administration that wants to do the right thing and fire him after the year is over. In today's college football world, you have to tell the coach immediately when a move is going to be made and give him the choice to walk away or stay through the end of the year. To make matters worse, it is not a foregone conclusion in my mind that Tom Herman will leave Houston for Texas. A prominent Houston booster told the media yesterday that Herman will not leave Houston because of money. Does Herman even want any part of a completely dysfunctional administration at Texas? Time will tell. Ultimately I still believe Herman ends up taking the job, but they'll end up over paying up to Saban type money to outbid Houston. Herman is in a fantastic spot financially. Larry Fedora (UNC), Phillip Montgomery (Tulsa), Chad Morris (SMU), Dana Holgorsen (WV), and Mike McIntyre (Colorado) appear to be the back up plans...way back, back up plans.
LSU: All the talk surrounds Jimbo Fisher and I do believe this talk is justified. Fisher's agent is playing this perfectly to either get a pay raise at Florida State or get an even bigger contract at LSU. This talk is justified and it is on purpose from the Fisher camp. The lack of aggressiveness from FSU (meaning no contract extensions, facility upgrade talks yet) could end up and allow this deal to happen. If Fisher doesn't take job, Ed Orgeron becomes a legit candidate; however, Mike Gundy (OK State), Larry Fedora (UNC), Tom Herman (maybe looks at this as the better job...I wouldn't disagree), Dana Holgorsen (WV) are all better candidates IMO.
**Dan Mullen at Mississippi State continues to fly under the radar but has had Mississippi State in six straight bowl games in the most difficult division in football without the resources of the schools they play against. If I was the AD of LSU or Texas, I would at least be reaching out to Mullen.
Purdue: The search that has the most relevancy to us. Les Miles is all the talk and it actually would make a lot of sense considering his midwest ties. P.J. Fleck makes a ton of sense here as well; however, it appears that he has not talked to Purdue and won't do so until after the season. Considering the urgency that Purdue's search seems to have, I don't see this happening. They want to have someone hired by as early is this upcoming weekend. Former NFL OC Greg Olson has interviewed, wouldn't be surprised if Georgia OC Jim Chaney hasn't (or is going to) interview, Brock Spack has been mentioned but I feel its a long shot at this point, Troy Calhoun (Air Force) is always involved in coaching search interviews but never seems to land the job or take it. The wild card is Craig Bohl (Wyoming), he built the best program in FCS (ND State) and then has turned around a dismal Wyoming program into a contender in the Mountain West. It worked out pretty good the last time Purdue hired a coach from Wyoming as well. I still think it will be Miles and it could happen as early as next weekend.
Baylor: They are a threat to make a move on Les Miles who would be a phenomenal option to stabilize that program that is in serious disarray. Phillip Montgomery (Tulsa) was a long time Baylor assistant under Briles and is doing a nice job in second season at Tulsa, but I believe this would be too close to the vest and be a terrible PR move although Montgomery would really be a good hire here IMO. Chad Morris at SMU also makes a lot of sense considering his deep Texas ties (similar to Briles that he started as a successful high school coach) but doesn't have the Briles ties that would link him to the scandals that are pre-existing. Sonny Dykes wants out of California so the talk is he wants this job and he is a Texas guy.
Georgia State: This is an intriguing job considering it is a very large institution and sits in one of the nations (if not the) largest recruiting hotbeds in the city of Atlanta. The resources aren't there yet (they did just receive Turner Stadium as their new home) to really bring in a big name; however, if you are a hot coordinator at an ACC or hot recruiter in the SEC, you are probably being looked at right now. There aren't any names that are definitively linked to this job, but if I had the pool of candidates that Georgia State appears to have, I would be considering: Jeff Scott (OC, Clemson), Dell McGee (RB's, Georgia), Bryan McClendon (Co-OC/RB's, South Carolina), Shane Beamer (STC, Georgia), Rhett Lashlee (OC, Auburn), and Mike Bloomgren (OC, Stanford). FCS head coaches could potentially be in play here as well.
