A Year-By-Year Comparison Frank Beamer vs. Mark Stoops

[Girthang]

There is a school Stoops would consider, but it isn’t FSU.

The best guesses are OSU, Notre Dame and Iowa.

There is a reason his contract has an unusually low buyout, but the reason is not FSU.

He is Catholic, so some believe Notre Dame is the one.

But because his Dad has an Iowa jersey buried with him, I believe “the one” is Iowa.

I don't think he would leave for anywhere except ND. Would ND take him if he's been divorced? Goes against their tenets (from 50 years ago) if I remember correctly.

For sure it will only be 1. when he has his pick of where, and he needs to keep building here for that to happen, or 2. He sees the wheels coming off here for some unforeseen reason. If it's the latter, he'll take best available.

I don't think he leaves, but he's good enough now to be sought after. I imagine it will only get more intense in the years to come while his support staff is intact.

 

[Girthang]

Until FSU reforms their booster controlled athletics dept, they're going to continue to have trouble attracting top coaching talent.

...and there's also Tallahassee. Are they going to relocate?

 

[Girthang]

C'mon Hack, it's Hayden Fry He's the greatest Iowa legendary coach ever IMO.

Dan.Gable

Fry is 2nd.

 

[rucker4]

Dan.Gable

Fry is 2nd.

I meant football for Fry.

Gable won 15 national wrestling championships at Iowa by the time he retired at 49 years old. NOBODY is a bigger coaching legend than is Dan Gable-- any sport, any era. Maybe Wooden.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I don't know that Stoops is itchy to move on. But I do think there could be very specific situations that he would consider. Obviously, in the unlikely event Ohio State or Alabama come calling it would be difficult to keep him here. I would also be concerned if Iowa or Penn State came after him.

Short of that, he would have to walk away from the program that he built from the basement up, and an administration that has been very patient and responsive to his needs.

I can see a pull to Iowa because it's his Alma mater, but I just can't see him having any interest in the PSU job. Maybe there is and I just don't know about it.

For the poster asking about the Big East. At one point it was a top conference with Miami, VT and WVU and a couple of the other teams were top 20 type teams. CMS has done a great job at UK, fans have wanted a good program for decades and CMS has given them one. He has made UK one of if not the most stable programs in the SEC and certainly the East, every team in the conference except Bama has heat least 1 coaching change and several have had multiple changes

 

[Girthang]

I meant football for Fry.

Gable won 15 national wrestling championships at Iowa by the time he retired at 49 years old. NOBODY is a bigger coaching legend than is Dan Gable-- any sport, any era. Maybe Wooden.

Of course you did. (But you didn't say that exactly.) Iowa was one of the schools I would love to have played at out of high school if it were under Fry.

School colors, rep, and spirit were a big part of that. Always got a fight when anyone played them, even if the score didn't always look like it. I had no idea I had as much family there back then as I did. Distant relations, like here in Kentucky, but still family. Had I visited the campus before graduation, I'd have gone there.

Wooden cheated or allowed cheating. He couldn't sniff Gable's unitard.

Lol. You didn't even mention Gable and the Olympics... World Cup competitions

I met Dan Gable at 2 successive wrestling camps. Would have been great to have him as a coach. Didn't tolerate any bs. Walked the walk, talked about what he knew and lived. Never met coach Fry but he had my respect.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I meant football for Fry.

Gable won 15 national wrestling championships at Iowa by the time he retired at 49 years old. NOBODY is a bigger coaching legend than is Dan Gable-- any sport, any era. Maybe Wooden.

I agree on Gable being a bigger coaching legend than just about anyone, and the rest of his personal accomplishments are nothing to sneeze at. But wrestling just isn't one of the big 2 and there is a high percentage of people you could ask what they thought of Dan Gable and they would have no idea who he is. They think wrestling involves a ring and not a mat.

 

[Girthang]

I agree on Gable being a bigger coaching legend than just about anyone, and the rest of his personal accomplishments are nothing to sneeze at. But wrestling just isn't one of the big 2 and there is a high percentage of people you could ask what they thought of Dan Gable and they would have no idea who he is. They think wrestling involves a ring and not a mat.

