I am fascinated by D1 CFB coaching searches
I feel bad about how much I love to watch football programs replace coaches and the associated ripple effects. Like, I should be this interested in something important like my 401k or eating more vegetables. Shrug.
So the only thing we know is that USC and LSU will be getting new coaches/staffs.
What other predictions do you folks have?
If Franklin leaves, what does PSU do?
If Tucker leaves, what does MSU do?
Is Fickell leaving UC? Maybe PSU/MSU?
What other coaching changes/firings/etc do you folks see happening?
November 4th, 2021 at 8:25 AM ^
If Franklin leaves PSU, Fickell will be very high on the list of replacements.
I still think Meyer is an ideal choice to replace Orgeron, but Tucker is the flavor of the week right now.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:37 AM ^
It's still entirely possible that Tucker is just a good, but not great coach. He has never stayed anywhere long enough to actually build and sustain a program. Adding to that, his OC hire looked pretty weak at the time. Jay Johnson's track record was not exactly stellar until they accidentally found a Heisman finalist on Wake Forest's bench.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:27 AM ^
that's a great question - sparty has been a big-play offense this year, but you have to wonder if they'd be as good if it was an average back - let's call him "shmonner shmeyward" - getting all the carries. walker has absolutely opened things up downfield for nailer and reed.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:40 AM ^
Right, it's easy to look like a genius when you either hand it to your superfreak RB or launch bombs to speedy receivers running simple routes. There were a number of times that we had Walker dead to rights and he just Heisman'd his ass to big gains. I think we all remember the Borges offense going to shit after Denard stopped papering over our run-blocking issues.
November 4th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^
He'd probably look like a genius at LSU then. They often have superfreak running backs and speedy wide receivers.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:58 PM ^
It's true, Tucker may not be a good overall coach. But he is a tough person, and gets his team to play tough against all odds. But at some point that runs out, and you have to have good player and smart coaches to keep winning. State will hit a wall at some point, and the undefeated wheels will come off. Then State be a ~8-4 team every year.
The other shoe always drops.
November 4th, 2021 at 10:46 AM ^
Agreed....
November 4th, 2021 at 8:26 AM ^
I am not sure I see Fickell leaving Cincy. Now he will be in a "Power 5" conference that he can win, which should get him into the playoffs. I know the BIG 12 will now be treated like the PAC 12 where you have to go undefeated to get a playoff spot, but that is a better chance than the AAC and whenever playoff expansion happens, even that won't be true.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:56 AM ^
Once Texas and OK leave the big 12, they will not be on the same level as the other 4 Power conferences. For that matter, unless Dabo can remake Clemson the ACC will also be in the bottom half of the Power 5. The order from top to bottom should be:
- SEC - unfortunately
- B1G
- Pac 12
- ACC
- big 12
November 4th, 2021 at 5:53 PM ^
Is the PAC12 really ahead of the the ACC though? Dunno about that
November 4th, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
At the same time, this is probably the absolute peak of Cincinnati football. If he aspires to ever coach at a higher level, this is when the iron is hot. I think he'll go because the new Big 12 is just the AAC+ and will constantly get left out of a 4 team CFP
November 4th, 2021 at 8:26 AM ^
It made sense to stay in Cincinnati last go around, but it’d probably be a good move to head to MSU if Tucker leaves. He brought the program a LONG way in two short years. Luke would probably build on that and get paid as much as Tucker got or maybe more. Damn it. Would he choose to face off with his love every year though.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:30 AM ^
Seeing your ex-wife at Thanksgiving every year is not fun, especially if you have feelings for her.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:30 AM ^
OP asks:
"Is Fickell leaving UC? Maybe PSU/MSU?"
OP and many other people need to remember that Fickell turned down Sparty very recently. Why would he change his mind after another good season and higher value of his personal stock?
November 4th, 2021 at 8:34 AM ^
Fyi I know several people connected to the OSU program who believe that Fickell is "Head Coach in waiting" to replace Day when he moves to the NFL.
A lot of people believe Day's tenure in OSU will be relatively short and they've communicated to Fickell the job is his if he goes. I strongly believe that's what he's waiting for.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:36 AM ^
That is a long game. At least we will start 1-0 and ride that for a year.
