Coaching News and Rumors

:lsu:

Jimbo Fisher - aTm - They like him, but I doubt he'll leave aTm. $$$$

Urban Meyer - former NFL - He could make them scary again. Ethics are not a consideration on the Bayou.

Mel Tucker - Mich State - Hasn't won enough big time. MSU is very good this year though. Plus, he might be perfectly happy to make his career in East Lansing.

James Franklin - Penn State - Some of his luster has worn off this year.

Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss - Dude was practically made for LSU. Ethics are not a consideration on the Bayou. But why leave Ole Miss and go one state over? Lane can use some leverage from his great season and potential LSU interest for a $$$ raise at Ole Miss perhaps. He'd be good, but I'd be surprised if he goes.

Billy Napier - U. of Louisiana - The fall-back guy if they don't get their first 3-4 picks. A very Louisiana sort of guy. Small school success doesn't always transfer to a major college powerhouse though...

Mario Christobal - Oregon - Why would he ever leave Oregon to go to LSU? The $$$$ ain't worth it.

Bob Stoops - former OU - Doubt he wants back in the game. He could make them good again though.

Joe Brady - NFL OC/former LSU OC - Now here's a really good pick. He's done it before as LSU's OC.

Jamey Chadwell - Coastal Carolina - :rolleyes1: Chadwell's gotta be near the bottom of the list.

Art Briles - As pointed out above, ethics are not a consideration on the Bayou. With rumors floating around of Tech looking at him, you can bet his name will at least be passed around the inner circle at LSU. Superior offensive Xs and Os tactician. Toxic waste/blacklisted due to his past though. But....this is LSU... For an almost-equal offensive Xs and Os tactician, see Joe Brady--and he comes without the baggage.

On edit: Aranda - as pointed out by others— an obvious choice.
 
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Rumors from some Tech folks say they're looking hard at:

1. Sonny Dykes - the best possible outcome. He's done great at formerly-lowly SMU, and his dad is a Tech legend. Will he leave Dallas to go back to West Texas?

2. Jeff Traylor - another good option. He's taken UTSA to a new level. He's well-liked in Texas. But, he doesn't have a long head coaching record.

and, get this...

3. Art Briles--not his son, but Art Briles

:yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes:





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Chop said:
Rumors from some Tech folks say they're looking hard at:

1. Sonny Dykes - the best possible outcome. He's done great at formerly-lowly SMU, and his dad is a Tech legend. Will he leave Dallas to go back to West Texas?

2. Jeff Traylor - another good option. He's taken UTSA to a new level. He's well-liked in Texas. But, he doesn't have a long head coaching record.

and, get this...

3. Art Briles--not his son, but Art Briles

:yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes::yikes:





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So, if you go to Lubbock, three things can happen, and two of them are bad. But….
 
Chop said:
:lsu:

Jimbo Fisher - aTm - They like him, but I doubt he'll leave aTm. $$$$

Urban Meyer - former NFL - He could make them scary again. Ethics are not a consideration on the Bayou.

Mel Tucker - Mich State - Hasn't won enough big time. MSU is very good this year though. Plus, he might be perfectly happy to make his career in East Lansing.

James Franklin - Penn State - Some of his luster has worn off this year.

Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss - Dude was practically made for LSU. Ethics are not a consideration on the Bayou. But why leave Ole Miss and go one state over? Lane can use some leverage from his great season and potential LSU interest for a $$$ raise at Ole Miss perhaps. He'd be good, but I'd be surprised if he goes.

Billy Napier - U. of Louisiana - The fall-back guy if they don't get their first 3-4 picks. A very Louisiana sort of guy. Small school success doesn't always transfer to a major college powerhouse though...

Mario Christobal - Oregon - Why would he ever leave Oregon to go to LSU? The $$$$ ain't worth it.

Bob Stoops - former OU - Doubt he wants back in the game. He could make them good again though.

Joe Brady - NFL OC/former LSU OC - Now here's a really good pick. He's done it before as LSU's OC.

Jamey Chadwell - Coastal Carolina - :rolleyes1: Chadwell's gotta be near the bottom of the list.

Art Briles - As pointed out above, ethics are not a consideration on the Bayou. With rumors floating around of Tech looking at him, you can bet his name will at least be passed around the inner circle at LSU. Superior offensive Xs and Os tactician. Toxic waste/blacklisted due to his past though. But....this is LSU... For an almost-equal offensive Xs and Os tactician, see Joe Brady--and he comes without the baggage.
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You left out Dave Aranda.
 
