Football Coaching Carousel 2010 [Archive]

blazindw

11-28-2010, 02:43 PM

Randy Shannon is out at Miami.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5859567

Maybe Butch Davis will be available. :p

Early inklings are saying that Mark Richt will be considered as well as Dan Mullen of Miss State, though the big rumor is that Jon Gruden would be a big-name target. Several people in Miami circles stated that he would be interested if the job were available (http://blog.allcanes.com/2010/11/does-gruden-rumor-have-merit.html), and if that proves to be true that's exactly who I want at my law school alma mater The U needs its swagger back, and it needs a coach who will balance that swagger with the clean program that Shannon thankfully instilled.

Devilsfan

11-28-2010, 02:44 PM

WVU's coach to retire. Look out here comes a couple of retreads named Bowden. Rich Rod is out (you can bet on it) after embarrassing their supporters with another rivalry loss.

blazindw

11-28-2010, 02:48 PM

Rich Rod is out (you can bet on it) after embarrassing their supporters with another rivalry loss.

In this Michigan fan's mind, he should have been out 2 years ago when he put us on probation. Bring Jim Harbaugh home!

jimsumner

11-28-2010, 03:15 PM

The U needs its swagger back, and it needs a coach who will balance that swagger with the clean program that Shannon thankfully instilled.

Ah, the $64,000 question. Has Miami ever had a clean program and its swagger at the same time? Are they mutually exclusive?

blazindw

11-28-2010, 03:26 PM

Ah, the $64,000 question. Has Miami ever had a clean program and its swagger at the same time? Are they mutually exclusive?

You could argue that under Davis, it was a clean(er) program and they still had the swagger...should have probably been in the BCS title game in '99 and especially '00. There were some skirmishes, but the program's never been as clean as it has been under Shannon.

blazindw

11-28-2010, 03:37 PM

And as I say this, a news reporter is saying that Gruden will be the man, and they're working to finalize a $3m/year deal to take over at The U.

http://www.footballnewsnow.com/2010/report-gruden-and-miami-close-on-deal-3-million-per-year/

That's the only link I can find on it right now, but it's spreading through my Miami fan site circles like wildfire.

EDIT: Same guy tweeted that Gruden to Miami was a done deal: http://twitter.com/LakeLewis/status/8966510219366400

Devilsfan

11-28-2010, 03:41 PM

I agree that the true swagger left when the president wanted the program cleaned up. It would be interesting to see what those "student athletes" have made of themselves today.

blazindw

11-28-2010, 04:01 PM

It would be interesting to see what those "student athletes" have made of themselves today.

They're doing the same thing as our football players. I'm proud to be an alum of the only two schools in the ACC whose football players were recognized for academic excellence. http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/14/1628730/academic-honor-for-um-football.html

Again, I commend Randy Shannon for cleaning up The U's program...unfortunately, he couldn't win the games that mattered on the field. Gruden can hopefully continue the academic excellence and while I think he can bring the swagger back, I don't think he'd sacrifice the academic excellence for it.

throatybeard

11-29-2010, 01:03 PM

JasonEvans

11-29-2010, 01:49 PM

superdave

11-29-2010, 01:58 PM

Gruden gave a statement to ESPN saying he was committed to Monday Night Football. but not expressly denying he would take the Miami job. Still, AOL Fanhouse seems skeptical (http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/28/fanhouse-source-jon-gruden-to-miami-reports-are-ridiculous/?synd=1)of a deal and says Gruden is more interested in waiting for another NFL job.

-Jason "if Miami can get him, I think Gruden would recruit like crazy down there" Evans

If Jason Garrett does not close strong, Gruden might be one of handful of guys who could actually coach the Cowboys while simultaneously keeping Jerry Jones at arm's length.

I just dont see how coaching The U is more enticing than an NFL gig. Hasnt Gruden been in and around the pros his whole coaching career? (Yep, has been in the NFL since 1990 according to wikileaks, I mean wikipedia. A few small college gigs before that) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Gruden).

JasonEvans

11-29-2010, 02:43 PM

If Jason Garrett does not close strong, Gruden might be one of handful of guys who could actually coach the Cowboys while simultaneously keeping Jerry Jones at arm's length.

