I think we know by now that our AD and boosters aren't going to pay big money for a hot coaching candidate. As usual we're looking for a bargain. And we know Currie has made a huge public mess of this search.
Still, that shouldn't mean we have to settle for the likes of Tee Martin (or even Mike Leach).
Here are some solid candidates, who are up and comers, but also proven winners. And, given that their current salaries are all in the 1 million dollar range, we could probably triple what they're making and still fit the bill of a typical Haslam blue light special.
Surely not all of these guys would pass up a chance to triple their income? Even with our lousy AD, I can't believe he couldn't get any of these guys.
Troy HC Neal Brown - upset LSU, has SEC coordinator experience, has turned around the Troy program
Boise State HC Bryan Harsin - Chris Petersen disciple, has won steadily at Boise State
Clemson DC Brent Venables - maybe the most successful coordinator out there, still pretty young, alot of big game coaching experience and experience recruiting this area
James Madison HC Mike Houston - yeah, I know he is listed elsewhere on this board, but no one seems to be talking about him. Great success. Not sure if it would translate to our level, but it worked for Jim Tressel. I'd rather try a guy who has won big as a small school HC than someone with an iffy record as a HC or a coordinator who hasn't accomplished much.
Washington DC Pete Kwiatkowski - Another Chris Petersen guy. I've always been impressed in how he has fielded alot of really good defenses where less heralded recruits have made big plays. Did you see them shut down Mike Leach's team Saturday? What about when they took it to Georgia in the 2011 opener?
Who did I miss (trying to limit this list to guys currently making under 2 million, because we know we aren't going to spend big)? I know Mike Norvell fits the criteria, but I'm guessing alot of better ADs are already on him.
Still, that shouldn't mean we have to settle for the likes of Tee Martin (or even Mike Leach).
Here are some solid candidates, who are up and comers, but also proven winners. And, given that their current salaries are all in the 1 million dollar range, we could probably triple what they're making and still fit the bill of a typical Haslam blue light special.
Surely not all of these guys would pass up a chance to triple their income? Even with our lousy AD, I can't believe he couldn't get any of these guys.
Troy HC Neal Brown - upset LSU, has SEC coordinator experience, has turned around the Troy program
Boise State HC Bryan Harsin - Chris Petersen disciple, has won steadily at Boise State
Clemson DC Brent Venables - maybe the most successful coordinator out there, still pretty young, alot of big game coaching experience and experience recruiting this area
James Madison HC Mike Houston - yeah, I know he is listed elsewhere on this board, but no one seems to be talking about him. Great success. Not sure if it would translate to our level, but it worked for Jim Tressel. I'd rather try a guy who has won big as a small school HC than someone with an iffy record as a HC or a coordinator who hasn't accomplished much.
Washington DC Pete Kwiatkowski - Another Chris Petersen guy. I've always been impressed in how he has fielded alot of really good defenses where less heralded recruits have made big plays. Did you see them shut down Mike Leach's team Saturday? What about when they took it to Georgia in the 2011 opener?
Who did I miss (trying to limit this list to guys currently making under 2 million, because we know we aren't going to spend big)? I know Mike Norvell fits the criteria, but I'm guessing alot of better ADs are already on him.
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