This won't be a great year to hire a new coach - article from SI on the carousel

[Mojocat]

"With Strong expected to be gone at the end of this season, the stage is set for one of the most robust coaching carousels in the past decade. There's an expectation that jobs could open at Texas, Auburn, USC and Oregon to join the opening at LSU. (There's still a chance Penn State could move on James Franklin, but athletic director Sandy Barbour made definitive statements to the Altoona Mirror this week that Franklin "is not on the hot seat" and "is going to be our football coach.")"

then later:

"One of the interesting trends last year was that established schools like Georgia and USC hired assistant coaches. Helton's faceplant at USC and Kirby Smart's early struggles at Georgia may steer athletic directors away from that direction. It's a big leap, especially at the highest levels.

After Herman, the next best head coach in the Group of Five ranks are Harsin at Boise State, P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan and Jeff Brohm at Western Kentucky. Are any of them ready to make the jump?"

http://www.campusrush.com/charlie-strong-texas-future-hot-seat-coaching-carousel-2028550332.html

I'm not suggesting we shouldn't make a change if it's obvious that the time has come for that just because it's a bad market for us to be in. To the contrary, I've argued that once you can see with some pretty good evidence that you don't have the right guy, the smart thing to do (which people in all walks of life resist for various reasons) is to cut the cord and stop throwing good money after bad.

But, as I've also said, righting this ship and getting the right guy is not an easy thing to accomplish. And if Texas, USC, LSU, Auburn, Oregon & maybe Penn State are all looking for jobs - and if two of the names most frequently seen on this board (Fleck and Brohm) are that much in demand - it will be especially challenging this year.

 

[rabidcatfan]

My guess is that TEXAS will go after Herman and probably land him. He's developed some good relationships there in Texas and moving onto the Longhorns is the logical next step. Herman is a well respected coach in Texas and there are A LOT of people who would like to see him as their next head coach. Then I feel like you will see a three-way battle for Petrino between LSU, USC, and Auburn with LSU winning out in the end for his services. Petrino knows that he's a single injury away from having a middle-of-the-pack season and relying on a sophomore/junior running QB the rest of this season and all of next is a scary proposition. Then I think you see Jeff Brohm go to Louisville, Les Miles to Auburn, PJ Fleck to USC, and if I had my way - Mike Leach to UK.

 

[catben]

$12 million says Stoops is safe at UK through next season. So it shouldn't effect us.

 

[Smashcat]

$12 million says Stoops is safe at UK through next season. So it shouldn't effect us.

This.

 

[crestcat]

It doesn't seem to ever be a good year for hiring a FB coach at UK.

All of the coaches fired will be looking for a job

 

[Comebakatz3]

I don't think there is any way that Auburn would take Les Miles. Not a chance in hell if I had to guess. Les Miles is 0-5 against Nick Saban in the last 5 games, including a thrashing in the BCS National Championship in 2011. Auburn will not take a coach unless they believe that the coach will be able to beat Saban and Alabama. With Miles' record against Bama as of late I doubt that they would be willing to bring him on board.

 

[KYExtemper]

I still think calling Mike Leach and gauging interest is something worth considering IF Stoops fails to win more than three games.

 

[JasonS.]

Devil's Advocate: Any environment that has (former) A-List coaches like Charlie Strong and Les Miles (and James Franklin? and Gus Malzahn? and Jimbo Fisher? and Brian Kelly?) looking for jobs ain't all that bad a market for a lower-tier Power 5 school like Kentucky.

We're probably never going to get the hot coach (certainly not a Justin Fuentes or Tom Herman ... but probably not even a Willie Taggart or Jeff Brohm) on the way up.

But after they've lost some luster ...

 

[Mojocat]

Devil's Advocate: Any environment that has (former) A-List coaches like Charlie Strong and Les Miles (and James Franklin? and Gus Malzahn? and Jimbo Fisher? and Brian Kelly?) looking for jobs ain't all that bad a market for a lower-tier Power 5 school like Kentucky.

Fair point. Further to what you're saying, even if we did get the hot coach on the way up, you wonder - if it worked out for him here - how long we'd get to keep him. You get one of those guys on the way down, however, maybe we do.....

