[BostonCard]

Apropos firings… https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...671970007/

Yeah, half of it is Franklin…

BC

[BostonCard]

Apropos firings… https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc...671970007/

Yeah, half of it is Franklin…

BC

[PVTree]

I've thought that this is Tavita's job. 

If not, I suspect it could be one of Pep Hamilton, Derek Mason, or Willie Taggart.

All experienced with Stanford, Andrew Luck, and the NFL.

[PVTree]

I've thought that this is Tavita's job. 

If not, I suspect it could be one of Pep Hamilton, Derek Mason, or Willie Taggart.

All experienced with Stanford, Andrew Luck, and the NFL.

[PalmTree]

I've thought that this is Tavita's job. 

If not, I suspect it could be one of Pep Hamilton, Derek Mason, or Willie Taggart.

All experienced with Stanford, Andrew Luck, and the NFL.

Neither Mason, Hamilton (out of college coaching for awhile) nor Taggart particularly impress me - Mason especially (really lackluster W-L coaching record). I think Tavita needs a few more years under his belt, including broader scope of duties. Of these 4, I'd probably interviewTaggart.

[PalmTree]

I've thought that this is Tavita's job. 

If not, I suspect it could be one of Pep Hamilton, Derek Mason, or Willie Taggart.

All experienced with Stanford, Andrew Luck, and the NFL.

Neither Mason, Hamilton (out of college coaching for awhile) nor Taggart particularly impress me - Mason especially (really lackluster W-L coaching record). I think Tavita needs a few more years under his belt, including broader scope of duties. Of these 4, I'd probably interviewTaggart.

[SkiBum80]

I've thought that this is Tavita's job. 

If not, I suspect it could be one of Pep Hamilton, Derek Mason, or Willie Taggart.

All experienced with Stanford, Andrew Luck, and the NFL.

From my distant easy chair position, I'd be good with Pritchard.
Sometimes youth and energy can compensate for less experience.

---

Sometimes experience can be detrimental.
If it brings an attitude of: I know what I'm doing, I've done it before, I'm doing it again, my way. Leave me alone, don't tell me what to do , don't question me.
The alternative is: I'm new here, new to this, I have ideas, but I'm eager to hear from others, get advice, work together as a team to find/build success.
Stanford's team is the double L's: Luck and Levin, plus new AD, plus any others close involved in the football program.

[SkiBum80]

I've thought that this is Tavita's job. 

If not, I suspect it could be one of Pep Hamilton, Derek Mason, or Willie Taggart.

All experienced with Stanford, Andrew Luck, and the NFL.

From my distant easy chair position, I'd be good with Pritchard.
Sometimes youth and energy can compensate for less experience.

---

Sometimes experience can be detrimental.
If it brings an attitude of: I know what I'm doing, I've done it before, I'm doing it again, my way. Leave me alone, don't tell me what to do , don't question me.
The alternative is: I'm new here, new to this, I have ideas, but I'm eager to hear from others, get advice, work together as a team to find/build success.
Stanford's team is the double L's: Luck and Levin, plus new AD, plus any others close involved in the football program.

[msqueri]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

[msqueri]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

[GK3]

News to me that Shaw took Stanford to the playoffs in 2022.  Notwithstanding the fact that Franklin took Penn State to the playoffs as recently as last season (and making it to the semi-final), I agree we shouldn’t hire him, but it is nothing like hiring Shaw in 2023.

BC

I was thinking more in terms of a coach that had good success in the past, but then his team went downhill fast.  But, I will humbly accept your critique of my comment.

Like BC said, Franklin had good success within the past ten games. Totally different than Shaw's slow multi-year decline. I wouldn't hire Franklin; I'd go for the hot shot OC like the guy at Oregon, because Luck is doing 2/3 of the work that head coaches traditionally had to do. 

Franklin was in State College for 11.5 seasons. I'm starting to think it is crazy to think you're going to get more than about 8 years out of even the best coach these days.

I think you make a very good point.  P4 HC jobs pay well, more likely very well, but they are also high pressure. I think the schools depend on football revenues to pay for a lot of other things, start losing and you are still paying millions to the loser and getting less for it.  All schools except maybe Stanford know a stretch of losing seasons causes smaller attendance and it make recruiting the guys to turn things around that much harder.  So there is probably a much shorter leash than there use to be.  The portal makes it very easy for guys to bail on a losing program and further magnifies the problem.

[GK3]

News to me that Shaw took Stanford to the playoffs in 2022.  Notwithstanding the fact that Franklin took Penn State to the playoffs as recently as last season (and making it to the semi-final), I agree we shouldn’t hire him, but it is nothing like hiring Shaw in 2023.

