Coaching Candidates Part 1: The Power 5
WELP. When you're a four point dog to Rutgers it's time to start keeping an eye on potential new head coaches.
Pipedreams
Jim Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, Kevin Sumlin, and various others are not discussed because you know who those people are and it's unlikely Michigan secures them. They're passed over primarily because they're obviously desirable. You don't need to be told Jim Harbaugh seems like a good idea.
Too old
It's not worth the risk to hire anyone approaching retirement except in very specific circumstances like "this is the only head coach we've ever been any good under"—looking at you, Kansas State. So out go David Cutcliffe (60), Mike Riley (61), Gary Pinkel (62), and, uh, Kirk Ferentz (59), because it would be ULTIMATE MICHIGAN to go after Kirk Ferentz. I'd take Art Briles in a hot second even though he's 58, but he's also lumped in here or pipedreams since he seems impossible to pry out of Waco. 61-year-old Les Miles is also in this group. If he had a time, it was 2007. I'm not saying there's no chance… but there isn't much of one. And you already know all about him anyway.
Gentlemen of note, then.
Power 5 Head Coaches
Look before we name a name you're going to be all like "oh what if Michigan is a poor cultural fit with the spread shouldn't we go get a pro-style guy or something"… there just aren't many to consider. I included the obvious guy.
![10987976-large[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/3b82d7dcf7dc_CDF1/10987976-large1.jpg "10987976-large[1]")
DAN MULLEN, MISSISSIPPI STATE
BASICS: 40-28 in his sixth season in Starkville. SEC record 17-24, which is actually rather good for a Bulldogs head coach. Was Urban Meyer's OC before that, and his QB coach at BGSU and Utah. 42.
PROS: Turned previously inept MSU into decent program. Young. High level experience in recruiting wars and as national-championship-level OC.
CONS: Has acquired a great deal of his wins against tomato-can laden nonconference schedule and still struggles to win half his SEC games. Reaction to recent suspension of starting OL for multiple in-game stomping incidents was from the Dave Brandon school of PR.
OVERALL: Desirability on a knife edge right now. If he follows up LSU win with season that sees Mississippi State end up a solid top 25 program he will be a hot name. Slip down to the 7/8 win level he's been at and it's questionable.
![Mike-Gundy[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/3b82d7dcf7dc_CDF1/Mike-Gundy1.jpg "Mike-Gundy[1]")
MIKE GUNDY, OKLAHOMA STATE
BASICS: Is a man. Is 47. In his tenth season at Okie State, 80-39 record with one Big Twelve championship and Fiesta Bowl win; two other ten-win seasons. Before that was Les Miles's OC.
PROS: Good coach who can insert any sentient being at quarterback and see that guy/spaceplant pass for 300 yards. Young for a guy with a decade as a head coach. Knows what he wants his program to be.
CONS: Availability questionable. Is currently at alma mater and has T. Boone backing him. Last time Michigan pried a dude away from his alma mater things went poorly, partially because of the reputation a man acquires when he leaves his home base. May not have left Oklahoma except for road games in 30 years.
OVERALL: If you can get him, hell yes. Probably can't get him.
[After THE JUMP: the last manball unicorn]
TODD GRAHAM, ARIZONA STATE
![810436197[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/3b82d7dcf7dc_CDF1/8104361971.jpg "810436197[1]")
BASICS: Been a head coach since 2006 at four different stops including one-year stints at Rice and Pitt. Had three ten-win seasons with Tulsa, guided ASU to a 10-4 season with an 8-1 Pac 12 record last year. 21-10 so far in his career. Before that was the DC at Tulsa. 49.
PROS: Successful everywhere he's been that he was at for more than a year. Despite defensive orientation, runs effective, high tempo offenses.
CONS: Wears Britney Spears mic on sidelines. Inveterate job-hopper. Bad haircut.
OVERALL: Bo would die again if Michigan had a guy with that mic.
![628x471[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/3b82d7dcf7dc_CDF1/628x4711.jpg "628x471[1]")
DAVID SHAW, STANFORD
BASICS: 37-8 in three years as Stanford's head coach with three BCS appearances. was Harbaugh's OC for four years prior to that and his WR/QB coach at San Diego. Before that was an NFL assistant with the Raiders and Ravens. 42. Seems poachable what with Stanford's attendance struggles and his relatively modest salary.
