by HJS on Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:10 pm
It is not enjoyable to watch Spaz destroy my alma mater's football program. And, while I am fully aware that GDF may drive this program into the ground, I have to at least pretend that the end of this nightmare is near. In the spirit of trying to do something productive, I am going to start a list of potential replacements. I mean for it to be somewhat realistic and a bit over inclusive. This is an updated list that incorporates names, hirings and firings. I minimized those names that I don't believe would really be an option, but included them because they were thrown out at some point in this thread.
If the colored-names want to tack this... feel free.
College
Steve Addazio - Current Temple Head Coach. Connecticut born and raised. Considered an OLine guru. Has a real chance to land this gig if he does well at Temple. Catholic.
Mike Bobo - Current OC at UGA, his alma mater. A fast riser holding the position at only 37. A name to keep an eye on in the future, but likely not BC as he has never been outside of SEC country.
Al Borges - Current OC at Michigan. Has been the OC at essentially every program in America. But, at 56, has never been offered a head coaching gig.
Troy Calhoun - Current head coach at Air Force. Might be my top choice of all candidates. Proven successful at a school with tons of hurdles. Was also OC at Wake for a spell. Would be hard as hell to get him to leave his alma mater.
Paul Chryst - OC at Wisconsin. Spent some years in college and the pros with Mike Riley. But, he was born and raised in Madison, WI. Hired by Pitt.
Dave Clawson - Young coach who Flip would love to be his puppet. Had success at Villanova, Fordham and Richmond. Was a miserable failure as Tenn OC (a job that GDF recommended him for that led to the shitcanning of friend Phil Fulmer). Has been pretty horrific as head coach of Bowling Green. I mention him only because if he had a good season would have to be considered a factor in any search. Catholic.
Mario Cristobal - Current head coach at FIU. Up-and-comer who is a lifelong Florida coach (save the 2 seasons he spent on Schiano's first staff at RU). Young, aggressive, knows OLine, has improved each season (even bringing FIU to back2back bowls). Concerns only about his willingness to leave Fla and about his about his ability to recruit kids who can read. Catholic.
Dave Doeren - Current Head Coach at Northern Illinois. 40 year old rising star. Was the Wisconsin DC for 4 years. In his first (and only) year at NIU, he coached the team to a 10-win season. This was an inherited 11-win team that Jerry Kill developed before he left for the Minnesota gig. Doeren dominated the MAC, but didn't really have any breakout wins (beat USMA, got killed by Wisco and barely lost to Kansas). His bowl game isn't until 1/8.
Ron English - Head Coach at Eastern Michigan. At only 43, he's been a bunch of places (like Arizona and ASU). Made a pretty big name for himself as the DC at Michigan. He was hired as Charlie Strong's first DC. Lasted a year before taking over the EMU gig. He has taken the worst program in DIA (all due respect to the one GDF heads) and took them to a 6 wins (earning MAC COY honors). If he actually gets a winning season in 2012, he will be a white hot candidate for most jobs.
Bud Foster - DC at Virginia Tech. He has spent the past 25 years at VT and is assumed to be Beamer's replacement. He is 52 years old and has been mentioned for a ton of head coaching gigs (though never getting one). Something weird going on there. But, I mention him as his resume is almost the exact of TOB's when we hired him.
Phil Fulmer - Retired (but younger than Spaz). BFF of GDF. Never happen, but given his friendship and unemployment status, I figured it was worth mentioning.
Skip Holtz - Current USF Head Coach. Already shown the ability to beat ND (something Francisco Spazerelli could never do). Has enough success that this ain't some sorta Jay Paterno thing. Ties to New England and ACC recruiting grounds. Catholic.
Mark Hudspeth - Current head coach at Louisiana Lafayette. Had an absolutely magical turnaround season in his first at DIA (which included 9-wins, including a bowl win). He was superstar at DII North Alabama. Before being a WR on Mullen's MSU staff. He was OC for 1 year at USNA. He is a very fast rising star. The only concern about him is why he would ever leave SEC country since he is pretty much guaranteed a head coaching gig there.
Rob Ianello - Current Akron Head Coach. Was a top ND assistant (so familiar with the whole academic school thing). Was the best recruiter of NJ (taking the torch from Al Golden and passing it to Hafley). That said, he has been a miserable failure at Akron and would have to inverse his record to get a shot. Catholic. Fired for sucking
Butch Jones - Current Cincy head coach. Has made a career of following in Brian Kelly's footsteps (first at CMU and now at Cincy). That said, his teams have actually gotten better each year (including this year's 10-win Cincy club). This season, he crushed Toby, got beat soundly by Tenn and RU and barely lost to WVU. Just beat Vandy (and their much loved Jame Franklin) in a bowl to finish the season ranked. If he has another strong 2012 season, I think he could be a very viable option.