BC

I was thinking more in terms of a coach that had good success in the past, but then his team went downhill fast.  But, I will humbly accept your critique of my comment.

Like BC said, Franklin had good success within the past ten games. Totally different than Shaw's slow multi-year decline. I wouldn't hire Franklin; I'd go for the hot shot OC like the guy at Oregon, because Luck is doing 2/3 of the work that head coaches traditionally had to do. 

Franklin was in State College for 11.5 seasons. I'm starting to think it is crazy to think you're going to get more than about 8 years out of even the best coach these days.

I think you make a very good point.  P4 HC jobs pay well, more likely very well, but they are also high pressure. I think the schools depend on football revenues to pay for a lot of other things, start losing and you are still paying millions to the loser and getting less for it.  All schools except maybe Stanford know a stretch of losing seasons causes smaller attendance and it make recruiting the guys to turn things around that much harder.  So there is probably a much shorter leash than there use to be.  The portal makes it very easy for guys to bail on a losing program and further magnifies the problem.

[82lsju]

News to me that Shaw took Stanford to the playoffs in 2022.  Notwithstanding the fact that Franklin took Penn State to the playoffs as recently as last season (and making it to the semi-final), I agree we shouldn’t hire him, but it is nothing like hiring Shaw in 2023.

BC

I was thinking more in terms of a coach that had good success in the past, but then his team went downhill fast.  But, I will humbly accept your critique of my comment.

Like BC said, Franklin had good success within the past ten games. Totally different than Shaw's slow multi-year decline. I wouldn't hire Franklin; I'd go for the hot shot OC like the guy at Oregon, because Luck is doing 2/3 of the work that head coaches traditionally had to do. 

Franklin was in State College for 11.5 seasons. I'm starting to think it is crazy to think you're going to get more than about 8 years out of even the best coach these days.

I think head coaches are like the CEOs of large companies, it is generally good for all concerned to have them change at least once every 8-10 years

[82lsju]

News to me that Shaw took Stanford to the playoffs in 2022.  Notwithstanding the fact that Franklin took Penn State to the playoffs as recently as last season (and making it to the semi-final), I agree we shouldn’t hire him, but it is nothing like hiring Shaw in 2023.

BC

I was thinking more in terms of a coach that had good success in the past, but then his team went downhill fast.  But, I will humbly accept your critique of my comment.

Like BC said, Franklin had good success within the past ten games. Totally different than Shaw's slow multi-year decline. I wouldn't hire Franklin; I'd go for the hot shot OC like the guy at Oregon, because Luck is doing 2/3 of the work that head coaches traditionally had to do. 

Franklin was in State College for 11.5 seasons. I'm starting to think it is crazy to think you're going to get more than about 8 years out of even the best coach these days.

I think head coaches are like the CEOs of large companies, it is generally good for all concerned to have them change at least once every 8-10 years

[Goose]

I have never even met Tavita Pritchard. However, I don't get the feeling he views himself as head coaching material at this point in his career. So far in his career, he has been a football technician, not a football manager. Being a good technician is an important and valuable skill set. However, taking the head job at Stanford without any managerial experience on any level would be very risky (for both sides) at best. If it "works", it would be great, but if it doesn't he would have forfeited his nascent pro football coaching career by so doing. If one is realistic, it is much more probable that Stanford's next coach will fail, even if he has managerial experience. Pritchard knows the issues, and he knows he hasn't had to deal with them previously. His current position can lead to better things for him quite quickly and put him on a path to becoming a head coach in the NFL. Leaving at this point to fail at Stanford forfeits that.  I doubt he would even entertain the thought of becoming Stanford's next head coach.

[Goose]

I have never even met Tavita Pritchard. However, I don't get the feeling he views himself as head coaching material at this point in his career. So far in his career, he has been a football technician, not a football manager. Being a good technician is an important and valuable skill set. However, taking the head job at Stanford without any managerial experience on any level would be very risky (for both sides) at best. If it "works", it would be great, but if it doesn't he would have forfeited his nascent pro football coaching career by so doing. If one is realistic, it is much more probable that Stanford's next coach will fail, even if he has managerial experience. Pritchard knows the issues, and he knows he hasn't had to deal with them previously. His current position can lead to better things for him quite quickly and put him on a path to becoming a head coach in the NFL. Leaving at this point to fail at Stanford forfeits that.  I doubt he would even entertain the thought of becoming Stanford's next head coach.

[BobK]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

[BobK]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

[Goose]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

There are a few parallels, but also massive differences. Pritchard spent lots of years as a David Shaw protegee and assistant. How much independence he had was unclear, but was assumed to be minimal. Even when he was OC, Shaw still called the plays. Walsh OTOH spent 5 years as a very active OC in the NFL for Paul Brown. He was clearly viewed already by his peers as definite head coaching material and other teams were actively looking at him. I am sure you already know about it, but https://davidharriswriter.com/home/sampl...l-dynasty/ is a good read anyway.
 