 

[Blueaz]

"With Strong expected to be gone at the end of this season, the stage is set for one of the most robust coaching carousels in the past decade. There's an expectation that jobs could open at Texas, Auburn, USC and Oregon to join the opening at LSU. (There's still a chance Penn State could move on James Franklin, but athletic director Sandy Barbour made definitive statements to the Altoona Mirror this week that Franklin "is not on the hot seat" and "is going to be our football coach.")"

then later:

"One of the interesting trends last year was that established schools like Georgia and USC hired assistant coaches. Helton's faceplant at USC and Kirby Smart's early struggles at Georgia may steer athletic directors away from that direction. It's a big leap, especially at the highest levels.

After Herman, the next best head coach in the Group of Five ranks are Harsin at Boise State, P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan and Jeff Brohm at Western Kentucky. Are any of them ready to make the jump?"

http://www.campusrush.com/charlie-strong-texas-future-hot-seat-coaching-carousel-2028550332.html

I'm not suggesting we shouldn't make a change if it's obvious that the time has come for that just because it's a bad market for us to be in. To the contrary, I've argued that once you can see with some pretty good evidence that you don't have the right guy, the smart thing to do (which people in all walks of life resist for various reasons) is to cut the cord and stop throwing good money after bad.

But, as I've also said, righting this ship and getting the right guy is not an easy thing to accomplish. And if Texas, USC, LSU, Auburn, Oregon & maybe Penn State are all looking for jobs - and if two of the names most frequently seen on this board (Fleck and Brohm) are that much in demand - it will be especially challenging this year.

this can be true...but, every year there will be changes; our AD has to step up and do the proper search with the proper people and pay up!

 

[southindycat]

Sorry guys. I'm just not as eager as you to concern myself with this premature discussion. Let's take it up in 12 months. You point it out in disgust, while I point it out with glee... there are 12 million reasons you have more than a year to continue evaluating Coach Stoops.

 

[dgtatu01]

I say we go deeper and grab the North Dakota State coach. They are absolutely rolling and they are doing it by taking local talent and developing it.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I say we go deeper and grab the North Dakota State coach. They are absolutely rolling and they are doing it by taking local talent and developing it.

I think that would be awesome. Guy can coach

 

[gojvc]

According to many of the posters on this board none of the coaches those big schools hire would even consider UK anyway so we shouldn't really be effected.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

I don't think there is any way that Auburn would take Les Miles. Not a chance in hell if I had to guess. Les Miles is 0-5 against Nick Saban in the last 5 games, including a thrashing in the BCS National Championship in 2011. Auburn will not take a coach unless they believe that the coach will be able to beat Saban and Alabama. With Miles' record against Bama as of late I doubt that they would be willing to bring him on board.

Agree, Miles will not be at Auburn, and as one poster had P J Fleck to USC, no way in 14 hades will that happen !

 

[THE_OAK]

I say we go deeper and grab the North Dakota State coach. They are absolutely rolling and they are doing it by taking local talent and developing it.

Been saying this for weeks, but it doesn't seem to be a popular take.

 

[NavyCat88]

"With Strong expected to be gone at the end of this season, the stage is set for one of the most robust coaching carousels in the past decade. There's an expectation that jobs could open at Texas, Auburn, USC and Oregon to join the opening at LSU. (There's still a chance Penn State could move on James Franklin, but athletic director Sandy Barbour made definitive statements to the Altoona Mirror this week that Franklin "is not on the hot seat" and "is going to be our football coach.")"

then later:

"One of the interesting trends last year was that established schools like Georgia and USC hired assistant coaches. Helton's faceplant at USC and Kirby Smart's early struggles at Georgia may steer athletic directors away from that direction. It's a big leap, especially at the highest levels.

After Herman, the next best head coach in the Group of Five ranks are Harsin at Boise State, P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan and Jeff Brohm at Western Kentucky. Are any of them ready to make the jump?"

http://www.campusrush.com/charlie-strong-texas-future-hot-seat-coaching-carousel-2028550332.html

I'm not suggesting we shouldn't make a change if it's obvious that the time has come for that just because it's a bad market for us to be in. To the contrary, I've argued that once you can see with some pretty good evidence that you don't have the right guy, the smart thing to do (which people in all walks of life resist for various reasons) is to cut the cord and stop throwing good money after bad.

But, as I've also said, righting this ship and getting the right guy is not an easy thing to accomplish. And if Texas, USC, LSU, Auburn, Oregon & maybe Penn State are all looking for jobs - and if two of the names most frequently seen on this board (Fleck and Brohm) are that much in demand - it will be especially challenging this year.

