The Way Too Early Coaching Change Possibilities

[SuperDuck]

Yeah, I know we're only halfway through the season, but some coaching changes already appear to be almost certain.

#1. Florida State

I'd be shocked if they keep Willie Taggart for another year. All schools with a tradition of success on the field have gone through downturns. However, schools used to be more tolerant and would give coaches longer tenures than they should have, or even honor the duration of a contract. Those days are long gone, for the most part. There's no excuse for FSU to be playing as poorly as they have been under Taggart's watch.

Possible replacements: Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, Les Miles (Kansas), Matt Rhule (Temple), Mario Cristobol (yeah, I know that would suck), etc. Meyer obviously has ties to the state and could slide right into the job. Bob Stoops is said to be ready to come back to coaching, as he's already coaching a team from a new pro league. I'd think that he might jump at the chance. Like Meyer, Stoops would also have Florida ties, having been the defensive coordinator at UF when he was hired for the Oklahoma job.


#2. USC

A month or so ago it seemed that Urban Meyer was the top candidate to replace Clay Helton. However, his recent comment of being "absolutely" interested if the Dallas Cowboys came calling, as well as other openings in college, seem to make this move less likely.

Possible replacements: Jack Del Rio, Meyer, Bob Stoops, Brian Kelly (Notre Dame). Other than that, it's a complete guessing game. You'd think that they'd want to make a big name hire, but there really aren't that many names out there that would appease USC alums. Meyer or Stoops would certainly make a huge splash, but I tend to believe Brian Kelly might be more realistic. Kelly is an excellent coach, and he wouldn't have the restrictions on him at USC that he has at Notre Dame. Also, the area is loaded with talent, so he may jump at the opportunity. Also, Stoops is more of a southern guy, so although I wouldn't rule him out, I'd think that the FSU job might be much more appealing to him and his family.

#3. Michigan

I thought that Jim Harbough just might be there for life when he was first hired, but his lack of success on the field, as well as having the second largest contract among college coaches make it almost a certainty that he won't be retained next year. I don't know all the stipulations of his contract, how many years he has remaining, etc, though. This is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Possible replacements: Les Miles (Kansas), Matt Rhule (Temple), Bob Stoops, etc. Miles is a "Michigan man", and has been mentioned as a candidate for the job while he was still at LSU. Making the jump from Kansas to go back to his alma mater, as well as a significant pay raise and the opportunity to be in the national spotlight, may be too much to turn down.

Stoops would likely land elsewhere, but UM may push hard for his services.

Honestly, I could see Matt Rhule as a solid candidate, but he's building something special at Baylor that may be too good to walk away from. Also, the Baylor job is much less pressure than the expectations would be at Michigan. He could leverage his candidacy for other jobs into a nice pay raise and stay put.

Those are the Top-3 that come to mind. I expect Chris Petersen to remain at UW and also for Chip Kelly to get another year at UCLA, though they both may be on the hot seat next year.

Another name that should be mentioned as a potential candidate for an opening somewhere would be Mike Leach. The guy has done nothing but win since he's been in Pullman. Still, it would have to be the right fit for him to leave WSU.

Any other thoughts?

[Duck07]

The main talk about Taggart is that it would cost them 18M to get rid of him after this season and then you still need to go pay a new coach and his staff. Willie worked them good and he'll be there for at least another season because of the $$ unless a booster(s) really step up and that isn't something that sounds reliable for them.

Bob Stoops is in the XFL and I really don't see him leaving his gig since he's been one of their "faces" so far. He's gotta be making some decent money for far less work/time and he's already earned quite a bit.

[karlhungis]

Don't forget Diaz at Miami. He is not getting it done and people are wondering if Cristobal will "dream job" us if the opportunity presents itself.

[DmoneyDuck]

Don't forget Diaz at Miami. He is not getting it done and people are wondering if Cristobal will "dream job" us if the opportunity presents itself.

He already turned Miami down once, don't see why he wouldn't do it again.

[lukeyrid13]

And no way does Miami fire Diaz after this year.

Supposedly cristobals wife loves Eugene and I would argue Oregon has top 10 recruiting tools available which I think Mario appreciates. If he leaves so be it but I think he’s our coach for as long as we want him to be.