Pritchard has a ways to go before he could be considered a HC candidate. OTOH he is probably already an OC candidate and there is no reason that he can't be a "Bill Walsh" type story in like 5 or 6 years. That is why IMO he wouldn't accept a Stanford HC offer today. He knows he isn't prepared and failing would derail what is a pretty good career path ahead of him. Walsh had paid his dues. Pritchard has not yet, but he is on the way.

[Goose]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

There are a few parallels, but also massive differences. Pritchard spent lots of years as a David Shaw protegee and assistant. How much independence he had was unclear, but was assumed to be minimal. Even when he was OC, Shaw still called the plays. Walsh OTOH spent 5 years as a very active OC in the NFL for Paul Brown. He was clearly viewed already by his peers as definite head coaching material and other teams were actively looking at him. I am sure you already know about it, but https://davidharriswriter.com/home/sampl...l-dynasty/ is a good read anyway.
 
Pritchard has a ways to go before he could be considered a HC candidate. OTOH he is probably already an OC candidate and there is no reason that he can't be a "Bill Walsh" type story in like 5 or 6 years. That is why IMO he wouldn't accept a Stanford HC offer today. He knows he isn't prepared and failing would derail what is a pretty good career path ahead of him. Walsh had paid his dues. Pritchard has not yet, but he is on the way.

[82lsju]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

There are a few parallels, but also massive differences. Pritchard spent lots of years as a David Shaw protegee and assistant. How much independence he had was unclear, but was assumed to be minimal. Even when he was OC, Shaw still called the plays. Walsh OTOH spent 5 years as a very active OC in the NFL for Paul Brown. He was clearly viewed already by his peers as definite head coaching material and other teams were actively looking at him. I am sure you already know about it, but https://davidharriswriter.com/home/sampl...l-dynasty/ is a good read anyway.
 
Pritchard has a ways to go before he could be considered a HC candidate. OTOH he is probably already an OC candidate and there is no reason that he can't be a "Bill Walsh" type story in like 5 or 6 years. That is why IMO he wouldn't accept a Stanford HC offer today. He knows he isn't prepared and failing would derail what is a pretty good career path ahead of him. Walsh had paid his dues. Pritchard has not yet, but he is on the way.

I was in Cincinnati when Walsh left, many were surprised he was passed over for head coach when Brown retired.  Most chalked it up to Brown wanting a head coach he could push around....

[82lsju]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

There are a few parallels, but also massive differences. Pritchard spent lots of years as a David Shaw protegee and assistant. How much independence he had was unclear, but was assumed to be minimal. Even when he was OC, Shaw still called the plays. Walsh OTOH spent 5 years as a very active OC in the NFL for Paul Brown. He was clearly viewed already by his peers as definite head coaching material and other teams were actively looking at him. I am sure you already know about it, but https://davidharriswriter.com/home/sampl...l-dynasty/ is a good read anyway.
 
Pritchard has a ways to go before he could be considered a HC candidate. OTOH he is probably already an OC candidate and there is no reason that he can't be a "Bill Walsh" type story in like 5 or 6 years. That is why IMO he wouldn't accept a Stanford HC offer today. He knows he isn't prepared and failing would derail what is a pretty good career path ahead of him. Walsh had paid his dues. Pritchard has not yet, but he is on the way.

I was in Cincinnati when Walsh left, many were surprised he was passed over for head coach when Brown retired.  Most chalked it up to Brown wanting a head coach he could push around....

[Mick]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

There are a few parallels, but also massive differences. Pritchard spent lots of years as a David Shaw protegee and assistant. How much independence he had was unclear, but was assumed to be minimal. Even when he was OC, Shaw still called the plays. Walsh OTOH spent 5 years as a very active OC in the NFL for Paul Brown. He was clearly viewed already by his peers as definite head coaching material and other teams were actively looking at him. I am sure you already know about it, but https://davidharriswriter.com/home/sampl...l-dynasty/ is a good read anyway.
 
Pritchard has a ways to go before he could be considered a HC candidate. OTOH he is probably already an OC candidate and there is no reason that he can't be a "Bill Walsh" type story in like 5 or 6 years. That is why IMO he wouldn't accept a Stanford HC offer today. He knows he isn't prepared and failing would derail what is a pretty good career path ahead of him. Walsh had paid his dues. Pritchard has not yet, but he is on the way.

I was in Cincinnati when Walsh left, many were surprised he was passed over for head coach when Brown retired.  Most chalked it up to Brown wanting a head coach he could push around....

