Article: Who Are The Best MAC Coaches to Fill a Power-Five Job?

Submitted by ADSellers on

I see a lot of discussion about poaching head coaches or coordinators from other Power 5 programs, but for some reason not as much discussion about head coaches from smaller conferences. Tressel, Dantonio, and Kelly were all promoted from head coaching positions at smaller schools. Personally, this a route I hope we explore. This article (dated yesterday) discusses the top MAC coaches to fill a Power 5 head coaching vacancy. 

http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/10/2/6860215/where-does-pet…

alum96

October 3rd, 2014 at 3:42 PM ^

Sounds like Brian is doing a non Power 5 list for next week from what he wrote this week - I expect those names to include Stitt, Craig Bohl, Jim McElwain from CSU who basically sounds like Nuss - both were QB guru types at MSU in the 2000s, both went to Bama to be OCs (best win I can find for him is vs Mike Leach's 6-7 WSU last year, and Boston College last week), maybe he goes Chuck Martin who was like Brian Kelly at GVSU but after that really just has an early stint of Miami OH on his record, etc. 

Personally I'd go talk to the AD who hired both Butch Jones and Brian Kelly at CMU, go find the AD who hired the same 2 men at Cincinnati..plus Dantonio (if the same 1 AD hired all 3 men even better), the guy at NIU who found Jerry Kill and Dave Doeren, and go get the AD(s) at LSU who hired Nick Saban off a meh record at MSU and Les Miles out of OK State.  I'd put that collection of men on a paid task force to find me the next great coach.  Hopefully a few of those guys are retired so there is no conflict of interest.  Worst case talk to them in confidence.  They have the track record of finding coaches early and/or ready to take the next step.

Cromulent

October 3rd, 2014 at 4:34 PM ^

Interesting idea, except for the fact that Jones & Kelly weren't hired by the same AD. Kelly was hired by Deromedi. Jones was hired by Heeke. And Heeke hired Enos.

In fact Heeke seemed to dislike Kelly more than a bit. When Heeke first hit Mt Pleasant in the new job his first dealings were with the wrestling coach.

If you wanna go ask Deromedi that might be an idea.

GoBLUinTX

October 3rd, 2014 at 5:13 PM ^

I wouldn't be so sure Michigan's next great coach can be the next coach.  Seriously, who would take a chance on the current toxic environment unless they saw Michigan as a waypoint, not a destination?  I think the Michigan football faithful will first have to accept the reality of its own mediocrity before the various factions can set aside their backstabbing and infighting to, as one, welcome a coach that can deliver the goods. That might yet be a few more coaches away.

MGlobules

October 3rd, 2014 at 3:12 PM ^

"this might be the worst-written article ever but. . . contains some interesting nuggets," etc. I do agree that whoever performs the next hire should comb the country for great up-and-coming coaching minds and leaders, though. 

Voltron is Handsome

October 3rd, 2014 at 3:30 PM ^

No, thank you. I don't want my college team becoming the Browns of NCAA football - the job where unproven coaches come to try a big boy job, fail, and then get fired. I want a proven guy at Michigan and for me, it's either Harbaugh (preferably Jim), Les Miles, Kevin Sumlin, or David Shaw.

LSAClassOf2000

October 3rd, 2014 at 3:39 PM ^

If Darrell Hazell could land a job after two years with a much worse record, then so could Carey.

Did anyone else momentarily process this as "If Darrell Hazell can coach in the MAC, anyone can" before reading it again? My first thought was, "What in blazes does that say about Purdue?"

UMxWolverines

October 3rd, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^

There isn't a single coach in the MAC that looks like they could be a gteat one. I can't even remember the last coach to coach in the MAC and actually do something. Butch Jones? Even he went to Cincinnati for a couple years. Hiring right out of the MAC i
might have worked in the 60s but it's a terrible idea today.

Frito Bandito

October 4th, 2014 at 12:42 AM ^

I know he's not a MAC coach but why is there little to no talk about Teryl Austin? He's a Michigan man after all. ;)