October 17, 2005
Ranking the coaching free agents
Before the coaching carousel cranks up this coming winter, we examine the list of coaching "free agents"...that is, former major college head coaches who are now underemployed and who have stated a desire to return to the sidelines as a top boss.
To be sure, there are plenty of assistant coaches who will be looking for a promotion and current head coaches aiming to climb the ladder to a more prestigious locale, but today we rank the ex-coaches that are certain to appear in the rumor mills and on the short lists around the country as the silly season ensues in the coming months. Here goes:
1. Butch Davis (51-20 / 0.718 in 6 seasons at Miami)
Like Steve Spurrier a year ago, Davis stands as target #1 for AD's that will look to make a big hire once the carousel starts spinning. Davis rebuilt the probation-sacked Miami Hurricanes into a national championship contender before bolting for a four-year stint in the NFL.
Hiring a coach with NFL experience seems to be the trend these days, and Davis combines that with his relative youth and sparking UM record to forge a resume that colleges will salivate over and throw wads of cash at. Speaking of cash, Davis is flush with a multi-million dollar buyout that affords him the ability to sit back and wait for the perfect opportunity to re-enter the college game.
Given his Arkansas roots, Davis is frequently mentioned as a candidate to take the Razorbacks’ helm, should Houston Nutt be shown the door in Fayetteville. However, Davis may have his sights set on a more elite destination.
2. Dennis Erickson (144-57-1 / 0.715 in 17 seasons at 5 schools)
After a second unsuccessful NFL stint, Erickson appears poised to revisit the college ranks. If he does, he'll bring a track record of success on both coasts, two national titles (both at Miami), and a pair of fast rebuilding projects (Washington State and Oregon State) to the table.
Ole Miss briefly pursued Erickson last winter, and expect multiple BCS conference schools to do the same this year. He carries the slight taint of NCAA sanctions from his Miami days, but don't expect that to scare off very many suitors.
3. Rick Neuheisel (66-30 / 0.688 in 8 seasons at Colorado and Washington)
Despite gainful employment as the QB coach of the Baltimore Ravens, "Skippy" says he wants back into the college game. Despite gaining partial vindication after a tumultuous tenure at Washington, Neuheisel carries enough baggage to likely limit his choice of destinations.
His reputation as offensive innovator, his winning records at both head coaching stops, and his NFL credentials will likely open a door for him at a second-tier college program. Temple is rumored to covet his services, but don't be surprised if Neuheisel aims a bit higher.
4. David Cutcliffe (44-29 / 0.603 in 7 seasons at Ole Miss)
Cutcliffe survived a controversial firing at Ole Miss with his reputation largely intact. Health problems forced him to vacate the offensive coordinator's job at Notre Dame this past spring, but improving health has rekindled his desire to coach again.
Cutcliffe's offensive credentials and resume as a quarterback coaching ace (see the Mannings: Peyton and Eli) will make a top target for another offensive coordinator position (Tennessee?), but his desire is to return to head coaching. Look for his name to surface at a struggling SEC school (perhaps Kentucky or Arkansas) or at a mid- to lower-tier BCS program elsewhere.
5. Jim Donnan (104-40 / 0.722 in 11 seasons at Marshall and Georgia)
Despite being five years removed from his last coaching gig, Donnan's name still pops almost annually for potential openings. Credit that to his stellar winning percentage at both stops and his Division 1AA national title at Marshall, which seem to outweigh his firing in the midst of a president/AD power struggle at Georgia. In fact, plenty of downtrodden schools would covet the success he enjoyed at UGA.
In the past, Donnan merited serious consideration for the top job at Kentucky and (multiple times) at North Carolina. His name would enter the mix at either school should an opening occur. Other mid-tier ACC schools (NC State?) might also vie for his services.
The media ranks are filled with other former head coaches - Terry Bowden, Bill Curry, Bob Davie, Gerry DiNardo, and Lou Holtz, to name a few - that might entertain a return to the sidelines, but most of them either haven't expressed a serious interest or lack sufficient appeal to merit a realistic candidacy.
Comments:
posted on October 18, 2005 12:42 AM — 12.215.224.196 — link — abuse?Robert Knodell said:
I don't see many opportunities out there for Davis to land a top-notch this coming season. Nutt's looking safe for another year at Arkansas, as you say. Obviously Mack Brown is rock-solid at Texas. Mike Shula at Alabama and Karl Dorrell at UCLA have solidified their standing.
Unless a Bobby Bowden or a Joe Paterno retired or perhaps a major coach opted to bolt for the NFL, I just don't see a good fit for Davis, unless he decided to try a downmarket school like UNC, NC State, or Kentucky.
Aaron said:
posted on October 18, 2005 1:12 AM — 67.183.232.99 — link — abuse?
Another thing I like to look at when evaluating these coaches is what kind of recruiting they had to do to get the record they achieved. I'm going off-topic of your list a bit here, but it bugs me that coaches who won big at schools like Miami and Georgia are given such high praise. Those schools have overwhelmingly solid recruiting bases and not much has to be done in that department to get the players.
portis said:
posted on October 18, 2005 7:43 AM — 24.140.92.2 — link — abuse?