Florida International hires Butch Davis. Not only has Butch Davis been out of the game for a few years, neither coordinators are coaching football right now that he hired. Dan Hawkins was just hired as his offensive coordinator...he has been out of coaching since 2010 when he was fired from Colorado. He did have a half year stint with Montreal Alouettes (CFL) in 2013, but was fired after just five games. This is not a surprising hire due to Davis' relationship with the AD; however, time will tell if this was the right hire.
Fresno State hires Jeff Tedford. Really good hire IMO for Fresno State. Tedford has an excellent track record (has helped out Washington this year) and always was competitive at California. He probably was a rejection from Garrick McGee away from being our offensive coordinator this year.
Jobs that IMO will become open soon:
Oregon (don't rule them out in the Tom Herman sweepstakes)
Texas Tech
Cincinnati
Kent State
Boston College
Rice
New Mexico State
Jobs that "may" come open soon:
Arizona (Hearing legit rumors Lane Kiffin is possibility)
California (competition for Lane?)
San Jose State
Vanderbilt
UTEP
Texas: This whole thing has been handled completely wrong. You have boosters telling the media that Strong is gone; however, you have an administration that wants to do the right thing and fire him after the year is over. In today's college football world, you have to tell the coach immediately when a move is going to be made and give him the choice to walk away or stay through the end of the year. To make matters worse, it is not a foregone conclusion in my mind that Tom Herman will leave Houston for Texas. A prominent Houston booster told the media yesterday that Herman will not leave Houston because of money. Does Herman even want any part of a completely dysfunctional administration at Texas? Time will tell. Ultimately I still believe Herman ends up taking the job, but they'll end up over paying up to Saban type money to outbid Houston. Herman is in a fantastic spot financially. Larry Fedora (UNC), Phillip Montgomery (Tulsa), Chad Morris (SMU), Dana Holgorsen (WV), and Mike McIntyre (Colorado) appear to be the back up plans...way back, back up plans.
LSU: All the talk surrounds Jimbo Fisher and I do believe this talk is justified. Fisher's agent is playing this perfectly to either get a pay raise at Florida State or get an even bigger contract at LSU. This talk is justified and it is on purpose from the Fisher camp. The lack of aggressiveness from FSU (meaning no contract extensions, facility upgrade talks yet) could end up and allow this deal to happen. If Fisher doesn't take job, Ed Orgeron becomes a legit candidate; however, Mike Gundy (OK State), Larry Fedora (UNC), Tom Herman (maybe looks at this as the better job...I wouldn't disagree), Dana Holgorsen (WV) are all better candidates IMO.
**Dan Mullen at Mississippi State continues to fly under the radar but has had Mississippi State in six straight bowl games in the most difficult division in football without the resources of the schools they play against. If I was the AD of LSU or Texas, I would at least be reaching out to Mullen.
Purdue: The search that has the most relevancy to us. Les Miles is all the talk and it actually would make a lot of sense considering his midwest ties. P.J. Fleck makes a ton of sense here as well; however, it appears that he has not talked to Purdue and won't do so until after the season. Considering the urgency that Purdue's search seems to have, I don't see this happening. They want to have someone hired by as early is this upcoming weekend. Former NFL OC Greg Olson has interviewed, wouldn't be surprised if Georgia OC Jim Chaney hasn't (or is going to) interview, Brock Spack has been mentioned but I feel its a long shot at this point, Troy Calhoun (Air Force) is always involved in coaching search interviews but never seems to land the job or take it. The wild card is Craig Bohl (Wyoming), he built the best program in FCS (ND State) and then has turned around a dismal Wyoming program into a contender in the Mountain West. It worked out pretty good the last time Purdue hired a coach from Wyoming as well. I still think it will be Miles and it could happen as early as next weekend.