But... lol... There is a high % of people that have no idea who Jim Thorpe is. Means about as much as people that are ignorant of wrestling. The masses especially these days have no idea about a lot of things. Doesn't mean the things of which they are ignorant should be discounted.

 

[optimus-blue]

Until FSU reforms their booster controlled athletics dept, they're going to continue to have trouble attracting top coaching talent.

Neon Deion will be next coach he has the booster and just got through taking FlSt’s #1 recruit who will transfer back with the coach.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Neon Deion will be next coach he has the booster and just got through taking FlSt’s #1 recruit who will transfer back with the coach.

The timeline probably will match up well......and I'm sure the fanbase will go nuts over it.

 

[gossie21]

Of course you did. (But you didn't say that exactly.) Iowa was one of the schools I would love to have played at out of high school if it were under Fry.

School colors, rep, and spirit were a big part of that. Always got a fight when anyone played them, even if the score didn't always look like it. I had no idea I had as much family there back then as I did. Distant relations, like here in Kentucky, but still family. Had I visited the campus before graduation, I'd have gone there.

Wooden cheated or allowed cheating. He couldn't sniff Gable's unitard.

Lol. You didn't even mention Gable and the Olympics... World Cup competitions

I met Dan Gable at 2 successive wrestling camps. Would have been great to have him as a coach. Didn't tolerate any bs. Walked the walk, talked about what he knew and lived. Never met coach Fry but he had my respect.

I don't necessarily disagree with your take on Penn State. My thought was that Mark Stoops' hometwon of Youngstown, OH isn't too far from Penn State campus. Traditionally Penn State is a much stronger program and has a lot of the built in benefits that come with that. At the same time, it also has some of the built in problems. Such as a demanding fanbase, athletic department and expectations to compete for conference championships and national championships. While I'm sure Stoops has the same expectations here at UK, he's not going to get fired for missing a bowl game, or going 7-5. That is a real possibility at other schools. LSU won a title in 2019 fired Orgeron in 2021. Florida won the SEC East in 2020 and Mullen gets fired in 2021. Stoops might find a job with higher reward potential, but that also comes with higher risk potential.


I was the same poster asking about the strenght of the Big East. I recall Miami being the big dog in the Big East for the early 2000s and farther back in the 80s. I didn't follow the conference all that closely, so I wasn't really sure what the other schools were doing. It's one thing to try and establish a program in a conference with one top school, but much more difficult when every school is strong. For example, Stoops at UK faced a monumental task in making Kentucky a strong football program. I still am amazed he has done as well as he has.

 

[The-Hack]

but I assure you it wasn't in the same miserable shape as KSU as it related to football history or facilities.

You may not be very familiar with U.K. football. When Stoops took over and until 2018, only four P5 programs had failed to win 10 games in a season the prior 40 (plus) years, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa State and Vanderbilt. The latter three have never won 10 games in a season (through today).

We own a narrow edge over Vandy head-to-head, solidified only under Stoops since 2015, but Vandy still has a small edge on winning percentage in the SEC (31.9%|31.6%).

Yes, there are P5 programs with lesser historic success than Kentucky, maybe 8 or 9 of them. K-State would have been in that conversation in the 80’s when Snyder worked his magic, but it would have been a close call.

 

[Girthang]

I don't necessarily disagree with your take on Penn State. My thought was that Mark Stoops' hometwon of Youngstown, OH isn't too far from Penn State campus. Traditionally Penn State is a much stronger program and has a lot of the built in benefits that come with that. At the same time, it also has some of the built in problems. Such as a demanding fanbase, athletic department and expectations to compete for conference championships and national championships. While I'm sure Stoops has the same expectations here at UK, he's not going to get fired for missing a bowl game, or going 7-5. That is a real possibility at other schools. LSU won a title in 2019 fired Orgeron in 2021. Florida won the SEC East in 2020 and Mullen gets fired in 2021. Stoops might find a job with higher reward potential, but that also comes with higher risk potential.