PROS: The last manball unicorn. Literally the only successful pro-style college head coach who might be available. Great record, has plenty of experience coping with spread offenses, and in year four concerns that he's just riding Harbaugh's coattails are minimal. Operates in high academic environment; already proficient at selling the kind of guys who want to go to Michigan.
CONS: Punted from his own 29 in the midst of dominating USC and still losing to them, a Lloyd Carr callback I would prefer not to relive. Stanford alum experiencing great success at his alma mater, remember last time we poached guy from alma mater, etc.
OVERALL: Despite the punting thing and the boggling USC loss would be a hire that checks every last box. I'd live with the offense, assuming he could in fact implement it.
![20ee92f8b9b904d9835584952a5e411e[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/3b82d7dcf7dc_CDF1/20ee92f8b9b904d9835584952a5e411e1.jpg "20ee92f8b9b904d9835584952a5e411e[1]")
BUTCH JONES, TENNESSEE
BASICS: Took over for Brian Kelly when he left CMU for Cincinnati, then took over for Brian Kelly when he left Cincinnati for Notre Dame. Improved both of those programs, with CMU having an undefeated MAC season en route to a 11-2 record and taking Cincinnati to two Big East Championships. 5-7 in his first year at Tennessee, currently 2-2. 46.
PROS: Age. Michigan native. Good amount of experience at places that are not naturally successful. Seems to have made Tennessee a lot better this year—they just about beat Georgia.
CONS: RR/Kelly associations may poison well both ways. Leaving Tennessee after two years would be a hard sell. Vols could match any offer.
OVERALL: If he is amenable to courting, I would court. Relying on M's historical place in the firmament over Tennessee's somewhat more dubious place in the cutthroat SEC to do so.
![Kevin-Wilson[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/3b82d7dcf7dc_CDF1/Kevin-Wilson1.jpg "Kevin-Wilson[1]")
KEVIN WILSON, INDIANA
BASICS: Longtime OC at Miami (Not That Miami), Northwestern, and Oklahoma got the Indiana job in 2011. After 1-11 opener has turned IU into a chaos team that can win or lose any game with their lightning speed offense and horrendous defense. 52.
PROS: Indiana's offense.
CONS: Indiana's defense.
OVERALL: I'm not seeing it. Offense is pretty gimmicky, hasn't actually gotten to a bowl game. While I'm usually skeptical of arguments that the things that happen when your defense is off the field have a major impact on it, the extreme tempo that Indiana uses to be competitive is an exception.
OTHERS
NW's Pat Fitzgerald seemed more attractive four years ago. So did TCU's Gary Patterson. If Paul Chryst could actually put together a nice season for Pitt he'd be a guy to look at, but he hasn't so far. Randy Edsall might not be the worst idea in the world and how depressing is that? Al Golden might get sick of Miami, but his tenure so far isn't amazing. If Gary Andersen's amenable I'm interested; don't think that's likely. Oregon's Mark Helfrich is only paid 1.8 million dollars so Michigan could sniff around to secure him a nice raise. Bret Bielema… nevermind.
*shudders*
October 1st, 2014 at 12:32 PM ^
All I see is Hoke 2.0, likely without 2 on-paper, but not sure of in real life coordinator stars (Nuss & GMAT).
Damn it Hoke, win the games we are favored in, add in 1 upset and get another year. Please!
October 1st, 2014 at 1:33 PM ^
Out of mere idle curiosity, which games are those?
October 1st, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
Michigan must go after the top 4 candidates on the list, pipe dream or not. And go after them hard. Do not take no for an answer. We absolutely cannot afford to fuck this up again.
My top 4:
Jim Harbaugh
Art Briles
David Shaw
Dan Mullen
October 1st, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
Well, aside from Haubaugh, I think I would go with Dave Doeren.
If he can finish off this season with a turnaround at NC State then I would be all for Doeren.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
Tom Brady
October 1st, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
I think it's extremely likely that older (55+) guys are on the table for this hire, particularly if Brandon (or another corporate guy) is doing the search:
(1) It's a common tactic for a big corporation, if no obvious homerun CEO hire is available, to hire an older guy as a de facto caretaker. I.e., you know an old guy can get up to speed quickly with experience and isn't planning to be there for a long time - you essentially set up a wink wink agreement that its a 5-7 year gig and that he will help you transition to a great younger candidate when that's available.