Why did Brown pass on Walsh? Promoting Tiger Johnson to head coach was odd. He'd only ever been a position coach, he reported to Bill Walsh, the OC who had been there for eight years; and Walsh's offense was the top-rated offense in the league.

Brown not only passed on Walsh, but he gave Walsh mediocre reviews to teams that might hire him. And in prior years, other NFL teams called Paul Brown to ask to interview Walsh, and Brown either declined or didn't pass the message along. And when Walsh went to San Diego as OC, Brown was furious...but he hadn't renewed Walsh's contract, so Walsh was a free agent. Stanford's gain, so believe me, no complaint here.

Walsh finished 5-0 against Cincinnati, including the two Super Bowl victories.

[Mick]

All very true Goose and hard to disagree.
Well except Bill Walsh comes to mind

There are a few parallels, but also massive differences. Pritchard spent lots of years as a David Shaw protegee and assistant. How much independence he had was unclear, but was assumed to be minimal. Even when he was OC, Shaw still called the plays. Walsh OTOH spent 5 years as a very active OC in the NFL for Paul Brown. He was clearly viewed already by his peers as definite head coaching material and other teams were actively looking at him. I am sure you already know about it, but https://davidharriswriter.com/home/sampl...l-dynasty/ is a good read anyway.
 
Pritchard has a ways to go before he could be considered a HC candidate. OTOH he is probably already an OC candidate and there is no reason that he can't be a "Bill Walsh" type story in like 5 or 6 years. That is why IMO he wouldn't accept a Stanford HC offer today. He knows he isn't prepared and failing would derail what is a pretty good career path ahead of him. Walsh had paid his dues. Pritchard has not yet, but he is on the way.

I was in Cincinnati when Walsh left, many were surprised he was passed over for head coach when Brown retired.  Most chalked it up to Brown wanting a head coach he could push around....

Why did Brown pass on Walsh? Promoting Tiger Johnson to head coach was odd. He'd only ever been a position coach, he reported to Bill Walsh, the OC who had been there for eight years; and Walsh's offense was the top-rated offense in the league.

Brown not only passed on Walsh, but he gave Walsh mediocre reviews to teams that might hire him. And in prior years, other NFL teams called Paul Brown to ask to interview Walsh, and Brown either declined or didn't pass the message along. And when Walsh went to San Diego as OC, Brown was furious...but he hadn't renewed Walsh's contract, so Walsh was a free agent. Stanford's gain, so believe me, no complaint here.

Walsh finished 5-0 against Cincinnati, including the two Super Bowl victories.

[jacket3ree]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

Interesting list. Will Stein was the guy I was thinking of. I don't see Miss Terry moving to California; is your top line nothing more than pie in the sky dreaming?  Beyond that I don't know I'd want any of those and I'm almost certain none of them want the Stanford job. Too much work and chance of ending your career as a failure or maybe they'd just collect a crap ton of cash and not care, so that does no one any good, either. The second stint of Bill Walsh should be a warning that the unicorn coach may not work out, without insinuating he was just collecting a check for three years. I think he wanted it to be his bliss, but forgot about the less blissful details. Like you need real assistant coaches.

Getting Sark to leave football mad Texas for somnambulant Silicon Valley? Seems unrealistic along with most of the retread list, even if they are or were big names. Doeren is probably on the hottest of seats in Raleigh. Chip Kelly is done with head coaching. Tech all but hired Willie Fritz until stumbling over details of coaching Tulane's bowl and the guaranteed buy out. Pretty clear he was looking for that final push into his bank account. They 'settled' for the local interim guy and so far it's working out. At least we are worried about poll positions, playoff possibilities, and having him poached soon rather than how much of his buyout we're now on the hook for if we dump him now or the end of a lost season.

So who is the next Leipold or Cignetti before someone on the ever-expanding list of openings finds him? That's the guy we want.

Hopefully Luck is really looking hard, right now through all the right backchannels.

---

Greg Roman.  The guy we supposedly should have hired instead of Shaw according to some. Harbaugh the Younger's OC in LA after being told to move along by Harbaugh the Elder in Baltimore. His name pops up occasionally on this board. He's 53 and has never been a head coach although he his probably being paid now at least what Taylor was. Itinerant 30-year career like many coaches. Topped out as coordinator. What do we make of this?

95-01 (7 years) OL assistant with Panthers
02-05 (4 years) TE and QB coach with Texans
06-07 (2 years) OK assistant with Ravens
08-08 (1 year) OC at Holy Spirit High School in New Jersey
09-10 (2 years) Associate Head Coach at Stanford
11-14 (4 years) OC with Niners
15-16 (2 years) OC with Bills
17-22 (6 years) varies duties including 4 years as OC with Ravens
22-23 (2 years) gap years. Applebees?
24-25 (2 years) OC with Chargers

As a blind resume people would be apoplectic if we hired this guy as HC.

