THE Top 3 Canidates

#151
#151
I would like us(UT) to take this seriously and swing for the fences and go after proven winners that are doing well in a major power 5 school. If money and resources and control isn't an issue we should be able to attract a big time coach. However I'm not confident that we will do so. I truly believe our job is much more desirable than our current administration believs it is.

Therefore I want to discuss who my realistic options who if hired I would be happy with.

1) Dan Mullen - at first I wasn't a fan based on SEC record etc, but the more I dig into him and more I learn about the garbage that Miss St is. The more I appreciate him. He's developed every QB he's had into one of the best in the conference. His teams are well coaches and tough. I truly believe he would do really well here with our resources against a weaker East compared to west. He is the best fit. If we don't get a big time hire this is my choice.

2) Justin Fuente not sure if he's realistic. But what he's doing at VT is pretty impressive in back to back years. I think you have to take a swing for him.

3) Matt Campbell - Frost would be my number 3 but with UF and Neb opening. Don't know that we could beat those two out. So Matt Campbell this guy is having an amazing year beating 2 top 10 teams. What he's doing at IOWA State is impressive they are really a basketball school and the lack of respites there. He's a guy I'm curious about.

4) Greg Schiano - I know there are mixed feelings about him. He's the Buckeyes DC they have a solid defense I wouldn't say elite but they've played some good teams so hard to truly tell. I know his time in NFL wasn't the best. But what he did at Rutgers is really impressive they are really an academic institution almost more so than candy. He's an urban Meyer disciple. He's not my first choice but if he was named I'd feel pretty good about it. He's physical tough coach defense would be pretty good and I think he's the CEO type to hire the right assistants and let them do their job. I think he would hire a big time OC. Just my opinion.

All in all if we don't get a big fish, which isn't happening I would put all my eggs in Dan Mullen basket. Go all in on Mullen. He would be able to recruit much better players here but also it would be easier for him to recruit a better staff here too. He likely would keep coach G which would be nice. I believe if you make him a good offer and give him control he needs I believe he takes this job!
 
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#153
#153
I'm starting to hear rumors that Luke Fickell is the top target in the coaching search. What does everybody think about that? I don't know much about him, but that sounds like a good under the radar hire to me.
 
#154
#154
#VFL1983 said:
I'm starting to hear rumors that Luke Fickell is the top target in the coaching search. What does everybody think about that? I don't know much about him, but that sounds like a good under the radar hire to me.
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He's 2-6 in his first season as a head coach. Sounds great!! He also stunk when he was interim HC at Ohio St.
 
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#155
#155
I'm curious as to what Curries short list of Head Football coaches was during his 8 years at Kansas St. Snyder in his 70's all while Currie was there just means a retirement could come at any time. Every AD has a short list.
 
#157
#157
ERvolsfan said:
I would like us(UT) to take this seriously and swing for the fences and go after proven winners that are doing well in a major power 5 school. If money and resources and control isn't an issue we should be able to attract a big time coach. However I'm not confident that we will do so. I truly believe our job is much more desirable than our current administration believs it is.

Therefore I want to discuss who my realistic options who if hired I would be happy with.

1) Dan Mullen - at first I wasn't a fan based on SEC record etc, but the more I dig into him and more I learn about the garbage that Miss St is. The more I appreciate him. He's developed every QB he's had into one of the best in the conference. His teams are well coaches and tough. I truly believe he would do really well here with our resources against a weaker East compared to west. He is the best fit. If we don't get a big time hire this is my choice.

2) Justin Fuente not sure if he's realistic. But what he's doing at VT is pretty impressive in back to back years. I think you have to take a swing for him.

3) Matt Campbell - Frost would be my number 3 but with UF and Neb opening. Don't know that we could beat those two out. So Matt Campbell this guy is having an amazing year beating 2 top 10 teams. What he's doing at IOWA State is impressive they are really a basketball school and the lack of respites there. He's a guy I'm curious about.

