Coaching Carousel

New Coach Announced

Joe Tiller (Purdue): Tiller decided to retire at the end of the 2008 season, and a succession plan was put in place last offseason. Danny Hope, the former Eastern Kentucky head coach, was hired to be the O-line coach for Tiller's last season, and then take over as head coach in 2009.
Purdue Hired: Danny Hope


Phil Fulmer (Tennessee): Fulmer is officially out at the end of the season. He has had a long and successful run at Tennessee, but two losing seasons in four years is still fresh in the minds of Vol fans. A lot of names are going to be thrown around from now until the end of the season. Tennessee will want to make a splashy hire and has the money to do it.
My Take: Fulmer was just in the SEC Championship Game last year. I don't think he deserved to be relieved of his duties after a lifetime of commitment to Tennessee. Also what is bad for Tennessee is the lack of high-profile coaches available. They will be able to spend millions, but who out there is really worth it? I think this was a bad move for them.
Possibilities: Tim Brewster, Jon Gruden, Lane Kiffin, Mike Leach, Will Muschamp
I would hire: Tim Brewster maybe ...
Tennessee Hired: Lane Kiffin


Tommy Bowden (Clemson): Bowden left the program after six games with just one win over an FBS team. It was a preseason filled with expectations for Clemson, but an opening weekend loss to Alabama seemed to destroy their confidence. After falling to 1-2 in conference play, Bowden offered his resignation. Assistant head coach Dabo Swinney was named the interim head coach for the rest of the season.
My Take: Bowden had plenty of opportunities to have Clemson as the class of the ACC. He repeatedly squandered them, and since Clemson the resources to be better, it was time for a change.
Possibilities: David Cutcliffe, Bud Foster, Jim Grobe, Brian Kelly, Lane Kiffin, Will Muschamp, Dabo Swinney, Tommy Tuberville?, Brent Venables
I would hire: Brian Kelly (assuming Jim Grobe doesn't want it)
Clemson Hired: Dabo Swinney


Ron Prince (Kansas State): Prince will not return as the head coach of Kansas State in 2009. It seems too soon, since this is only his third season. He led Kansas State to their only win ever over a top ten team on the road in 2007 when they beat Texas. With a record hovering around .500 for his tenure and an outside chance at a bowl game, this one caught me off guard.
My Take: This seemed way too soon for a coach that didn't have great success yet, but wasn't tanking the program either. Prince deserved at least another year or two.
Possibilities: Todd Graham, Will Muschamp, Gary Patterson (KSU alum), Brent Venables (KSU alum)
I would hire: Gary Patterson if I could
Kansas State Hired: Bill Snyder


Joe Glenn (Wyoming): Glenn finished his sixth year at Wyoming with only one bowl appearance. The futility worsened this season, with the offense averaging less than thirteen points per game and the defense giving up over double that. Wyoming has been held to one score or less in five of their games and has been shut out twice. I thought he might have saved his job with a win over Tennessee, but I guess that wasn't enough.
My Take: The Mountain West is an improving conference, but Wyoming wasn't moving forward like the upper echelon of the conference. The change is understandable.
Possibilities: Gary Barnett, John L. Smith
I would hire: TBD
Wyoming Hired: Dave Christensen (Missouri OC)


Tom Amstutz (Toledo): Sources are reporting that Amstutz in stepping down as head coach at the end of the season. He averaged nine wins a season for his first five seasons, but the last three haven't up to expectations. In his defense, this season Toledo has lost two one-point games and beat Michigan. They could very easily be sitting at 4-4 right now instead of 2-6. Amstutz was preceded by two great coaches (Nick Saban, Gary Pinkel), and they will be looking for another up-and-coming coach that will hopefully be of the same caliber.
My Take: Amstutz's best years were obviously his first ones and the past three were disappointing. The firing came as a bit of a surprise to me, especially midseason, but it wasn't as shocking as some of the others.
Possibility: Rob Spence (Clemson OC and former Toledo OC), Mark Stoops (Arizona DC), Matt Eberflus (Missouri DC)
I would hire: Rob Spence
Toledo Hired: Tim Beckman (Oklahoma State DC)