Baylor: They are a threat to make a move on Les Miles who would be a phenomenal option to stabilize that program that is in serious disarray. Phillip Montgomery (Tulsa) was a long time Baylor assistant under Briles and is doing a nice job in second season at Tulsa, but I believe this would be too close to the vest and be a terrible PR move although Montgomery would really be a good hire here IMO. Chad Morris at SMU also makes a lot of sense considering his deep Texas ties (similar to Briles that he started as a successful high school coach) but doesn't have the Briles ties that would link him to the scandals that are pre-existing. Sonny Dykes wants out of California so the talk is he wants this job and he is a Texas guy.
Georgia State: This is an intriguing job considering it is a very large institution and sits in one of the nations (if not the) largest recruiting hotbeds in the city of Atlanta. The resources aren't there yet (they did just receive Turner Stadium as their new home) to really bring in a big name; however, if you are a hot coordinator at an ACC or hot recruiter in the SEC, you are probably being looked at right now. There aren't any names that are definitively linked to this job, but if I had the pool of candidates that Georgia State appears to have, I would be considering: Jeff Scott (OC, Clemson), Dell McGee (RB's, Georgia), Bryan McClendon (Co-OC/RB's, South Carolina), Shane Beamer (STC, Georgia), Rhett Lashlee (OC, Auburn), and Mike Bloomgren (OC, Stanford). FCS head coaches could potentially be in play here as well.
Florida International hires Butch Davis. Not only has Butch Davis been out of the game for a few years, neither coordinators are coaching football right now that he hired. Dan Hawkins was just hired as his offensive coordinator...he has been out of coaching since 2010 when he was fired from Colorado. He did have a half year stint with Montreal Alouettes (CFL) in 2013, but was fired after just five games. This is not a surprising hire due to Davis' relationship with the AD; however, time will tell if this was the right hire.
Fresno State hires Jeff Tedford. Really good hire IMO for Fresno State. Tedford has an excellent track record (has helped out Washington this year) and always was competitive at California. He probably was a rejection from Garrick McGee away from being our offensive coordinator this year.
Jobs that IMO will become open soon:
Oregon (don't rule them out in the Tom Herman sweepstakes)
Texas Tech
Cincinnati
Kent State
Boston College
Rice
New Mexico State
Jobs that "may" come open soon:
Arizona (Hearing legit rumors Lane Kiffin is possibility)
California (competition for Lane?)
San Jose State
Vanderbilt
UTEP
Illinois Staff Evaluation
Offensive Staff:
Garrick McGee (OC/QB) - Safe
- Although there has been some questionable play calling and didn't always utilize our personnel as well as he could of, his relationship with Lovie and his overall potential to turn our offense into a respectable system will win out. Considering the circumstances and lack of talent/depth this year, he hasn't been awful.
Thad Ward (RB's) - Safe
- Tremendous find on the recruiting trail who has made serious headway in the St. Louis area as well as South Florida. He is the lead recruiter on almost all of our commits right now. Our RB's have been the only bright spot of our offense.
Andrew Hayes-Stoker - Safe
- His relationship with Lovie will win out here and the jury is still out on him as a recruiter/coach. He hasn't exactly been given a lot to work with.
Bob Ligashesky (TE's/STC) - Not Safe
- I don't believe he'll be around next year. Probably looking at a return to the NFL on his own accord, but our special teams have been less than desirable, most notably his special teams made a Minnesota game look like a blow out when in all reality it was a one score game. Look for Lovie to bring in a guy this time around that has college experience coordinating special teams with a little more recruiting acumen. The only guy I have right now as a candidate is Shannon Moore (TE/STC ECU), we all know Ron Turner is a friend of Lovie's and Moore worked for Turner at FIU.