Patterson is gone at TCU. He won’t even be on the sideline Saturday. Assistant Jerry Kill is the interim head coach now.

Sonny Dykes and Fuente (Va Tech) are being mentioned as possible replacements. Some are throwing Briles name around (as with Tech), but it’s all very much speculation and rumors at this point.



(news broken first on this website by Louisiana Horn.)
 
Chop said:
Patterson is gone at TCU. He won’t even be on the sideline Saturday. Assistant Jerry Kill is the interim head coach now.

Sonny Dykes and Fuente (Va Tech) are being mentioned as possible replacements. Some are throwing Briles name around (as with Tech), but it’s all very much speculation and rumors at this point.



(news broken first on this website by Louisiana Horn.)
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Both of these guys you mentioned worked for Patterson previously, but I'm hearing they want Traylor. The timing and all, makes one think they already have/had their guy, but they are being all tight lipped about it all...
 
That makes sense. Traylor would probably be a good pick, although his track record is not long. He’s done good things in San Antonio, and I understand he’s well liked by coaches and folks in general in the State. Dykes may just stay put at SMU or maybe go to Tech, Fuente I don’t know much about (though he could also turn out to be real good), and Briles should be a non-starter—you would think...
 
Chop said:
That makes sense. Traylor would probably be a good pick, although his track record is not long. He’s done good things in San Antonio, and I understand he’s well liked by coaches and folks in general in the State. Dykes may just stay put at SMU or maybe go to Tech, Fuente I don’t know much about (though he could also turn out to be real good), and Briles should be a non-starter—you would think...
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UTSA, coach Jeff Traylor agree to $28 million contract extension after historic start
 
Cross-posted from the Patterson Fired thread:

More on Justin Fuente - HC at Va Tech:

Building the Blueprint at TCU

  • Earned a well-deserved reputation not only as a top recruiter, but also as one of football’s most innovative offensive minds during a record-setting five-year stint on head coach Gary Patterson’s staff at TCU (2007-11).
  • It was also at TCU where Fuente began a track record of developing quarterbacks and preparing them for NFL futures.
  • During his final three seasons as play caller, QBs coach and co-offensive coordinator at TCU from 2008-10, the Horned Frogs produced a 36-3 overall record and went on a 24-game win streak in the Mountain West Conference.
  • From 2008-10, TCU was the only program in the country that finished in the Top 10 in both the AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll all three of those campaigns. TCU also made back-to-back appearances in BCS bowls with Fuente on the staff, registering a 2011 Rose Bowl victory over No. 5 Wisconsin.
  • In 2010, TCU set single-season school marks in touchdowns (73), points scored (541), total offense (6,199 yards) and first downs (327).
  • The Horned Frogs also ranked fourth nationally in scoring (41.6 ppg), sixth in passing efficiency (166.9), 10th in rushing (247.4 ypg) and 12th in total offense (476.9 ypg) in 2010.
  • His prowess for mentoring quarterbacks garnered national attention as TCU QB Andy Dalton flourished under his tutelage. From 2009-10, Dalton led TCU to a 25-1 record and set the Mountain West career record for total offense (11,925 yards).
  • TCU was the only school in the nation to have two different quarterbacks rank in the top 10 in the country in passing efficiency from 2009-11.
  • After Dalton completed his career as TCU’s career leader in virtually every passing category, QB Casey Pachall picked up where Dalton left off. In 2011, Pachall led TCU to an 11-2 mark, completing 66.5 percent of his throws (228 of 343) with 25 TDs and seven INTs.
  • Fuente’s squad led Conference USA in total defense in league games in 2012, giving up just 331.6 ypg

Justin Fuente - Football Coach - Virginia Tech Athletics
 
I think TCU can do better than Fuente. The guy took a deadend job at the end of a dead end dirt road. Nobody will ever be successful at VT again, and Beamer only did it with convicts (still an NCAA record going to a bowl game with about 20 players out of bond). Beamer cheated his *** off, and made phony airline tickets an artform.
 
Some buzz from the South Plains about Jeff Lebby on the radar (along with a bunch of other coaches). He'd get that offense back to traditional Tech levels.

Graham Harrell's name keeps coming up here and there as well, as does Napier, and son-of-Briles.
 
Would Graham Harrell drive away more donors than he would attract?

