I'm not sure that's the right point of view. Perhaps " there's actually very little tangible evidence that says it's a bad hire," but it would be a whole lot better to hire a coach with a great deal of tangible evidence that says it's a good hire.
I am not making the claim that the two coaches are similar in any way other than their resumes. Brohm and CBJ's career histories are similar.
fair point on the "point of view". my only intention was to say that past the "big names" most have thrown out there, that i don't think will leave their current positions, Brohm's resume is as good or better than anyone you'll put him up against. which means i could make the same argument for several candidates you'd put up against Brhom, from that same level of coaches.
Gruden hasn't coached a down of football in over a decade. he's a TV personality that is likable. could he win big here? i can see it. i just don't see Gruden leaving his multi million dollar gig for this rat race. but again, if you can get him, go do it. no one will blame them if they do.
Kelly? he'll demand a high price tag, and i'm not convinced his style of play can consistently win in this league given the defenses you face vs. the what the pac 12 offers in that category. CBJ's offense sure hasn't fared well w/out a guy that can cover up the flaws with his legs at QB. the same would be true in Kelly's offense. but again, if the admin is dead set and believes he is, make it happen. you couldn't blame them if they do.
Miles. no, i've already explained.
past those three, the only coaches that fit the criteria you describe are Saban, Fisher, Meyer, Franklin. and i don't see any of them leaving their current job for TN. then you get in to names like Peterson, who's not leaving the west coast or Patterson, who is TCU football and at this point, is their Phil Fulmer. sometimes guys just fit at certain schools, and 10 years ago, i'd of taken Patterson in a new york second. now having been there 17 years...i'm not sure he can just transplant to Knoxville and replicate what he's done there. i think Patterson and TCU are a perfect fit for each other....
i don't have a good feel for any of these candidates, and you can make good arguments for all of them.
but the fact that we can have discussions like this and have so much dichotomy and varying opinions should tell you what we already know......
there is no sure fire, next big thing, out there.....and hiring any of these guys is going to leave some portions of the fan base feeling like "wtf?", and others feeling really good. i think the only guy out there right now that could come in and have the vast majority of the fans all in, day 1, is probably Gruden.
past that, expect this discussion to continue in earnest, well past the announcement of the next coach at UTK.