November 4th, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
Yes, I was gonna say. Please hire Fickell! We can beat him!
November 4th, 2021 at 8:47 AM ^
This would make a ton of sense-for all parties involved.
November 4th, 2021 at 10:51 AM ^
Day doesn't strike me as a college lifer so I can definitely see this. If this is the case there would be very few jobs that could tempt Fickell. Probably Notre Dame even though Kelly is secure there, maybe PSU if Franklin bolts?
November 4th, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
I wouldn't hate that honestly. Fickell is apparently a good coach, but I'd rather deal with him than Urban or Day
November 4th, 2021 at 8:39 AM ^
Agree... If he decides to bolt UC, MSU will not be the program to land him. He'll be looking at PSU, LSU, or USC. His recent teams, and general good press, have elevated him to cream of the crop status. And tell me one high end coach who would choose P5 football backwater East Lansing over legit blue bloods. Just one...
...
...
...
Still waiting...
November 4th, 2021 at 10:01 PM ^
That person definitely exists.
It is someone who has had success/coached at a blue blood program, is a bit older and would be happy to go to a school that is still "in the game" but will provide him with some job security and not try to burn his house down after every loss. This can be quite appealing.
Think of Spurrier at USC (NTUSC), Holtz at USC, Mack Brown at UNC, Les Miles at Kansas, etc.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:42 AM ^
As my grandfather, RIP, loved to state, "A man who won't change his mind isn't much of a man". Here, expect Fickell to be fickle if the question resurfaces. That said, it might be a wiser professional move to avoid the B1G East and head to USC-if the opportunity presents.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:53 AM ^
That's a great point. To me, he looked like he was seriously flirting with the idea but then backed out late in the process (no inside info). MSU appears to be in a much better position now than they were just those 2 years ago. Also, IIRC, MSUs off-the-field issues/scandal-type-stuff seemed more prominent at that time. It seemed like it was a toxic place.
Tucker appears to have fixed that perception as well.
I don't see MSU allowing themselves to be turned down again by the same guy. But I do think if it opens up, it will be a more highly-regarded position than last time.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:02 AM ^
How are they in a better position? P5 football is about accumulating high-end talent. MSU won the transfer lottery this year. I don't think it is sustainable unless they revert back to the Dantonio model of coaching up sloppy seconds.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:24 AM ^
I think he was talking about the overall perception of the program. Two years ago Dimtonia's program was harboring criminals, Blackwell was fighting back, and the whole school was still caught up in in the gymnastics coverups. It was a BAAADDDD look all-around...
I do think Tucker has cleaned up the outside view of the program. Redlock status seems to be gone, the team appears to be playing a clean football game - as opposed to the dirty shit we've been accustomed to from Dantanyo (the game Saturday was like an OSU game - played HARD, but clean and between the whistles).
Honestly, if Narduzzi were to take the program now, I can see it falling right back into the dirty bullshit they did under Dontanio.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:34 AM ^
Franklin to USC, Fickel to PSU, Matt Campbell to LSU. You heard it here first as being a terrible prediction! Harbaugh will remain at Michigan since this team is going to win out. Go Blue!
November 4th, 2021 at 8:37 AM ^
I see the first two as a possibility but not the third one.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:46 AM ^
Yes I thought by now people would see Campbell has lost his luster this year. People kept saying he had built a team that would compete for the NC. Only took a few weeks for that to fall by the wayside
November 4th, 2021 at 3:49 PM ^
Why do people still see Franklin to USC when his team has fallen on its face this year and will probably finish 8-4? That won't be shiny enough for the USC or LSU boosters.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:46 AM ^
Why not? You think Campbell isn't a hot enough name for LSU right now? (Serious question - your opinion desired here...)
I do think Campbell would be seriously considered by LSU. He's a proven coach that has decent X's & O's schemes, runs a clean, solid program, is versed in, ahem, 'southern' football (even if ISU isn't necessarily a bag school, or southern by values, the Big12 has some southern roots), and is still universally considered an upgrade over Coach O. He may be 2nd, or 3rd choice, but he'd get a serious look.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:20 AM ^
If I were LSU, the top few choices would Meyer, Fickel, Tucker to an extent. Campbell will be a distant fourth or later. Not saying Campbell cannot be a good coach at LSU or he doesn't have talent. He has proven it at ISU, but he will not be the sexy hire they would be looking after firing Coach O.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:22 AM ^
runs a clean, solid program
It's cute that you think this matters to LSU. ?