I agree with Aaron. Another advantage of being one of the traditional powerhouses is the ability to recruit. Even in a "down year" their talent is more than most smaller schools throughout the country. Jim Donnan would be an interesting choice for a school to take a look at. Certainly his arrival at Georgia helped lead to the current rebirth they are enjoying. While at Marshall he was able to win without many of the traditional fast Florida recruits that he received while at Georgia. Marshall competed for the Division II championship 4 out of 6 years while he was at Marshall. The opposing coach in 3 of those contests was current Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel, who was at Youngstown State.
posted on October 18, 2005 8:11 AM — 12.215.224.196 — link — abuse?
Certainly, I don't think you can discount how much a rich recruiting base for talent can make life easier. For example, perhaps Dennis Erickson's success at Oregon State is bigger plus for him than his winning at Miami (as well as Donnan's record at Marshall over his tenure at Georgia).
However, for every coach that CAN be sucessful a talent-rich school, there's one that can't. That's why you never found a Ray Goff (who had only 3 winning seasons in 7 years at Georgia) on these lists, or a Paul Hackett (who couldn't win at USC) or John Blake.
posted on October 18, 2005 8:47 AM — link — abuse?
Is Larry Coker 100% out of the woods at Miami?
posted on October 18, 2005 9:16 AM — 168.166.54.11 — link — abuse?
I don't see Coker being in any immediate danger of getting the ax, but if the wheels fall entirely off the wagon, who knows? His contract was extended through '09, which is actually pretty short in today's college football. My bet would be that he's safe for now, but I wouldn't have too many more three loss seasons if I were him.
posted on October 19, 2005 3:16 PM — 168.166.54.11 — link — abuse?
As I stick my finger into the Mizzou wind (more like a gentle breeze), I think Pinkel needs six wins--and the resulting bowl berth--to remain safe there. Larry Smith was let loose only two losing seasons removed from his last bowl team, and Pinkel could expect a similar fate. Making life even more difficult for him is the fact that the Aaron O'Neal tragedy has--putting it mildly--"complicated" the recruiting process. I've spoken to quite a few Mizzou supporters who are about to give up on Pinkel, but could be brought back onto the reservation with a winning season.
After the surprising win over Iowa State, six wins is doable, but not automatic. If they could've played any defense at all against New Mexico, Mizzou would be 5-1 right now, with the only loss being against #2 Texas. On the flip side, they're only 8 points shy of being a disastrous 2-4.
posted on October 19, 2005 8:44 PM — 198.207.0.5 — link — abuse?
What are the chances of Rick Neuheisel going to Purdue if Tiller gets the ax? I think he'd be an excellent fit for the Boilermakers and could have an immediate impact.
Chances are that people at Purdue wouldn't even know what a football was without Tiller. I liken it to the pre-2005 Fire Mack Brown campaigns from all corners. People seem to forget what life was like before their coach got there - dismal, dreary, and doomed to mediocre seasons year after year in both the Purdue and Texas situation.
posted on October 20, 2005 3:33 PM — 168.166.54.11 — link — abuse?
Over the past four seasons, Purdue has gone 6-6, 7-6, 9-4, and 7-5. Add to that five bowl game losses in the past six appearances. To many fans, that type of record is, by definition, "medicore" success. I think pre-Tiller Purdue was doomed to poor seasons. With Tiller, they're doomed to mediocre seasons. Post-Tiller, will they be destined for great seasons? Who knows?
Jimmy White said:
posted on October 23, 2005 12:14 PM — 65.184.158.186 — link — abuse?
Considering the large amount of south Florida players already on the roster Butch Davis would be a natural fit to replace Chuck Amato at NC State. This could be a good move for Butch as well. NC State has a fan base already willing to spend the dollars it would take to get him and they are a program that has an abundance of talent but lacks a strong capable leader.
K.W. said:
posted on October 30, 2005 11:55 PM — 68.97.97.148 — link — abuse?
New mexico needs a new offensive and defensive coordinator after losing two games in the second half and almost losing the first game in the second half. Rocky Long has just signed an extension this year. They also need to replace the safties coach. He's playing inexperienced freshman while his seniors who started a year ago sit on the bench. Their pass defense is horrible at best.Is there any chance one of these guys land in New mexico?
george nyarko said:
posted on August 26, 2006 2:39 PM — 41.204.37.77 — link — abuse?
hi,
my name is george from ghana,i am a boy 17 yes of age.
plz sir, i am a footballer hear in ghana and am a coast player in ghana the name of my clud is stay stars,and am a striker, i have play 5 seasons for my team and i have win 3 goalkings in ghana coast leg.in 2002, 2003,2004. so plz sir, i am looking for a good agent who can help me to get me new club.george nyarko said:
posted on September 4, 2006 2:21 PM — 41.204.33.142 — link — abuse?
hi,
my anme is george nyarko from ghana,am 17 yes of age.and i am a footballer hear in ghana and i want a good agent who can get me a new team to play in eroupe.i am a striker and i play well in my team.i have win a 2 times goalkings in ghana coast leg.so that is all what i need from any good agent who can help me.toney said:
posted on September 5, 2006 12:40 AM — 68.57.165.96 — link — abuse?
Let me tell you something, Larry Coker has been living off of Butch Davis's recruits for years, it has caught up with him, he doesn't have that ability like Jimmy Johnson,Dennis Erickson or Butch Davis to replace the talent that leaves Miami after three years. I would love to see one of those coaches or Howard S to come back and return the U back to the team who was cocky but good back it up.
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Aaron said:
posted on October 17, 2005 11:47 PM — 67.183.232.99 — link — abuse?Well, unfortunately, Nutt isn't going anywhere. But if he did, Davis would be the Razorbacks coach. You can take that to the bank.