Considering the way the Cowboys have played the past 3 weeks, I think Garrett merely needs them to not go back into the tank to get the job. They are night-and-day different from what kind of club they were under Phillips. Garrett has all but sewn up the job, IMO.

--Jason "2 wins will be all it takes to get him the job" Evans

tommy

11-29-2010, 05:45 PM

If Jason Garrett does not close strong, Gruden might be one of handful of guys who could actually coach the Cowboys while simultaneously keeping Jerry Jones at arm's length.

I just dont see how coaching The U is more enticing than an NFL gig. Hasnt Gruden been in and around the pros his whole coaching career? (Yep, has been in the NFL since 1990 according to wikileaks, I mean wikipedia. A few small college gigs before that) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Gruden).

I agree with you that Gruden is likely to coach in the NFL or not at all. But if we're wrong, it's worth noting that Gruden is an Ohio kid. Football roots are in the midwest. While as a native Miami guy, I would love to see him take over at the U, it might be more likely for him to be interested in Michigan, should they fire RichRod. I know a lot of Michigan alums would be clamoring for Jim Harbaugh, if they can bury the hatchet with him, but Gruden would be a pretty big steal if they could get him.

wilson

11-30-2010, 09:28 AM

Considering the way the Cowboys have played the past 3 weeks, I think Garrett merely needs them to not go back into the tank to get the job. They are night-and-day different from what kind of club they were under Phillips. Garrett has all but sewn up the job, IMO.

--Jason "2 wins will be all it takes to get him the job" EvansI'd think John Fox and Jeff Fisher might be monitoring that situation too. I have family members who are close friends with the Fox family, and they tell me that by firing or resignation, he's definitely out of Carolina at season's end (even though that mess is definitely not his fault), and that he's paying close attention to the Dallas state of affairs in considering his next maneuver.
I know they supposedly love Jason Garrett in Dallas, but do they really love him that much?
One thing I know...if I were a Cowboys fan, I would not want Garrett to get the job. He seems like just another of Jerry's boys, with too little ability to effect the change in team culture that's needed out there. Although, to be fair, the best change in team culture they could make would be to rid Jerry of his meddlesome ways, and we all know the likelihood of that happening.

throatybeard

12-08-2010, 02:52 PM

tommy

12-08-2010, 03:44 PM

Urban Meyer's second annual Resignation Spectacular:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5899478

(presser at 6 East)

Wannstedt is stepping down at Pittsburgh:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5896191

With openings at UF and The U at the same time, this could get interesting. I hope that the more attractive Florida job doesn't land them a guy (Dan Mullen?) who might otherwise have been viable for Miami, leaving us with a guy like Dave Wannstedt. If there is a God, Wannstedt will not be the next Hurricane coach.

gam7

12-09-2010, 06:38 PM

I don't believe there has been any dicussion of Urban Meyer's resignation yet. Kind of amazing that within the last year or so, all of Florida, Florida State and Miami have gone through or are currently going through coaching changes.

dairedevil

12-09-2010, 07:17 PM

Maybe folks are waiting to see if he changes his mind......

pbc2

12-10-2010, 09:22 AM

Meyer' resignation could help Duke in the recruitment of Cam Clear, though we are still going up against Tennessee, Alabama, and Auburn.

-jk

12-17-2010, 04:52 PM

Maryland's offensive coordinator and coach in waiting, James Franklin, has accepted the head coaching position at Vandy (http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_8574/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=khEPn9x1). He'll ask several Maryland asst coaches to join him.

-jk

jtelander

12-18-2010, 07:06 AM

Maryland reportedly moving Friedgen out (http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/17/maryland-moving-ralph-friedgen-out/?ncid=txtlnkusspor00000002)

-bdbd

12-18-2010, 02:47 PM

Maryland reportedly moving Friedgen out (http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/12/17/maryland-moving-ralph-friedgen-out/?ncid=txtlnkusspor00000002)

I'm in DC. Local news radio is quoting multiple sources that Fridge is being pressured to accept a buyout and leave. Very interesting that it happens DAYS after the "Coach in Waiting" signs with Vandy as the HC. Obviously leaks like these make it next-to-impossible for Fridge to stay and remain effective. So assume that he's gone. Will be interesting to see who they have in mind to bring in. The guy who went to Vandy, Franklin, was thought of as a tremendous recruiter.