Brent Guy (Utah State): Guy was fired just before completing his fourth season with Utah State. His record was 8-38 during his tenure. Guy wasn't listed on my "Hot Seat" list, but with that record it wasn't that unexpected either. Utah State hasn't been to a bowl game since 1997 when John L. Smith was their head coach. There is some talk that Utah State may try to hire him again.
My Take: Utah State doesn't have a great tradition of winning, so it's not like Guy had taken the program way down. I would have given him more time to build the program.
Possibilities: Kent Baer, Mike Canales, John L. Smith, DeWayne Walker
I would hire: TBD
Utah State Hired: Gary Andersen (Utah DC)


Ty Willingham (Washington): Willingham was recently forced out, effective at the end of the season. Washington is currently one of just two winless teams in the country. This decision was not a surprise to anyone, as he was known to be on the hot seat at the beginning of the year. This vacancy will be one of the biggest this offseason, with several suitors already lined up.
My Take: Willingham was a good coach at Stanford, but he hasn't been able to repeat that success at Notre Dame or Washington. Washington is a great job, and the right coach will be able to turn them around quickly.
Possibilities: Dave Christensen, Pat Hill, Lane Kiffin, Chris Petersen, Gary Pinkel, Steve Sarkisian, Kyle Whittingham
I would hire: With Kiffin going to Tennessee, I would pursue Chris Petersen and Kyle Whittingham
Washington Hired: Steve Sarkisian (USC OC)


Rocky Long (New Mexico): Long resigned of his own accord after New Mexico finished their season with a loss to Colorado State. They were only 4-8 this season, but they had won between six and eight games the six previous years and went to five bowl games. For some reason Long felt like he is no longer the right man for the job and stepped down. With the Mountain West being as strong as it is, New Mexico will need to bring in a really good coach if they want to compete for the conference.
My Take: This seemed to be just one bad year after several winning ones. Hopefully this was his choice, and he wasn't pushed out behind the scenes.
Possibilities: DeWayne Walker
I would hire: TBD
New Mexico Hired: Mike Locksley (Illinois OC)


Sylvester Croom (Mississippi State): Croom announced his resignation after a 4-8 season and a 45-0 loss to rival Mississippi in the Egg Bowl. Croom was 28-31 in five years, not that bad for a rebuilding project. Last year he was the SEC Coach of the Year after leading Mississippi State to a 8-5 record and a Liberty Bowl win. He teams were characterized by strong defenses and inept offenses. I'm surprised that he didn't try to hire a new offensive coordinator instead of stepping down.
My Take: I'm surprised to see Croom step down. He's a great defensive coach, and hopefully he catches on as a coordinator somewhere. I hope he wasn't forced out.
Possibilities: Tommy Bowden, Derek Dooley, Brady Hoke, Skip Holtz, Ellis Johnson, Dan Mullen, Charlie Strong
I Would Hire: Maybe Dooley, maybe take a chance on someone from Florida's staff
Mississippi State Hired: Dan Mullen (Florida OC)


Gregg Brandon (Bowling Green): Brandon was fired after six seasons although he finished with at least six wins in five of them. He was 44-30 in that time and took them to three bowl games, winning two. Bowling Green was supposed to compete for the MAC East title, and they fell just six points short from winning it against Buffalo. That was one of four close losses. Some of the losses were to bad teams, but they were always close except for Minnesota. They also beat a very good Pittsburgh team in the opener.
My Take: This was a bad move. I understand that they lost to Eastern Michigan and Miami (OH), but they were still in the race for the division title. With Turner Gill at Buffalo probably moving on, you had to think Bowling Green would be the favorite again next year with the same head coach.
Possibilities: TBD
I Would Hire: TBD
Bowling Green Hired: Dave Clawson (Tennessee OC and former Richmond HC)


