October 29, 2008

Clemson coaching search to begin in earnest

After retaining the firm of Carr Sports Associates, it appears that the search for the next Clemson head football coach will begin in earnest, but -- given the potential candidate list -- it does not appear that an announcement will be made until after the regular season.

Interim head coach Dabo Swinney is set to get an interview with Tigers AD Terry Don Phillips, however, there is pressure mounting on Phillips to make a substantial hire. Despite his popularity with the Clemson players, Swinney would not be a substantial hire for CU.

One name that is getting attention is long-time Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Foster, who has coached for 22 seasons for the Hokies, is considered a good recruiter who is well connected. He's an intense and sometimes demonstrative coach, which would be a marked contrast with former Tigers head coach Tommy Bowden. Foster has seen the blueprint for building & maintaining a championship-caliber program. Expect Foster to be one of the names on the short list at Clemson.

Another name that has been surfaced in nearly every existing and potential coaching search is that of Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach. Leach's value may never be higher thanks to his team's performance this year. The Red Raiders are a potential BCS team this season, thanks to Leach's decision to re-mix his power offense into a more balanced run-and-shoot spread. Leach is Leach... and that means an infinitely different tone than Bowden. An interesting twist in the Mike Leach angle? Leach was denied a contract extension in the off-season, as the administration asked him to wait until after the season. Too bad for Tech - the price tag is likely to be hefty. It's yet to be seen if that perceived snub has put a splinter into the otherwise cozy relationship in Lubbock. There's no question that he could recruit at Clemson and would likely bring instant excitement back into the Tigers program. The job might be his for the taking and Clemson will seek to interview Mike Leach.

The top candidate for the job right now may be Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Muschamp has been successfully everywhere he has ever gone. Considered one of the very best assistant coaches in the country, Muschamp is an outstanding recruiter and would bring a never-before-seen level of intensity to Clemson. The only downside (at all) to Muschamp is that he is likely to be a top candidate at Auburn, if Tommy Tuberville is fired, which could mean a very hefty salary. That shouldn't scare Clemson away, but it could end up going hiring than the $2.5 million that the Tigers had been prepared to offer their next coach.

More names that are on the list at Clemson? East Carolina's Skip Holtz, Tulsa's Todd Graham, Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson and TCU's Gary Patterson... not necessarily in that order.

And for a dark horse sleeper candidates? Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, Ball State's Brady Hoke, and Auburn's Tommy Tuberville.

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Clemson coaching search to begin in earnest
After retaining the firm of Carr Sports Associates, it appears that the search for the next Clemson head football coach will begin in earnest, but -- given the potential candidate list -- it does not appear that an announcement will be made until after the regular season. Interim head coach Dabo Swinney is set to get an interview with Tigers AD Terry Don Phillips, however, there is pressure mounting on Phillips to make a substantial hire. Despite his popularity with the Clemson players, Swinney would not be a substantial hire for CU. One name that is getting attention is long-time Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Foster, who has coached for 22 seasons for the Hokies, is considered a good recruiter who is well connected. He's an intense and sometimes demonstrative coach, which would be a marked contrast with former Tigers head coach Tommy Bowden. Foster has seen the blueprint for building & maintaining a championship-caliber program. Expect Foster to be one of the names on the short list at Clemson. Another name that has been surfaced in nearly every existing and potential coaching search is that of Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach. Leach's value may never be higher thanks to his team's performance this year. The Red Raiders are a potential BCS team this season, thanks to Leach's decision to re-mix his power offense into a more balanced run-and-shoot spread. Leach is Leach... and that means an infinitely different tone than Bowden. An interesting twist in the Mike Leach angle? Leach was denied a contract extension in the off-season, as the administration asked him to wait until after the season. Too bad for Tech - the price tag is likely to be hefty. It's yet to be seen if that perceived snub has put a splinter into the otherwise cozy relationship in Lubbock. There's no question that he could recruit at Clemson and would likely bring instant excitement back into the Tigers program. The job might be his for the taking and Clemson will seek to interview Mike Leach. The top candidate for the job right now may be Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Muschamp has been successfully everywhere he has ever gone. Considered one of the very best assistant coaches in the country, Muschamp is an outstanding recruiter and would bring a never-before-seen level of intensity to Clemson. The only downside (at all) to Muschamp is that he is likely to be a top candidate at Auburn, if Tommy Tuberville is fired, which could mean a very hefty salary. That shouldn't scare Clemson away, but it could end up going hiring than the $2.5 million that the Tigers had been prepared to offer their next coach. More names that are on the list at Clemson? East Carolina's Skip Holtz, Tulsa's Todd Graham, Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson and TCU's Gary Patterson... not necessarily in that order. And for a dark horse sleeper candidates? Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, Ball State's Brady Hoke, and Auburn's Tommy Tuberville.