Last year everyone thought that Fridge was on thin ice with AD Yow. So was Gary Williams. But her departure and Anderson's arrival from West Point was thought to give Fridge a reprieve. That, combined with his better-than-expected year, should have secured him the final year on his contract, upcoming. Apparently not. Maybe MD thinks that they should do better than 8-4.... The alumni seem to feel that they can/should be doing better than what Gary Williams has been delivering too... Hmmm.

I wonder if they lose any recruits due to this upheaval. You have to now expect a lot of the staff to follow Franklin to Vandy. Were there any big-time recruits that we just lost out on to the Terps. Opportunity knocks...

:rolleyes:

budwom

12-18-2010, 03:10 PM

I'm in DC. Local news radio is quoting multiple sources that Fridge is being pressured to accept a buyout and leave. Very interesting that it happens DAYS after the "Coach in Waiting" signs with Vandy as the HC. Obviously leaks like these make it next-to-impossible for Fridge to stay and remain effective. So assume that he's gone. Will be interesting to see who they have in mind to bring in. The guy who went to Vandy, Franklin, was thought of as a tremendous recruiter.

Last year everyone thought that Fridge was on thin ice with AD Yow. So was Gary Williams. But her departure and Anderson's arrival from West Point was thought to give Fridge a reprieve. That, combined with his better-than-expected year, should have secured him the final year on his contract, upcoming. Apparently not. Maybe MD thinks that they should do better than 8-4.... The alumni seem to feel that they can/should be doing better than what Gary Williams has been delivering too... Hmmm.

I wonder if they lose any recruits due to this upheaval. You have to now expect a lot of the staff to follow Franklin to Vandy. Were there any big-time recruits that we just lost out on to the Terps. Opportunity knocks...

:rolleyes:

When the coach in waiting left for Vandy, Merlin saved a million bucks (literally) so that allowed them the luxury of canning Friedgen.
They want Mike Leach as their next coach.

Duvall

12-18-2010, 03:16 PM

When the coach in waiting left for Vandy, Merlin saved a million bucks (literally) so that allowed them the luxury of canning Friedgen.
They want Mike Leach as their next coach.

At this point, they had better get him, or the pickings could be awfully lean. Who fires a coach in mid-December?

ArkieDukie

12-18-2010, 07:55 PM

Yesterday, an explosion of Tweets about Houston Nutt and the Dallas Cowboys' QB Coach job. And a link to the Colorado job that he seems to be denying.

http://www.mrsec.com/2010/11/nutt-denies-colorado-rumors/

OMG, this is a joke, right? I cannot see Houston Nutt as a NFL QB coach. No way. I say this as someone who watched his team at Arkansas for his entire tenure as head coach. I can't think of a single QB he has sent to the NFL.

pfrduke

12-18-2010, 08:19 PM

OMG, this is a joke, right? I cannot see Houston Nutt as a NFL QB coach. No way. I say this as someone who watched his team at Arkansas for his entire tenure as head coach. I can't think of a single QB he has sent to the NFL.

Well, there's Ryan Mallett, who will be an NFL starter someday (possibly even next season). But I see your overall point.

sagegrouse

12-18-2010, 08:21 PM

At this point, they had better get him, or the pickings could be awfully lean. Who fires a coach in mid-December?

Mike Leach is close to Kevin Plank, the Under Armour founder, Md. grad, and Board member. I assume that this deal has already been cooked and is just waiting to be served.

sagegrouse

blazindw

12-18-2010, 09:22 PM

Well, there's Ryan Mallett, who will be an NFL starter someday (possibly even next season). But I see your overall point.

Mallett wasn't there with Nutt. Nutt went to Ole Miss in 2007, when Mallett was finishing his first year at Michigan. It was after Petrino arrived that Mallett transferred to Arkansas.

pfrduke

12-18-2010, 09:28 PM

Mallett wasn't there with Nutt. Nutt went to Ole Miss in 2007, when Mallett was finishing his first year at Michigan. It was after Petrino arrived that Mallett transferred to Arkansas.

