December 18, 2007
Another trip around the coaching carousel
Here's the lastest from around the coaching carousel...
WEST VIRGINIA
With Rich Rodriguez hired as the head coach at Michigan, WVU is turning back the clock and interviewing several candidates with Mountaineer roots.
Terry Bowden has called it his dream job and he is considered one of the top candidates. There is some concern within the WVU athletic department that he has been out of coaching for too long, so he may not be the top target. Tony Barnhardt says that Bowden to WVU just makes sense... we'll have to wait and see.
Instead, former WVU assistant and current Central Michigan head coach Butch Jones is said to be the front runner. Jones left WVU after last season to take over for the Chippewas and runs the WVU offense at CMU, so he could likely make the most of the current Mountaineer talent. Another former WVU assistant, Tulsa coach Todd Graham has also been linked to the search.
Former WVU (and current FSU) OL coach Rick Trickett was interviewed today, although some have characterized it as a interview. Given Trickett's age, I think it's unlikely that he is one of the top candidates, but it is nice to see the 'Eers give him his due. Another name that was tossed around is future FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher, although Fisher has again declared that does not want to coach at West Virginia. Penn State DC Tom Bradley has been contacted to guage his interest in the position as well.
SMU
Former Miami Hurricanes head coach Larry Coker has interviewed for the SMU position, according to a report on ESPN's College Football Live. SMU has declined to comment. To hear it told, the Mustangs nearly signed former Navy coach Paul Johnson, but Johnson wanted the challenge of playing in a BCS conference and signed at Georgia Tech.
UCLA
Tennessee Titans OC Norm Chow interviewed for the UCLA position this week. There is an interesting vibe/undercurrent among the Bruins faithful though that is decidedly anti-Chow. The former USC Trojans OC has done the interview circuit extensively over the past two years - at North Carolina State, Arizona State, and the NFL's Arizona Cardinals. Another name that remains at the top of the list is that of Baltimore Ravens OC Rick Neuheisel. Neuheisel interviewed last week and will now get a second interview. Despite his "decorated" history of leaving mutliple colleges in absolute shambles, 'Slick Rick' is being pushed hard by several top boosters and former players.
Comments:
Clemson Joe said:
posted on December 19, 2007 8:50 AM — 165.166.31.249 — link — abuse?
In my opinion Jerry Moore would be a great fit for West Virginia. It seems like he would be a nearly seamless transition for the Mountaineers. If they could land him, they would be getting a great coach with a great track record, and one who would probably stick around for quite some time. Also, I think there are far less question marks with Moore than there is with Terry Bowden.
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on December 19, 2007 9:46 PM — 4.245.78.239 — link — abuse?
Am I the only one hearing the name John "Doc" Holliday as the new leader for the West Virginia job?
He's the current Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receiver Coach at Florida, and was at West Virginia from 79, as a Grad Assistant, to 99 when he was the Assistant Head Coach. During his time at West Virginia he coached, Inside LB's and Wide Receivers.
From 2000-04 he was the Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receiver Coach at N.C. State.
With Holliday, West Virginia wouldn't have to worry about bringing anyone in to adjust to modern college football, unlike Bowden who has been out of college football for ten years.
Here's more info on "Doc" Holliday.
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on December 19, 2007 9:52 PM — 4.245.78.239 — link — abuse?
I just found this article.
PARKERSBURG — John ‘Doc’ Holliday, who was an assistant football coach at West Virginia University from 1979 to 1999, has emerged as WVU’s leading candidate to succeed Rich Rodriguez as the head coach of the Mountaineers, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel has learned.
Holliday, 50, is poised to become WVU’s coach with an announcement to come as early as today, sources close to the situation said Tuesday.
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/500183.html
wvu_lifer
posted on December 20, 2007 2:24 AM — 75.109.107.108 — link — abuse?
said:
#6 Clemson Joe. I could not agree with you more. Why are we not pounding down his door? 3 National Bowl subdivision (1-AA) titles in a row (Tressel can't even say that). He could be the Jim Tessel of WVU. He also runs the same style spread. Plus His MOUNTAINERRS went to "the big house" and WON this year, lol. He'd also still be a Mountaineer!!
gatorhippy
posted on December 20, 2007 10:10 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
RG (#10):
Too bad he's not the most qualified HFC candidate on the UF staff...