(2) What's needed is a guy who has the authority and respect to crack heads and clean up shop. That's not necessarily the guy you want to be here for 20 years, because he wont make any friends putting out the tire fire. But it helps if the guy has years of experience. "Don't like the way I do this? Want to push back? I've won [x] SEC championships. What the hell have you done?"
(3) The cupboard isn't bare, and they should take a shot at winning big next season. No point in living through the spool up growing pains of a coordinator who's never coached at this level, or a lower lever guy who's about to be thrown into the fire against the likes of Dantonio or Meyer. Someone who might need a year or two to figure out how to win at the level isn't what's needed now - you want to staunch the bleeding and win with the talent you have on hand today.
So Brian, I urge you to at least do a post for the "too old" guys too.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 4:36 PM ^
He ain't coming. Besides he said on the Mike & Mike show this morning that Hoke was a good friend of his. He's not going to take his place. Certainly not after the way he's been treated.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^
We need Gundy!!!
October 1st, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^
Pruitt & Nuss, together again!
October 1st, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
I know this seems like a pipe dream too, as he's in that golden age of... age... but what about Tony Dungy? Minnesota ties, B1G fan, coaches character, etc. And I've heard his name thrown around for various head coaching NFL jobs. Is he entirely ungettable?
October 1st, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
I think his coaching days are done, but if he goes anywhere it will be the NFL. Bill Martin had Dungy as his first choice in 2007 but that won't nowhere. He has said repeatedly in the past that he's not a college head coach.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
I think his coaching days are done, but if he goes anywhere it will be the NFL. Bill Martin had Dungy as his first choice in 2007 but that won't nowhere. He has said repeatedly in the past that he's not a college head coach.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
I'm an Arizona State alum, live in Phoenix and love ASU football. I grew up in Ypsi, season tix to Big House from Anthony Carter to Jim Harbaugh, love Michigan football.
I'd hate to lose Graham at ASU, but if I had to, I'd hope it was to Michigan.
He's a legit good coach. His RichRod ties that I've seen mentioned are... well the two men hate each other. And now they coach rival teams, and Graham has beaten him every game. All of the criticism I've heard of the guy when he got the job here hasn't been seen in reality since he's shown up. There really isn't any negatives, other than his odd and terrible use/waste of timeouts. He's recruited well, brought back and reinforced some good traditions that Dennis Erickson squandered, and took what was nearly the most penalized team in the nation and turned them into one of the least penalized teams in one season. He has strict locker room rules for his players and maintains high standards for their off-the-field behavior that seems to work. And he's won. Not every game, but for the first time in over a decade, it feels like ASU is finally heading in the right direction.
I don't see him leaving ASU, though. Partly because he's doing good things and ASU is on the rise... but partly because I think he's a better fit for the Pac-12 and he knows it.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
If David Shaw leaves Stanford it would probably be for the NFL. I also doubt Gundy will go anywhere. Todd Graham is a mercenary with bad defense who wouldn't be a fit here. Al Golden and Gary Andersen don't do anything for me. Paul Chryst has losses to Akron and FCS schools on his resume. Kevin Wilson is an absolute NO. Dan Mullen is known as a spread guy who probably wouldn't fly here.
Butch Jones might be the best most realistic guy, though it probably wouldn't be the most exciting for the fan base. Same for Randy Edsall.
There are some other options Michigan might have to look at, especially if Dave Brandon is still calling the shots and they can't get anyone good. Brandon wanted guys last time who had head coaching experience and recruiting ties in the Midwest.
Dave Doeren - North Carolina State: Was a good DC at Wisconsin, took over for Jerry Kill at Northern Illinois and got them to a BCS game - not bad for a MAC coach. But he inherited Jordan Lynch and a lot of those players. Just took FSU to the brink and appears to be turning NC State around.
Steve Addazio - Boston College: I don't want him, but he is someone Brandon would probably look at out of desperation. Hasn't been all that impressive, but not terrible. Was Urban Meyer's OC, like Mullen.
Scott Shafer - Syracuse: Had a terrible year as DC in 2008, but was undermined by Rich Rod's cronies. Decent DC, mediocre head coach so far. Recruited Denard Robinson as a CB. Don't want him, but might be a candidate if pickings are slim.
Jim Mora Jr - UCLA: Probably won't leave UCLA as he's a west coast guy. Wouldn't mind him but unlikely.
