Actually..... Spurrier is an ole ball player from Johnson City (Science Hill).
Here's an idea I haven't seen floating around that would make a heck of a story. Why not go for a current head coach of a powerhouse school? UT has proven they can play ball, recruit, and (probably very important to the coach) pay the big time 3 million plus salary to feed the ego. So, with that in mind, here are four coaches that I think could be lured away from their current places.
Tommy Tuberville: Remember a few years ago when AU tried to burn him and hire another coach under his nose. He could really get back at the school this way. Not to mention he could keep up his rival with Alabama and keep his winning streak intact along the way. I like Tuberville's current coordinators... especially the OC's spread attack. He's not afraid to clean house if the system is broke and bring someone else in. He can recruit and is fairly young.
Mack Brown: A little older, but it wouldn't be the first time he left a good team and program for greener pastures. this is more of a stretch since he's in a gold mine of recruits at texas. But hey, coaches are all about testing the waters to see if they can succeed at "the next place." Why court Brown. He has set deep texas roots the past 11 years in texas (that's gotta help recruiting), it would be easy to match and raise his current salary of nearly 3 mill., and he knows what it takes to face a hated rival like OU.
Bo Pelini: It times to get back our SEC son and let him loose on the comp. He has a few things going for him. He is still quite young-40ish. he would be the cheapest to woo away because his salary is still low and so is the buyout clause. Think about it. IF you could go from making 1.1 mil a year to 3 MILLION doing the same thing, wouldn't you do it. And perhaps the best thing going for him is his pedigree. His tenure at LSU is a big plus and this year at NEB will give him head coaching experience that could shut the naysayers up.
Norm Chow: I know he is not a head coach, but to me that is splitting hairs. He has everything Ricky has except the salary and title. UT could give him the money, the title, and the facilties that are superior in all the land. Chow could give us the "Midas" touch he has on recruiting that we desperately need. Imagine the Qb's we could bring in with him at the helm. People could be saying, "Manning who?" in 2015 if he were to invited to coach at Tenn. Plus, he owns California in recruiting. The only knock i see is that he is 55. Not old, but how many more years does he want to keep coaching. Also, would he want to pack up again and come back out to the Southeast? Would he be too sour on the state of Tennessee for what the Titans did to him that he snubs the Big Orange? It certainly would be worth a try.
OK, I gave you four names. Just trying to think outside the box a little. Here is a list of other names I wanted to throw out.
Rich Rodriquez: things are sour in Mich. He is a great coach and great at recruiting..not to mention his offense.
Jeff Tedford: nothing needs to be said. We saw what he could do last year.
Butch Davis: a very good scenario
Jim Harbaugh: impressive record... not sure if it would trickle over to the SEC though.
Troy Calhoun: his work at Air Force is impressive. His pedigree is more so.
Bret Bielema: Wisconsin's head coach has youth (38), wins (80%), and enthusiasm. However, his inexperience and recruiting are still not developed enough to tell us what he could do at UT.
All right, there you have it. 10 names thrown out. Discuss, dissect, and diss. I want to hear what you guys think.
