Gattis Head Coaching Candidacy

Submitted by Mgoblue0405 on December 9th, 2021 at 3:33 PM

I saw things with the Virginia Head Coaching position have taken a turn for the worse with hiring Clemson's OC to be the new head coach. Now its sounding like Gattis is getting some momentum with Virginia in their search. Anyone with knowledge of the situation?

Football

Nervous Bird

December 9th, 2021 at 7:00 PM ^

Part of any school's calculus is getting a guy installed in time to recruit - so a candidate is much more valuable RIGHT NOW than he will be in just a few weeks. It's a really shitty system they've created.

The early signing period has been a mistake. It really puts new coaches, conference finalists, and playoff teams at a disadvantage. There is only 2 weeks to recruit many of the best players before they can sign. Contrasted with the previous 2 months until National Signing Day, 2 weeks simply isn't enough time.

Further, I'd steer clear of Virginia if I were Gattis. He can coach, he can scheme. But, they've had 3 winning seasons in the last dozen years. I don't know if that's a place and build a head coaching career. Let a non-Broyles award winner take THAT job. He should wait for a school more conducive to building a consistent program. 

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Derek

December 9th, 2021 at 8:50 PM ^

Granted. What I meant is that I think Gattis wants more time developing now that he's gotten over the hump to become a good coordinator. As he emphasized, he doesn't have much experience leading a unit, let alone a whole program. This year, I think any rumors in this area are basically signals to establish his market value so that he can get a raise, which Michigan will happily provide. Maybe this is just motivated reasoning, but think Brent Venables, not Jimmy Lake.

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Mr. Elbel

December 9th, 2021 at 5:40 PM ^

I mean, as someone who lives near Charlottesville and is I guess technically a UVA fan (in the I own a tshirt kind of way), if Gattis had to land somewhere this offseason, I wouldn't be mad if it was at UVA. I just wish he'd wait for a few years or so until JJ graduates.

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Leaders And Best

December 9th, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^

Given the current HC salaries in the Power 5, can't blame Gattis for taking the Virginia job if offered. I still think he might turn it down for a couple reasons:

1. Virginia is now on to their 3rd choice (that we know of) after negotiations broke down with two other candidates. That would be a red flag for me.

2. I doubt Gattis would leave before the CFP semifinal which would put him at a huge disadvantage given how late he would be getting the job. If he had been hired a couple weeks ago, it would have given him the opportunity to set up a preliminary staff to recruit for the early signing date.

3. Gattis and Brent Pry are supposedly friends from their time together on James Franklin's staff at Vanderbilt and PSU. There was even a rumor that Pry was going to try to target Gattis as his OC at VT. Is he going to want to compete head-to-head against a friend with Pry at VT?

Given the players Michigan is returning next year on offense, I could see Gattis coming back and trying again the next cycle, but Power 5 jobs that fit don't always come every year.

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UMinSF

December 10th, 2021 at 12:44 AM ^

Bo and Woody were friends too. Tons of friends/mentor/mentees who end up on opposite sidelines, that's just part of the business. Hell, GMatt jumped directly from UM to OSU (traitor)!

Your other points make sense, however. Seems like UVa isn't giving prospective coaches what they're seeking, and it's getting VERY close to the early signing period. 

Unlike some here, I don't see UVa as a bad first HC landing spot. You're not likely to get a great situation for your first job, and the ACC is hardly murderer's row.

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TennesseeMaize

December 9th, 2021 at 7:54 PM ^

As a state, VA has some tremendous recruits… none of whom want to attend Virginia. 
 

it’s a job set up to fail. At some point; he’ll find his Hc job and we’ll wish him well.

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Ryno2317

December 9th, 2021 at 8:16 PM ^

Gattis is not leaving before our season is over.  If he leaves, it will be because Chip Kelly took the Oregon job and Gattis is offered the UCLA job in January.  That job would be too good to pass up.  Otherwise, I don't think he is leaving just yet.  

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Nervous Bird

December 9th, 2021 at 10:18 PM ^

Funny story, my wife and I met at UM. A couple of years back, we were leaving a restaurant, store or something in Brentwood. Driving back to our hotel, we stumbled upon the UCLA campus. For a quick minute, my wife almost forgot how much we love Michigan. She was enamored! Her quote - "wow, I would've liked going to college in Beverly Hills". LOL So, yeah, if UCLA offered him the HC job, that's an understandable take!

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Team 101

December 9th, 2021 at 8:19 PM ^

If you hire a young coach to be your coordinator you want him to leave to become a head coach.  That means you hired a good coach who is driven.  The good ones are going to get offers to be a head coach.

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Kolesar99

December 10th, 2021 at 10:26 AM ^

If Gattis' playcalling in the last two games (against OSU and Iowa) is reflective of how he will call games going forward, then it will be very unfortunate to lose him.  But if he intends to revert to the pre-OSU playcalling, then he is very replacable.  

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