This article linked on the ACC Roundup today shows that the ouster of Friedgen was weeks in the making. Moreover, AD Anderson denies that ex-Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is the leading candidate, saying only that there will be a nationwide search and he expects to have a coach on board by Jan. 4. Yeah, you lying weasel! From the linked article:
"Anderson is interested enough in Leach that he has begun researching his credentials, including his former players' graduation rates. But Anderson insisted there was no frontrunner and said he had never met or contacted Leach. Leach has said he would talk to Maryland about the position."
Now here is a
Sally Jenkins column (daughter of Sage's idol, Dan Jenkins) from a year ago at the time of Leach's dismissal at Texas Tech. She said that Leach was railroaded and deserved another gig. So, Anderson has begun researching Leach's graduation rate, he said. Here's a passage from the Jenkins column:
"More importantly, he's a serious, demanding educator whose team has a graduation rate of 79 percent, eighth best in the country and first in the Big 12 Conference. He trails only Notre Dame (94 percent), Stanford (93), Boston College (92), Duke (92), Northwestern (92), Vanderbilt (91) and Wake Forest (83) in turning out grads, while he also has made nine bowl appearances in nine years."
Moreover, Texas Tech was numero uno among public universities in graduation rates. So, Leach is not the leading candidate, eh? And you just happened to mention graduation rates? Take it to the bank; it's gonna be Mike Leach at Maryland.
BTW the article makes it possible to unravel Maryland's thought processes. It had decided that James Franklin was not the answer, and so didn't attempt to retain him as the new head coach, as had been Debbie Yow's plan. Franklin was the #1 recruiter, and then when he left for Vandy, Friedgen would have to rebuild his staff, which was impossible with just a one-year extension. Thus, a new coach was needed.
This gives too much credit for honest debate at Maryland. In fact, the fix was in from the moment that Mike Leach was railroaded out of the Red Raiders' job.
Stay tuned.
sagegrouse