Kyle Flood - Rutgers: If he has success this season, maybe he'll get a look.
Mark Stoops -Kentucky: Recruiting well. Kentucky seems to be improved but only year 2 as a head coach. Was a good DC.
Greg Schiano - Unemployed: Might be the best guy available. He did well at Rutgers but never won HUGE. Does have Bill Belichick vouching for him. Tampa Bay was a dumpster fire.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
Much as I hate to say it, I believe that this means Brandon stays. We have voices. Ross has a quarter of a million dollars given to the U.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
The time is now! ;-)
October 1st, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
under discussion in the OP. Shaw looks like a good possibility to me, and Mullen could be, too. I still think this needs to be a protracted search in which dozens of hot young coaches are considered. If there's a Beilein at a mid-major, great. But let's not forget that Beilein was at a lot of small schools first. There's a bright, capable, and upright guy out there, I'm convinced. And since more schools now run spread or use spread concepts, let's bag the insistence on one style and go for the best coach.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:59 PM ^
If we hire Todd Graham can someone make a "Take Off The Damn Headset" shirt that I substitute for my current "Wear The Damn Headset" shirt?
October 1st, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
on Hoke being hired. This pleases me to hear that he believes the Harbaugh boys are out.That math works right?
October 1st, 2014 at 1:33 PM ^
it would suck. Fortunately, it turned out great.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
If age isn't an issue .......Lou Holtz
/s
October 1st, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
FYI - I wrote in depth analysis of each in diaries this week on 3 of the candidates - Mullen, Graham, Jones.
Jones is currently the 4th highest paid coach in the NCAA. So to pry him from TN you are going to give him Saban money for a guy who has a good not great record. He probably would be ranked 25th-3oth overall in NCAA coaches right now in terms of on field results. He did fine at Cincy but not as well as Brian Kelly. But that's not the point, he is currently paid as if he is a top 5 coach, so you'd be throwing top 1 coach money at him to make him leave? Doesnt make sense.
Mullen has a very limited set of wins over Big 5 >.500 teams in his 5 years.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
There I said it...I wanted this guy to replace Carr and we hired RR instead....the guy can win and is a michigan man deep down (he always wanted to coach us)....Hell if he came aboard, we'd be in National CHampionship playoffs for years to come....Offer him Saban money and its over....
October 1st, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^
"Spaceplant"
I laughed.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^
And donate to the AD for the "Bring a Harbaugh back to Ann Arbor" fund. Reality shmeality, JUST LET ME DREAM!!
October 1st, 2014 at 1:21 PM ^
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October 1st, 2014 at 1:29 PM ^
I'd still look at Gary Patterson; just think he can coach. Also, I've mentioned Jerry Kill before. He also can really coach (is a winner) and I believe has his health concerns in control. He's learned how to take care of his health much better.
I bet any doctor would say his health is much better than Hoke's.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
those guys good news. But I would go one step further. Send Hoke packing after the next ridiculous loss. Then put Nuss in charge. There's more hope with that than there is with the status quo.
If he's a Luke Fickell then you do the same coach search you would have done if you kept Hoke. If he's a Steve Fisher then you have your man.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:55 PM ^
...was also an interim coach with an initially uncertain future.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:43 PM ^
David Shaw or Dan Mullen please.
Shaw - I know he gets critiqued for his Lloyd Carrness, but he has far less talent than Carr ever had. Yes, Stanford is recruiting well now but most of the team is 3 star guys and their defense is flat out nasty and has been in each of the seasons he's been there.
Mullen - Very good defenses and modern spread option offense. He gets critiqued for not winning the big games but the gap in talent between Mississippi State and the traditional SEC powers is huge. He's also from Pennsylvania so would be able to recruit the region well.
Not high on anyone else. Gundy's teams never play defense. Absolutely he ll no on Tood Graham.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:48 PM ^
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October 1st, 2014 at 1:50 PM ^
Seem to be more desireable candidates out there than I thought. Though he may be the most unrealistic, I'd love to see Gundy, provided there isn't a Rich Rod-esque culture clash as Brian alluded to.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:52 PM ^
I've said this before, but I think his record at Pitt is better than it looks at first glance. Dave Wannstedt went 42-31 (.575) and was 1-1 in bowl games. Todd Graham went 6-6 (.500) and didn't coach the bowl game in his one chaos season at Pitt. Paul Chryst has gone 16-15 (.516) and 1-1 in bowl games since, after inheriting a deeply problematic situation.