[jacket3ree]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

Interesting list. Will Stein was the guy I was thinking of. I don't see Miss Terry moving to California; is your top line nothing more than pie in the sky dreaming?  Beyond that I don't know I'd want any of those and I'm almost certain none of them want the Stanford job. Too much work and chance of ending your career as a failure or maybe they'd just collect a crap ton of cash and not care, so that does no one any good, either. The second stint of Bill Walsh should be a warning that the unicorn coach may not work out, without insinuating he was just collecting a check for three years. I think he wanted it to be his bliss, but forgot about the less blissful details. Like you need real assistant coaches.

Getting Sark to leave football mad Texas for somnambulant Silicon Valley? Seems unrealistic along with most of the retread list, even if they are or were big names. Doeren is probably on the hottest of seats in Raleigh. Chip Kelly is done with head coaching. Tech all but hired Willie Fritz until stumbling over details of coaching Tulane's bowl and the guaranteed buy out. Pretty clear he was looking for that final push into his bank account. They 'settled' for the local interim guy and so far it's working out. At least we are worried about poll positions, playoff possibilities, and having him poached soon rather than how much of his buyout we're now on the hook for if we dump him now or the end of a lost season.

So who is the next Leipold or Cignetti before someone on the ever-expanding list of openings finds him? That's the guy we want.

Hopefully Luck is really looking hard, right now through all the right backchannels.

---

Greg Roman.  The guy we supposedly should have hired instead of Shaw according to some. Harbaugh the Younger's OC in LA after being told to move along by Harbaugh the Elder in Baltimore. His name pops up occasionally on this board. He's 53 and has never been a head coach although he his probably being paid now at least what Taylor was. Itinerant 30-year career like many coaches. Topped out as coordinator. What do we make of this?

95-01 (7 years) OL assistant with Panthers
02-05 (4 years) TE and QB coach with Texans
06-07 (2 years) OK assistant with Ravens
08-08 (1 year) OC at Holy Spirit High School in New Jersey
09-10 (2 years) Associate Head Coach at Stanford
11-14 (4 years) OC with Niners
15-16 (2 years) OC with Bills
17-22 (6 years) varies duties including 4 years as OC with Ravens
22-23 (2 years) gap years. Applebees?
24-25 (2 years) OC with Chargers

As a blind resume people would be apoplectic if we hired this guy as HC.

[Mick]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

Interesting list. Will Stein was the guy I was thinking of. I don't see Miss Terry moving to California; is your top line nothing more than pie in the sky dreaming?  Beyond that I don't know I'd want any of those and I'm almost certain none of them want the Stanford job. Too much work and chance of ending your career as a failure or maybe they'd just collect a crap ton of cash and not care, so that does no one any good, either. The second stint of Bill Walsh should be a warning that the unicorn coach may not work out, without insinuating he was just collecting a check for three years. I think he wanted it to be his bliss, but forgot about the less blissful details. Like you need real assistant coaches.

Getting Sark to leave football mad Texas for somnambulant Silicon Valley? Seems unrealistic along with most of the retread list, even if they are or were big names. Doeren is probably on the hottest of seats in Raleigh. Chip Kelly is done with head coaching. Tech all but hired Willie Fritz until stumbling over details of coaching Tulane's bowl and the guaranteed buy out. Pretty clear he was looking for that final push into his bank account. They 'settled' for the local interim guy and so far it's working out. At least we are worried about poll positions, playoff possibilities, and having him poached soon rather than how much of his buyout we're now on the hook for if we dump him now or the end of a lost season.

So who is the next Leipold or Cignetti before someone on the ever-expanding list of openings finds him? That's the guy we want.

Hopefully Luck is really looking hard, right now through all the right backchannels.

---

Greg Roman.  The guy we supposedly should have hired instead of Shaw according to some. Harbaugh the Younger's OC in LA after being told to move along by Harbaugh the Elder in Baltimore. His name pops up occasionally on this board. He's 53 and has never been a head coach although he his probably being paid now at least what Taylor was. Itinerant 30-year career like many coaches. Topped out as coordinator. What do we make of this?

95-01 (7 years) OL assistant with Panthers
02-05 (4 years) TE and QB coach with Texans
06-07 (2 years) OK assistant with Ravens
08-08 (1 year) OC at Holy Spirit High School in New Jersey
09-10 (2 years) Associate Head Coach at Stanford
11-14 (4 years) OC with Niners
15-16 (2 years) OC with Bills
17-22 (6 years) varies duties including 4 years as OC with Ravens
22-23 (2 years) gap years. Applebees?
24-25 (2 years) OC with Chargers

As a blind resume people would be apoplectic if we hired this guy as HC.