Guy is a great football mind, but will never be mentioned as "Mr Congeniality"
 
:tcu:

AD Donati's general thoughts on the sort of coach to replace Patterson Hornslayer:

TCU AD outlines what he's looking for in the new Head Frog

“It would be very difficult to bring in a coach who’s very defensive-minded given Gary’s legacy,” Donati said. Sounds like the Frogs may be looking to go aerial with an offensive-minded coach. "Someone who's currently a head coach would be where we'd start." Dykes fits all of the above, but will he leave Dallas? And would he prefer Tech to TCU?

Rumors are floating about: Sonny Dykes, Barry Odom, Billy Napier, Mike Elko, Hugh Freeze, Art Briles, Kendal Briles, Joey McGuire, and Jeff Lebby.

I bet it's a West Texas (and claims-to-be West Texas) battle for the services of Sonny Dykes. The loser gets to pick from the others.

TCU: With Gary Patterson finished, a look and podcast discussion on potential head coaching candidates
 
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:uf:
Dan Mullen's seat is red hot. Can't see him lasting much longer. If he goes, aside from USC, UF will be neck-and-neck with LSU as the best open coaching position. If TCU and Tech want their pick, they may need to move fast (hence the in-season firings).

Dan Mullen’s seat continues to heat up in Gainesville

Drama at Florida: Former Mississippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen is in Hot Water

Gators coach Dan Mullen’s reality: UF is ‘100 percent on board’ with football program’s direction
 
:lsu: OR :msu:

LSU Football: The new leading option to replace Ed Orgeron?

LSU seems to think they'll get Mel Tucker. But will Tucker leave MSU? He's from Cleveland, and he played at Wisconsin, so he's in his part of the country. He's a Big 10 guy. He's rapidly built MSU into one of the B1G's best teams. Presumably, he can use the leverage and boost his salary $$$$. I dunno. I think he may just stay put at Michigan State.

Pro-LSU factors:

Weather 1/2 the year (but not the other 1/2)
Undisputed king of their state vs. 2nd fiddle to Big Blue
The food's better
More $$$$ (maybe not if he gets a raise)

The competition will be roughly equal - SEC West vs. B1G East
And before you talk about the "Rust Belt", Baton Rouge isn't exactly the jewel of the South...
 
Chop said:
He's from Cleveland, and he played at Wisconsin, so he's in his part of the country.
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Let's see (1) Cleveland; (2) Madison; (3) Lansing

Bring him to Baton rouge on private jet, lunch with "the boys" at Flemings (probably Paul Fleming joins them), tour The Country Club, dinner of steak & ribs at JR's, apologize for the COLD weather the last front brought in with the 54 as a low temp. Lastly, drive down to NOLA for a sampling at Commander's Palace.

If the guy still prefers East Lansing, he's a one trick pony and too dumb to sustain success.
 
SabreHorn said:
Let's see (1) Cleveland; (2) Madison; (3) Lansing

Bring him to Baton rouge on private jet, lunch with "the boys" at Flemings (probably Paul Fleming joins them), tour The Country Club, dinner of steak & ribs at JR's, apologize for the COLD weather the last front brought in with the 54 as a low temp. Lastly, drive down to NOLA for a sampling at Commander's Palace.

If the guy still prefers East Lansing, he's a one trick pony and too dumb to sustain success.
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I think you forgot Latil's Landing, but like I said, the food's better down there.
 
And if Tucker wants to go to the Sun Belt (far from his stomping grounds), he might want to hold off until the Florida position opens up--could be the end of the regular season. Of course, if MSU wins out, they're playoff bound. Big "if" there with aOSU and PSU coming up.

Tucker's meat-and-potatoes brutalist style of football may play better in Baton Rogue than in pass-happy Gainsville.
 
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I agree with many of the suggested hires for all of the coaches identified and to be identified. But I believe that TCU, TT, and particularly LSU, made moves now to give themselves a chance to lock up particular coaches by the end of November. In the case of LSU, I think there is no "list" but rather the one. I can't believe TT knew Patterson would be canned, but believe TCU is signaling they are seeking coaches that may consider both jobs, if available. For most, TCU probably has a big edge over TT in part because of location and in part because TT has a history of making unfortunate coaching decisions. LSU has won 3 titles with 3 different coaches. The firing of O and Miles were both less than perfect. Sabin didn't call LSU back when he decided to return. Northern Alabama is ok, but I agree southern Louisiana has better food etc. There is a reason he did not go back.