Ah, right. My bad.

ArkieDukie

12-19-2010, 09:12 AM

Well, there's Ryan Mallett, who will be an NFL starter someday (possibly even next season). But I see your overall point.

Ryan Mallett never played under Houston Nutt. He wanted to, but Nutt allegedly hired Malzahn in order to get the Springdale recruits (Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams). Mustain was touted as the future starting QB, so Mallett went to Michigan. Played there his freshman season, but he transferred to Arkansas after 1) Michigan hired Rich Rodriguez, 2) Mustain transferred to USC, and 3) Nutt left and was replaced by Bobby Petrino. Mallett was hailed as Petrino's first major recruit.

ArkieDukie

12-19-2010, 09:16 AM

Mike Leach is close to Kevin Plank, the Under Armour founder, Md. grad, and Board member. I assume that this deal has already been cooked and is just waiting to be served.

sagegrouse

I've seen this reported in a couple of places, too. If that's what is going on, this whole situation reeks. Granted, I'm not a MD fan, but this does not seem like a good way to treat a coach who is the most recent recipient of the conferences COY award.

Duvall

12-19-2010, 09:43 AM

I've seen this reported in a couple of places, too. If that's what is going on, this whole situation reeks. Granted, I'm not a MD fan, but this does not seem like a good way to treat a coach who is the most recent recipient of the conferences COY award.

Beamer should have won.

I wonder if Plank will have the Maryland coaches' conversations piped into his luxury box? (http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/12/phil_knight_on_oregon_ducks_as.html)

weezie

12-19-2010, 03:10 PM

I assume that this deal has already been cooked and is just waiting to be served.

sagegrouse

Aw gee whiz, I'm not going to like this dish next fall. The thought of Leach at md makes me want to cry a little. I'll bet the hokies are not too excited.

-jk

12-19-2010, 03:31 PM

ArkieDukie

12-19-2010, 07:22 PM

sagegrouse

12-19-2010, 07:31 PM

So, is Maryland's new AD, Anderson, a Machiavellian genius or did he recover a fumble...

Just a month ago, he said Friedgen would be back next year. Then within hours of coach-in-waiting (and a million dollar payment due if he wasn't named coach) James Franklin leaving for Vandy, Friedgen is done.

Genius or recovered fumble?

-jk

Definitely Machiavelli.

The key indicator was that Maryland did not attempt to keep James Franklin, who was the #2 and taking a bunch of assistants. If Maryland had executed Kay Yow's plan, Franklin had a $1 million payout if NOT the coach for 2011. This failure to try and keep Franklin freed up his $1 million to help buy out the Fridge. I think the plan was to get Mike Leach all along. Now we'll see if the Terps close the deal with Leach.

sagegrouse

sagegrouse

Acymetric

12-19-2010, 09:52 PM

No real impact on any BCS teams, but Ball State just picked up Pete Lembo (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5936904) from Elon. Good hire by Ball State getting a guy who has had success everywhere he's been, and definite move up for Lembo into the FBS.

As an Elon student I'm pretty curious who Elon will go after (although I'll be graduating this May, so I may not be there to see the new coach). My guess is a coordinator from the SoCon or a head coach from a lower division, or possibly a coordinator from a a mid-tier FCS school who wants a shot at being a head coach. If anyone here who is "in the know" has any thoughts I'd be interested to hear them.

tommy

12-21-2010, 12:25 AM

As far as NFL coaches whose seats are the hottest, I think conventional wisdom would say Fox at Carolina of course, then Singletary with the Niners, Kubiak with Houston and then maybe Marvin Lewis of Cincinnati, right? (not counting the interim guys)

But I would not be surprised to see Tony Sparano of Miami shown the door. That team is going in the wrong direction. They are 1-6 at home this year, and have had late season losses to both Cleveland and Buffalo. Inexcusable. Those are bad football teams, regardless of having a nice win here or there. Win those two and the Dolphins are 9-5 and in the hunt.