Greg Robinson (Syracuse): Robinson has officially been fired following Syracuse's last home game against Connecticut. With two road games left on the schedule, Robinson might not even win his tenth game in four seasons. His current record as head coach of Syracuse is 9-36. Syracuse will look to make a big hire, but may have trouble competing against Tennessee, Clemson, Washington, etc.
My Take: This wasn't a surprise at all, as Robinson seemed unable to get the Syracuse program moving in the right direction. He is probably best suited as a defensive coordinator instead of a head coach.
Possibilities: Randy Edsall, Turner Gill, Al Golden, Brady Hoke, Skip Holtz
I would hire: Turner Gill, he built a program up from nothing to be a conference champion in the same part of the country.
Syracuse Hired: Doug Marrone (Saints OC and SU Alum)


Tommy Tuberville (Auburn): There have been a lot of rumors about Tuberville being fired, but I think they are just that, rumors. The only year he didn't finish with a winning record was his first season when he was 5-6. Since then he has been to eight bowl games, won five, averaged over nine wins a season, had an unbeaten season, and won the SEC West twice in eight years. Both coordinators were replaced last offseason, and the transition has not been smooth. The Tigers will need an upset to get to bowl eligibility, but even if they don't, I think Tuberville has done enough at Auburn to allow him to survive a losing season. Update: Tuberville resigned after meeting with the Auburn athletic director for several days.
My Take: Just days after publicly stating that he was the man to rebuild the Auburn program, Tuberville resigned as head coach. The athletic director claims it was entirely Tuberville's decision, and that he begged him not to go. That just doesn't add up, but we may never know the full story of what happened in those meetings.
Possibilities: Derek Dooley, Jimbo Fisher, Turner Gill, Todd Graham, Jim Grobe, Brady Hoke, Mike Leach, Will Muschamp, Patrick Nix, Gary Patterson, Steve Spurrier
I Would Hire: Grobe may be the best option, but even Nebraska couldn't pull him away from Wake Forest. Muschamp and Fisher are both coaches-in-waiting and unlikely to leave their current post. Leach isn't a good fit and is probably happy where he is. Spurrier might not interested. Patterson is probably my second choice. None of the other options appear ready to take over a top job like Auburn.
Auburn Hired: Gene Chizik (Iowa State HC)


Chuck Long (San Diego State): Long had a 9-27 record at San Diego State, including losses to FCS member Cal Poly and a 70-7 debacle at New Mexico. Cal Poly also beat San Diego State in 2006, Long's first season. Long surprising finished the season with a win over UNLV, knocking them out of bowl eligibility, but that wasn't enough to save his job. Long was an up-and-coming coordinator, and it will be interesting to see if San Diego State goes a different direction this time. They may require the replacement to have head coaching experience. It's worth noting that Long had an annual salary of over $700k, so SDSU has money to hire a known coach.
My Take: Chuck Long was another good offensive coordinator who couldn't make the transition to head coach. Long will land on his feet as an OC somewhere, and San Diego State will have the chance to start over with a new man at the helm.
Possibilities: Terry Bowden, Dennis Franchione, Bobby Hauck (Montana HC), Brady Hoke, Chip Kelly, Glen Mason, DeWayne Walker
I would hire: TBD
San Diego State Hired: Brady Hoke (Ball State HC)


Brady Hoke (Ball State): Hoke took his alma mater to an undefeated regular season before losing in the MAC Championship Game to Buffalo. It's not surprising that he left for the San Diego State opening, since he stated that he wanted another challenge and the Aztecs can offer him 2-3x his current salary. Whoever fills this slot will be stepping into a good situation, as Nate Davis and MiQuale Lewis should return for their senior seasons.
My Take: Hoke knew that outside of actually winning the MAC Championship Game, there wasn't much else he could accomplish at Ball State. He left to try to build San Diego State into a competitor in the Mountain West, which is no small feat.
Possibilities: TBD
I Would Hire: TBD
Ball State Hired: Stan Parrish (Ball State OC)