No matter what happens, Mel Tucker is getting a big raise this year, or sooner, unless his team melts down the rest of the way. MSU has the money to match LSU (they have their own T Boone Pickens times 2, and Tucker beat Michigan 2 times in two tries. Tucker (and others) mentioned here, may be better coaches, but I believe Jimbo is in the bag. He has a ring, he's friends w Woodard, the deal could be done behind the scenes (they have done it before), aggie delusion will prevent an effective counter attack, Jimbo has recruiting bones in La. and ETX and will likely drag a few aggie linemen to BR to fix LSU now. No other "probable"coach comes near Jimbo's immediate additions to LSU. Again, I am not saying he is the best coach available, but he is darn good, beat Alabama, and had a top 4 finish at aggie last year.

Added bonus, Aggie will be wounded for decades and place a picture of Jimbo next to a picture of Bear Bryant in the empty trophy case next to the blank national title trophy they gave Jimbo when he fled FSU after telling everyone he had a fishing camp in Florida.
 
LonghornDave said:
I agree with many of the suggested hires for all of the coaches identified and to be identified. But I believe that TCU, TT, and particularly LSU, made moves now to give themselves a chance to lock up particular coaches by the end of November. In the case of LSU, I think there is no "list" but rather the one. I can't believe TT knew Patterson would be canned, but believe TCU is signaling they are seeking coaches that may consider both jobs, if available. For most, TCU probably has a big edge over TT in part because of location and in part because TT has a history of making unfortunate coaching decisions. LSU has won 3 titles with 3 different coaches. The firing of O and Miles were both less than perfect. Sabin didn't call LSU back when he decided to return. Northern Alabama is ok, but I agree southern Louisiana has better food etc. There is a reason he did not go back.

No matter what happens, Mel Tucker is getting a big raise this year, or sooner, unless his team melts down the rest of the way. MSU has the money to match LSU (they have their own T Boone Pickens times 2, and Tucker beat Michigan 2 times in two tries. Tucker (and others) mentioned here, may be better coaches, but I believe Jimbo is in the bag. He has a ring, he's friends w Woodard, the deal could be done behind the scenes (they have done it before), aggie delusion will prevent an effective counter attack, Jimbo has recruiting bones in La. and ETX and will likely drag a few aggie linemen to BR to fix LSU now. No other "probable"coach comes near Jimbo's immediate additions to LSU. Again, I am not saying he is the best coach available, but he is darn good, beat Alabama, and had a top 4 finish at aggie last year.

Added bonus, Aggie will be wounded for decades and place a picture of Jimbo next to a picture of Bear Bryant in the empty trophy case next to the blank national title trophy they gave Jimbo when he fled FSU after telling everyone he had a fishing camp in Florida.
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Man do I hope you’re right about Jimbo.
 
DFW AM radio this morning threw out the following names as possibilities for the TCU spot:

Sonny Dykes (obviously)
Chris Peterson (Boise State, Washington)
Kellen Moore
Deion Sanders
 
dukesteer said:
Man do I hope you’re right about Jimbo.
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Most on Hornfans are much more versed in the coaching carousel. (I sadly wanted Urban) but Woodard is predictable. I just don't see him going after a non proven coach (Title). Add timing of the hiring, relationship and the only argument is that LSU won't pay Jimbo more (wrong) and that Jimbo would rather build on his success at school w a championship during the Great War rather than make more money at a school that can plug and play coaches for championships. Jimbo made aggie "better" and has players that will move w him. No other coach has these "qualities". I also don't think aggie will pay him more to stay an aggie.
 
Hope it’s not Chris or Kellen cause I like them both. If Chris were to come back into coaching I wish it had been for us. Great guy, and a good coach, imo.
 
SabreHorn said:
Let's see (1) Cleveland; (2) Madison; (3) Lansing

Bring him to Baton rouge on private jet, lunch with "the boys" at Flemings (probably Paul Fleming joins them), tour The Country Club, dinner of steak & ribs at JR's, apologize for the COLD weather the last front brought in with the 54 as a low temp. Lastly, drive down to NOLA for a sampling at Commander's Palace.

If the guy still prefers East Lansing, he's a one trick pony and too dumb to sustain success.
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I prefer Court of Two Sisters to Commander's Palace, but I might be too dumb to sustain success also.
 
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