Almost makes it mandatory...

[Mick]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

Interesting list. Will Stein was the guy I was thinking of. I don't see Miss Terry moving to California; is your top line nothing more than pie in the sky dreaming?  Beyond that I don't know I'd want any of those and I'm almost certain none of them want the Stanford job. Too much work and chance of ending your career as a failure or maybe they'd just collect a crap ton of cash and not care, so that does no one any good, either. The second stint of Bill Walsh should be a warning that the unicorn coach may not work out, without insinuating he was just collecting a check for three years. I think he wanted it to be his bliss, but forgot about the less blissful details. Like you need real assistant coaches.

Getting Sark to leave football mad Texas for somnambulant Silicon Valley? Seems unrealistic along with most of the retread list, even if they are or were big names. Doeren is probably on the hottest of seats in Raleigh. Chip Kelly is done with head coaching. Tech all but hired Willie Fritz until stumbling over details of coaching Tulane's bowl and the guaranteed buy out. Pretty clear he was looking for that final push into his bank account. They 'settled' for the local interim guy and so far it's working out. At least we are worried about poll positions, playoff possibilities, and having him poached soon rather than how much of his buyout we're now on the hook for if we dump him now or the end of a lost season.

So who is the next Leipold or Cignetti before someone on the ever-expanding list of openings finds him? That's the guy we want.

Hopefully Luck is really looking hard, right now through all the right backchannels.

---

Greg Roman.  The guy we supposedly should have hired instead of Shaw according to some. Harbaugh the Younger's OC in LA after being told to move along by Harbaugh the Elder in Baltimore. His name pops up occasionally on this board. He's 53 and has never been a head coach although he his probably being paid now at least what Taylor was. Itinerant 30-year career like many coaches. Topped out as coordinator. What do we make of this?

95-01 (7 years) OL assistant with Panthers
02-05 (4 years) TE and QB coach with Texans
06-07 (2 years) OK assistant with Ravens
08-08 (1 year) OC at Holy Spirit High School in New Jersey
09-10 (2 years) Associate Head Coach at Stanford
11-14 (4 years) OC with Niners
15-16 (2 years) OC with Bills
17-22 (6 years) varies duties including 4 years as OC with Ravens
22-23 (2 years) gap years. Applebees?
24-25 (2 years) OC with Chargers

As a blind resume people would be apoplectic if we hired this guy as HC.

Almost makes it mandatory...

[BostonCard]

Nick Saban is 73 and retired from coaching.  Urban Mayer hasn’t coached in five years.  I don’t know why we think Kelly would’ve more successful at Stanford than UCLA, where he was a .500 coach (35-34) with a single bowl win. I think picking any of the three of the is like UNC taking Bellicheck and assuming that a splashy hire with success in the past will translate well to the current situation.  No thanks.

Swinny I like and would take and he would probably be a good fit, but he too seems to be from a bygone era (a plus in my book, but one tha probably won’t lend itself to success) of “recruit, develop, win”.

Mostly they are big names, but I would be very suspicious of a big name.

BC

[BostonCard]

Nick Saban is 73 and retired from coaching.  Urban Mayer hasn’t coached in five years.  I don’t know why we think Kelly would’ve more successful at Stanford than UCLA, where he was a .500 coach (35-34) with a single bowl win. I think picking any of the three of the is like UNC taking Bellicheck and assuming that a splashy hire with success in the past will translate well to the current situation.  No thanks.

Swinny I like and would take and he would probably be a good fit, but he too seems to be from a bygone era (a plus in my book, but one tha probably won’t lend itself to success) of “recruit, develop, win”.

Mostly they are big names, but I would be very suspicious of a big name.

BC

[GK3]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

I have to ask a couple of questions:

1.  How much will a good coach cost us?

2.  Will we be willing to pay that amount?

If the answer to 2 is No, then who do you think we can get for what you think we might be willing to pay?