Jeff Genyk (Eastern Michigan): Genyk spent five seasons at Eastern Michigan, but failed to win more than four games in any season. He has the unenviable position of coaching in the MAC West, which has four of the top five teams in the conference this season. Eastern Michigan hasn't had a winning season since 1995 and hasn't been to a bowl game since 1987. Athletic Director Derrick Gragg said it best, "Winning consistently in football has been a challenge for our institution long before the arrival of coach Genyk."
My Take: I'm not surprised Genyk is gone, but I wonder if they will be able to get another coach who make them competitive in the MAC.
Possibilities: TBD
I would hire: TBD
Eastern Michigan Hired: Ron English (Louisville DC)


Gene Chizik (Iowa State): Auburn hired away Chizik although he was only 5-19 during his two-year stint there. I thought Iowa State might be looking for a new coach soon, but not because another program hired theirs away. The Iowa State AD said that he was 'disappointed' in Chizik's decision, but I wonder if he wasn't a little relieved to start over. Iowa State beat South Dakota State and Kent State to start this season, and then went on to lose ten straight games including all eight conference games.
My Take: Iowa State should be quietly pleased with this move. Their head coach is someone else's problem now. Now they just need to find a head coach who can be successful.
Possibilities: I haven't heard any names yet, but they will probably look into Mark Farley, Turner Gill, Todd Graham, Brent Venables
I Would Hire: Nebraska alum Turner Gill may want to coach in the Big XII. Northern Iowa head coach Mark Farley who has a 75-28 record in eight seasons, five Missouri Valley Conference titles, and five playoff appearances would be a good hire too.
Iowa State Hired: Paul Rhoads (Auburn DC)


Shane Montgomery (Miami (OH)): Montgomery resigned after completing a 2-10 season, dropping his overall record to 17-31. He had the RedHawks in the MAC Championship game last year, but they lost that game and fell to 6-7 and were kept out of a bowl game. They were the only MAC team to record only one conference win this season. Oddly enough that win was against Bowling Green, one of the better teams in the East.
My Take: Montgomery had his best year the season after Terry Hoeppner left, and his other decent season was when the entire MAC was down. He probably wasn't ever going to do much. The only concern is all the open jobs in the conference. They will be competing against several similar schools for a new head coach.
Possibilities: TBD
I Would Hire: TBD
Miami (OH) hired: Mike Haywood (Notre Dame OC)


Hal Mumme (New Mexico State): Mumme was fired after finishing his fourth season with a 11-38 record. I should mention that five of the eleven wins were against FCS teams. He was able to beat regional rival UTEP the past two seasons and somehow win at Nevada this year, but still too many losses piled up. It's hard to have high expectations at New Mexico State, since they haven't been to a bowl game since 1960 and have only had four winning seasons in the past 40 years.
My Take: Mumme was supposed to bring his high-octane offense, except it only worked some of the time and the defense never did. He couldn't get the Aggies out of the bottom tier of the WAC, so the move makes some sense.
Possibilities: TBD
I Would Hire: TBD
New Mexico State hired: DeWayne Walker (UCLA DC)


Stan Brock (Army): Brock was fired after going 3-9 in both seasons as Army's head coach. His cardinal sin must have been losing to Navy badly both times they played each other. I thought his team was improving this season with a win over bowl-bound Louisiana Tech. Army also had close losses at Texas A&M, at the MAC Champions Buffalo, and at 9-3 Rice. Perhaps with the successes at Air Force and Navy, Army felt that it needed to make a change.
My Take: How can you give a guy at Army only two years to turn it around? It's difficult to find the right guy to coach a service academy. Stan Brock may have been that guy, but he needed more time to get there.
Possibilities: TBD
I Would Hire: TBD
Army hired: Rich Ellerson (Cal Poly HC)