Luke Butkus (OL) - Not Safe
- He has the name, is an alumn, has worked for Lovie in the past...he just doesn't seem to have what it takes to become the offensive line coach we all want him to be. He is like that team that looks great on paper but can't put it all together on the field. Lovie has fired him before. I'm not sure he and McGee have been on the same page this year. Quite frankly, I think Butkus might be a little hard to get along with. This is McGee's offense and I think he'll get his way. Bob Bostad (former Wisconsin OL coach) is someone I've thought from the beginning would be a great get. Lovie tried to hire him in Chicago but obscurely, didn't retain him in Tampa Bay after he was hired and Bostad was already the OL coach. John Peterson (Akron OL) worked for McGee at UAB. Ohio guy who was longtime Ohio State recruiting coordinator. Chris Klenakis (Co-OC/OL, Louisville) is someone who may become available as many are calling for his head after Louisville offensive line's terrible performance last week against Houston. He worked with McGee at Louisville and Arkansas and I don't think McGee would want anyone else if he became available. He was also a part of the "Pistol" offense revolution at Nevada and you can see his footprint on the Louisville offense...the "Pistol" offense is the direction that I believe McGee is going. Kris Cinkovich is another name, he currently the OC/OL coach at Idaho who has had a tremendous turn around this year becoming bowl eligible. He is working for Paul Petrino (former OC here) and worked with McGee and Petrino at Arkansas.
Defensive Staff:
Hardy Nickerson (DC/LB) - Safe
Not going anywhere unless he wants to. I could see him decide he would rather coach in the NFL, but that seems unlikely at this point.
Mike Phair (DL) - Safe
It has been a disappointing year for our DL considering the expectations, but it has had more to do with the lack of depth than the lack of performance. Our DL has just simply wore down during games due to injuries and reliable back ups. Phair is a really good DL coach and considering his ties to Lovie...he'll be back if he wants to be.
Tim McGarigle (LB's) - Not Safe
Holdover from the Cubit staff, has Chicago ties (not that this has come to fruition yet on the recruiting trail) and seems to be an up and comer. Having said that, I'm just not sold he fits what Lovie wants and I don't think you will see him in O&B next year. Marcus Freeman (LB's Purdue) was rumored to be targeted when Lovie was hired...he played for Lovie in Chicago is someone to really watch considering he will most likely be out of a job after this next weekend.
Paul Williams (DB's) - Not Safe
...Let me be clear, I believe McGarigle and Williams were held over because Lovie couldn't find a replacement last March that he wanted that late in the game. I don't believe either have done enough this year to merit a return. Willie Mack Garza is someone who comes to mind with his experience with the "Tampa" system. He worked for Monte Kiffin at both USC and Tennessee, and worked at ND State when Bob Babich was there and this "Tampa" coaching tree has deep roots with ND State. He is has also successfully recruited the state of Texas in the past which could be important moving forward. He is currently at FCS Lamar coaching DB's.
Offensive Staff:
Garrick McGee (OC/QB) - Safe
- Although there has been some questionable play calling and didn't always utilize our personnel as well as he could of, his relationship with Lovie and his overall potential to turn our offense into a respectable system will win out. Considering the circumstances and lack of talent/depth this year, he hasn't been awful.
Thad Ward (RB's) - Safe
- Tremendous find on the recruiting trail who has made serious headway in the St. Louis area as well as South Florida. He is the lead recruiter on almost all of our commits right now. Our RB's have been the only bright spot of our offense.
Andrew Hayes-Stoker - Safe
- His relationship with Lovie will win out here and the jury is still out on him as a recruiter/coach. He hasn't exactly been given a lot to work with.
Bob Ligashesky (TE's/STC) - Not Safe
- I don't believe he'll be around next year. Probably looking at a return to the NFL on his own accord, but our special teams have been less than desirable, most notably his special teams made a Minnesota game look like a blow out when in all reality it was a one score game. Look for Lovie to bring in a guy this time around that has college experience coordinating special teams with a little more recruiting acumen. The only guy I have right now as a candidate is Shannon Moore (TE/STC ECU), we all know Ron Turner is a friend of Lovie's and Moore worked for Turner at FIU.
