November 6, 2006
Schiano's List: Miami and Penn State?
Despite several statements that he is very happy with his position at Rutgers, Greg Schiano is reportedly interesting in returning to Miami or even heading back to Happy Valley for the Penn State job. Of course, this all through "a friend of Schiano's" in the Miami Herald, but - hey - that's something, right Hurricane fans?
Schiano isn't making top-level money at Rutgers, and there's public pressure on the school to cut back some of the football spending given the $80 million shortfall in state funding. Reporters are questioning the schools lease on Schiano's Escalade ($998/month) and the money spent on an ecological preserve for Schiano's house. (And they don't even mention that Rutgers paid students to attend the bowl game!)
Meanwhile, down in Miami, Head Coach Larry Coker is saying that he can live with whatever decision is made regarding his future.
"It's not about me. I'm going to be fine. And I mean that from the deepest part of my soul. I'm going to be fine because I know what I'm all about. I know the staff we put together here. I know the players here. "Those [job security] decisions, as you know, come from others, and I respect that. Whatever decisions are made, are made. But we've got a job to do here. My main concern is with the players and coaches and doing the very best we can for the next three weeks.''
Comments:
Zac said:
posted on November 6, 2006 12:05 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
Let's face it, and God knows we've all said it before. College football is all about money. In the case of coaches, it's money and incentives. Until last year, Greg Schiano hasn't really produced a quality team. But over the past three, there has been steady improvement, and this year is the result. Now, I'm betting Coach Schiano is objective enough to know; until recently, he wasn't worth the extra money. Now, he's begun to prove he may be, especially given he'll have a good nucleus of kids coming back next year. You watch; at season's end, even if Rutgers winds up with 2 regular season losses, if they get that 1st bowl victory against a quality team, Schiano's likely getting a raise. If next year is like this year, don't be surprised to see him get another, plus maybe a contract extension. Heck, in a previous blog there was all this whoop-de-do about strong-arm tactics used to help him get the land he needed to build a home. That doesn't sound like someone interested in leaving anytime soon.
C-DOGG said:
posted on November 6, 2006 12:08 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
Reality Check,
Who in the HEL* would stay @ THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY over the 5-time National Champion Miami Hurricanes? No 4 or 5-star highschool recruit will go to Rutgers over Miami. And as far as Penn State is concerned....they are LOYAL to their coordinators. They will promote from within. Unless Ohio State's Tressel turns pro, Miami is the best job open in the offseason.
Miami-Lion said:
posted on November 6, 2006 12:33 PM — 72.144.143.152 — link — abuse?
Let me make this clear. Please tell your source at the Miami Herald that maybe University of Miami job is on the table; but the Penn State position will come from inside the PSU family. Now I GOT THIS ON SOURCES INSIDE the ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT at Penn State.
No Rumors. Just Facts they are happy with the staff they have. Spanier may want change but their research shows that Penn State nation will not support an outside the family coach. At least in the intial replacement of Joe upon his retirement.
VTBobb said:
posted on November 6, 2006 12:53 PM — 208.229.147.26 — link — abuse?
C-DOGG, Unless of course a perspective coach considers job security into his equation, not to mention fan support and facilities. I know, I've heard the rants about not performing up to the "U's historic standard" (of course, how far back should we go to set the standard?), the lack of control over the team (although ironically, a vocal, hopefully minority, of Miami fans who note that Coker has lost control also seem to think the FIU brawl wasn't Miami's fault; can't have it both ways), and the under achievement considering the talent on the team (can you say parity).
Isn’t Miami a relatively young team (14 seniors total)? And what is Coker’s record? A dismal 58-13. No wonder you “fans” want him gone. I’m surprised he wasn’t fired 2 years ago after Miami lost 3 games for a second year in a row. Of course, being the “U”, anyone should be able to win there, so I’m sure every coach in the country would trade their first born to have a chance to become the next great Miami coaching legend (at least for a year or two).