Jeff Jagodzinkski (Boston College): Jagodzinski was fired after the bowl season was over for interviewing for the New York Jets head coaching vacancy. He had taken Boston College to the ACC Championship Game both years he was there. The athletic director at BC felt that Jagodzinski was being disloyal by interviewing elsewhere, and wanted to replace him with someone who is more likely to fulfill their contract.
My Take: Jagodzinski was successful at BC, and this was the first time he interviewed for another job. It's not like he had a wandering eye and was going after several jobs that were available. It seems to me like the AD overreacted. Jagodzinski is a good coach who will catch on somewhere, whether or not the Jets hire him.
Possibilities: Frank Spaziani (DC), Steve Logan (OC), Jack Bicknell Jr (assistant HC)
I Would Hire: TBD
Boston College hired: Frank Spaziani


On the Hot Seat

Mark Snyder (Marshall): Snyder's seat was a whole lot warmer until this past Tuesday, when his team not just beat, but dominated, a rising Houston team. The road is tough for the rest of the season, but Marshall controls their destiny in the C-USA East division. Their next game at East Carolina will have major division champion implications. Snyder's fate may be decided by whether or not he makes it to a bowl this season. Update: Marshall's athletic director has made the statement that Snyder will return as head coach next year.


Getting a Promotion (Head Coaches)

Kyle Whittingham (Utah): In 2004 head coach Urban Meyer led Utah to an undefeated season and a BCS bowl victory. That success earned him the head coaching job at Florida. Four years later, his sucessor may be taking the same career path. If Whittingham can finish the season unbeaten, he will have Utah playing in a BCS bowl, and he will be one of the hottest names for any major opening.

Bronco Mendenhall (BYU): Surprisingly, Mendenhall was never mentioned for any head coaching gigs last season. All he had done was lead BYU to two straight 11 win seasons. The loss to TCU this season was hurtful, but before that he had won 18 straight conference games. While BYU won't be in the BCS this year, they should have another 10+ win season. I expect Mendenhall to be on the radar screen this offseason.

Chris Petersen (Boise State): All Chris Petersen has done has taken all of Dan Hawkins success here, and somehow built on it. In his first season as a head coach, he led Boise to an unbeaten season and the Fiesta Bowl, where they stunned Oklahoma. In his second year, he only went 10-3. This year he's back to his old ways, winning his first seven games and will be favored to win the next five. This season is proving that he is capable of having his own success and not just building on what his predecessor had accomplished.

Todd Graham (Tulsa): Another leader of an unbeaten team who may be getting a big payday at the end of the year. Graham was originally the defensive coordinator at Tulsa, but it has been his team's offensive success that has garnered all the attention. They averaged over 40 ppg in his first season, and are averaging over 55 ppg through the first eight games of this season. His most impressive feat may be taking Rice to their first bowl game in 45 years in his only season as head coach there.

Randy Edsall (Connecticut): Edsall has been building the Connecticut team from an FCS team to a competitive team in the Big East. He won nine games in 2007, and had a 6-2 record so far this year. He may not be many lists, but Syracuse may try to hire him away. Edsall played QB for Syracuse in the late 1970's and might want to return to his alma mater.

Skip Holtz (East Carolina): Holtz started off the season with a bang with two huge wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. A three-game losing streak stopped a lot of the national attention he was getting, but a strong finish to the season could change all that. If Holtz could end the season with a big win like the one he had last year against Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl, the suitors will come.

Tim Brewster (Minnesota): What Brewster has done at Minnesota has been one of the stranger stints I've seen by a head coach. He was brought in to re-energize the fan base with a new on-campus stadium being constructed. His first season, he went 1-11 and needed double overtime to beat Miami (OH). In year two, he is somehow 7-1 with the only loss coming at Ohio State. With three of the last four games on the schedule at home, Minnesota should be going to a major bowl, possibly even a BCS bowl. While Brewster has said he is committed to Minnesota, other schools are definitely taking note of his success.

Lane Kiffin (ex-Oakland Raiders): Kiffin was fired as head coach of the Oakland Raiders early in the season, but before that he spent six successful seasons with USC. He was their offensive coordinator in 2005 and 2006. He has expressed interest in the Washington vacancy and is also been mentioned as a possibility for Syracuse.

