The Way Too Early Coaching Change Possibilities
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2019 8:52 am
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?
#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?