Sean said:
posted on November 6, 2006 1:26 PM — 209.82.168.215 — link — abuse?
Oh please, of please, oh please...
I just hope that if we get Schiano, Miami turns it around. I think they will due to the fact that we have good players with absolutely no motivation.
People like VT bob are just happy that they have a chance to beat up on us right now. we'll be back.
I was glad to see Butch has all but taken the job at UNC. At least he won't bail on us again.
GO CANESC-DOGG said:
posted on November 6, 2006 1:55 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
VTBobb, (post#5)
First of all,I want to thank Virginia Tech for further helping Miami get rid of Coker. I like the back & forth rivalry Miami has with V.Tech. I'm not here to bring up the "lack of institutional control" issue or the FIU brawl. That's old news to me. Think of it this way....Miami is one of those coaching jobs (like Notre Dame) where the coach is on a short leash. Just ask Ty Willingham, who I think was wrongfully terminated from ND. As far as Miami having a "young" team....well doesn't Ohio State have a "young" defense? Look what they are doing. Parity is only an excuse for poor coaching. Any coach that coaches at Miami has to win big with a young team because "the U" (as you say) is a pipeline to the NFL. The coach has to get extract the most potential out of his underclassmen before they turn pro. The 01' title team was loaded with underclassmen @ key positions. Research what football program has put more kids in the NFL over the past 7 or so years. My point is...the coach has to go. Coker has a good enough resume (from the pressure cooker Miami job) to easily get hired at Illinois, Colorado, etc. A 58-13 record may be acceptable for Coach "Beamer Ball", but not for Miami.
volstrike3 said:
posted on November 6, 2006 2:19 PM — 216.103.178.34 — link — abuse?
Leaving Rutgers for Miami is a no brainer. New Jersey vs. Southbeach?
I am still question why everyone thinks he is the greatest coach around, his team is under .500 for the past 6 years. Sure they are off to a good start this year and appear to have turned the corner but they have not proved anything yet. If they beat U of L I may change my tune but so far, I have not been overly impressed.
Tomcat said:
posted on November 6, 2006 2:43 PM — 70.245.21.0 — link — abuse?
I kinda halfta agree with VTbob longevity should be considered.A team loses 3 games and the fans want their head.
Miami is a fine educational facility and academacley one of the top 4 or 5 in their state.
Its a shame that the school couldn't handle their own problems in house.
Its real easy to point fingers and blame the coach.The U of M should have no problem finding a new coach every two years.
Yall ought to make an offer to TTech's Leach or
TCU's Patterson- now those guys can win!
Wow thats kinda scary Miami would probably go undefeated for yearsVTBobb said:
posted on November 6, 2006 2:44 PM — 208.229.147.26 — link — abuse?
Actually Sean, I'm just making a point that you reap what you sow. Talk about bailing...Why would any potential coach feel any loyalty to Miami when they now know that a 4 loss season will result in rabid calls for their ouster, even if they had won a national championship and almost a second in their first couple of years?
And check your facts. VT was 5 and 1 against Miami from '95 to '00, 3 and 3 since Coker.
VTBobb said:
posted on November 6, 2006 3:04 PM — 208.229.147.26 — link — abuse?
C-DOGG,
While I don't agree with you, I do appreciate the well reasoned response and I also understand I would probably have a different view of things if VT had the history of success as Miami. But I still believe that the days of a handful of colleges being perrenial powerhouses is effectively over. Sure, you'll still have programs putting together 4-5 year dynasties, but it will be more and more difficult to string together 10-12 years at the top.BTW, speaking of Ohio State, Tressel went 8-4 two years after winning the national championship. I guess had he coached at Miami, he would have been fired for that one...
sean said:
posted on November 6, 2006 3:20 PM — 209.82.168.215 — link — abuse?
