(11-20-2023, 07:49 PM)msqueri Wrote: Fisch has done a hell of a job but it is extraordinarily speculative to think he is going to leave for a bigger opportunity elsewhere. There are only a handful of jobs a year bigger than what he has now, and he's not the only excellent coach at a mid-tier power program (Jonathan Smith, Lance Leipold, Chris Kleiman, Mike Elko).Arizona does not see itself as a "mid-tier" power program. They have extraordinary recruiting issues. Tucson is not very attractive to many candidate players. It is definitely not "the big city". UofA is very much the financial "little brother" of ASU and this is getting worse all the time as Phoenix dominates state politics more and more. Obviously the $240 million etc. problem is going to be a major drag on the whole University. Supposedly Fisch himself does not like Tucson. Right now, Fisch can bring with him a whole lot of very good players that are young but proven. His players are (understandably) very loyal to him personally. He is probably in much better shape there than the other coaches you named. Arizona has a long and frequent history of being a "stepping stone" program that loses their coach to greener pastures. If they ever find a good one, he leaves, and then they flail through a lot of bad coaches before getting a good one (who then leaves). That does make them a bit paranoid :-).
Quote:And the programs bigger than Arizona may or may not hire from among this group, they could just as easily go for even splashier names/poaching/NFL guys/up and coming coordinators/etc. I think the best bet is that Fisch will still be coaching Arizona next year. Just not that many good jobs open per year. Sure he's a great candidate but so are the others I mentioned and others.Nothing is certain, but the UofA folks are very, very nervous. It only takes one "better offer".
https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...than-smith