What does SI say about this year's AD market?

 

[truebluewildcat]

Texas, LSU, Notre Dame, USC will call Saban, Meyer, Chip Kelly, Fisher maybe Gruden.

After that it will be Petrino, Brohm, Miles, Shaw, Dantonio, Chris Petersen

I think Paul Chryst, Brett Beilema, and Butch Jones will be on some call lists as well if they continue to do well and finish strong this season.

 

[4UK]

$12 million says Stoops is safe at UK through next season. So it shouldn't effect us.

If that is indeed true, then it doesn't really matter what happens. We are in an era of booming business in college football, especially if you are in the SEC. As crazy as it sounds, $12 million is a drop in the bucket in today's college football landscape. If that keeps you from making a change that clearly needs to be made, you were never really serious about football to begin with - thus it makes no difference if there's a change or not because it will be more of the same regardless.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

"With Strong expected to be gone at the end of this season, the stage is set for one of the most robust coaching carousels in the past decade. There's an expectation that jobs could open at Texas, Auburn, USC and Oregon to join the opening at LSU. (There's still a chance Penn State could move on James Franklin, but athletic director Sandy Barbour made definitive statements to the Altoona Mirror this week that Franklin "is not on the hot seat" and "is going to be our football coach.")"

then later:

"One of the interesting trends last year was that established schools like Georgia and USC hired assistant coaches. Helton's faceplant at USC and Kirby Smart's early struggles at Georgia may steer athletic directors away from that direction. It's a big leap, especially at the highest levels.

After Herman, the next best head coach in the Group of Five ranks are Harsin at Boise State, P.J. Fleck at Western Michigan and Jeff Brohm at Western Kentucky. Are any of them ready to make the jump?"

http://www.campusrush.com/charlie-strong-texas-future-hot-seat-coaching-carousel-2028550332.html

I'm not suggesting we shouldn't make a change if it's obvious that the time has come for that just because it's a bad market for us to be in. To the contrary, I've argued that once you can see with some pretty good evidence that you don't have the right guy, the smart thing to do (which people in all walks of life resist for various reasons) is to cut the cord and stop throwing good money after bad.

But, as I've also said, righting this ship and getting the right guy is not an easy thing to accomplish. And if Texas, USC, LSU, Auburn, Oregon & maybe Penn State are all looking for jobs - and if two of the names most frequently seen on this board (Fleck and Brohm) are that much in demand - it will be especially challenging this year.

People LSU is keeping coach Orgeron. Only possible change there could be a new OC. UT, USC, Auburn will be the big coaching moves. Maybe UL but I think Petrino stays where he's comfortable.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Been saying this for weeks, but it doesn't seem to be a popular take.

Honestly, why the heck not? I wouldn't want him as my first choice, but, as has been discussed, a lot of those hot ticket guys will be heading to places that have bigger names and bigger traditions than Kentucky. Even some hot ticket guys that are pretty small like Fleck and Brohm could be heading to bigger names than UK. So, if we strike out on some of those other guys, I would love to give the NDSU coach a chance. The guy has lost 3 games in the past two years and has 2 championships in only his two years of coaching at NDSU. NDSU was a great team and won 3 titles before he became head coach, but he was their DC for two of those and DB coach for the first one. Very interesting pick. Making a school in that area a contender is pretty significant

 

[football follies]

Petrino isn't going anywhere

 

[dcspurlock]

If we let go of Stoops you can bet your arse that we will go after one of the fired coaches not named Les Miles. Barney will reel in Franklin or Malzhan and swear it's a homerun. He likes to get by on the cheap and if we hire a desperate coach that wants to keep a HC job and not go back to being a coordinator then we can get one of those guys fairly cheap. We ain't getting in a bidding war for Fleck or anyone else. We're gonna take the leftovers.

 

[bluebayou01]

Wouldn't want Leach. He's one dimensional. Mumme 2.0. Zero defense. And Mitch would never hire him anyway. I'd take Franklin in a heartbeat. Penn State would be stupid to let him go this soon. He'd be at the top of my list. Strong is a NO. But Stoops is here for another year at least. Buy out is too big. Frankly, I wouldn't want Mitch making the next hire. Might as well stick with Stoops unless Mitch is out of the hiring process.