Check all the facts VT Bob,
Miami has been on a steady downhill slide since Coker took over. Yeah, he was head coach when Kenny Dorsey led the team and won the National Championship. But look at the next season, a whole lotta close calls and games barely won. They kept that up and look what started happening. We haven't truly blown out that many teams like we used to do. We did beat VT pretty good last year, but they've done the same to us.
Look at the 5 year ratings slide of the hurricanes. Coker has done an outstanding job of leading us into mediocrity. (did I spell that right?) That's why we're calling for his head.
But everyone's got a point. Schiano is having a good year against very mediocre teams. This could be a nightmare.goodolnuma5 said:
posted on November 6, 2006 7:33 PM — 24.208.149.244 — link — abuse?
Miami-Lion, careful, youre startin to sound like Bama fan. Penn St is a great job because they control recruiting in the entire NE corridor of the country. Once Joepa is gone, its up for grabs. I dont think those guys will have the name recognition that Schiano will have if he leaves or stays.
cllgefan said:
posted on November 6, 2006 8:46 PM — 71.255.44.57 — link — abuse?
When Rutgers hired Schiano he came with a list of demands. He wanted an upgrade in facilities, more money for the program and the school's support of the program, among other things. I follow big east football and Schiano has done a remarkable job at Rutgers. To simply observe that this is his breakthrough year is ignoring everything that goes into a successful football program. Before Schiano arrived, Rutgers was the laughing stock of the Big East. New Jersey has a ton of high school talent and Rutgers had no shot of landing such athletes. Schiano's first recruiting class includes Brian Leonard and Clark Harris. A number of people have commented on Schiano's ability to recruit and connect with his players. The players love him and each year Rutgers has improved immensely in the talent they have drawn. The team is winning and the national media has been paying attention. Ray Rice and Courtney Greene had both verbally committed to Syracuse before Schiano convinced them to join the Rutgers family. With that being said, Schiano has laid the foundation for a solid Division I football program, much like Frank Beamer did at Virginia Tech. In my opinion he is crazy not to stay and reap the benefits of his hard work. With tha being said, it is tough to turn down a coaching job among the college football elite. Miami certainly is a status position for a young coach like Schiano and could potentially launch his career, but it could also ruin it. If he doenst produce short term effects in Miami, he will be the next Larry Coker. At Rutgers, he has nowhere to go but up. I hope he stays in the Big East as it will be great for college football if teams like Louisville, WVU, Pitt and Rutgers continue to improve.
Joe said:
posted on November 7, 2006 10:11 AM — 65.35.217.174 — link — abuse?
Just an opinion but I believe Schiano will stay at Rutgers. He just doesn't seem to be the kind of guy that would leave something that he is building.
It will be interesting to see how the Miami situation turns out. With Shallala's less than assertive conduct with her undying support of continued "thuggery", I am not sure that UM is the best place for a coach with ethics, discipline, and integrity. Sadly many UM fans seem to embrace the "inmates running the asylum" approach. Too bad because it seemed Coker who was extremely wishy washy was finally starting to Say NO! to bad behavior this summer. Of course with Ryan Moore playing despite all his past problems it appears that discipline and rules are again at a premium at UM.
It is my hope that Miami hires a coach that won't put up with the previous nonsense that has been endemic with UM going all the way back to the early 80's. Truthfully, Miami can be a great program without that "Crap". Here is hoping they do!!
S.C.U.M. said:
posted on November 7, 2006 2:30 PM — 209.168.248.130 — link — abuse?
As a 'Cane fan, I would welcome the breath of fresh air that Schiano would provide to the program and I agree with those who say he'd be crazy not to take the job.
I don't think the Miami job is as bad as everyone seems to think. Coker's overall record is great, but his team's consistent underperformance (four years running) is going to cost him his job.
Further, there are a number of programs where your overall record is not as important as being able to win the "big game." How many times can Ohio State lose to Michigan before Ohio State fans call for a new coach? Or Texas and Oklahoma. Or Notre Dame and Michigan State (apparently).
With the U, the "big game" was Clemson at home ('03), Virginia Tech at home ('04), Georgia Tech at home ('05), and loss this year. All were games that needed to be won but were not.