It's not like the team doesn't have some skilled people on offense, and the defense frankly has been terrific all year. With Parcells (who along with Jeff Ireland brought Sparano in) no longer involved in a major way, I could see the Dolphins being ready to try somebody else. This ain't happening.

sagegrouse

12-21-2010, 09:41 AM

Definitely Machiavelli.

The key indicator was that Maryland did not attempt to keep James Franklin, who was the #2 and taking a bunch of assistants. If Maryland had executed Kay Yow's plan, Franklin had a $1 million payout if NOT the coach for 2011. This failure to try and keep Franklin freed up his $1 million to help buy out the Fridge. I think the plan was to get Mike Leach all along. Now we'll see if the Terps close the deal with Leach.

sagegrouse

This article (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/bs-sp-terps-fridge-1221-20101220,0,2779974.story)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 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/30/AR2009123002278.html)(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

Reilly

12-21-2010, 11:57 AM

[URL="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/bs-sp-terps-fridge-1221-20101220,0,2779974.story"]...
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. .... sagegrouse

I would take it a little further: Maryland had decided Franklin was not the answer *and, importantly, let him know that so he would look elsewhere* and then didn't attempt to retain him.....

As has been pointed out, Maryland could have:
(1) kept Fridge for 2011 and Franklin for 2012;
(2) kept Fridge indefinitely, paid Franklin $1m, and then maybe turned to Franklin (or not) when Fridge was done;
(3) acted surprised when Franklin jumped ship, and pretended that set in motion a chain of events; or
(4) pushed Franklin by telling him he'd never be the HC, then pushed Fridge.

Maryland did #4. They are spinning it as #3. Hence, the accurate "lying weasel" name.

-bdbd

12-21-2010, 11:59 AM

This article (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/bs-sp-terps-fridge-1221-20101220,0,2779974.story)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 (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/30/AR2009123002278.html)(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

Several more articles from today's Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/sports/?nid=top_sports

Even Feinstein weighs in saying, effectively, "It feels wrong, but it was the RIGHT decision" (because of the money). You gotta feel bad for Fridge, but obviously money talks and empty seats don't equal money (nor decent bowl invites...).

It kinda makes you wonder, once Cut completes the turnaround at Wally Wade, what kind of a bowl will an 8-4 Duke squad get invited to... Well, ah, for now, let's just worry about getting ANY invitation! It is coming, soon my friends.

Does anyone know if all of the coaching turmoil, including at South Beach, could have any positive impacts, potentially, for our recruiting? Weren't we involved with a stud lineman from South Florida?

-jk

01-01-2011, 07:33 PM

Pitt's new coach lastedtwo weeks (m.apnews.com/ap/db_8574/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=3C103A6730142FA725612 1028ED7F0E7?full=true&contentguid=NNBhujhn&detailindex=#display).

-jk

DMV2434

01-02-2011, 03:36 PM

Sources: Randy Edsall to Maryland (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5981463)

Edsall says it is not a done deal yet but these reports are usually correct.

tommy

01-02-2011, 05:54 PM

Another blow to Big East football, which can least afford it. Really says something that he'd think it's a step up to go from the top of the Big East, where he's just coming off a Fiesta Bowl appearance, to a pretty good-but-far-from-great ACC program. I'm sure it's a big pay raise too, but still.

sagegrouse

01-02-2011, 06:39 PM

Sources: Randy Edsall to Maryland (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5981463)

Edsall says it is not a done deal yet but these reports are usually correct.

I think Leach's litigious nature did him in at Maryland. When Texas Tech suspended him over the incident with young James, he sued the university. It promptly fired him. Now he has lawsuits pending against both Texas Tech and ESPN for its stories, which his agent said he would not drop to get a head coaching job. Easy to understand why the University counsel and the Board of Governors would get cold feet.

FWIW, Leach has a law degree (Pepperdine?).

Anyway, my conjecture that the Maryland saga with Friedgen and Franklin was simply a ruse to hire Mike Leach proved to be wrong, although that may have been the intent of the AD.

sagegrouse

-bdbd

01-03-2011, 11:26 AM

I think Leach's litigious nature did him in at Maryland. When Texas Tech suspended him over the incident with young James, he sued the university. It promptly fired him. Now he has lawsuits pending against both Texas Tech and ESPN for its stories, which his agent said he would not drop to get a head coaching job. Easy to understand why the University counsel and the Board of Governors would get cold feet.