I was the same poster asking about the strenght of the Big East. I recall Miami being the big dog in the Big East for the early 2000s and farther back in the 80s. I didn't follow the conference all that closely, so I wasn't really sure what the other schools were doing. It's one thing to try and establish a program in a conference with one top school, but much more difficult when every school is strong. For example, Stoops at UK faced a monumental task in making Kentucky a strong football program. I still am amazed he has done as well as he has.

? Replied to wrong post on this?

 

[rucker4]

Of course you did. (But you didn't say that exactly.) Iowa was one of the schools I would love to have played at out of high school if it were under Fry.

School colors, rep, and spirit were a big part of that. Always got a fight when anyone played them, even if the score didn't always look like it. I had no idea I had as much family there back then as I did. Distant relations, like here in Kentucky, but still family. Had I visited the campus before graduation, I'd have gone there.

Wooden cheated or allowed cheating. He couldn't sniff Gable's unitard.

Lol. You didn't even mention Gable and the Olympics... World Cup competitions

I met Dan Gable at 2 successive wrestling camps. Would have been great to have him as a coach. Didn't tolerate any bs. Walked the walk, talked about what he knew and lived. Never met coach Fry but he had my respect.

When I started college at Iowa in the fall of 1981 Dan Gable was the wrestling coach, Hayden Fry football coach, and Lute Olson the basketball coach. The glory years of Iowa athletics.

The stories I could tell of both Gable and Fry especially. They have a statue of Gable now in front of the basketball and wrestling arena. There's a street named after Hayden here and also a statue. TRUE LEGENDS!

 

[IrishPokerDog]

Until FSU reforms their booster controlled athletics dept, they're going to continue to have trouble attracting top coaching talent.

Their second problem is $$$$....they’re not on good financial footing. Trying to spend like the big boys with deficit spending comes back to get ya, when your TV paycheck comes through the ACC coffers

 

[rucker4]

I don't necessarily disagree with your take on Penn State. My thought was that Mark Stoops' hometwon of Youngstown, OH isn't too far from Penn State campus. Traditionally Penn State is a much stronger program and has a lot of the built in benefits that come with that. At the same time, it also has some of the built in problems. Such as a demanding fanbase, athletic department and expectations to compete for conference championships and national championships. While I'm sure Stoops has the same expectations here at UK, he's not going to get fired for missing a bowl game, or going 7-5. That is a real possibility at other schools. LSU won a title in 2019 fired Orgeron in 2021. Florida won the SEC East in 2020 and Mullen gets fired in 2021. Stoops might find a job with higher reward potential, but that also comes with higher risk potential.

Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, who used to be only on the B1G conference beat, claimed as recent as this fall Penn State was a job Mark Stoops would leave UK for. Rittenberg I have come to trust is usually pretty dialed in.

But for Stoops fans in Kentucky, the good news is James Franklin just signed a long term new deal with PSU and I truly don't see him going anywhere anytime soon-- so I'd waste little anxiety over PSU.

 

[IrishPokerDog]

Yes, there are P5 programs with lesser historic success than Kentucky, maybe 8 or 9 of them. K-State would have been in that conversation in the 80’s when Snyder worked his magic, but it would have been a close call.

I understand your point, but I think looking at the stats on Winsipedia, there are 13-15 P5 teams with less football success ..... and frankly, soon to be more

 

[rucker4]

Until FSU reforms their booster controlled athletics dept, they're going to continue to have trouble attracting top coaching talent.

FSU is a job to watch though. Norvell struggles in 2022 there and he's done. Understand Miami has made a big commitment again with the Cristobol hire so no way FSU is going to wallow with football struggles much longer as Miami starts to capture the state of Florida and ACC headlines.

If the FSU job comes open in December, then I do expect Mark Stoops would be a strong target by FSU- though it doesn't mean Stoops would leave for there.

I think FSUs "coach in waiting" is likely that clown Deion Sanders. Makes way too much sense: Flashy personality and would be a headline hire, FSU alum, gaining attention as coach at Jackson State, recruiting at a high level there. Coming from Jackson State and likely wanting the FSU job, they wouldn't have to pay him anything close to what Stoops or a high profile guy would need to be paid and for the FSU athletic department right now, that's very key.