Brian Kelly (Cincinnati): I'm adding Kelly to the list because he might get his third straight 10-win season. I'm sure that will attract the attention of some athletic directors around the country. After turning Grand Valley State into a powerhouse (41-2, 2 national titles in his last three seasons), he took Central Michigan to a 10-4 season in his third year there. Continued success at Cincinnati may get him another quick promotion.

David Cutcliffe (Duke): If you haven't noticed, Cutcliffe has Duke with a .500 record eight games into the season. Next week they host a beatable NC State team, and a win would put them one upset away from bowl eligibility. A feat such as that in one season at Duke is worth rewarding. I don't know if Cutcliffe will want to leave that quickly, but he will be looked at by several schools.

Brady Hoke (Ball State): Hoke's success at his alma mater is garnering a lot of attention. This season's highlights include a 9-0 start so far, Ball State's first win over a BCS team (Indiana), and first appearance in the Top 25 polls. Even if Ball State loses this season, Hoke will be targeted this offseason. If a Big Ten job opens up, or if Brian Kelly leaves Cincinnati, look for Brady Hoke to be mentioned and possibly hired.

Turner Gill (Buffalo): Turner Gill has Buffalo playing hard and winning games. Last year, their five wins were the most in a season since 1996 when they were a 1-AA team. This year he has them with five wins again, but there are still three games to be played. Gill could have his Bulls playing in the MAC Championship Game and/or a bowl game in his third season. Nebraska, his alma mater, interviewed him for their vacancy last season. Expect him to get more interviews this offseason, perhaps by Syracuse which is only about 150 miles away.


Getting a Promotion (Coordinators)

Will Muschamp (DC - Texas): Muschamp has been the source of many rumors, and it seems like he is just waiting for the right head coaching job to come available. He left Auburn to go to Texas, but it's probably just a one year stay there. He has spent his entire coaching career in the southeast, so he might be interested in the Clemson job or if one of the SEC jobs come open. Muschamp has been named the head coach in waiting at Texas, an interesting move since Mack Brown doesn't appear to be retiring anytime soon. I don't think this move takes his name entirely off the market.

Chip Kelly (OC - Oregon): Chip Kelly has re-invented Oregon's offense and has taken it to the next level. He has only been at Oregon for two seasons, and before that he was the OC at New Hampshire for eight years. Look for his name to be brought up a lot this offseason. Kelly has been named Oregon's head coach in waiting to replace Mike Belotti when he retires from coaching and takes the Oregon AD job.

Dave Christensen (OC - Missouri): With the Missouri offense humming so well the past two seasons, some teams are bound to start courting Christensen. He was a finalist for the Washington State job last year. He may make the jump at the end of this season, when his stock is the highest.

Steve Sarkisian (OC - USC): Sarkisian turned down the Oakland Raiders head coaching job two years ago, stating that he wanted to coach in college instead. With the Washington job coming open, he may get his chance. He has publicly stated that he would be interested in the job if the school contacted him.

Gus Malzahm (OC - Tulsa): Malzahn has helped architect the explosive offenses of Tulsa the past two years and Arkansas the year before. Both he and his head coach Todd Graham will hear their names in the rumor mill a lot this offseason. If Graham does leave, I expect Tulsa to immediately offer the job to Malzahn.

Brent Venables (DC - Oklahoma): Venables has already been interviewed by Clemson, and it probably won't be his only one this year. The question will be if he wants to go straight to a top job, or he wants to cut his teeth somewhere else first. Clemson appears to be the only 'big-name' program considering him. His alma mater Kansas State was a definite possibility until they rehired Bill Snyder.

DeWayne Walker (DC - UCLA): Walker's name has been linked to several job openings, especially in the West. Walker stayed the defensive coordinator at UCLA through the head coaching change last year. He has admitted speaking to officials from New Mexico and Utah State. There's a good chance he stays at UCLA, but if he did leave, it would probably be to the more attractive jobs at San Diego State or New Mexico.