4) Greg Schiano - I know there are mixed feelings about him. He's the Buckeyes DC they have a solid defense I wouldn't say elite but they've played some good teams so hard to truly tell. I know his time in NFL wasn't the best. But what he did at Rutgers is really impressive they are really an academic institution almost more so than candy. He's an urban Meyer disciple. He's not my first choice but if he was named I'd feel pretty good about it. He's physical tough coach defense would be pretty good and I think he's the CEO type to hire the right assistants and let them do their job. I think he would hire a big time OC. Just my opinion.

All in all if we don't get a big fish, which isn't happening I would put all my eggs in Dan Mullen basket. Go all in on Mullen. He would be able to recruit much better players here but also it would be easier for him to recruit a better staff here too. He likely would keep coach G which would be nice. I believe if you make him a good offer and give him control he needs I believe he takes this job!
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Good list that mirrors mine almost exactly. I could get on board with any of those.
 
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#158
#158
Vol737 said:
Gruden: While I would love it, don't think it's realistic. But here's to hoping!

Kelly: West Coast guy, best info says he's going to UCLA.

Patterson: We had our shot and blew it. Pretty sure
he's content to finish out at TCU.

Peterson: One of the best in the country, but he's a
West Coast guy too. He's not going
anywhere.

Mullen: He's done all he can at Miss St. and that's a lot.
He's going to do great at an SEC school with
lots of resources. Love him or lose him and let
him beat our @$$ everytime he coaches
against us.

Frost: Killing it at UCF. Comes off of several great coaching trees.

Campbell: What he's doing at Iowa St. is nothing short of a miracle. He's the real deal. Did I mention...IT"S FREAKING IOWA ST?? Loaded with 2* and 3* Buy out is expensive.

Brohm: Took Western KY to new heights AFTER Petrino left. Purdue is Purdue but they're playing much better football. Great offensive mind. He's going to be a steal for a bigger program at some point.

All things being equal, any of these guys would coach circles around Butch. Not even a debate. Any hire outside of this list means they probably aren't interested in leaving a current job (David Shaw, James Franklin et al) or we would be in worse trouble as a program than we already are because we'd probably have to Google his name. Careful what you wish for and careful who we say no to.
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Just a thought, but Chip spent 20 years of his coaching in the East and 8 in the west.
 
#160
#160
1. Mullen
2. Campbell
Those are my top two. Both Power 5 coaches who are not at good football schools, but overachieving with less talent and resources. Mullen, especially at QB, can develop players, which is something that we are lacking. We have the talent (have had for the last couple of years), but no development.
 
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#161
#161
Gruden would bring at least three NFL coaches with him that are superior to anyone we've had here ever. The staff that he would bring would have these players operating at the highest level of their ability.
 
#162
#162
I just can't get excited about Mullen. He has had one season (out of nine) where he was above .500 in SEC play. I agree that he's a step up from Butch, but I have seen coaches who did much better with much less, like Justin Fuente. I realize that Fuente's schedule at Memphis isn't as difficult as a SEC West schedule, but Fuente was able to beat Ole Miss in 2015 when Mullen couldn't.

Mullen is definitely better than Butch. I believe that he's better than average. But he's not an awful lot better than average.
 
#163
#163
3 of the last 35 coaching hires in the SEC have come from Power 5 Schools. IDK why some of our fanbase think we are gonna go out and get a Dan Mullen, Chip Kelly, or Fuente. We are gonna hire the next up and comer coach. With that being said

1.) Mike Norvell - i like him the most atm just because of relationships he’s built In Memphis can help us in recruiting. The guy can develop a QB. And he runs one of the most Prolific Offenses in the country. The only downside is his defensive Coord sucks.

2.) Matt Cambell - In his 2nd year at Iowa State he has knocked of 2 top 5 teams in the same month. Both on the road and at Home. The guy can flat out coach. The downside here is he has a 9 Million Dollar buyout.

3.) Charlie Strong - Great coach imo. Yes he couldn’t make it at Texas but I think that’s more the fact of that Administration and Boosters being racist biggets. In his first year he has USF rolling. Flowers is an electric QB to watch. Down side here is asking yourself is he ready for another power 5 job again.