[GK3]

brobdingnagian splashes to announce ourselves as big boys and seize the attention of the sport: Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Urban Meyer

College retreads worth considering: James Franklin, Jimbo Fisher, Dave Clawson, Dan Mullen, Bronco Mendenhall

Buying low but still very expensive on a big-time coach (depending on coming weeks some could become retreads): Swinney, Mark Stoops, Steve Sarkisian, Mike Norvell, Billy Napier, Luke Fickell

Going big to throw resources around and try to poach a big-time coach: Matt Campbell, Lance Leipold, Curt Cignetti, Jonathan Smith, Bret Bielema, Scott Satterfield, Dave Doeren, Kenny Dillingham, Willie Fritz, Chris Klieman, PJ Fleck, Mike Locksley, Fran Brown, Barry Odom

NFL guys: Kelly, Brian Daboll, Doug Marrone, Doug Pederson, Mike McDaniel, Jerod Mayo, Greg Roman

Top G5 Coaches: Jon Sumrall, Alex Golesh, Ryan Silverfield, Charles Huff, Mendenhall, Mullen, Ricky Rahne, Jason Eck, Sean Lewis, GJ Kinne, KC Keeler, Eric Morris, Bob Chesney, Eddie George, Jason Candle, Jim Mora, Lance Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Blake Harrell

Top Coordinators: Will Stein, Glenn Schumann, Andy Kotelnicki, Corey Hetherman

Very Stanford Thing to Do But Less Appealing: Tavita Pritchard, Troy Walters, Mendenhall, Ken Niumatalolo, Jeff Monken

My call list would prioritize back channel feelers for the first four categories (I especially love the fits for Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Klieman, and Smith) and among G5 coaches Silverfield and Huff are my favorite fits but lots are plausible. My backup plans would be Lewis, Mendenhall, and Pritchard.

I have to ask a couple of questions:

1.  How much will a good coach cost us?

2.  Will we be willing to pay that amount?

If the answer to 2 is No, then who do you think we can get for what you think we might be willing to pay?

[PVTree]

Kliff Kingsbury with Tavita as OC?

[PVTree]

Kliff Kingsbury with Tavita as OC?

[msqueri]

The value of a big name is it gives us a jolt at a time when our roster is crap and we are badly in need of an overall boost in recruiting as we are mired in a self-reinforcing doom spiral of bad players breed bad results breed bad players breed….

I think there is a solid theory of the case that Luck at the helm + gradually increasing enthusiasm around the program + eye-catching money via big donations + a bold-faced name nobody could ignore = the thing that can help us get out of the doom spiral. In this scenario even an old-timer with less fire/work ethic may be what we need more than a typical hire we hope pans out. In any case, it is of course highly unlikely Saban or Swinney would come. 

GK3’s questions on cost/resources are key. Obviously my top 3-4 categories are not happening if we aren’t swinging some big shots and deploying competitive resources. You aren’t competitive below $5 million a year, serious below $6 million a year, or approaching impressive below $7 million a year, to say nothing of the big bucks that would be required for buyouts in many cases. I don’t know where we will slot. But with Levin, Donahoe, and Luck on board and big-time fundraising in full swing, I think it’s possible we swing big. 

If we can’t slot in the serious or impressive range financially or even if we just conclude that an ambitious younger guy on the rise is what we need regardless, the question of who is the next Leipold or Cignetti (or Campbell o Klieman….) is an important one. Kinne, Sumrall, and Golesh are leading candidates for that. But not all rising guys are attractive Stanford fits (extremely hard to see Kinne at Stanford, for example) and, most importantly, if we can see it so can others and it’s a very crowded market right now. 

We have lost our first mover advantage in the coaching carousel now that it’s in full swing and we, like many others including much more attractive programs, are still exploring. To me it is inescapable that we not only need to evaluate/hire well but we need to demonstrate a seriousness of purpose/resources that lets attractive candidates know we have a vision that is equally or more compelling to their other suitors. 

Like I said, Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Kleiman,  Smith, Silverfield, and Huff are who I would prioritize. 

P.S. Agree that Roman’s resume has red flags. To me Roman or Will Stein are attractive only in the instant offense sense. If we aren’t going to bring in a big bold-faced name who can supercharge recruiting then we need to find a way to succeed despite a lack of talent for several years. Getting somebody who can get offensive line play right like Roman or Silverfield or can scheme advantage like Roman or Stein could be attractive.

[msqueri]

The value of a big name is it gives us a jolt at a time when our roster is crap and we are badly in need of an overall boost in recruiting as we are mired in a self-reinforcing doom spiral of bad players breed bad results breed bad players breed….

I think there is a solid theory of the case that Luck at the helm + gradually increasing enthusiasm around the program + eye-catching money via big donations + a bold-faced name nobody could ignore = the thing that can help us get out of the doom spiral. In this scenario even an old-timer with less fire/work ethic may be what we need more than a typical hire we hope pans out. In any case, it is of course highly unlikely Saban or Swinney would come. 

GK3’s questions on cost/resources are key. Obviously my top 3-4 categories are not happening if we aren’t swinging some big shots and deploying competitive resources. You aren’t competitive below $5 million a year, serious below $6 million a year, or approaching impressive below $7 million a year, to say nothing of the big bucks that would be required for buyouts in many cases. I don’t know where we will slot. But with Levin, Donahoe, and Luck on board and big-time fundraising in full swing, I think it’s possible we swing big. 