When will Charlie Strong get his day?
I don't know, but in the mean time I'll just bask in knowing that we still keep one of the best defensive minds in CFB on our sideline...
WVU can have one of our positional coaches...
Not that Doc hasn't done wonders with kids like Vernall Brown, Ryan Smith and Joe Haden...
But if it comes between losing Holliday or Strong...
I'll send Holliday to the wolves every time...
gatorhippy
posted on December 20, 2007 12:44 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
RG (#12):
Any team that has had an opening is STUPID if they haven't called him...
I'm noit too sure if he necessarily wants to leave UF at this point, however...
Especially given the way things are looking for the Gators at this point...
The defense will be solid next year...
Maybe not quite MNC solid but definitley SEC CG solid...
I doubt that if it wasn't WVU that Holliday would even be ebtertaining the idea of leaving...
MikeWVU
posted on December 20, 2007 7:15 PM — 208.104.227.154 — link — abuse? said:
one thing I find funny is the WVU fans screaming about Mich raping the school. B Ball Coach, Head Football coach, numerous assist., and soccer head soccer coach. In the last 2 years WVU has taken 4 football coachs or assist out of the South Fl program. Im a WVU grad but is this CARMA??
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on December 20, 2007 11:48 PM — 4.244.36.239 — link — abuse?
I knew Chow wasn't going to be hired by UCLA. Chow has now made if offical.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow pulled his name from consideration for UCLA's head coaching job Thursday.
Chow interviewed for the job last weekend while in Kansas City, the night before the Titans' 26-17 victory over the Chiefs. He said he appreciated UCLA's interest and the chance to speak about the job.
wvu_lifer
posted on December 21, 2007 4:58 AM — 75.109.107.108 — link — abuse? said:
Yup, it's for real, just went there. Too bad they didn't have a "No way in hell button"!! But 81% say yes, WVU should hire Terry. Yeah, and Britney Pears as his assistant. He would run the program in the ground faster than papa did. I say Jerry Moore from App. St. or Grobe from Wake will emerge as the new head football coach at WVU. Peace.
posted on December 21, 2007 8:14 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
Chow hasn't been hired anywhere because he is a very poor speaker and few schools can afford to put him on the booster circuit or have him attempting to string six words together in front of recruits.
Offensive GENIUS... socially inept.
huggy08 said:
posted on December 21, 2007 4:44 PM — 68.51.61.90 — link — abuse?
Sounds like slim pickens in the coaching bank. Biggest winner out of this year was Arkansas with Bobby Petrino, even if he only stays 3 years. I mean, Arkansas went from being declined by Jim Grobe to picking up a BCS Baller!
If you remember the game of paper football, you'll love this game - http://thumpbowl.com. Took be back !
Zac said:
posted on December 23, 2007 3:27 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Since this fiasco with Rodriguez began, I've had a lot of time to think about this, not to mention recover from the shock and calm down and all.
I think Terry Bowden would be a good fit. I think some have cut him short because of his record at Auburn, and his having been out of coaching for so long. In retrospect, I have to wonder if his best destiny is as WVU's AD, and turn the football coaching reigns over to someone else.
While it's a plus for a viable candidate to have ties with WVU and the state, it's also short-sighted, in my opinion, to consider only those candidates. For example, I agree with G-Hip. Doc Holiday is an exceptional ASSISTANT HC, and a great position coach. I don't know that he's the best candidate for HC anywhere, let along WVU.
Sadly, WVU's AD, Ed Pastilong, isn't going to listen to any of us. All we can hope for as fans is that he does the right thing, and that ultimately what he does is the best thing for WVU's football team.
Zac said:
posted on December 24, 2007 11:54 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
WVU_lifer, I agree; in fact I've agreed with you on other threads. Coaches like Appy's, Jerry More, or Boise's, Chris Peterson, should be considered. Sadly, father Ed Pastilong knows best, and we'll be either blessed, or stuck, with whomever he picks. Whenever that is.
To all: When this message finds you, may it find you and yours well, throughout this holiday season, and throughout the many New Years to come.
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gatorhippy
said:
posted on December 18, 2007 1:57 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?Neuheisel???
The NCAA hasn't banned him yet ala Tark the Shark....