Open Season for Coaches
By Bruce Marshall
When the calendar turns to November, the coaching rumor mill usually starts to whirr. And in recent seasons, even when it didn’t seem as if we were going to experience a lot of attrition in the head coaching ranks, eventually the dominoes started to fall (and last winter they kept falling into mid-to-late January). Although it doesn’t appear as if we’ll get as many dismissals or resignations or "promotions" this season as in recent campaigns, by the time the dust clears, we wouldn’t be surprised to see at least 16-18 changes, and not shocked to see 20 or more. Already we have seen a pair of under-fire coaches (Minnesota’s Tim Brewster and North Texas’ Todd Dodge) be forced to walk the plank before October concluded, with odds suggesting a few more will be jettisoned even before the regular season ends.
Each year, the "prospective" coaches list includes plenty of names, either hot assistants, coaches looking to "move up" the ladder, or perhaps some bigger-name coaches who are looking to get back into the game following a brief, or not so brief, hiatus. Following is a quick look at who some of those hot commodities might be, as the "coaching season" sets to kick off.
HEAD COACHES READY TO MOVE UP:
Al Golden, Temple... Golden doesn’t have to do much more to attract the attention of any program after putting the long-moribund Owls on the map. Temple, which had gone 30 years since Wayne Hardin’s 1979 team played in the Garden State Bowl (and beat Cal 28-17), is on course for back-to-back postseason invitations for the first time in its history. And Golden, who was one of the finalists for the UCLA job that went to favorite son Rick Neuheisel three years ago (how is that working for you, Bruins?), is now reportedly on the radar of alma mater Penn State, which will eventually have to get around (we think) to replacing Joe Paterno. Without any clear heir apparent on the current Nittany Lion staff, Golden has now emerged as Shades’ likely successor, and regional sources believe Golden will be content for a couple of more years (but not forever) in Philly before getting the expected call from Happy Valley.
Kevin Sumlin, Houston... The Cougars’ recent successes and their lively offense makes Sumlin a prime potential "mover" in the near future. That Sumlin’s Cougars haven’t missed a beat since predecessor Art Briles moved to Baylor, and the Bears’ subsequent successes with Briles, make it inevitable that some school is going to have Sumlin on speed-dial. Expect his name to at least be mentioned for the Minnesota job as well as the expected opening at Colorado.
Todd Graham, Tulsa... Having already taken Rice to its first bowl in 45 years and likely to have Tulsa "bowling" for the third time in four seasons, Graham’s credentials are well-established. Last week’s Golden Hurricane win over Notre Dame might be the high-profile win Graham needed to get on any short lists for prime openings in the near future, and his potent Tulsa offenses make for an easier sell. Conference USA sources report, however, that Graham’s compensation package is pretty good with the Golden Hurricane, as the school’s oil money has been mobilized to provide a pretty nice package for Graham. If somebody wants to lure Graham from Tulsa, they’ll likely have to pony up.
George O’Leary, UCF…. At this stage of his career, we’re not sure the 64-year-old O’Leary could be convinced to leave UCF, which has emerged as one of the flagship programs in CUSA. It is also doubtful O’Leary could find a position with as much potential, as the Golden Knight program, with its upgraded facilities and new stadium, has a wonderful stage in burgeoning Orlando to emerge as a national force in coming years. The reclamation job he’s done at UCF, after his reputation took a near-lethal hit in the wake of the Notre Dame controversy nine years ago, has been nothing short of sensational.
Jerry Kill, Northern Illinois... We’ll say this for the 49-year-old Kill; he’s proven he can coach, and win. His career numbers recall another from the region, Brian Kelly, who won big at all levels as he eventually made his way to Notre Dame. Kill has done the same at Saginaw Valley State, Emporia State, Southern Illinois, and now NIU, where the Huskies appear poised to win the MAC and reach a third straight bowl. We would hate to think that some of Kill’s past physical problems (he’s a kidney cancer survivor) would make him a less attractive alternative for any prospective job openings, especially some in the Midwest. He could surface as a peripheral candidate for the Minnesota job.
ASSISTANTS READY TO MOVE UP:
Gus Malzahn, offensive coordinator, Auburn... Malzahn has emerged as this year’s "assistant coach du jour," the rare hot commodity coordinator who would appear to be able to have his pick of jobs that might be offered. Malzahn, the architect of championship and record-setting teams at Springdale High in Arkansas (where he coached much-ballyhooed prep Mitch Mustain), moved from there to the o.c. job at Arkansas and then to Tulsa, where he coordinated Todd Graham’s first two explosive bowl offenses with the Golden Hurricane, before joining Gene Chizik’s staff at Auburn last year and revamping the Tiger offense. Malzahn’s spread has been terrorizing the SEC this season with QB Cam Newton emerging as the Heisman favorite. Now Malzahn, considered for jobs such as Memphis and East Carolina after last season, is being mentioned as a top contender should any SEC top spot openings occur.
