CC - Where we stand - Part V (Herman and Frost)
Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV.
Rapid balding makes him look older
All of the viable top-tier HC candidates are off the table, and now I'll review a few coordinators and NFL-types. I'll finish with some fringe candidates.
Tom Herman, OC Ohio State
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Track Record: B. Herman's offenses have been successful at every stop. He has never coached defense at any level.
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Michigan Ties: D+. Born in Cincinnati. Went to college in California and, until 2012, coached in the south and west. Does he have any love for Michigan?
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Recruiting: B+. Known as one of the best recruiting assistant coaches in the country.
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Chances/Loyalty: C. Would Herman leave Meyer to coach against him? Does he have ANY desire to coach at Michigan?
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Demeanor: B. There are still a lot of unknowns with a 39-year-old assistant coach. Highly-intelligent (Mensa member) but is not the most polished public speaker. Still, seems like an honest, smart, and motivational coach.
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Three Phases: C+. Spread offense has adapted to some very different personnel types, highlighted by using a power running game with Hyde. Not sure there are many better OCs in the country. But...defense? Special teams? Who knows.
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Roster Fit: B. Was surprisingly successful making use of Ohio State's “old” roster as they transition to Meyer's preferred space players. I think he could find a way to win with whatever he's given.
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OVERALL GPA: 2.57 (B-/C+). Of the non-HCs, Herman may be my favorite option. He's a gamble, as he would need a GREAT defensive mind as his DC, and who knows if he can manage a program. But I think he's a rising star and will be a very good HC someday.
Scott Frost, OC Oregon
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Track Record: C+. Not much to go on here. Has only been the OC for a season-and-a-half. Coached WRs at Oregon from 2009-2012. Before that, coached defense for two years at Northern Iowa. Has been successful and risen quickly through the ranks.
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Michigan Ties: D+. Born in Nebraska, graduated from Nebraska, won a MNC (or a half of one) at Nebraska. Played at Cleveland and Green Bay in the NFL.
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Recruiting: B+. Has a strong reputation as a successful recruiter.
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Chances/Loyalty: C. I think Frost wants a HC position. I also think he wants it at Nebraska, and would take that job over any other.
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Demeanor: B+. Frost is known for integrity and authenticity. His players love him, and he is another of “second father” type.
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Three Phases: B-. Has coached both sides of the ball. His first season as OC at Oregon, the team set the school record (at Oregon!) for offense and scored 45.5 pts/gm.
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Roster Fit: D+. Spread option demands a QB we don't have. Skill players are meant to be fast, not big. O-Line needs to be nimble. But the defense might be okay?
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OVERALL GPA: 2.33 (C+). Frost seems like a good man and a very good coach. But I don't want a guy that is just itching for his chance to get to Nebraska—a chance that will probably come after Pelini has one bad season.
October 15th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
nice concise breakdowns and good balance. I like Frost, but as you said his Nebraska love is likely a deal killer.
October 15th, 2014 at 2:43 PM ^
Still remember Frost trying to sway for NC votes in 97 with "Honestly who would you rather play, Michigan or us?" Implying Nebraska was the bigger juggernaut. Left a bad taste in my mouth to see him and others canvasing for Nebraska votes while Lloyd sat on his duff stoically saying nothing.
October 15th, 2014 at 3:52 PM ^
October 15th, 2014 at 7:23 PM ^
But it seems like you are taking a chance! And everyone outside of program would say the Michigan football team has sunk to such a low-level they cannot even attract a big name coach and had to settle for an assistant!
October 15th, 2014 at 8:45 PM ^
One thing these Coaching Carousel blogs have made clear.
There is nobody on the list with star power and experience who is available or interested.
Hoke has two years left on his contract.
Give him an additional year and perhaps one of the "it" coaches of today(NFL or College) will have lost some luster and become more approachable.
Heck, even Saban is taking some crap this year, what would happen if they lost three games in a single season fer Gosh Sakes!
October 15th, 2014 at 10:11 PM ^
IF Hoke can run the table and go undefeated the rest of the season. Then I will agree with you that Hoke has worked hard and deserve one more season. 8-4 is what I predicted at the begining of the season and if he can pull it off, I would keep him for one more season.
October 15th, 2014 at 10:33 PM ^
If Herman is truly regarded as one of the best recruiting assistants in the country and is only able to garner a B+, what does it take to get an 'A'?? Love the series btw.
In true bye week fashion, I hereby request, nay DEMAND!, a Where We Stand Part VI featuring Gruden and Cowher!
October 16th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
Herman gets the best grade I would give a coordinator. He's a great recruiter by reputation, but would he be as good without Urban Meyer behind him? We don't really know. He wasn't pulling in 5-star players at Iowa State.
An "A" grade is reserved for HCs that have proven to be the best in the country.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:19 PM ^
October 16th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
If Michigan hired a guy from OSU, it would be ugly. I don't see any fans liking that.
October 16th, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^
I don't understand that. I mean, I get that we hate OSU, blah blah blah, but at the end of the search, don't we want the best man for the job? If the best man were from OSU, and he wanted to come here, we wouldn't take him? I'm not advocating for Urbs. Not that he would come to M anyway...
The expectation is for the position! Whoever we hire better be able to handle the job. That's all I ask.
October 21st, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^
my favorite candidate without head coaching experience. I have him and Gundy flip flopping at 4 and 5 (Jim Harbaugh, Dan Mullen, and Les Miles in top three).
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