However, I am not convinced Sanders can succeed at the Power 5 level with so little coaching experience and coaching at Jackson State is a far different animal. His persona and flair will only carry him so far. Dabo and Cristobol would eat him for lunch coaching-wise.

 

[rucker4]

I don't think he would leave for anywhere except ND. Would ND take him if he's been divorced? Goes against their tenets (from 50 years ago) if I remember correctly.

For sure it will only be 1. when he has his pick of where, and he needs to keep building here for that to happen, or 2. He sees the wheels coming off here for some unforeseen reason. If it's the latter, he'll take best available.

I don't think he leaves, but he's good enough now to be sought after. I imagine it will only get more intense in the years to come while his support staff is intact.

Much better chance he'd leave for Iowa than Notre Dame.

 

[Girthang]

Much better chance he'd leave for Iowa than Notre Dame.

In your opinion, sure.

 

[Girthang]

FSU is a job to watch though. Norvell struggles in 2022 there and he's done. Understand Miami has made a big commitment again with the Cristobol hire so no way FSU is going to wallow with football struggles much longer as Miami starts to capture the state of Florida and ACC headlines.

If the FSU job comes open in December, then I do expect Mark Stoops would be a strong target by FSU- though it doesn't mean Stoops would leave for there.

I think FSUs "coach in waiting" is likely that clown Deion Sanders. Makes way too much sense: Flashy personality and would be a headline hire, FSU alum, gaining attention as coach at Jackson State, recruiting at a high level there. Coming from Jackson State and likely wanting the FSU job, they wouldn't have to pay him anything close to what Stoops or a high profile guy would need to be paid and for the FSU athletic department right now, that's very key.

However, I am not convinced Sanders can succeed at the Power 5 level with so little coaching experience and coaching at Jackson State is a far different animal. His persona and flair will only carry him so far. Dabo and Cristobol would eat him for lunch coaching-wise.

We'll see in a year or so if Sanders is a good HC.

I don't know if he's a "clown." He doesn't appear to be stupid. He doesn't appear to be bad at managing people. He's a good marketer and has name recognition. He can coach his position. Can he hire and work well with the best assistants and coordinators? It'll be interesting to watch.

 

[rucker4]

In your opinion, sure.

I have a few friends here that are close to the Stoops family-- all the boys. Notre Dame has never been mentioned as an interest Mark has had by them-- not sure where you came up with that stuff other than it sounds good.

 

[Girthang]

Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, who used to be only on the B1G conference beat, claimed as recent as this fall Penn State was a job Mark Stoops would leave UK for. Rittenberg I have come to trust is usually pretty dialed in.

But for Stoops fans in Kentucky, the good news is James Franklin just signed a long term new deal with PSU and I truly don't see him going anywhere anytime soon-- so I'd waste little anxiety over PSU.

Are you aware of Stoops' "the real blue and white!" comment? I doubt he would leave UK for PSU unless the wheels fell off here and the position happened to be open there simultaneously. If so, then it's not likely PSU would want him.

I don't think Franklin finishes out his contract. He'd have to win the BigTen and reach a playoff to reach 4 more years imo. They recruit too well based on rep and location not to do better than he has.

I think Iowa is more likely than PSU, unless UK wins the east this year or next. That could change everything or cement Stoops' resolve even further to stay at UK.

 

[rucker4]

Are you aware of Stoops' "the real blue and white!" comment? I doubt he would leave UK for PSU unless the wheels fell off here and the position happened to be open there simultaneously. If so, then it's not likely PSU would want him.

I don't think Franklin finishes out his contract. He'd have to win the BigTen and reach a playoff to reach 4 more years imo. They recruit too well based on rep and location not to do better than he has.

I think Iowa is more likely than PSU, unless UK wins the east this year or next. That could change everything or cement Stoops' resolve even further to stay at UK.

As I said earlier in this thread, PSU won't be an option because of Franklin being there.

Again, nobody can predict futures of anyone. Far too many factors can change things on a dime- including health. Again, only real possibilities at this point one day, and that could all change too, are Iowa and Florida State-- and FSU isn't huge odds for varied reasons. Your mention of Mark and Notre Dame carries carries no merit-- with all due respect. Whoever told you that pulled that from their ass. No interest he's ever had there.