Mark Whipple, offensive coordinator, Miami-Florida... Whipple is widely credited with rebooting the Hurricanes’ offense and changing the dynamics of HC Randy Shannon’s program, which had been struggling to gain traction (and might be again now that QB Jacory Harris could be sidelined). Reports from SEC sources indicate that Whipple’s people inquired about the Vanderbilt job that briefly opened in the summer when Bobby Johnson announced his surprising retirement, although the Dores opted to promote from within on an interim basis with OL coach Robbie Caldwell. The thought is that if Whipple was that interested in the Vandy job, he must have the itch to become a head coach pretty badly. Should be on the short list for any potential openings, especially in the south.
Paul Petrino, offensive coordinator, Illinois... Some SEC and Big Ten scouts were a bit surprised to see Petrino leave brother Bobby’s staff at Arkansas to take the o.c. gig at Champaign-Urbana, where HC Ron Zook looked to be on the firing line entering this season. Some theorized that the Illini might be grooming Petrino as Zook’s replacement, but others believed it was unlikely Zook would enlist help from someone that would be taking his job. Which at the time begged the question why Petrino wanted to move to Illinois, anyway? Whatever, it has all worked out quite well for Petrino, Zook, and the Illini, one of the surprise packages in the Big Ten if not the nation, with Petrino’s well-designed offense getting better by the week behind redshirt frosh QB Nathan Scheelhaase. Petrino’s stock has thus risen accordingly, and already considered head coaching timber, his name likely appears for various openings in the offseason.
Kirby Smart, defensive ccordinator, Alabama... As the architect of the dominating Crimson Tide defensive platoons for HC Nick Saban, Smart is positioning himself as the "defensive equivalent" to Gus Malzahn at Auburn. Considered a head coach in waiting, Smart will likely appeal to potential employers looking for a defense-first coach.
Dana Holgorsen, offensive coordinator, Oklahoma State... After serving on Sumlin’s Houston staff, Holgorsen has simply transferred the Cougars’ up-tempo spread to Stillwater, where Ok State has been posting numbers not too far behind Oregon’s this season. His offensive acumen figures to appeal to many schools looking for potent offenses to sell tickets along with a new coach.
Paul Chryst, offensive coordinator, Wisconsin... Chryst, who gained notice working alongside Oregon State HC Mike Riley in Corvallis as well as with the NFL San Diego Chargers, has overseen a subtle transformation of the old smashmouth Badger offense, introducing more-progressive elements to the attack scheme. The result was the Big Ten’s top scoring offense last season, and more accolades this year as the Badgers threaten the BCS. Chryst, who also worked for Riley with the long-ago San Antonio Riders of the WLAF (remember that league?), has never been a head coach, which might be working against him. But at 44 years of age, now would seem about the right time for him to be tapped by someone. Could definitely emerge as a serious candidate for the Minnesota job.
Bud Foster, defensive coordinator, Virginia Tech... The 51-year-old Foster has been linked to Frank Beamer since Bud’s days as an undergraduate at Murray State, where he played for Beamer, then the defensive coordinator. When Beamer was promoted to Racer HC in 1981, Foster became a graduate assistant and then full-time assistant, and Beamer brought Foster with him to Blacksburg in 1987. Bud became Beamer’s d.c. in 1995, and for the last decade it has been assumed that Foster would someday succeed Beamer, although to this point no formal succession plan has been introduced. Foster’s obvious loyalty to Beamer has kept him with the Hokies, but ACC sources say Foster indeed wants to be a head coach someday, and might not be willing to wait another 5 to 6 years, or longer, for Beamer to retire. Has been mentioned for a few head coaching jobs in the region and would be a top candidate for any opening if he so desired. Although he’d prefer to some day succeed a retired Beamer at VPI.
LOOKING TO GET BACK IN THE GAME:
Mike Bellotti... The former Oregon HC, still only 59, is reportedly interested in making a return to the sidelines, and his success in building the Duck program into a powerhouse would put him in the mix wherever might be appropriate. Some Pac-10 sources indicate Bellotti is likely to appear on a short list at Colorado if Dan Hawkins walks the plank, as expected.
Mike Leach... The controversial former Texas Tech HC has been, like Bellotti, working as a TV analyst, but the word is that Leach will be resurfacing on the sidelines somewhere despite his acrimonious departure from Lubbock. Has already expressed an interest in the Minnesota position ("It’s a Big Ten job," said Leach), although most believe Leach will take his time and not rush into the first opportunity, be it rebuild jobs at Minnesota or perhaps New Mexico, where Leach’s name has been mentioned and Mike Locksley remains on very thin ice. Some in Tempe believe Leach would be a top candidate to replace Dennis Erickson if the Sun Devils, whose job is a more-desirable one than Minnesota’s or Colorado’s, given that a full-blown rebuild job wouldn’t be necessary, make a move after this season.
Phil Fulmer... Like Bellotti and Leach, Fulmer is biding his time with TV work as well, but SEC sources believe the ex-Tennessee coach would welcome a chance to get back on the sidelines. At 60 years of age, Fulmer figures to be "hirable" in the right situation, which some SEC sources believe could be at Vanderbilt, which might be looking in another direction as Robbie Caldwell’s interim appointment appears headed for an unsatisfactory conclusion.