FWIW, Leach has a law degree (Pepperdine?).

Anyway, my conjecture that the Maryland saga with Friedgen and Franklin was simply a ruse to hire Mike Leach proved to be wrong, although that may have been the intent of the AD.

sagegrouse

Apparently the Edsall hiring at MD has raised the ire of some major contributors. One of the stories claims that Leach was the original target, until the last 48 hours, and that it was almost a done deal, but that the MD Athletic Director got last-minute cold feet over Leach's controversial background. Obviously that would have been the bolder step, and Edsall is more perceived as a step sideways relative to Fridge. Possibly a big missed opportunity for MD, but time will tell.

I do wonder if Leach is effectively being blackballed by major college AD's, maybe in a subtle way, for his rough exit from TT. Someone will hire him though, and make schools like MD look bad for not "having the courage" to hire him (see Farrell article below).

Some more articles from the Washington Post as Edsall is confirmed/announced today:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/02/AR2011010203467.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/02/AR2011010202231.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/terrapins-insider/2011/01/mike_farrell_randy_edsall_will.html

According to Mike Farrell of Rivals:
...at Maryland, in a state much more loaded with top-tier football talent, Edsall will be expected to compete for upper echelon recruits. Can Edsall and the staff he builds keep up? Time will tell, Farrell said.

"I do know one thing: If I’m a Maryland fan, I’m happy with the hire because I know he’s going to win football games because he’s a tremendous football coach," Farrell said in a telephone interview late Sunday night. "If I’m a recruiting fan, I don’t think it’s going to be as exciting as it was under (Friedgen) with (James) Franklin and (Dave) Sollazzo and those guys."

Here are some more of Farrell's thoughts, from a recruiting perspective, on Maryland's decision to hire Edsall:

On Edsall reputation as a recruiter: "He finds guys that few other people recruit, and he turns them into really good football players. That’s what he had to do at UConn...

Jarhead

01-03-2011, 02:00 PM

On Edsall reputation as a recruiter: "He finds guys that few other people recruit, and he turns them into really good football players. That’s what he had to do at UConn...[/I]

Isn't that what Mark Few does at Gonzaga?

tommy

01-04-2011, 03:26 PM

No surprise really, but Fox in Detroit is reporting that he is gone.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/sports/rich-rodriguez-fired-as-michigans-head-football-coach#

BD80

01-04-2011, 05:07 PM

No surprise really, but Fox in Detroit is reporting that he is gone.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/sports/rich-rodriguez-fired-as-michigans-head-football-coach#

The really funny part is the report that alum Jim Harbaugh is NOT interested in the job!

B...B...B...B...B...B...But this is MICHIGAN! We once went to bowl games for 30 straight years! What do you mean you aren't interested?

Devil in the Blue Dress

01-04-2011, 05:24 PM

The really funny part is the report that alum Jim Harbaugh is NOT interested in the job!

B...B...B...B...B...B...But this is MICHIGAN! We once went to bowl games for 30 straight years! What do you mean you aren't interested?

There was another alum who showed no interest the last time this job opened up...... Les Miles.

"Hail to the Victors" isn't playing so well these days.

tommy

01-05-2011, 12:04 AM

The really funny part is the report that alum Jim Harbaugh is NOT interested in the job!

B...B...B...B...B...B...But this is MICHIGAN! We once went to bowl games for 30 straight years! What do you mean you aren't interested?

While Jim Harbaugh is a Michigan alum, he is a Palo Alto native. He already is home. He is almost on top of the college football world right now, with a top 3 team, a dominating BCS game win, lots of momentum, an adoring fan base, an extremely supportive administration, fantastic facilities, and direct access to the California recruiting riches. Oh, and he gets to live in Palo Alto. It'll be 60 degrees and clear there tomorrow. It'll be 28 and snowing in Ann Arbor.