If we can’t slot in the serious or impressive range financially or even if we just conclude that an ambitious younger guy on the rise is what we need regardless, the question of who is the next Leipold or Cignetti (or Campbell o Klieman….) is an important one. Kinne, Sumrall, and Golesh are leading candidates for that. But not all rising guys are attractive Stanford fits (extremely hard to see Kinne at Stanford, for example) and, most importantly, if we can see it so can others and it’s a very crowded market right now. 

We have lost our first mover advantage in the coaching carousel now that it’s in full swing and we, like many others including much more attractive programs, are still exploring. To me it is inescapable that we not only need to evaluate/hire well but we need to demonstrate a seriousness of purpose/resources that lets attractive candidates know we have a vision that is equally or more compelling to their other suitors. 

Like I said, Swinney, Stoops, Leipold, Kleiman,  Smith, Silverfield, and Huff are who I would prioritize. 

P.S. Agree that Roman’s resume has red flags. To me Roman or Will Stein are attractive only in the instant offense sense. If we aren’t going to bring in a big bold-faced name who can supercharge recruiting then we need to find a way to succeed despite a lack of talent for several years. Getting somebody who can get offensive line play right like Roman or Silverfield or can scheme advantage like Roman or Stein could be attractive.

[BostonCard]

I think Belichick serves as a cautionary tale on the value of a big name jolt.  There has been no bigger name hire maybe ever given that he is considered one of the greatest NFL coaches ever, and his tenure to date has been an unmitigated disaster.  I don’t know if that is something specific to Belichick or  if it is that he approached college coaching like it was an NFL job, but I legitimately wonder whether in this day and age, coaching reputation carries much less cachet amongst recruits and transfers because they can chase NIL dollars, and if things don’t work out they can just transfer to a new program.

I think a big name hire would mostly be a signaling mechanism, but it would be an expensive and inefficient one.

BC

[BostonCard]

I think Belichick serves as a cautionary tale on the value of a big name jolt.  There has been no bigger name hire maybe ever given that he is considered one of the greatest NFL coaches ever, and his tenure to date has been an unmitigated disaster.  I don’t know if that is something specific to Belichick or  if it is that he approached college coaching like it was an NFL job, but I legitimately wonder whether in this day and age, coaching reputation carries much less cachet amongst recruits and transfers because they can chase NIL dollars, and if things don’t work out they can just transfer to a new program.

I think a big name hire would mostly be a signaling mechanism, but it would be an expensive and inefficient one.

BC

[msqueri]

I am not right about everything but I have said for, oh, a couple decades that Belichick is the most overrated putz ever. What has he ever done without Brady? He is nothing compared to Saban and I can honestly say that I’ve said for many years that coaches who have succeeded in multiple contexts are better than him. I of course mean people like Saban, Meyer, and Harbaugh but honestly I think people like James Franklin and Matt Campbell are better coaches than Belichick. Flat out. So the example of Belichick finding yet another place he sucked at without Brady is not as cautionary as it would be if I thought he deserved a fraction of his reputation. 

That being said, I did think this would turn out a lot better for him due to the recruiting boost/signaling mechanism aspects of the hire. I thought he might eventually sputter but that it would be a profound initial spark. This was worse than I could have imagined. 

I do think there is something to be said for the new environment making coaching cachet less significant. I am surprised O’Brien hasn’t done better at Boston College. In this environment it may be more about cold hard finances, leadership, and coaching acumen (as opppsed to coaching cachet) than the sugar high of an initial hire.

[msqueri]

I am not right about everything but I have said for, oh, a couple decades that Belichick is the most overrated putz ever. What has he ever done without Brady? He is nothing compared to Saban and I can honestly say that I’ve said for many years that coaches who have succeeded in multiple contexts are better than him. I of course mean people like Saban, Meyer, and Harbaugh but honestly I think people like James Franklin and Matt Campbell are better coaches than Belichick. Flat out. So the example of Belichick finding yet another place he sucked at without Brady is not as cautionary as it would be if I thought he deserved a fraction of his reputation. 

That being said, I did think this would turn out a lot better for him due to the recruiting boost/signaling mechanism aspects of the hire. I thought he might eventually sputter but that it would be a profound initial spark. This was worse than I could have imagined. 

I do think there is something to be said for the new environment making coaching cachet less significant. I am surprised O’Brien hasn’t done better at Boston College. In this environment it may be more about cold hard finances, leadership, and coaching acumen (as opppsed to coaching cachet) than the sugar high of an initial hire.