November 4th, 2021 at 9:28 AM ^
LOL!!
Well, I don't really think that. But bringing in a coach with that reputation can only be good - especially if he's willing to more fully partake in ... the winning ways of the South.
November 4th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
I would call it more feasible that Campbell goes to PSU and Fickell goes to LSU. I don't believe, professionally, Fickell should go to PSU/the B1G East and coach against OSU. It would be a better for him socially to go to LSU and then jump to OSU when that position opens.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:47 AM ^
Matt Campbell to LSU would be as bad of a cultural fit as Ed Orgeron going to ISU, or RichRod going to Michigan. /ducks
November 4th, 2021 at 9:15 AM ^
Remember when Orgeron was at USC? That was one hell of a cultural mismatch.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:29 AM ^
On the surface yes, but Orgeron had a long history with USC as a top recruiter in the peak Carroll years. Campbell is an unknown when it comes to elite recruiting, and has never coached outside the Midwest.
November 4th, 2021 at 11:04 AM ^
I think "cultural fit" is a concept SEC schools aren't that invested in. Nick Saban had never coached in the South and had spent most of his career in the neighborhood of Ohio. Les Miles was another Midwest guy hired by a big SEC power without previous Southern exposure. Mississippi State hired Mike Leach, a California-born, Wyoming-raised Mormon who spent most of his career west of the Mississippi. And then of course there's the Ohioan and noted Catholic Urban Meyer who got that Florida job without any previous Florida or Southern exposure. His acolyte Dan Mullen from Pennsylvania got jobs in the SEC as well.
SEC schools want guys who win and focus on that as an absolute priority. I think that's the only 'cultural' requirement. The whole it must be ex-players/ex-assistants or guys who are from around here thing is really mostly just a Big Ten powerhouse thing.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:40 AM ^
IF tucker leaves..... I think msu will back the cattle truck up to fickell's house..... and being an ohio state guy, fickell will be very tempted to come to east landfill with the allure of besting Michigan 1/2 of the time.
November 4th, 2021 at 8:44 AM ^
Joe Morehead to PSU and Pat Narduzzi to MSU.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:22 AM ^
Don't be surprised if Moorhead gets interviewed for the LSU job.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:32 AM ^
Really? That would be shocking to me. LSU fans would be irate to get a guy rejected by Mississippi State
November 4th, 2021 at 9:23 AM ^
This could possibly happen. Damn. I didn't think about that. The culture will be a problem with Pat but I see a fight on D every year.
November 4th, 2021 at 11:18 AM ^
hey now, go easy on the cattle idea. could sway me....
November 4th, 2021 at 8:43 AM ^
What other coaching changes/firings/etc do you folks see happening?
(oh shit here we go again.gif)
Is Fickell leaving UC? Maybe PSU/MSU?
The grating (to Sparty) slash laughable (to Michigan fans) thing is that, despite MSU's track record of general success over the past decade, it's still not seemingly considered a high-profile job.
That may have more to do with the fact that the previous three coaches (Bobby Williams, John L. Smith, Mork) have all left with middling results at the end than anything else. Tucker will really be the first coach to leave under a successful year since Saban (heh heh, I'm willing that into existence).
November 4th, 2021 at 9:20 AM ^
I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan Day leaves Columbus. My best guess.
Day OSU -> NFL
Fickell UC -> OSU
Franklin PSU -> USC
Tucker MSU -> LSU
[Insert name of former MSU football player] -> MSU
November 4th, 2021 at 9:29 AM ^
I don't think Day is leaving OSU yet, but if Tucker leaves MSU, Narduzzi will be his replacement.
November 4th, 2021 at 9:51 AM ^
I agree on Day, thinks he wants to win a National Title first, but would be intriguing to see if he would take the Bears job if open and offered, letting him reunite with Fields.
November 4th, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
Do you really think MSU would take Narduzzi? I know he's a Michigan [State] Man but his tenure at Pitt has been thoroughly underwhelming and he's only making some noise this year because the ACC is doodoo. I would be happy if MSU took Narduzzi