K.C. Keeler - The Steve Donahue of College Football. Current legend at Delaware. Career small-time coach. Incredible success and longevity (9 years at Rowan, 10 at Delaware). Clearly not a job jumper. However, have to wonder if he could hire an FBS staff and whether he would leave his job with his alma mater.
Mike Leach - A superstar. Brilliant offensive mind. Quirky enough that he could totally vibe at a place like BC (ala Logan). Would likely mean the return of Bick Jr. The whole TT-thing (and subsequent lawsuit) obviously taints him. The fact that he wouldn't deal with the whole Coach Flip thing, makes him a non-starter. Mormon. Hired by Washington State.
Jim McElwain - Recently hired head coach of Colorado State. Was in his 4th year with Saban at Bama. He previously spent 1 year as OC with Pat HIll. Before that, he spent a disasterous year with the Raiders. Prior to that, McElwain was a protege of John L. Smith. He followed him from Louisville to Michigan State. An interesting note, McElwain's last season at MSU overlapped with everyone's favorite BC assistant... Ben Sirmans. We'll see how he does out at CSU, but a big negative could be his complete lack of connection with the Northeast and him never being a program that recruits literate athletes.
Garrick McGee - Recently hired head coach at UAB. Former OC at Arkansas under Petrino. Spent about 3 seasons as an OC at Northwestern. Considered an up-and-comer who has been mentored by Petrino (but without Petrino's mental illness). Black irish.
Bronco Mendenhall - I've always thought him to be an excellent coach. Quality program builder. Still quite young considering how long he has been at BYU. Has recruited well. Doubt he is going anywhere, but would be a nice fit for BC. Mormon.
Urban Meyer - Retired because the whole SEC-thing was killing him. After a year away, may miss coaching. Could find a happy medium at a low-pressure gig like BC (which to him could seem like ND-light). Catholic. Hired by OSU.
Jeff Monken - Current Head Coach at Georgia Southern. He is a Paul Johnson protoge who played for GSU and coached with Johnson at USNA and GT. Only 44 years old and coaching at his alma mater. However, he is a lifelong triple option guy... which probably won't fly for most at BC.
Chris Peterson - BSU head coach. Say what you want about BSU coaches sucking ass once they leave, but Peterson is a brilliant coach. He should be handed one of the elite schools in an elite conference. The problem with him is that he is a crazy person who believes in Scientology. Signed an extension too rich for BC to consider.
Paul Petrino - Current OC at Arkansas. Spent the last two years doing a surprisingly decent job being the OC at the Illini. Returned to his much older and crazier bro when McGee got a head coaching gig and Zook was fired. Was a pretty big blow to him not to be named interim head coach (a distinction that went to Vic Koennig).
Paul Rhoads - Feisty, well-respected head coach of Iowa State. Born and raised within a stone's throw from ISU campus. So, it will be tough to pull him from there. Spent 7 years as Pitt's DC before a brief DC stop at Auburn... which led to the ISU gig when Gene Chizik left. He has been to 2 bowls in his 3 years as coach, but has generally had unspectacular results (6 or 7 wins). Still only 44.
Rich Rodriguez - OK... DickRod won't likely happen. But... he was a freaking coaching genius before being chewed up and spit out by Michigan. I think he would be a great hire for a school like BC (don't need superstars for his system to be great). Catholic. Hired by Arizona.
Kirby Smart - Bama DC. 36 years old and already a Frank Broyles Award winner. Played at UGA and have to assume he is waiting for that gig. Has never lived played or coached outside of SEC country. BC would be a whole different ballgame for him.
Mark Stoops - Current DC at FSU. Youngest of the Stoops brothers. Was DC for his other brother out in Zona. No connection to the northeast and no real experience at a school that holds classes. Catholic.
Charlie Strong - A star DC with Florida and ND. Finally getting a chance at Louisville (with mixed results).
Kevin Sumlin - Up-and-coming coach coming off a subpar year. Young, dynamic... Southern connections. Played LB at Purdue but cut his teeth as an offensive assistant. Hired by TAM
Willie Taggart - Current Head Coach at Western Kentucky. Is at his alma mater where he was a superstar. Was RB coach under Harbaugh at Stanford (so he has the academic thing covered). Had an incredible turnaround in his second season (qualifying for a bowl though not being invited). Real young coach.
Don Treadwell - Former BC assistant who was passed over during the "national" search. I've never really been a fan. He's gotten a little long in the tooth and is now finally been given a shot at the top spot at his alma mater (Miami of Ohio) resulting in a terrible first year.
