Kidding or not, no one mentioned in this post is worthy of the job. I've typed it a thousand times in other threads, but I'll type it again. Jack Del Rio (unlikely to leave Jacksonville) or Romeo Crennel (possible) in that order.
Thank God Skip is doing the hiring and not Jo-Jo What is so great about Jack Del Rio? Or Romeo Crennel for that matter? I'm not dismissing them out of hand, I just don't know enough about their backgrounds to warrant putting them at the top of the list. I really think Skip will go for a current college HC who is a proven winner and recruiter, unless, there is a bombshell "name" NFL coach like Shanahan or Gruden who is interested. I think the focus will be on current coaches of successful Div. 1A programs, like Riley at Oreg. St., Bellotti at Oreg., Hawkins at Boise, Rodriguez at WV, Bowden at Clemson. Do any of those names wow me? Not really, but, that doesn't mean they couldn't come in and do a great job. If we are going to dip into NFL coordinator ranks, it would need to be an energetic special type of coach -- Mike Nolan w/ the Ravens might fit the bill, but I realize he's probably a relative unknown.
First off, it seems like slim pickins for a "wow" coach out there. Out: Davis. Unrealistic: Gruden, del Rio, Shanahan. Signed Contracts: Tedford, Petrino, Spurrier, Mike Stoops (not Bob, Mike). Not for me: the guys from Oregon, Erickson, Cutliff, and anyone with a last name of Bowden. What other "Head Coaches" are out there that we have a legitimate shot of signing? As for Assistant College Coaches, there are several, just to name a few: Norm Chow, Pellini, Jimbo Fisher and a slew of them I don't know. Assistant NFL Coaches from the Patriots and the Ravens are interesting, but as long time assistant NFL Coaches, I'm not sold a 100 percent. My pick is Norm Chow. He's the highest paid assistant coach in the country at 500 thou plus. Why? Because he knows exactly what the hell he is doing. Has mucho experience in the "college" game. Highly respected by his peers. Has coached Heisman quarterbacks. If we keep Muschamp as Defensive Coordinator, then crank it up, cuz the tiger bus would be ready to roll.
Chow is worth a serious look Since this whole saga began I've been reading all the internet LSU forums. I've read a couple of posts that said something to the effect that Chow was not "head coach material." As support for this, they cited the fact that Old Mrs. hired USC asst. Orgeron, and not Chow. Certainly, he should be interviewed, and his ability to run a program (and not just an offense) assessed. I would think he would jump at the chance to get a head coaching gig at a major power like LSU, then again, maybe he's a west coast or Western kind of guy, I know that he coached several yrs at BYU. Could he recruit in the South? Your other points are well-taken, however, what about Rich Rodriguez? Mike Nolan? If we hire someone like R.C. Slocum or Jim Donnan I will be very disappointed.:lsug:
Skip has said candidates must have college HC experience. No NFL or college assistants. Has Chow ever been a HC anywhere?
Rodriguez maybe. I know I was disappointed with his season this year, but he has done an excellent job to date in building the West Virginia program. Mike Nolan I don't know about. I will, like everyone else, be trying to get more "educated" if, as expected, Saban departs tomorrow. I have complete faith in Bertman and company that they will do their best to pick someone from the "rest of the best" list. It's big business at LSU now. Not that it never was, but TAF and others have sunk alot of money into the program. Those people will be doing everything in their power to bring in a quality guy. And who ever it is, I hope everyone sends that new coach a zillion emails of support as well to get the new regime off to a positive start. But you know, when Nick Saban was selected, I said "who is dat?" And when I found out, he seemed, at the time, to be a solid guy, but nothing really "big time" about him. I guess I was most impressed that he was coming from Michigan State. My first impression of him after his first press conference has never changed: the man's all business. cares about his players. and knows how to run one hell uv a football program. I just wish he would stay.
No, Chow, as far as I know has never been a head coach. But that's why I'm scratchin my head, what "Head Coaches" out there, that aren't already signed, sealed, and delivered, are available? Do you really think Cal or Iowa's Coaches would jump ship just after signing new contracts? I don't see that happening. The other names I've heard don't sound too "big time" to me, but hey, what the hell do I know, I'm just an LSU fan hoping the people in charge take real good care of our team and keep the ball rolling. It's always a crap shoot, though, when a change is made.