[Merganzer]

It could be that Shaw will never leave Stanford. But he seems to always be a coach that a team would love to have; this is the first really bad year he's had on the Farm, and a quick fix might not be in the cards, Would he take another job if offered now?

[SuperDuck]

The main talk about Taggart is that it would cost them 18M to get rid of him after this season and then you still need to go pay a new coach and his staff. Willie worked them good and he'll be there for at least another season because of the $$ unless a booster(s) really step up and that isn't something that sounds reliable for them.

Bob Stoops is in the XFL and I really don't see him leaving his gig since he's been one of their "faces" so far. He's gotta be making some decent money for far less work/time and he's already earned quite a bit.

Wow! I didn't realize that his buyout was $18 million! Still, if they had a proven coach ready and willing to replace him, I could see them finding a way to get it done. I'm talking an Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops.

[SuperDuck]

And no way does Miami fire Diaz after this year.

Supposedly cristobals wife loves Eugene and I would argue Oregon has top 10 recruiting tools available which I think Mario appreciates. If he leaves so be it but I think he’s our coach for as long as we want him to be.

I hope you're right.

[SuperDuck]

It could be that Shaw will never leave Stanford. But he seems to always be a coach that a team would love to have; this is the first really bad year he's had on the Farm, and a quick fix might not be in the cards, Would he take another job if offered now?

I think he'd be a great fit for the USC job. Like Brian Kelly, Shaw has standards that must be met by recruits at Stanford. He wouldn't have those restrictions at USC and would be able to pull in many top California players. If he were ever going to take the leap, now might be the time.

[woundedknees]

It could be that Shaw will never leave Stanford. But he seems to always be a coach that a team would love to have; this is the first really bad year he's had on the Farm, and a quick fix might not be in the cards, Would he take another job if offered now?

I think he'd be a great fit for the USC job. Like Brian Kelly, Shaw has standards that must be met by recruits at Stanford. He wouldn't have those restrictions at USC and would be able to pull in many top California players. If he were ever going to take the leap, now might be the time.

*SNORT* "might not be in the CARDS"... Incidental pun, I'm sure.

[Autzenoise]

Can't wait to see Slick Willie use his pre season canned tweets for his new high school job in rural Arkansas.

Sent from my SM-S727VL using Tapatalk

[Duck07]

Wow! I didn't realize that his buyout was $18 million! Still, if they had a proven coach ready and willing to replace him, I could see them finding a way to get it done. I'm talking an Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops.

There isn't any money coming in from the boosters because it didn't come in the past either. Jimbo left in part because of frustrations with not getting better facilities. Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops are not going to go try and fix FSU and neither have any ties to the program.

David Shaw is a Stanford graduate. Some of these things you are suggesting are just not very plausible at all.

[Merganzer]

And no way does Miami fire Diaz after this year.

Supposedly cristobals wife loves Eugene and I would argue Oregon has top 10 recruiting tools available which I think Mario appreciates. If he leaves so be it but I think he’s our coach for as long as we want him to be.

I hope you're right.

I think lukeyrid13 is on solid ground here. FSU was Taggart's dream job to the extent that he basically never unpacked his suitcase. Meanwhile, Cristobal got the job, thanks in large part to the connection he had with the players. I feel like he is serious about building his legacy at Oregon

[SuperDuck]

Wow! I didn't realize that his buyout was $18 million! Still, if they had a proven coach ready and willing to replace him, I could see them finding a way to get it done. I'm talking an Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops.

There isn't any money coming in from the boosters because it didn't come in the past either. Jimbo left in part because of frustrations with not getting better facilities. Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops are not going to go try and fix FSU and neither have any ties to the program.

David Shaw is a Stanford graduate. Some of these things you are suggesting are just not very plausible at all.

I'm just making conversation. Both Stoops and Meyer have ties to the state of FLORIDA, not FSU.

Regarding Shaw, coaches do sometimes leave their alma mater, or leave their alma mater for different jobs. That's nothing new.

[Thurston]

Short of going 0-12 next year I don't see why Chris Petersen would be on the hot seat. He's coming off a Peach, Fiesta, and Rose Bowl appearances and 2 Pac-12 titles in 3 years.

U-dub isn't stupid. They remember what they were like before he showed up.