 

[Girthang]

I have a few friends here that are close to the Stoops family-- all the boys. Notre Dame has never been mentioned as an interest Mark has had by them-- not sure where you came up with that stuff other than it sounds good.

Congratulations.

Lol. I, unlike you, never said nor implied that I know what Stoops has "said." I don't think the fact that he "hasn't mentioned an interest" in ND, is a major factor in whether he'd turn it down IF (huge if) he was sought after and offered the job at just the right time.

My reasoning-
1. There are still about 10 premium jobs on this level that still recruit the best players from name and history alone. Bama, ND, Georgia (more now than last year), theOtherOhioStateU, USC, and Clemson are among the top.
2. The best AND smartest players choose from among the following "top"* academic schools- Stanford, ND, Vandy, Cal, NW and some others.
3. Stoops recruits a higher percentage of Catholic HS schools and talent.
4. ONE SCHOOL in the entire country is most likely EVERY YEAR to simultaneously play the easiest schedule, in front of the most people nationally, with the most media bias in favor of putting them in the playoff of any P5 contender.

Unless Stoops HATES ND itself with a passion, he takes that job when/if offered or he isn't interested enough in leaving UK.

I didn't say he felt this way, mentioned it to me, or thinks about it. I'm just saying it is the ONE that most likely COULD pull him away if it were an option. It's the one he would probably take IF he has designs on national titles.

If it makes you feel better, I'll say it again (like I and many others here have many times over the last few years have said).... Sentimentality/emotionally sure, it's Iowa.
He just seems much more competitive than purely sentimental/emotional, and ND checks ALL of the boxes above. Iowa or PSU, while, imo, being great schools with sentimental and storied football tradition (respectively) don't check them ALL.


*"top" is less specific individually. I.e. Auburn - if someone wants to be a veterinary surgeon, it's one the best if not THE school to attend.

 

[Girthang]

As I said earlier in this thread, PSU won't be an option because of Franklin being there.

Don't take it personally. I'm just replying to your comment. I'll cease if it's bothering you. There just aren't as many new and external opinions as yours here. That's why I'm replying to them.

 

[rucker4]

Congratulations.

Lol. I, unlike you, never said nor implied that I know what Stoops has "said." I don't think the fact that he "hasn't mentioned an interest" in ND, is a major factor in whether he'd turn it down IF (huge if) he was sought after and offered the job at just the right time.

My reasoning-
1. There are still about 10 premium jobs on this level that still recruit the best players from name and history alone. Bama, ND, Georgia (more now than last year), theOtherOhioStateU, USC, and Clemson are among the top.
2. The best AND smartest players choose from among the following "top"* academic schools- Stanford, ND, Vandy, Cal, NW and some others.
3. Stoops recruits a higher percentage of Catholic HS schools and talent.
4. ONE SCHOOL in the entire country is most likely EVERY YEAR to simultaneously play the easiest schedule, in front of the most people nationally, with the most media bias in favor of putting them in the playoff of any P5 contender.

Unless Stoops HATES ND itself with a passion, he takes that job when/if offered or he isn't interested enough in leaving UK.

I didn't say he felt this way, mentioned it to me, or thinks about it. I'm just saying it is the ONE that most likely COULD pull him away if it were an option. It's the one he would probably take IF he has designs on national titles.

If it makes you feel better, I'll say it again (like I and many others here have many times over the last few years have said).... Sentimentality/emotionally sure, it's Iowa.
He just seems much more competitive than purely sentimental/emotional, and ND checks ALL of the boxes above. Iowa or PSU, while, imo, being great schools with sentimental and storied football tradition (respectively) don't check them ALL.


*"top" is less specific individually. I.e. Auburn - if someone wants to be a veterinary surgeon, it's one the best if not THE school to attend.

Mark Stoops is never going to be NDs coach. I like Mark, but he won't be an ND option nor does he want to be one. Mark will continue to build on a good thing he now has gotten started at UK.