Luke Butkus (OL) - Not Safe
- He has the name, is an alumn, has worked for Lovie in the past...he just doesn't seem to have what it takes to become the offensive line coach we all want him to be. He is like that team that looks great on paper but can't put it all together on the field. Lovie has fired him before. I'm not sure he and McGee have been on the same page this year. Quite frankly, I think Butkus might be a little hard to get along with. This is McGee's offense and I think he'll get his way. Bob Bostad (former Wisconsin OL coach) is someone I've thought from the beginning would be a great get. Lovie tried to hire him in Chicago but obscurely, didn't retain him in Tampa Bay after he was hired and Bostad was already the OL coach. John Peterson (Akron OL) worked for McGee at UAB. Ohio guy who was longtime Ohio State recruiting coordinator. Chris Klenakis (Co-OC/OL, Louisville) is someone who may become available as many are calling for his head after Louisville offensive line's terrible performance last week against Houston. He worked with McGee at Louisville and Arkansas and I don't think McGee would want anyone else if he became available. He was also a part of the "Pistol" offense revolution at Nevada and you can see his footprint on the Louisville offense...the "Pistol" offense is the direction that I believe McGee is going. Kris Cinkovich is another name, he currently the OC/OL coach at Idaho who has had a tremendous turn around this year becoming bowl eligible. He is working for Paul Petrino (former OC here) and worked with McGee and Petrino at Arkansas.
Defensive Staff:
Hardy Nickerson (DC/LB) - Safe
Not going anywhere unless he wants to. I could see him decide he would rather coach in the NFL, but that seems unlikely at this point.
Mike Phair (DL) - Safe
It has been a disappointing year for our DL considering the expectations, but it has had more to do with the lack of depth than the lack of performance. Our DL has just simply wore down during games due to injuries and reliable back ups. Phair is a really good DL coach and considering his ties to Lovie...he'll be back if he wants to be.
Tim McGarigle (LB's) - Not Safe
Holdover from the Cubit staff, has Chicago ties (not that this has come to fruition yet on the recruiting trail) and seems to be an up and comer. Having said that, I'm just not sold he fits what Lovie wants and I don't think you will see him in O&B next year. Marcus Freeman (LB's Purdue) was rumored to be targeted when Lovie was hired...he played for Lovie in Chicago is someone to really watch considering he will most likely be out of a job after this next weekend.
Paul Williams (DB's) - Not Safe
...Let me be clear, I believe McGarigle and Williams were held over because Lovie couldn't find a replacement last March that he wanted that late in the game. I don't believe either have done enough this year to merit a return. Willie Mack Garza is someone who comes to mind with his experience with the "Tampa" system. He worked for Monte Kiffin at both USC and Tennessee, and worked at ND State when Bob Babich was there and this "Tampa" coaching tree has deep roots with ND State. He is has also successfully recruited the state of Texas in the past which could be important moving forward. He is currently at FCS Lamar coaching DB's.
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***Baylor Update***
Zeroed in on Chad Morris (SMU - Head Coach). Former OC at Clemson and former successful Texas high school coach. He has done a really good job at SMU and has the spread offense you have to have to win in the state of Texas. His spread is based off of Gus Malzahn's system and is still being ran by Clemson. He also has zero ties to the Briles regime, which is exactly what this program needs.
Zeroed in on Chad Morris (SMU - Head Coach). Former OC at Clemson and former successful Texas high school coach. He has done a really good job at SMU and has the spread offense you have to have to win in the state of Texas. His spread is based off of Gus Malzahn's system and is still being ran by Clemson. He also has zero ties to the Briles regime, which is exactly what this program needs.
With Peanut officially retired what are chances he would be interested in DB coach?
I find Texas job funny with the way they have handled their coaching recently are they really believing that any top of line coach will come? Texas isn't even best job in the state anymore. Big 12 not what it used to be and is harder to recruit especially with some of the other teams in state becoming better and better. Plus all the other top schools coming in the state. They just aren't what they were and unless something happens to Big 12 they never will be
I find Texas job funny with the way they have handled their coaching recently are they really believing that any top of line coach will come? Texas isn't even best job in the state anymore. Big 12 not what it used to be and is harder to recruit especially with some of the other teams in state becoming better and better. Plus all the other top schools coming in the state. They just aren't what they were and unless something happens to Big 12 they never will be
Makes sense for both parties.