Maybe not so hard to understand staying at Stanford, assuming he doesn't go pro.

blazindw

01-05-2011, 08:05 AM

While Jim Harbaugh is a Michigan alum, he is a Palo Alto native. He already is home. He is almost on top of the college football world right now, with a top 3 team, a dominating BCS game win, lots of momentum, an adoring fan base, an extremely supportive administration, fantastic facilities, and direct access to the California recruiting riches. Oh, and he gets to live in Palo Alto. It'll be 60 degrees and clear there tomorrow. It'll be 28 and snowing in Ann Arbor.

Maybe not so hard to understand staying at Stanford, assuming he doesn't go pro.

He's not a Palo Alto native. I believe he just finished high school there. Almost his entire life before that was spent in Ann Arbor. So, it's not just him being a Michigan Man, he's a product of the state.

BD80

01-05-2011, 09:29 AM

While Jim Harbaugh is a Michigan alum, he is a Palo Alto native. ...

He's not a Palo Alto native. I believe he just finished high school there. Almost his entire life before that was spent in Ann Arbor. So, it's not just him being a Michigan Man, he's a product of the state.

Jim's (and John's) dad Jack was an assistant coach at Michigan under Bo for SIX years before taking the defensive coordinator position at Stanford for the 2 years that Jim was in senior high. While Jim was at UM, his dad came back to Michigan as head coach of Western Michigan. Jack and Jim are consider Bo disciples.

It is a major slap in the collective faces of UM alum for Jim to so casually dismiss the UM coaching job. This is a bit like the Alabama situation years ago as the alumni struggle to retain some connection to the legendary coach. Jim may be their last chance for Bo's tree to bear fruit in Ann Arbor.

JasonEvans

01-05-2011, 12:48 PM

tommy

01-05-2011, 02:07 PM

The Michigan AD pretty much dismissed the notion of Harbaugh at the news conference, saying he thinks Harbaugh is looking at the NFL.

Everyone is saying that Michigan will look to get Les Miles away from LSU. We'll see.

-Jason "amazing how fast RichRod fell" Evans

I wouldn't count on Les Miles. Miles was interested last time, but was cockblocked by Lloyd Carr. Carr doesn't like him dating back to their days as assistants for Bo. Carr has a lot of influence here, and would likely utilize the same maneurver this time, unless the embarrassment of the RichRod era is so great and the need to get someone in there who is a proven winner, with Michigan ties, so great that Carr is willing to hold his nose and let bygones be.

I don't find it to be amazing how fast RichRod fell. The guy was an embarrassment from Day One. The way he left WVU with the messy contractual situation. The lack of respect for the traditions of Michigan. The totally classless way he dealt with his defensive assistants. Getting this proud program put on probation for the first time in its history. And of course the abominable performance on the field. This guy is an ethically-challenged, no-class jerk, and was never a good fit for Michigan.

The reality today is guys don't get as much time as they used to. Good coaches have proven that they can turn programs around in a couple of years. With all the resources at his disposal, for the Michigan program to be where it is after 3 full years is an embarrassment, and he completely deserved to be canned.

BD80

01-05-2011, 02:13 PM

The Michigan AD pretty much dismissed the notion of Harbaugh at the news conference, saying he thinks Harbaugh is looking at the NFL.

Everyone is saying that Michigan will look to get Les Miles away from LSU. We'll see.

-Jason "amazing how fast RichRod fell" Evans

And RR is burning bridges as he goes. Word is that the "announcement" was delayed until today because RR was raising a fuss about his buy-out. His leaving WVU was so nasty that it was actually the start of his downfall at UM, the alum did not appreciate their new coach publicly mud wrestling for $. Throw in a whiff of NCAA investigation, complaints from players, a total lack of defense or physicality, unabated losses to OSU and MSU, one minor bowl in three years and a blow out in that one bowl ... RR just wasn't going to make it there.

One thing that outsiders may not appreciate is that RR REALLY steamed a lot of alum by allowing a DEFENSIVE player wear #1! That was Anthony Carter's number, who is still revered at the school. It would have taken 10 straight victories over OSU and a couple of NCs to win back some alum from that unwitting fiasco.

What AD takes a chance on RR now? He would probably do well out west where he can outscore opponents and not have to worry as much about defending ball control offenses.