Michigan gets permission.... <post coaching discussions HERE>

Maybe he's just an idolizer of Hayden Fry.:lol:

 

Michigan is a program on the slide right now. UM's HC hasto contend with Ohio State and Mich State constantly both on the field and in the recruiting wars. Les may be on a journey to Bolivia.

 

Let me preface this by saying I have no insider knowledge and this is mostly just my "desire" or "preference" should Miles leave... Also, I don't think Ferentz to UM is going to happen. He's completely tanked his team on THE EASIEST Big10 schedule possible and has had NFL rumors swirling around him for awhile now, Michigan wants someone long term, not someone who's going to flirt with the NFL every off season.

That said, assuming Miles left, my list of choices would include (in roughly this order):

Butch Davis
Tommy Tubberville
Jon Gruden
Lane Kiffin
Jeff Tedford
Bobby Petrino
Jack Del Rio
Norm Chow
Rich Rodriguez (just not going to happen).

Laugh all you want, say it's impossible, but contracts mean jack and except for RR, LSU legitimately could go after any one of those other guys. Buying them out isn't a problem, selling our program isn't a problem. The only issue would be to put the money and LSU on one side of a balance and a coach's desire to stay where he is on the other. I think the LSU side wins on more than one on that list. Tubbs' extension is luke-warm and certainly open to an aggressive take-over.

As for replacing Pelini, I'd go after Muschamp again, which would be even easier if Tubberville switched teams. He's familiar with LSU and he knows the SEC recruiting grounds. Additionally, most of the HC candidates I mentioned are offensive guys so a quality DC would certainly be a priority. I'm not sure on Crowton's status. I don't think it's a problem if he leaves or stays. I think he'll be fine if he stays and I think we'll be able to replace him if he leaves.

Coaches mentioned that I wouldn't touch with a 10ft poll:

Steve Spurrier: all you had to do was follow USC's season. He is OLD and getting washed up. He just isn't the same guy that was winning at UF. He looks tired and unless you're interested in another 3 year coaching tenure, he's not a good hire IMO. Also, his defenses have sucked both at UF and USC. It wasn't until he had Bob Stoops as DC at UF that UF became a runaway success.

Dennis Erikson: Old... do we really want to be on probation for the next decade?

Saban: not a chance... who the hell wants this maniac back anyway?

Promoting Pelini: Have you seen this guy talk in public? You either fall asleep or get the impression he's shy. Seriously, if you thought Miles wasn't the best in front of the mic, this guy is like George W in front of it (Democrat or Rep, you have to admit that listening to Bush speak in public is close to unbearable). He has been described by many as reluctant to recruit... No thanks.

Promoting Crowton: He had his HC chances already and was unfit at BYU.

Franchione: Just kill me! His little insider trading with boosters gives him no shot at a big time school anyway.


I haven't mentioned any black HC candidates but I think there are some that LSU should take a genuinely serious approach to. There are a number of coordinators in the NFL that have a very similar resumes up to this point as many of the guys I mentioned earlier. A guy like Lovie Smith (not him particularly, just someone with the same type of attitude, self assurance, and experience) could be great. I don't follow the NFL too closely so I can't think of names off the top of my head and don't feel like looking them up bu there are more than a few in league who are VERY worthy to consider and not just to please the BCA. I'd say the same for black coordinators in college but there just aren't enough of them as college has lagged far behind the NFL in hiring minorities to prominent positions.


Sorry this is getting long but I think the safest bet would be Tubberville bringing Muschamp with him... Both guys are proven in the SEC and as much as I hate that damn smirk, I think I'd start to like it if he were waring P&G. Besides, we'd get to kick Saban's ass more often than not.

Anyway, like I said, this is my moderately informed opinions, not really a prediction. Just throwing it out there for discussion.

 

I do think Skip has his list narrowed down to a few who are interested. I also think he may have had preliminary interviews...over the phone type stuff. Look for a quick move...possibly before the bowl game.

 

Exactly right. The talk of one of these 3 replacing Miles is foolish. Skip won't bring any CFB household names to LSU. It will be a similar hire like Les.

 

Re: Pelini's Future in Nebraska

Another endorsement for Bo as NU's head coach: http://www.theindependent.com/stories/11292007/hus_huskdouglass29.shtml

 

Mich St is no threat to Michigan. Never has, never will be ... even Saban saw that handwriting on the wall. Now, OSU is a completely different story.

It will be interesting to see if he can bring SEC speed to the Big 10, like Zook has done.

 

Every year there are Michigan high-schoolers that Michigan craves and they end up in Lansing. That's not a problem at LSU.

 

I think you're right about Skip... There is simply too much pressure from fans and boosters this time around for him to go bargain shopping. It's going to have to be a "name brand" coach.

Also, if we do get a new coach, I'll at least look forward to the decrease in comparisons with a certain other coach. Or am I mistaken and are we going to hear "so and so is only winning with Mile's recruits"?

 

I think your right about that. I don't think LSU will offer anyone a Bama/Saban type deal, but I do think they'll have to pay more than they offered CLM. The boosters will want it, fans demand it, and the going rate for coaches has gotten higher the past few years. I don't think Skip will have a choice. That is, if he has complete control over that issue, which I am doubting will be the case this time around.

I don't know if LSU will end up with a big name, but I do think they'll make an effort to land one. The next week or two will be interesting.