 

[51stFan]

I think you have to have someone who lights up the scoreboard to win here. Not going to get it done consistently trying to line up and smash mouth against superior talent. Would take a Baylor , Texas Tech type system to win here. I think Neal Brown would be the closest thing to that, at least with MB making the hire. I would about bet everything that MS put the brakes on his offense when he was here.

 

[THE_OAK]

Honestly, why the heck not? I wouldn't want him as my first choice, but, as has been discussed, a lot of those hot ticket guys will be heading to places that have bigger names and bigger traditions than Kentucky. Even some hot ticket guys that are pretty small like Fleck and Brohm could be heading to bigger names than UK. So, if we strike out on some of those other guys, I would love to give the NDSU coach a chance. The guy has lost 3 games in the past two years and has 2 championships in only his two years of coaching at NDSU. NDSU was a great team and won 3 titles before he became head coach, but he was their DC for two of those and DB coach for the first one. Very interesting pick. Making a school in that area a contender is pretty significant

I think he would be a great hire for us, but it seems everyone wants a retread hire (Miles, Leach, etc.). I think unless Brohm completely craps the bed the rest of the season he will be headed to a program higher on the totem pole then us. Just look at all the big name programs that will potentially be hiring new coaches at the end of the season. We need to go a different direction if we end up letting Stoops go at the end of the season. That's why I think Chris Klieman would be a very good hire for us. He knows how to develop talent, and he is a proven winner. We need a coach with experience that knows how to win, and knows how to get the most out of the talent. I think if you give him some 3 and 4 star kids and he could work wonders with them. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Mojocat]

Not convinced the $12 million necessarily means Stoops is here in '17. Most important factor is attendance. If he only gets to say 4 wins and the stadium is a funeral parlor, you're practically forced to make a move - keeping a lame duck in that situation costs more long term. But, $12 million is $12 million, and you know MB is invested in every way (some good, some not) in giving stoops more time....

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Think you might have additional teams look for coaches as well. Like a guy taking an nfl position or Stools being fired at oklahoma.

 

[gamalielkid]

$12 million says Stoops is safe at UK through next season. So it shouldn't effect us.

Not with 3 wins he want be, and probably not with 4 wins. $12 million to fire him will be less than the $20 million it will cost to keep him - that is the real cost. It is $8 million cheaper to change coaches than to keep Stoops! If you can't understand the numbers - then you are not a student of basic economics. 65, 000 people at a stadium brings in a lot more money that 40,000! To the tune of over $10 million per year!

Go Big Blue!

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Wouldn't want Leach. He's one dimensional. Mumme 2.0. Zero defense. And Mitch would never hire him anyway. I'd take Franklin in a heartbeat. Penn State would be stupid to let him go this soon. He'd be at the top of my list. Strong is a NO. But Stoops is here for another year at least. Buy out is too big. Frankly, I wouldn't want Mitch making the next hire. Might as well stick with Stoops unless Mitch is out of the hiring process.

Leach had 280 yards of rushing against Oregon on Saturday. Think again.

 

[CB3UK]

If all those jobs do come open it really would cause me to give serious pause to canning Stoops if he doesnt get it fixed this season.

 

[Chuckinden]

According to many of the posters on this board none of the coaches those big schools hire would even consider UK anyway so we shouldn't really be effected.

It definitely affects us when you consider the "domino effect".

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

If we ever look at ex-Auburn coaches, I'd rather make a call to Tuberville at UC than Malzahn.

 

[catben]

Not with 3 wins he want be, and probably not with 4 wins. $12 million to fire him will be less than the $20 million it will cost to keep him - that is the real cost. It is $8 million cheaper to change coaches than to keep Stoops! If you can't understand the numbers - then you are not a student of basic economics. 65, 000 people at a stadium brings in a lot more money that 40,000! To the tune of over $10 million per year!

Go Big Blue!

Your not even taking into account the cost of our assistant coaches buyouts or another high caliber HC and his assistants.

$20 Million that UK COULD lose compared to the $20 Million+ we DEFINITELY lose buy firing him, tells me that there is NO WAY Mitch takes that kind of a chance.

I'm not saying that it isn't what's best for the program, I'm just saying that IMHO, Mitch will NOT fire Stoops until after the 2017 season because of the GUARANTEED MONEY UK loses.

That's as "basic" as "economics" gets.

 

[jnewc2]

I've seen this argument on here a bunch in the past and I just have to say it's one of the silliest and more embarrassing things I've ever read.