Jim Tressel - Another one of GDF's BFFs. Would never get the job, but given the connection to Gene and the slight possibility he would like to clear his name at a school known for being clean.
Brent Venables - Oklahoma Sooners defensive coordinator. Excellent recruiter whose defenses continue to be the strong point of Okla. Has been groomed to become a head coach for a while now. Very young (41) and was born and raised in Kansas (played at KSU). Never has been outside the B12 (and thus has never recruited kids who can read).
Kyle Whittingham - A legit top-notch head coach. An Urban Meyer Protege. Can't see him leaving Utah. Mormon.
NFL
Yeah, yeah... I know what Coach Flip said when he fired Jags... but there may be more of a true search if a change is made (and remember we have a Trustee who has connections in the League with Bob Kraft and there is also always the Mara family).
Darrell Bevell - Current Seattle OC. Previously, he was a 4-year OC with the Vikings. You may remember him as a 4-year starter for Wisco. Only college experience was as a GA at UConn. Only 41.
Jack Bicknell Jr. - Current Assistant OLine coach of the NY Giants. Should've been hired over Spaz. A favorite among the football alums. I think his resume right now is the weakest it has been (note that he isn't the Giants OL coach... just an assistant to the OL coach). I think his chance has come and gone and really needs to hold a coordinator position in college, smaller head coaching gig or real OL coaching job before being viable again. That said, there will be a portion of the vocal alums who will push for a "BC Guy" after a failed parade of "outsiders". Though Spaz was billed as such at his coronation.
Tom Cable - OL/Assistant Head Coach with the Seahawks. An OLine guru who was the Raiders head coach for a couple of seasons. West Coast born and raised with a lot of college stops (Cal, UCLA, Colorado). He was also the head coach of the Idaho Vandals... where he was pretty terrible. In spite of all that experience, still only 47.
Cam Cameron - Current Ravens OC. Has tons of experience as an assistant in the college and pro ranks. Failed miserably as head coach of the Dolphins and his 4-year stint at Indiana.
Pete Carmichael Jr. - Current New Orleans Saints OC. Won a Super Bowl. Rising star with the League. BC grad and son of former Coughlin assistant. Gained major props for filling in for an injured Sean Payton. Is a candidate for most open NFL jobs. Catholic.
Rob Chudzinski - Current OC of the Panthers. Flying high with Cam Newton and showing the NFL how to succeed with an athletic QB. He is a Butch Davis disciple (was his TE coach at Miami and brought him in that role to the Browns when Coker was teetering (in between he was the Miami OC... which includes a National Championship)). Bounced back-and-forth between the Browns and Chargers as a TE coach and OC. 43-year old Miami grad who is Catholic and went to a Jesuit HS.
Russ Grimm - OL coach for the Steelers. All American at Pitt... was a legendary member of the Hogs. Has spent the rest of his life as a very successful OLine coach. Wasn't ever considered for the chronic open head coaching position at his alma mater.
Herm Edwards - Current ESPN NFL Commentator. He is getting a little long in the tooth (though a decade younger than Spaz) and I don't necessarily view him as a long term guy. That said, I've always thought his schtick would work wonders in college. Has tons of connections. Recruits would love his personality. Catholic.
Jeff Fisher - Current NFL commentator. former Titans head coach (would be a superstar head coach in college, but likely will get another HC in the League this year). No East Coast connections. About to be overpaid by an NFL team.
Todd Haley - Former head coach of the KC Chiefs. A career NFL guy with no college experience. Was a mecurial head coach who potentially could translate to coach. One of his three years was very good. Still pretty young at 44.
Jim Haslett - Current DC with the Redskins. A lifelong NFL assistant and 5-year head coach who had mixed results with the Saints.
Dick Jauron - Current Browns DC. Career NFL guy who is a Coughlin protege. Swampscott native. Biggest not (despite failing twice as an NFL head coach) is his age... 60.
Scott Linehan - Current OC with the Lions. Has a pretty strong college background as an OC with Washington and Louisville before taking similar roles in the NFL. Was pretty much a failure during his time as head coach of the Rams. But, has been pretty spectacular as the OC of the Lions. Was Sabans choice for OC with the Dolphins. He's 48 and a devout Catholic. Likely to get some looks at open NFL jobs this offseason.
Eric Mangini - Current ESPN NFL commentator. Connecticut born and raised... Wesleyan grad. Spent time with the Pats and Belichick coaching tree. His relationship with Kraft (whether good or bad) would make or break his candidacy.