Coker had his shot(s), bring on Schiano.
Jack London said:
posted on November 7, 2006 4:12 PM — 158.6.5.9 — link — abuse?
I think Schiano really wants PSU, my guess is that he used his buddy to send out the feeler through the Miami paper.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on November 8, 2006 9:07 PM — 71.42.27.135 — link — abuse?
I don't see how Schiano's long term future can include Rutgers.
Everything from the pay to the long-term potential of succeeding there is in doubt. This just isn't where top talent goes to roost. It's like Urban Meyer at Utah. You can't keep coaches who are that hot in an environment like that.
It would be neat to see Rutgers turn into a "power," though. I'd love to see them give Louisville a game on Thursday but I suspect it will get ugly... and not in Rutgers' favor. Hope I'm wrong, because I want Louisville outta that #3 slot.
Randy said:
posted on November 9, 2006 7:34 PM — 38.100.146.10 — link — abuse?
A previous post said "A 58-13 record may be acceptable for Coach "Beamer Ball", but not for Miami."
Well if that's the case, then Miami is not going to have a coach with head coaching experience, because they all have worse coaching records than Coker's. Schiano's is downright horrible in comparison. Miami should really consider Randy Shannon, someone who has been loyal to the program, and each year has a defense ranked among the best in the country.
C-DOGG said:
posted on November 10, 2006 8:18 AM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
Randy, (post#24)
The 58-13 record comment from me was not a coach's record coming into Miami (Coker was 0-0 coming in). What I meant was 58-13 is not good enough once a coach is @ Miami for 71 games. However, that record @ Miami is good enough for a Miami coach to go to a lot of other schools once he pushed out the door.
Cane_Nation said:
posted on November 10, 2006 12:58 PM — 205.166.218.4 — link — abuse?
I am completely on board with the whole Coker must go mentality. Now, with that being said, I have to admit in light of the tragic event that has taken hold of these kids lives this past week, there isn't a better coach in all of college football more appropriate for this team at this time than Larry Coker. I held off on the fire Coker mantra for a long time just because I really believe he is a good man. While he might be a good enough coach guiding his team on the football field, he is probably the best at guiding young adult through life. Let's lay off for a little while on him and let him do what I believe he does best, be a mentor in a time when these guys need one the most. If he can just hold this team together for two more games, I believe he will be leaving with alot of respect and dignity.
Now once the season is over......
Bring me Schiano!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brian said:
posted on November 11, 2006 1:04 AM — 71.108.14.228 — link — abuse?
Wow! Some of these people (most of them seem to be likely to be Floridians) get so ridiculously competitive about the conferences and the bowls, like cackling hens...and they have the nerve to make fun of New Jersey and wonder why Schiano would want to stay there? LOL Maybe therein lies part of your answer. New Jersey seems to have people with actual lives and universities dedicated to, oh, I don't know education, as opposed to southern states where the school exists to support the football team, the football team exists to prop up the state's lamentable economic record and dismal lack of innocation, and the people live to bicker about football...Get a life!
Cane4life said:
posted on November 11, 2006 1:22 PM — 65.10.127.66 — link — abuse?
Brian- Thats always the excuse when you have a crappy football program. The bottom line is that us floridians enjoy the education and the football. UF and UM are ranked higher academically then Rutgers. Both of these schools rank in the top 55 and yet we still enjoy great athletic programs that are perennial powerhouses. We also enjoy Florida where im sure one day you will move like all of your other neighbors because where u live sucks.
MIA said:
posted on November 11, 2006 1:32 PM — 65.10.127.66 — link — abuse?
Brian-I understand your frustration because you finally have something to cheer for and now you may lose your coach. Thats life, this is a business and your New Jersey state school can't maintain Sciano. It would be career suicide to settle at Rutgers. Schiano has UM ties and its the best way for him to spring to the NFL if he wants. The reason you dont bicker about football is because Rutgers isnt football. You could win out and wouldnt have a shot at a NC because your schedule is garbage. Maybe people like you should worry more about academics because it is apparent that you cant understand academics and football. Ever wonder why people from NJ move to Florida and the people in Florida stay put?
