November 11, 2008

What are Butch Davis's plans for 2009?

Amid rumors that the University of Tennessee is about to swoop in and sign Tarheels coach Butch Davis to a long-term deal, came this interesting non-denial from the Butchster himself.

"The long and short of it is, the administration and I are completely and firmly committed to building a championship football program at North Carolina," he told reporters a week ago. "My family and I are very happy in Chapel Hill."

Just my two cents: You can go ahead and add the words "today" and "for now" to the end of each sentence.

Davis's comments haven't gone unnoticed in ACC country, either.

J.P. Giglio from the News & Observer says Davis's future is "brighter than Tennessee" and runs down the potential moves for Butch, who can almost write his own ticket for any opening in the country.

Let's be clear, Davis can coach. UNC was one of the 10 worst programs in the BCS era before Davis arrived. In less than two seasons, Davis has the Heels 7-2 and ranked in the top 20.

...

With Davis' original intent in mind, there are few jobs he would leave UNC for. Save for Florida, and that would be awkward given his Miami background - although not impossible based on Rick Pitino's precedent in college basketball - there likely isn't a job in the SEC that Davis would take.

That leaves, in order:

1) University of Texas

Texas Tech, Missouri and Kansas have all made noise in the past two seasons but the Big 12 is essentially the Big 2 - Texas and Oklahoma.

Given Davis' past at Oklahoma State, I'm going to rule out Oklahoma - which also fired Davis' right-hand man, John Blake, so I don't think the two would be eager to run to Norman.

Davis recruiting at Texas is a frightening proposition. The 2001 Miami team, that won the national title the year after Davis left, was, from No. 1 through No. 85, the most-talented team in the history of the game.

He could give that roster a run for its money with Texas' recruiting resources and rich talent base.

Of course, Mack Brown is the coach at Texas. But Brown, after 11 seasons and a national title in Austin, could take another job or leave coaching to get an AD or commissioner job.

The pressure would be greater to deliver at Texas than at Chapel Hill, but Brown handled the transition and so could Davis.

2) Dallas Cowboys
...

3) Penn State

It's a longshot but it would at least be worth a conversation. Like the ACC, the Big Ten is ripe for domination. There's Ohio State and not exactly.

On the verge of another Big Ten title, Joe Paterno has reconfirmed that his successor will be his call and Davis won't be his choice.

But replacing a legend never works - like Frank Solich, like Ray Perkins - so the PSU search committee would have to cast a wider net in 2010.

Interestingly enough, Paterno almost took the Miami job when Davis was ultimately hired in 1995.

4) USC

Talk about owning a conference, please, Carroll owns everything west of Austin.

Los Angeles might be a little out of Davis' comfort zone, but it's an unbelievable recruiting base and you're guaranteed an annual crack at the national title.

Plus, at USC, there's no NFL team in LA and no one really cares about the basketball program.

I know what you're thinking... why in the world would Texas ever hire a Tarheels football coach? Oh... wait.

I'm just being honest here when I say that I can't think of too many people other than Butch Davis who could even step into Mack Brown's shoes at Texas. Can you?

And -- despite the prominent shadow -- I don't think its much of a stretch to see Davis taking over for JoPa. The field of really strong, viable candidates has definitely dwindled. (You don't hear Greg Schiano's name much these days, do ya?)

Could Davis take over at Notre Dame? I think Davis could coach circles around Charlie Weis. And he already has, now that I think about it. Think the Irish faithful want some Butch? You betchya!

What do yall think? Butch in 2009 - Carolina Blue or something new?

Comments:

What are Butch Davis's plans for 2009?
Amid rumors that the University of Tennessee is about to swoop in and sign Tarheels coach Butch Davis to a long-term deal, came this interesting non-denial from the Butchster himself.
"The long and short of it is, the administration and I are completely and firmly committed to building a championship football program at North Carolina," he told reporters a week ago. "My family and I are very happy in Chapel Hill."
Just my two cents: You can go ahead and add the words "today" and "for now" to the end of each sentence. Davis's comments haven't gone unnoticed in ACC country, either. J.P. Giglio from the News & Observer says Davis's future is "brighter than Tennessee" and runs down the potential moves for Butch, who can almost write his own ticket for any opening in the country.
Let's be clear, Davis can coach. UNC was one of the 10 worst programs in the BCS era before Davis arrived. In less than two seasons, Davis has the Heels 7-2 and ranked in the top 20. ... With Davis' original intent in mind, there are few jobs he would leave UNC for. Save for Florida, and that would be awkward given his Miami background - although not impossible based on Rick Pitino's precedent in college basketball - there likely isn't a job in the SEC that Davis would take. That leaves, in order: 1) University of Texas Texas Tech, Missouri and Kansas have all made noise in the past two seasons but the Big 12 is essentially the Big 2 - Texas and Oklahoma. Given Davis' past at Oklahoma State, I'm going to rule out Oklahoma - which also fired Davis' right-hand man, John Blake, so I don't think the two would be eager to run to Norman. Davis recruiting at Texas is a frightening proposition. The 2001 Miami team, that won the national title the year after Davis left, was, from No. 1 through No. 85, the most-talented team in the history of the game. He could give that roster a run for its money with Texas' recruiting resources and rich talent base. Of course, Mack Brown is the coach at Texas. But Brown, after 11 seasons and a national title in Austin, could take another job or leave coaching to get an AD or commissioner job. The pressure would be greater to deliver at Texas than at Chapel Hill, but Brown handled the transition and so could Davis. 2) Dallas Cowboys ... 3) Penn State It's a longshot but it would at least be worth a conversation. Like the ACC, the Big Ten is ripe for domination. There's Ohio State and not exactly. On the verge of another Big Ten title, Joe Paterno has reconfirmed that his successor will be his call and Davis won't be his choice. But replacing a legend never works - like Frank Solich, like Ray Perkins - so the PSU search committee would have to cast a wider net in 2010. Interestingly enough, Paterno almost took the Miami job when Davis was ultimately hired in 1995. 4) USC Talk about owning a conference, please, Carroll owns everything west of Austin. Los Angeles might be a little out of Davis' comfort zone, but it's an unbelievable recruiting base and you're guaranteed an annual crack at the national title. Plus, at USC, there's no NFL team in LA and no one really cares about the basketball program.
I know what you're thinking... why in the world would Texas ever hire a Tarheels football coach? Oh... wait. I'm just being honest here when I say that I can't think of too many people other than Butch Davis who could even step into Mack Brown's shoes at Texas. Can you? And -- despite the prominent shadow -- I don't think its much of a stretch to see Davis taking over for JoPa. The field of really strong, viable candidates has definitely dwindled. (You don't hear Greg Schiano's name much these days, do ya?) Could Davis take over at Notre Dame? I think Davis could coach circles around Charlie Weis. And he already has, now that I think about it. Think the Irish faithful want some Butch? You betchya! What do yall think? Butch in 2009 - Carolina Blue or something new?