Josh McDaniels - Former Offensive Coordinator of the Rams. Former superstar coach who mentored under Saban and Belichick and rose at the ridiculous rate to become head coach of the Broncos. His relationship with Kraft (whether good or bad) would make or break his candidacy. Catholic (actually attended another Jesuit college).
Curtis Modkins - Currently the OC of the Bills. A Chan Gailey disciple who was an assistant the entire time Gailey was at GTech. Went with Gailey to the RB coach of the Cardinals. Since Gailey calls plays, he is likely just a glorified RB coach today. Coached DBs for 4 years (at New Mexico and GT).
Raheem Morris - Former head coach of the Buccaneers. Only 35 years old. Jersey born and raised Hofstra grad. Spent 3 years as an assistant with Hofstra, 1 with Cornell and 1 year as the DC for Ron Prince's Kansas State team. Spent 2 years as Bucs DB coach before being elevated to DC and then Head Coach in the matter of weeks. Terrible 1st and 3rd years as head coach, but very good 2nd year. Clearly wasn't prepared to be an NFL head coach at such a young age (and only 2 real years as a positional NFL coach). But, could still have a very strong career ahead of him. Though... I believe he is Muslim (which is probably a nonstarter at a school like BC).
Bill Musgrave - Current OC with the Vikings. A lifelong NFL assistant... except for 2 seasons ten years ago at UVA (under Groh). Has been an OC multiple times (including for Matty Ice). Fun fact... he replaced Dana Bible mid-season as the Philadelphia Eagles playcaller. Known to be animated, aggressive and somewhat difficult. 44.
Mike Nolan - Former DC of the Dolphins. Hasn't coached in college for 25 years. But, his first two gigs were with Stanford and Rice. Has since been a lifelong successful DC in the NFL. Had a 3 1/2 failed tenure as head coach of the 49ers. Animated coach which could possibly translate in college. Catholic.
Ken Norton, Jr. - LB with the Seahawks. Superstar LB and superstar LB coach. Was a great recruiter for USC and coached their strongest position. Has never coached without Pete Carroll, so no idea if he can do anything on his own. No connection to the Northeast.
Bill O'Brien - Current Patriots offensive coordinator. Spent 8 years at GT (RB coach, OC and Recruiting Coordinator). Brown grad. Dorchester native. Seems to have an excellent resume and supposedly likes the BC job. Have a concern that he is another Belichick protege who flops on his own. But, has been mentioned for a ton of open NFL jobs and thought the lead candidate for PSU. Catholic.
Greg Roman - Current OC with the 49ers. Career OL coach in the NFL. Was one of the top assistants for Harbaugh at Stanford. Barely over 40. Was a candidate for the PSU head coaching gig. Jersey born and raised. Catholic.
Mike Shula - Current Panthers QB coach. Would be an interesting option. Was the coach mainly responsible for the talent that Saban led to the national championship. Been a QB coach in the League since. Catholic.
Mike Singletary - Current LB coach of the Minnesota Vikings. Former head coach of the 49ers. A big rah-rah guy who could possibly translate well in the college game. Very vocal about his strong religious background (though not Catholic). Big problem is his zero connections to the area and zero experience in the college game. Would have to assemble a who's-who of college assistants.
Steve Spagnuolo - Former head coach of the Rams, who will soon be DC with a team like the Philly Eagles. Part of the Coughlin coaching tree, born and raised in Mass, a fellow alum of GDF (Springfield College), been an assistant at UMass, Maine, UConn and Rutgres. Catholic
Tony Sparano - Former head coach of the Miami Dolphins. From Parcells coaching tree. Offensive line guru. Connecticut born and raised with coaching stops at New Haven and BU. Catholic.
Mike Sullivan - Current QB coach with the Giants. USMA grad. Part of Coughlin coaching tree. Held assistant gigs at Army and Youngstown St. under Tressel. Catholic.
Mark Whipple - Current QB coach with the Browns. Former OC at The U. Former Steelers QB coach. Former UMass head coach. Been passed over twice for the job (now he's 54). Brown graduate.
Ken Whisenhunt - current head coach of the Cardinals, but don't know for how much longer. He is an offensive guru. He had a cup of coffee at Vandy. But, no real connection to New England. Catholic.
It should be noted that GDF has passed on Brady Hoke, Chip Kelly, Brian Kelly, Al Golden, Mike London, Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh (among many others). So, there is little chance that he will make the right call this go-around. It should also be noted that with any firing, the next hire is usually the polar opposite. TOB to Jags to Spaz is a good example. As such, my guess is that the next guy will likely be younger, very animated (i.e. rah-rah type), probably have head coaching experience and likely with a strong offensive background.
Last edited by
HJS on Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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