Bryan said:
posted on November 14, 2006 3:05 PM — 71.196.86.92 — link — abuse?
I don't have much of an opinion on Greg Schiano leaving New Jersey. I do think it is inevitable. He has proven his ability to recruit and perform but he will always be limited at Rutgers. Therefore, it is only natural to want to move to a more football friendly school where not only would the pay be better but the school's history will enable recruits that would otherwise be more difficult at Rutgers.
That said, I'd be careful what you say MIA. Although Rutgers' schedule was weak this year, Ohio State's was nothing special either, nor West Virginia, nor Louisville, etc. etc.
That is the nature of college football, it happens. But to say that Rutgers has no shot is crazy. They are in the hunt for sure. In fact the BCS computers have them ranked #2 behind Michigan. It is the pollsters keeping them out ot the top 5 right now.
Furthermore, although they do need to win out as well as get some help in the form of losses by the teams in front of them, crazier things have happened.
Picture this. USC loses to either Cal or UCLA, ND loses to USC, Florida loses to Arkansas, and Arkansas loses to LSU.
Is this scenario that unthinkable? I do not think so. And, pollsters would be left with either an unbeaten Rutgers, a two loss team, OR a repeat of this Saturday's Big Ten showdown for the championship.
If you ask me, pollsters would rather see Rutgers get a shot than see a repeat of Ohio/Michigan
Tom Stevens said:
posted on November 20, 2006 5:14 PM — 24.218.208.81 — link — abuse?
Schiano took this job knowing that Rutgers' focus is keeping Jersey athletes in state. Schiano is a Jersey boy, therefore, he is obliged to stay. If he left for Miami or Penn State or anywhere outside of Jersey, he would be ruined. He would be a hypocrite and face a traders' end. He's too clever to do that. As long as RU pays well and as long as the fans treat him like gold, he'll not leave.
Schiano has the unique opportunity to become the Joe Pa of New Jersey. That's a life long gig. Check out Joe Pa, he ain't leaving anytime soon, broken lag or otherwise. And when he goes, he'll have his own blood relative take over the wheel. As it is, all of his family works for that university in football or other high posts.
I know this because I'm a pilot. Joe Pa has a state funded aircraft that flies his ass everywhere, business related or not. I have some connections to the crew who flies Joe Pa around. They told me Joe Pa owns the university and is treated like a god.
In my opinion, anyone with half a brain could step into Miami or Penn State and create a winning football team. They are already reknown as winners and recruiting comes easy for winners.
The real challenge of Rutgers is that we're losers on the field. In the classroom we're all ivy league, as far as the nation views us. But let's face it, engineers, doctors, and lawyers don't make great nationally ranked footballers. The only reason we're on the winning track today, is because the addmissions board lowers its' standards when accepting athletes. And that's okay because we didn't invent that recipe. Let's not pretend that Michigan, BC, Navy; and yes, even Princeton don't do the same. They do. Everybody uses the recipe! Why? Because football is big business and a major money maker for the school, especially bowl driven programs.
Getting back to Schiano...he won't leave as long as Rutgers pays him reasonably well. I believe they will. The real question is does Schiano have brains enough to become a legend, by creating a winner out of a losing football team. Secondly, is Schiano intelligent enough to seize the opportunity. After all, it's staring at him square in the face.
I, for one, believe he will. I also believe Rutgers will become a football powerhouse with in 5 years.
Go ahead, call me crazy.
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Tomcat said:
posted on November 6, 2006 11:34 AM — 70.245.21.0 — link — abuse?Stay where your at coach.Your in a BCS conference.
Your recruiting will definetly improve.
Home attendance will improve.
The money will follow success
Go Scarlet Knights