So, when exactly is the best time to fire a coach..we should wait until a year when there aren't as many good openings, is that the argument I'm understanding?

There is never a good time to fire a coach, and you sure as heck don't base that decision on what other schools are doing, because guess what? There are going to be multiple jobs open EVERY SINGLE YEAR that are more attractive than UK..basing your hiring and firing decision on that is just silly and ridiculous because with the shelf life of today's coaches it's a never ending cycle and there's never going to be a good year and even if you happen to think it's a good year it could end up being a terrible year. That whole argument is just ridiculously silly.

 

[Mojocat]

So, I said:

I'm not suggesting we shouldn't make a change if it's obvious that the time has come for that just because it's a bad market for us to be in. To the contrary, I've argued that once you can see with some pretty good evidence that you don't have the right guy, the smart thing to do (which people in all walks of life resist for various reasons) is to cut the cord and stop throwing good money after bad.

and in response to that, you said:

UK..basing your hiring and firing decision on that is just silly and ridiculous because with the shelf life of today's coaches it's a never ending cycle and there's never going to be a good year and even if you happen to think it's a good year it could end up being a terrible year. That whole argument is just ridiculously silly.

Not sure what "whole argument" you're talking about. Which, as between you and I, makes it unanimous.

Let me repeat something else I said above: all I'm saying is that if you fire a guy and are in the market to hire a head coach, then doing so in a year when traditional powers like Texas, LSU, USC, Oregon, and the like are also hiring coaches - it just makes what is already a difficult and challenging task that much more so.

It's a fairly obvious point.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I say we go deeper and grab the North Dakota State coach. They are absolutely rolling and they are doing it by taking local talent and developing it.

If all those jobs do come open it really would cause me to give serious pause to canning Stoops if he doesnt get it fixed this season.

Someone like the ndsu coach would be a high risk/high reward situation. Otherwise, as poster above noted, we'll be choosing from leftovers way down the list. Probably coaches that already shown they can't win at better programs. Im not interested.

With the improvement of the offense under gran, and the obvious improvement under the d since stoops demoted Elliott; I think we'll do well just to stay put for now.

Only exception is just total collapse. Then go for brohm; if he says no move on to coaches of cmu, then ndsu. If they say no, we're screwed.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

My guess is that TEXAS will go after Herman and probably land him. He's developed some good relationships there in Texas and moving onto the Longhorns is the logical next step. Herman is a well respected coach in Texas and there are A LOT of people who would like to see him as their next head coach. Then I feel like you will see a three-way battle for Petrino between LSU, USC, and Auburn with LSU winning out in the end for his services. Petrino knows that he's a single injury away from having a middle-of-the-pack season and relying on a sophomore/junior running QB the rest of this season and all of next is a scary proposition. Then I think you see Jeff Brohm go to Louisville, Les Miles to Auburn, PJ Fleck to USC, and if I had my way - Mike Leach to UK.

Auburn feels they have to beat Bama, all these instate rival games are mile compared to Auburn and Bama, they will actually shoot each other over the game. Miles couldn't do it at LSU with more talent than Auburn has and it got him fired. The only way Les Miles ends up at Auburn is if everyone else turns them down. From everything I have read, Herman is the first pick for LSU, Texas and SoCal if they do fire Helton. Obviously only 1 team can hire him so at least 2 will have to move to the number 2 choice, SoCal's 2nd man is Petrino, Texas has no backup plan, if Coach O wins big he could be kept as head coach. I know many here feel he is untouchable, don't be shocked if Art Briles isn't the coach of one of LSU, Auburn or Texas. Petrino was damaged goods at one time, that's all over with and he is now just a great coach. Hiring Art Briles means you are very likely to get his son as OC and play caller and your next head coach. I think he lands at AU, they could care less what people think if he wins, just like they didn't when they paid Cam's dad 200K for Cam.

 

[bluebayou01]

Leach had 280 yards of rushing against Oregon on Saturday. Think again.

Was talking about his sole focus being offense. Can't outscore teams like Bama. Gotta have a decent defense to win in the SEC.

 

[JimBR]

People LSU is keeping coach Orgeron. Only possible change there could be a new OC. UT, USC, Auburn will be the big coaching moves. Maybe UL but I think Petrino stays where he's comfortable.

Orgeron will have to run the table to keep the job at LSU.