 

[Girthang]

Mark Stoops is never going to be NDs coach. I like Mark, but he won't be an ND option nor does he want to be one. Mark will continue to build on a good thing he now has gotten started at UK.

Lol. I thought you didn't know. I thought no one knows.

I didn't say he would be NDs coach. I said I think that's the job he wouldn't turn down if he's as competitive as he seems to be.

 

[The-Hack]

but he won't be an ND option nor does he want to be one.

Huh?

Can we quote you?

Seriously, could anyone know for certain?

 

[rucker4]

Huh?

Can we quote you?

Seriously, could anyone know for certain?

Nope, but I'd say where I got my info. is about as solid as it can be.

Have no idea why anyone here thought Notre Dame was an option for Mark or vice versa. With all due respect to Mark, he's never likely going to be on ND's "wish list".

 

[satcheluk]

...and there's also Tallahassee. Are they going to relocate?

What's wrong with Tallahassee? IMO, it's like a half size Lexington, with short drives to the ocean instead of lakes. I don't share much culturally with the panhandle (and many places in KY for that matter), but I love both places on gameday.

 

[satcheluk]

Neon Deion will be next coach he has the booster and just got through taking FlSt’s #1 recruit who will transfer back with the coach.

I lean toward agreeing with you, but the big money donors prefer someone they can control/be confident he won't bring negative media attention. Deion is considered a bit of a loose cannon. There is not consensus here on this.

 

[satcheluk]

Their second problem is $$$$....they’re not on good financial footing. Trying to spend like the big boys with deficit spending comes back to get ya, when your TV paycheck comes through the ACC coffers

That was only during COVID. They are #1 in ACC in athletic revenue and just outside top 10 overall. Their finances are fine.

 

[satcheluk]

FSU is a job to watch though. Norvell struggles in 2022 there and he's done. Understand Miami has made a big commitment again with the Cristobol hire so no way FSU is going to wallow with football struggles much longer as Miami starts to capture the state of Florida and ACC headlines.

If the FSU job comes open in December, then I do expect Mark Stoops would be a strong target by FSU- though it doesn't mean Stoops would leave for there.

I think FSUs "coach in waiting" is likely that clown Deion Sanders. Makes way too much sense: Flashy personality and would be a headline hire, FSU alum, gaining attention as coach at Jackson State, recruiting at a high level there. Coming from Jackson State and likely wanting the FSU job, they wouldn't have to pay him anything close to what Stoops or a high profile guy would need to be paid and for the FSU athletic department right now, that's very key.

However, I am not convinced Sanders can succeed at the Power 5 level with so little coaching experience and coaching at Jackson State is a far different animal. His persona and flair will only carry him so far. Dabo and Cristobol would eat him for lunch coaching-wise.

My father is an FSU letterman and booster, for context. First, FSU is still paying Willie Taggart's buyout and it amounts to more than their current coaches salary. That runs for two more years, so it is very unlikely that Norvell will be fired before that because they will not want to play two buyouts. Also, Stoops felt disrespected the last time he interviewed here, so I seriously doubt Stoops will look at FSU again anytime soon. He may forgive and forget over time, but he was pissed. In relation to the previous comment, Stoops just doesn't get their juices flowing down here. If you ask the boosters about Stoops, they all say just about the same thing, that he would be on their list, but not near the top. They want a more offensive minded coach and someone who can invigorate the fanbase. That perception played out when he interviewed last time and was the reason he felt so disrespected. Unless they clean house in the AD, then it'll probably be tough to get Stoops to be interested in interviewing with the same folks again. I'll close with this. Norvell sold the administration on a rebuilding process that would take years (coinciding with the Taggart buyout), where he was going to build recruiting relationships around the state, redshirt as many as possible and build the team the right way. The Admin felt hamstrung financially, due to the Taggart buyout, so they were unable to offer a top tier salary, so they structured Norvell's contract with a low guarantee and high incentives, knowing it was unlikely to payout too much before the Taggart buyout expires in 2024.

 

[The-Hack]

With all due respect to Mark, he's never likely going to be on ND's "wish list".

