If a P5 job doesn't work out it still looks pretty good on the resume. Worst case you're back where you started at DC somewhere (but quite a bit richer) or HC at a smaller program, with the possibility of a 2nd chance. Non-P5 doesn't work out your options become more limited (and you're not as rich).
Coaching Carousel
- Status
True, big risk but big reward and more of a chance to restart if you fail at P5 early. We will see what happens.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- Batavia
I love the idea of bringing in Leonhard, but perhaps promoting Henry is the move. Leonhard may be looking to springboard to a super high profile DC or more likely HC job, and may only stick around for a year or two at most. Henry would keep the continuity, and if he leaves after just a few years, well, our defense will have been pretty darn good won't it?
I’d guess it will be kane as our next dc if RW leaves. But that’s just my educated guess, along with we’d have no chance with Leonard as our next dc.
If someone says I'm going to give you $3-$4 million for 5 years to come work for me, you say YES.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
This is a persistently underdiscussed factor. It's not just his alma mater, it's his dad's too. Eric Bieniemy used to babysit Walters when he was a toddler.
Walters is no fool and will make sure he's offered the contract and resources he needs and deserves, but this is a once in a lifetime dream opportunity and if he's the choice he's taking it unless Colorado royally screws up.
The fullness of the story is a win for Walters, a win for Colorado and an unequivocal win for Illinois. This is what being good at football looks like.
(Also, perhaps most importantly of all, it's a hilarious L for Mizzou)
It’s a hell of a deal.
And by no means am I arguing that taking all that money isn’t a great thing. Just that if he wants to succeed as a HC at a high level (and he wants to bring his alma mater back to prominence) he might be jumping the gun.
If RW got a G5 job now and succeeded, in 4 years he’d be just as attractive to a P5 school, would have more experience, more connections, and possibly an already built staff to bring with him.
Considering Colorado’s track record, the job will be open again in 3-4 years so if he wants to coach at his alma mater, that opportunity will be there again.
If he goes and fails now, would they rehire him after going back through the 5-10 year process of reestablishing himself? Would he be able to wipe the stink off of continuing the Colorado program tank job? Would fans want him back?
I’m just rambling now, it’s all just interesting discussion. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
My unsolicited advice: if someone hands you your dream job, take it.
To me, this is his biggest hurdle to success. He’s a young guy, will he have the connections to assemble a quality staff? We know he’s very good, but his time will be spread thin with all kinds of HC duties.
Maybe, what if Walter's offers him the DC job at CU?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
If Kevin Kane is the new DC, Henry could backfill Kane's gussied-up AHC role/salary.
And then your new OLB/Edge coach is the best recruiter you can find.
The structure of our staff is quite well executed, I think. Though the structure is only as good as the human beings occupying the roles.
Ryllini
- Lombard
He has to take it no question, but you hit it with the connections. Are there that many qualified coaches that will be beating down a 37 year old coach’s door? Who is his agent? Agents are very important in connecting people. From what I understand is kind of how Walters ended up hooking up with BB.
I hope he stays, but wish him the best of luck should he go. This is was being good is.
I was being both facetious and being hopeful.
But, yes, it’s all his if he wants it.
if RW leaves, why exactly would BB have no chance in attracting Leonard to Champaign ?
im not saying we have a great chance, but certainly not no chance.
Its close to his already established recruiting area, and its a chance to stick it to Wiscy every year.
AND if you come to a fork in the road, take it!
Could be that his Wisconsin history/connection trumps his vindictive side, and he’d prefer not to play them every year. Given that he’ll likely have options, if he doesn’t want to play them regularly he won’t have to.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Didn’t Bret have some ties with Leonard? I have no idea how it will play out, but I’m quite certain we have a plan in place if RW leaves.
AND, if your friends tell you to jump off a bridge, you.....wait, I'm confused.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I mean who knows what Leonhard wants, but coming here would be kind of all downside no upside for him.
It would be basically impossible for him to outperform what Walters did this year or what he himself did as a B1G DC in the couple of years prior. And even if he does great, it's still within the bosom of the Wisconsin coaching universe.
I'm sure Leonhard is very disappointed right now, he just had his dream job rather surprisingly snatched from him.
His is a weird resume, he got started so late because of his long NFL career and then achieved massive success almost immediately, but only at his alma mater in a situation it's difficult to picture him outside of. The only other job he ever was reported to be close to taking was the Packers DC job, it's like a parody of Wisconsin Guy.
He'll have higher profile and more remunerative offers than this (including just staying as Fickell's DC, a move Fickell himself once parlayed successfully), but I'm not so sure a year at Nick Saban Analyst Academy isn't his savviest move right now. Get outside the nest and take a look at things from a different perspective. He's 41, there's nothing but time. He's only been a football coach for seven years.
Last edited:
Pretty sure Venables turned down multiple HC offers before taking the OK job
Look no further than the last hot, young assistant coach to take a HC gig out of Illinois as to why you always take that job.
Mike Locksley was 40 years old when he took the New Mexico job and it quite literally could not have gone worse for him both off and on the field.
He still got re-hired as an assistant at Maryland and eventually rose to OC and then given a “prove it” stint as interim HC, where it again was a disaster.
He still got re-hired as an assistant at Alabama and eventually rose to OC, won national titles, won the Broyles award as assistant coach of the year, and got re-hired as HC right back at Maryland. And maybe third time is the charm, with the Terps in their second straight bowl season for the first time since 13-14.
The point is, if you’re a young, talented assistant coach, you’re going to keep getting chances. Take the money and run, now.
AND...if you're not dead, you're not done! (although maybe done IN!)
All I know is RW won’t be our DC forever and definitely not past next year if he has another season like this year.
If he does leave this year, good luck to him! BB didn’t do the G5 route and has had a lot of success (and some speed bumps to be fair). And BB is probably mentoring RW on navigating these waters right now.
If RW finds the right situation at the right time, he will do great.
If he does leave this year, good luck to him! BB didn’t do the G5 route and has had a lot of success (and some speed bumps to be fair). And BB is probably mentoring RW on navigating these waters right now.
If RW finds the right situation at the right time, he will do great.
BB’s stint at Belichick’s Boardinghouse for Orphaned Football Coaches seems to have worked for him.
That’s true. But to be fair Brent’s a weird dude lol
- Status