Coaching News and Rumors

[Seattle Husker]

I could not agree more. It is amazing the things people that gain strength through adversity can accomplish for themselves and others.

Good for Sark. He was in a dark place at the end of his tenure at UW. Happy that he's turned things around. Sounds like Herman is in the the same spot Sark was at previously.

 

[Run Pincher]

So now it's Lincoln Riley to LSU??

College Football World Reacts To The Lincoln Riley Rumors (msn.com)

 

[mchammer]

So now it's Lincoln Riley to LSU??

College Football World Reacts To The Lincoln Riley Rumors (msn.com)

Only going to happen if Riley can’t get enough french kisses and whores wearing French perfume.

 

[Chop]

UPDATE

It may turn into a bidding war between LSU and Michigan State for Mel Tucker.

Jimbo Fisher is still lurking as the odds on favorite for many Tigers.

Lincoln Riley is the final on the top 3.

James Franklin, Lane Kiffin, and Billy Napier are also in the discussion. I suspect Napier is the consolation prize if they can't get one of their first 2-3 choices. The multitude of other potential candidates don't seem to have any traction left.

Update on LSU's coaching search, where coaching stars continue to draw interest

 

[SabreHorn]

I know of two major players in Baton Rouge that would hire Charlie Strong or Tom Herman before they took James Franklin.

 

[I_Dont_Exist]

Justin Fuente out.at VT.

 

[Chop]

The Frogs have talked about Fuente as a possibility. I think they can do better.

 

[SabreHorn]

Don't know who Whit thinks he can get to take that dead-end job. Beamer made VT a winning program by raiding the jails for recruits and cheating his *** off. While I cannot stand Beamer, he did take paying players via airline tickets to an artform.

 

[Chop]

Frogs have interviewed Neon Deon Sanders. While the ever-humble Sanders plays it down, he's supposedly "squarely in the mix" for the TCU job (a source "close to the University's selection committee" told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

After I finished my laughter, I thought there's just something bada$$ about this dude coaching TCU.

Deion Sanders addresses TCU football coaching rumors: 'Never believe'

https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article255669621.html

 

[Chop]

After firing Jimmy Lake, the Huskies are in the search for his replacement. Mostly some of the middle-tier guys mentioned for other jobs (Napier, Norvell, Grimes, Chadwell, etc.), along with some Western coaches some may be less familiar with. The possibility exists that the Dogs will raid BYU for Kalani Sitake, or go with Chip Kelly or DeBoer. Air Force's Calhoun would make an interesting change--the option to the PAC 12...

15 Coaching Candidates to Replace Jimmy Lake at Washington

 

[Chop]

The Florida Gators don't seem to like anyone out there except for Mel Tucker of Mich St. Lots of discontent at The Swamp. They seem to have similar "culture problems" to what we perceive here...

If Florida Administrators Fire Dan Mullen, the Options for a Replacement are Short - Inside the Knights

 

[Chop]

Luke Fickell is the odds-on favorite. His ties to USC's AD are well known. But some crazy rumors and rank speculation are circulating out West, including:

Mike Tomlin
Bob Stoops
Urban Meyer
Mario Christobal

The 5 most insane USC and Pac-12 coaching carousel rumors

 

[LonghornDave]

Frogs have interviewed Neon Deon Sanders. While the ever-humble Sanders plays it down, he's supposedly "squarely in the mix" for the TCU job (a source "close to the University's selection committee" told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram).

After I finished my laughter, I thought there's just something bada$$ about this dude coaching TCU.

Deion Sanders addresses TCU football coaching rumors: 'Never believe'

https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article255669621.html

From today's TCU practice

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Air Force's Calhoun would make an interesting change--the option to the PAC 12...

I don't see that happening - Troy is the right fit at USAFA.

 

[Chop]

AM 660 DFW early evening did a second hand report from the Star-Telegram.

Dykes and Napier are getting the most buzz now.

(Of course, Napier lost to Texas this year, and in our current upside down world, TCU coaches simply do not lose to Texas…)

 

[SabreHorn]

I'm not sure why either one of them would want that job. Jobs at USC, Washington, LSU, Florida are far more attractive.

VT, Convict Gables, Duke lead the field of "why the hell would you take that deadend job" list.

If Sonny is ready to retire, then he should consider the VT job. Spend two miserable years in Bleaksburg, grab the $15-20 million extra, and go to the lake.

 

[ViperHorn]

I don't see that happening - Troy is the right fit at USAFA.

and he would not necessarily be a change of pace in the PAC-12 as the player pool for that league is different from the AFA.

 

[Handler]

Seems LSU is the new Texas by getting everyone paid... Can't believe the contract Mel Tucker got. That's insane. Hopefully Riley takes the 12 mill per year for LSU and all their dudes go with him.