Maybe, but do not underestimate the draw of the Golden Dome to mid-western Catholic kids and adults.

You are battling a windmill of your imagination: no one said he was on ND’s wish list and are purely speculating they MIGHT be on his.

In my opinion, the one school he would really want is Iowa.

His dad has his jersey in his coffin.

 

[rucker4]

My father is an FSU letterman and booster, for context. First, FSU is still paying Willie Taggart's buyout and it amounts to more than their current coaches salary. That runs for two more years, so it is very unlikely that Norvell will be fired before that because they will not want to play two buyouts. Also, Stoops felt disrespected the last time he interviewed here, so I seriously doubt Stoops will look at FSU again anytime soon. He may forgive and forget over time, but he was pissed. In relation to the previous comment, Stoops just doesn't get their juices flowing down here. If you ask the boosters about Stoops, they all say just about the same thing, that he would be on their list, but not near the top. They want a more offensive minded coach and someone who can invigorate the fanbase. That perception played out when he interviewed last time and was the reason he felt so disrespected. Unless they clean house in the AD, then it'll probably be tough to get Stoops to be interested in interviewing with the same folks again. I'll close with this. Norvell sold the administration on a rebuilding process that would take years (coinciding with the Taggart buyout), where he was going to build recruiting relationships around the state, redshirt as many as possible and build the team the right way. The Admin felt hamstrung financially, due to the Taggart buyout, so they were unable to offer a top tier salary, so they structured Norvell's contract with a low guarantee and high incentives, knowing it was unlikely to payout too much before the Taggart buyout expires in 2024.

This is why I said I can easily see where Deion Sanders makes perfect sense. Deion won't be a $5 million-plus annual salary. He's still quite inexperienced as a coach and not even at the big conference level so his asking price won't be anywhere in the top tier territory. Don't tell me the FSU wouldn't be amazingly stoked if he was named coach there.

Then there are MANY more reasons too he'd be the guy they'd love.

 

[rojas]

We've made the comparison, so how do their first 9 seasons compare?

For brevities sake, after a full 9 seasons at Virginia Tech, Beamer was 51-49-2, and at the mid-point of his 9th season at UK, Mark Stoops is 55-51.

Beamer only had 11 regular season games, 12 with bowls. Stoops has 12 regular season games, 13 with a bowl, excepting 2020 with 10 regular season games, 11 with the bowl.

Beamer went 9-3 in his seventh season, having won a max of 6 games (twice) in his first six seasons.

Stoops went 10-3 in his sixth season.

It looks like Stoops will have 59-61 wins (absent a playoff appearance) by the end of his 9th season, and from 51 to 54 losses.

Their records are remarkably similar, though Stoops achieved his "break through" season a year ahead of Beamer. Stoops also had more clearly established linear progress his first 6 seasons, with six consecutive seasons without an increase in losses or a reduction in wins. Beamer's record his fifth year, before the 9 win season, was one of his worst: 2-8-1.

Sounds like Virginia Tech was more patient than Kentucky in retaining Beamer with a 2-8-1 record his sixth year at the school!!

Beamer was coaching in the Big East/ACC. Stoops was coaching in the SEC. Huge difference.

 

[The-Hack]

Beamer was coaching in the Big East/ACC. Stoops was coaching in the SEC. Huge difference.

Yes. And the fact Stoops’ numbers are better at this point is very telling!

 

[satcheluk]

This is why I said I can easily see where Deion Sanders makes perfect sense. Deion won't be a $5 million-plus annual salary. He's still quite inexperienced as a coach and not even at the big conference level so his asking price won't be anywhere in the top tier territory. Don't tell me the FSU wouldn't be amazingly stoked if he was named coach there.

Then there are MANY more reasons too he'd be the guy they'd love.

Some will be stoked, but those who are football insiders will be less so.

 

[rucker4]

Some will be stoked, but those who are football insiders will be less so.

His hire would play massive in the national media so they'd absolutely see a bounce if he gets hired there.

Again, FSU can't let Miami get lots of steam going with Cristobol-- nor can they see Florida move fast ahead with Napier.

Norvell needs to win a minimum of 8 games I'd think this season to keep his job.