Let me preface this by saying I want Jon Gruden as the next Tennessee coach. But I do think we need to do two things, or we are setting ourselves up for disappointment.
First off we need to of course look at other coaches in case this falls through, because coaching deals can and do fall through.
Second, we need to address how Gruden would do at UT.
Let's address the second thing first.
I think Gruden is a great football coach, obviously very smart. I almost think he's too complex to coach college. He's known for not being patient with young QBs. He went through a ton of qbs in the NFL. He wasn't known for developing qbs in the NFL. If he can be patient and work with young qbs and develop them into great qbs then I think it'll work. I think this is the biggest concern with Gruden, and I think it's a BIG concern. But everyone has concerns and I still want Gruden. I just worry about someone that hasn't coached much in the college game, hasn't covered the game. It's a concern.
Second let's look at possible coaches. I think you can throw a few of these names out
David Shaw- He's where he wants to be, no chance.
Mike Gundy- I'd love him, but he's from Oklahoma, he went to OSU, he coached there before he became a HC there. He's not going anywhere.
Jim Mora JR- He's from LA, his dad spent a year at UCLA when he was a child. All but two of his jobs have been west coast jobs. He's not going anywhere and if he does it'll be as a HC in the NFL.
LONGSHOT
Bob Stoops. I'm not sure what the connection between him and Hart is but whatever it is I seriously doubt this will happen. He's still in a good spot. Just because he's frustrated with fans doesn't mean he is going to leave. I'd say he's more of a longshot then Gruden.
realistic
Jimbo Fisher- I doubt he leaves. He's in a position to compete for a title if he can go undefeated in the weak ACC. I'm not sure about his coaching abilities or his recruiting abilities. I hear how he's a great recruiter, but he's in Florida so I tend to take that with a grain of salt.
Butch Davis- This guy can win and recruit. He recruited some amazing talent at UNC, not a school known for it's football talent. I think we could do much much much worse then him at UT. My only concern is his age. It sounds like he's going to be cleared of any NCAA violations so that's a plus
Gary Patterson. I'm not totally sold on this guy. HE was in a weaker conference racking up those wins. I wouldn't hate the hire, but I wouldn't be jumping up and down.
The following are guys I do NOT WANT AT ALL
Dan Mullen- seems stiff, good coach but just doesn't seem like he'd be a good fit. something about him I don't care for
Charlie Strong- OVERRATED. This guy was passed up by Florida TWICE to be a HC. If you can't beat Syracuse and UCONN then I want no part of this guy.
Al Golden- I know I said good things about him earlier, but I wasn't aware he might have had some dealings in some of the shady stuff going on at the U. He seems like a good coach but not the HR we need
P.S.
Anyone find it odd that Gruden and Dungy both still make their homes in Tampa....