Yes that record is not great, and yes that may be enough to preclude us from considering him. But taking over for a guy who coached 90% of one season and left after starting but not fully implementing major structural changes to program that hasn't really been all that successful since the early 80s is asking A LOT.
Maybe he'll look better later on in the season? Or not. They did lose badly to Akron...
October 1st, 2014 at 2:01 PM ^
Ed Orgeron- Did a good job given the tire fire that was given to him mid-season at USC (zero connection to Big Ten and Midwest)
Kirby Smart- Throw some money at him and see if he budges (total SEC guy though). Then again the current ex-Alabama coordinator is struggling.
Greg Roman- If we can't hire Jim Harbaugh, we take his Offensive Coordinator from Stanford and the 49ers. Seems to have done a good job at both places.
Sean McDonnell- U of NH Head Coach, part of the "New Hampshire Mafia" (sorry its a wikipedia term), has won a lot, buddies with Chip Kelly and Mark Helfrich. Yes, he's a FCS guy and he's 57.
Bill O'Brien- Not going to happen, without big $$$, JJ Watt retiring from football mid-season, Dave Brandon disappers and resurfaces several months later walking barefoot through the world looking for the best slice of pizza (and thereby over-marketing it and adding loud ingredients to ruin its family-recipe), and all alumni sign a gag-order not to speak to or of him for 3 years.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^
First time commenter. Palo Alto native, long-time Stanford season-ticket holder, recent UM MBA grad. Thought I could offer some insight on Shaw.
I think he's easily more of a long-shot than Jim Harbaugh. In no particular order, here's why:
- Essentially has a lifetime contract at Stanford. If he wins six games per season and runs a clean program, he'll never be on the hot seat.
- Takes every opportunity to explicitly re-state his dedication to Stanford and lack of interest in any other position, even at the NFL level
- Stanford is simultaneously a better and easier job than Michigan right now. Very low pressure from alumni or media (see above). In the minds of high school kids with grades, Stanford is a bigger-name program than Michigan (which is incredible to consider). Better level of competition, even with the addition of Colorado and Utah.
- Just bought a (large, expensive, beachfront) home near Santa Cruz, and his kids just started school in the Bay Area
- Has no connection to UM (that I know of, anyway)
Shaw would be a home run hire, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Much more likely to get a Harbaugh.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
Since this is major college football, and you are going to be throwing million$ at someone, and that list is very uninspiring...if it were up to me, Id throw one final dance card at Les Miles.
Yeah, he is 61, but he is a damned young 61 and looks/acts/talks like he is 10 years younger. Hell, he is in better shape than Brady Hoke, who is no spring chicken himself.
Toss the money at Les, see if you can get him for about 5-6 years and then groom a coach-in-waiting (some of his assistants have done decently as HCs). Les's would turn the team around and have them competitive within 2 years, maybe win a couple BT championships and make a playoff before he retires.
IMO that is the best possible scenario, which wont happen if Brandon is there.
Other than Les, I guess...Butch Jones...because....? Young, moderately successful and from the state.
Are there any successful young Schembechlers at the FCS level who are rocking it? I know its not going to be popular to look at a coach from that level, but Ohio State did it with Tressel..sometimes it works.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:26 PM ^
I can't see anybody that any of us want coming to Michigan with Brandon still the AD. He's toxic and I don't see that getting better. Brandon's buyout is multi-million dollars. If he's fired for cause, the university doesn't have to pay it, but firing him for cause invites a lawsuit that I doubt they want to get involved in. If there's a smoking gun proving Brandon's malfeasance and incomptence, the buyout could probably be negotiated down, but we're still talking about what? A million? 1.5? It's hard to see them shelling out that kind of money while also having to pay Hoke's buyout. So we're fucked until 2016. Unless... Kickstarter to pay Brandon's buyout. Who's in?
October 1st, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^
Teryl Austin Defnsive Coordinator for the Lions. Maybe Paul Guenther are they stretches. Pep Hamilton might be someone we look at. Now here is a stretch and I know his age will bother some people but if we throw a offer and get Mike Shanahan maybe he will come to Ann Arbor. I know the situation at the Redskins in how left went bad but maybe he could get us back on track.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:55 PM ^
I'd prefer to take a shot at Mike Gundy. I think he brings the kind of youthful energy that is desperately needed around here. Gundy also has a very solid offensive system that should not take long to implement. Gundy sticks up for his players, who absolutely love him, and he coaches in bedlam each year, which is the closest thing any coach has to the M / OSU rivalry.