 

[Handler]

Luke Fickell is the odds-on favorite. His ties to USC's AD are well known. But some crazy rumors and rank speculation are circulating out West, including:

Mike Tomlin
Bob Stoops
Urban Meyer
Mario Christobal

The 5 most insane USC and Pac-12 coaching carousel rumors

I'm still surprised we didn't take a run at Christobal.

 

[ViperHorn]

I'm still surprised we didn't take a run at Christobal.

I have an ex-coworker who went to Oregon so I watch Oregon when they are playing late. Christobal is an excellent recruiter and motivator but makes a lot of down and situation "coaching" mistakes. I would rate him on par with Sar without Sark's upside.

 

[Chop]

Here's the latest unofficial finalist list, according to LSUTigerwire (top 2 in bold):

• Mel Tucker, Mich State
• Jimbo Fisher, aTm
• Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma
• Matt Campbell, Iowa State
• Mark Stoops, Kentucky
• Matt Rhule, Carolina (NFL)
• Billy Napier, ULL

James Franklin is most definitely out. I still suspect Napier is the consolation prize if LSU strikes out on their first 3-4 (or 5-6) targets. I think he's been holding out for an LSU offer (he supposedly turned down Auburn and Ole Miss, and maybe FSU, last year), and I suspect LSU is his dream job.

What industry experts are saying about the LSU head coaching search

 

[LousianaHorn]

Isnt Tucker in line for a big new contract from the Spartans?

PS.............supposedly 10 yr 95 million

 

[Chop]

Va. Tech


Names being thrown around for this job + Chop's commentary:

Napier - why would he jump ship for that job? He's turned down a lot better already.
Chadwell - this makes some sense, for both team and coach
Freeze - a big splash if they take the risk; cheating/ethics/sleeze factor don't seem to be much of a concern at VT
Marcus Freeman (ND DC) - ?
Bill O'Brien (Bama OC) - ?
Mike Houston (E. Carolina) - they could do better
Curt Cignetti (James Madison) - too big of a jump up
Dave Clawson - Wake - why would he leave Wake for Va Tech?
Tony Elliot (Clemson OC) - ? Clemson's O isn't so special without Trevor Lawrence.

I think Chadwell and Freeze are the two to watch.

With Virginia Tech open, which coaches make sense?

 

[Chop]

Isnt Tucker in line for a big new contract from the Spartans?

PS.............supposedly 10 yr 95 million

Supposedly, it's on the table. Tucker is an Upper Midwest guy. I don't think he'll jump ship for LSU. Not with that sort of $$$$ to stay in his own backyard.

 

[Chop]

Note: the job at Florida may be opening soon (we'll see). So, some of these top up-and-coming coaches (especially those from the South) may hold off on accepting jobs from Va Tech. The right guy could turn Florida into a monster in a short time. With a weak FSU and so-so Miami, the Gators could dominate down there in short order. Georgia looks like the main competition.

As far as a potential competition between LSU and Florida for coaching talent: I'd put LSU ahead of Florida as far as the caliber and prestige of the coaching position--but not by much. Also, LSU has an opening now. Florida does not--but probably will, we'll see.

> (by a little bit, and for now...)

hurricanes, swamps, and alligators

 

[SabreHorn]

a big splash if they take the risk; cheating/ethics/sleeze factor don't seem to be much of a concern at VT

Throw in the inmates & bail bondsmen and it's the Bleaksburg way. Beamer left it where they will never be a factor again. Babcock has got to be looking for a way out.

Bill O'Brine makes the most sense because of what he did at State Penn, plus I'd like to see him gone from Alabama before he drags them down.

 

[Creek]

If LSU likes Fisher, they are more stupid than I had thought.
But then again we are 4-6 heading to 4-7 so that says a lot about our decision makers.

 

[SabreHorn]

Creek,

I’m curious as to whom you would have hired

 

[dukesteer]

If LSU likes Fisher, they are more stupid than I had thought.
But then again we are 4-6 heading to 4-7 so that says a lot about our decision makers.

I can’t stand Fisher but he’s a proven commodity. Not elite IMO, but proven. His rambling and obsessive denial several weeks ago when asked leads me to believe that he is deep into the LSU “sweepstakes.” The dude doesn’t possess a high character…

I’ll say this: Perhaps we can hire his DC?

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

Creek,

I’m curious as to whom you would have hired

The question wasn't directed at me, but if I may... there wasn't a good hire to be made for us at the time. Throwing 30million at sark was nonsense. He will get us nowhere just as he did with Washington and USC

Seeing no viable candidates were immediately available, can Herman's ***, hire within and WAIT until the right guy was available. I'd have an eye on Aranda for sure, then the guy at Mich State too.

What we did was Ready, Fire, Aim.

People can talk about we had to get someone in to "clean up the culture" so the hire had to be done now, but guess what? The culture here's STILL toxic. Bo went off on woke/ lazy/ bad (pick your description) kids and it didn't make any difference. They are still quitters. This was a total waste of a hire. Should have waited until a much better candidate was available