I don't believe Peanut has much interest at the time to coach but I could be wrong. Chris Harris who played under Lovie has coached since retiring. He coached under Trestman in Chicago and now is Asst. DB Coach with the Chargers. I do believe that Lovie is interested in bringing in former players on his staff, however, a lot of the star players from those years aren't involved with coaching at the time so it's hard to gauge whether they would be interested or not. The idea also concerns me as many former athletes misunderstand the time and energy it takes to be a college football coach with recruiting being a 24/7 365 day job.
2ndGenIllini
- Chambana
Les Miles setting up camp in West Lafayette would not bode well for us.
Les Miles will not accept that job unless there are some "in writing" promises for facility upgrades and much larger football resources budget. I don't believe it is a done deal. Les Miles will get another job and he is sitting on a few offers to be a TV analyst that could be quite lucrative without all the extra time it takes to run a major football program. He can be patient. The real question is if Purdue is ready to pony up.
I do agree that Les Miles would throw a wrench in as far as recruiting goes. Les Miles would also leave the moment he gets another offer in the SEC or a larger program.
2ndGenIllini
- Chambana
Agreed. Miles has no incentive to have already agreed to a deal with Purdue. I'm not saying it couldnt happen, but I feel theres no way he already has agreed to something without playing the field first
Already under construction I believe. Certainly already planned and budgeted for.
I'd rather have Charlie Strong if I were them.
You left out the most important part "upgrade to football resources" which essentially means more money. The talk is Les Miles made it perfectly clear to Purdue that for them to compete they need to significantly increase their resources. Purdue is probably trying to secure those resources. If they have the money available, I believe Miles is their Head Coach by next Monday.
I gotta tell ya, I have been out of the coaching carousel game because we've locked down Lovie, and I miss it. The rumors! The innuendo! The schadenfreude!
2ndGenIllini
- Chambana
Why would Miles go to Purdue before hearing from better programs?
I'm not saying he wouldn't wait to hear from other programs. I was referring to the fact that Purdue wants to move really fast when the season is over to get on recruiting as quickly as possible. I also know that Les Miles has talked to Purdue and gave specific demands that need to be met for him to take the job. Les Miles doesn't have to take this job and can wait...he doesn't even need to coach next year and still receive some serious money from LSU. He would make a great analyst in the mean time. He wants to coach, he is from Ohio, loves the Big 10. The Michigan job (that he covets) won't be open any time in the near future unless Harbaugh gets bored. This makes sense for Miles, but I do believe if he goes to Purdue, he would jump at the first top tier SEC/Big 12/ACC job that comes available.
I was just reporting that Purdue wants to move quickly and all signs point to Les Miles.
True wasn't really sure with the fact he came to campus and talks so highly of Lovie. That's why i asked wasn't sure if he had interest in coaching or not. If he was think with his ability to get turnovers and teaching that to the players would be great.
I think he definitely would be a really good DB coach. I know for a fact he loves this university and pretty sure he wouldn't turn it down if offered. He would be an excellent recruiter for the St Louis area and I think today he tweeted out something about St Louis taking over U of I. Also he might be great for him to stay in St Louis being able to be in his players ears. There is no doubt he talks highly of the Illini still and him coaching in ESL may not be bad either.
Terry Hawthorne is someone that the staff is really creating a relationship with and they are on a full court press in the St. Louis metro area. I don't believe Hawthorne would immediately brought on as an on field assistant, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him in a football/recruiting ops role this offseason. The trend in college football (led by Harbaugh) is to bring in high school coaches from strategic areas of the country in administrative roles. They handle a lot of the recruiting in season allowing coaches to focus on the task at hand. They also already have solid relationships with the players and coaches in the area. This has worked out extremely well for the likes of Alabama, Michigan, amongst others. Lovie has talked extensively about continuing to broaden their staff and this is how he will do it IMO.