Call me crazy but I don't think David Shaw is all that great. I think the argument could still be made that Shaw is still riding high on the horse Harbaugh came in on. I'm tired of the whole Manball thing anyway, we deeply need to modernize and get with the times. If Michigan must manball it has to be Harbaugh for me.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:55 PM ^
I was thinking about this last night. the only name i could come up with is Bronco Mendenhall from BYU. I also thought about Lane Kiffen. what is your guys take on those 2 names
October 1st, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 10:10 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 3:16 PM ^
Mark Hudspeth, Louisana-Lafayette
Mark Wells, Utah State
They've been on a few up-and-coming lists recently and are big fish in small ponds. Some of those guys can't hack it in the bigger arena, but if one of those guys can we'd be set for a long time.
I don't think we'd consider it until our plan A candidates were exhausted, but it sure looks like those guys are all pipe dreams, especially if the President/AD limits our financial leverage.
October 1st, 2014 at 3:24 PM ^
Hey! Ball State has a really good coach ya'll may want to consider: Pete Lembo.
October 1st, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^
I KNOW ITS ONLY THE POWER 5 EDITION, BUT IM PUSHING MY CHIPS ALL IN ON BOB STITT. IDEC THAT HES FROM A D2 SCHOOL. GIVE ME STITT
October 1st, 2014 at 3:39 PM ^
I am mildly surprised that no one has mentioned Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech) as a potential candidate. He's done a good job at Tech and Navy before that. His offense is fun enough and he's apparently good at developing talent since he get scraps in comparison to other teams in the south east. Imagine what he could do with talent here. In recent years he hasn't done as well as he did in the past, but he's got some solid seasons under his belt.
If we're taking an NFL caliber coach, I want Harbaugh (highly unlikely). If we're taking a college head coach, I want Todd Graham. If we're taking an assistant coach, I want Chad Morris OR Josh Heupel (Oklahoma offensive coord). Josh is really young and has fielded great offenses these past four years. I would gladly give him a shot.
October 1st, 2014 at 4:30 PM ^
Hear me out... Who is the most Bo-like persona out there? It may be Narduzzi. For perspective, Bo was an assistant at a program we despised, for a coach we despised, and built a period in the rivalry (Ten-Year War) that has its own Wikipedia page. I have no interest in running a Meyer-type program, while perhaps that's an option with Dan Mullen or somebody else on Meyer's current staff. Instead, we may gain from the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" path by focusing on Narduzzi who has some solid street cred. We may loathe his "60 minutes of unnecessary roughness" now, but you have to admit you would at least tolerate and most love that attitude if it were coming from our side of the line and ending in victories.
Stars aligning or conspiracy theory?
Narduzzi has fielded the same consistent D over the last several years and has clearly been targeted for HC positions. We also can assume he has goals of being a HC someday from the ultimatum he gave Cinci to either offer him the HC job or he'd leave to join Dantonio at Staee (they did okay going with Kelly anyway). Replacing #FireDaveBrandon with the likes of Warde Manuel may be an interesting move as he's already probably built a rapport with Narduzzi to lure him away from Staee to UConn.
I would venture a guess that Narduzzi has his eye on Dantonio's job, but must be aware that it's not likely to open up soon and certainly wouldn't make that step once here as HC. This would be a great way to spice up the rivalry even further (as if it's needed).
Challenges:
I'm concerned that the incoming AD (assuming Brandon is out) will try to overcompensate by narrowing a search to offensive guys (just like the Carr-->RR search and the opposite direction for RR-->Hoke). A quality HC from one side of the ball can build a staff and program that's equally competent in all three phases of the game.
Biggest downside? Bulletin board material, especially if he turned down what I am certain will be a compelling dollar figure.
October 1st, 2014 at 4:51 PM ^
I just want a successful coach with a track record of identifying and hiring a full staff of good assistant coaches.
Lloyd Carr - failure. Hence the lack of any identifiable coaching tree
RR - failure. Offensive assistance appeared solid. Defense - worst ever.
Hoke - failure. The reverse of RR. Defense good. Offense worst ever.
October 1st, 2014 at 4:50 PM ^
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