Scott Frost was left off this list because let’s be honest the guy is going to UF or Nebraska.

Honorable Mentions - Kevin Sumlin, Chad Morris, and Mike Bobo.
 
#164
#164
ERvolsfan said:
4) Greg Schiano - I know there are mixed feelings about him. He's the Buckeyes DC they have a solid defense I wouldn't say elite but they've played some good teams so hard to truly tell. I know his time in NFL wasn't the best. But what he did at Rutgers is really impressive they are really an academic institution almost more so than candy. He's an urban Meyer disciple. He's not my first choice but if he was named I'd feel pretty good about it. He's physical tough coach defense would be pretty good and I think he's the CEO type to hire the right assistants and let them do their job. I think he would hire a big time OC. Just my opinion.
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Huh? Rutgers is a state university with almost 70k enrollment and a 53% acceptance rate. Rutgers is historically bad but not because of academics.
 
#166
#166
Campbell's 9 mil buyout is too big combined with Botch and his staff's buyout. I don't think he is a viable option for that reason. I would rather see them poney up and get Gruden. Frost would be high on my list. I don't think Chip Kelly is realistic or a good fit. I've always liked Mike Leach and his coaching savy, but not sure he would ever come here either. Fuente would also be a high on my list and a huge huge upgrade over Botch.
 
#167
#167
HuntsVol_AL said:
I just can't get excited about Mullen. He has had one season (out of nine) where he was above .500 in SEC play. I agree that he's a step up from Butch, but I have seen coaches who did much better with much less, like Justin Fuente. I realize that Fuente's schedule at Memphis isn't as difficult as a SEC West schedule, but Fuente was able to beat Ole Miss in 2015 when Mullen couldn't.

Mullen is definitely better than Butch. I believe that he's better than average. But he's not an awful lot better than average.
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Youre insane if you think Fuente has ever had a worse situation than Mullen
 
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#168
#168
JMSqb11 said:
Youre insane if you think Fuente has ever had a worse situation than Mullen
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comparing Mullen to Fuente isnt fair....Fuente runs a completely different offense than Mullen. Plus Fuente was in the American Conference. Mullen went from Florida straight to Miss St. Mullen even had Miss St. #1 in the country at one point in time. Both are good coaches.
 
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#169
#169
ERvolsfan said:
I would like us(UT) to take this seriously and swing for the fences and go after proven winners that are doing well in a major power 5 school.

1) Dan Mullen

2) Justin Fuente

3) Matt Campbell

4) Greg Schiano -
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None of these guys have ever won anything significant as a HC. that is the one thing they have in common.
 
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#170
#170
Brohm, Campbell and Fuentes will be on the Tennessee short list according to Bruce Feldman when he was asked about this topic on the Paul Finebaum show.
 
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#171
#171
sport3500 said:
Brohm, Campbell and Fuentes will be on the Tennessee short list according to Bruce Feldman when he was asked about this topic on the Paul Finebaum show.
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Seriously doubt Fuentes would leave va. Tech. He in a good place right now and has them rolling in his second year.
 
#173
#173
JMSqb11 said:
Youre insane if you think Fuente has ever had a worse situation than Mullen
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Recruiting Rankings
2010:
30 Mississippi State
71 Memphis

2011:
41 Mississippi State
77 Memphis

2012:
22 Mississippi State
92 Memphis

2013:
24 Mississippi State
90 Memphis

2014:
36 Mississippi State
78 Memphis

2015:
18 Mississippi State
77 Memphis

Mississippi State consistently recruited much better than Memphis. I'm not arguing that Fuente is much better than Mullen because Fuente has a better record. I am arguing that Fuente was able to beat an Ole Miss team (that Mississippi State couldn't) with FAR less talent.
 
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#174
#174
vettefool said:
Seriously doubt Fuentes would leave va. Tech. He in a good place right now and has them rolling in his second year.
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Depends on a few things. UT is a more attractive school to recruit to. UT plays in the SEC where the salaries and competition are both higher. Part of it will have to do with his feel for his current bosses compared to UT's boosters and AD.

A coach like that has as many factors as you or I do when considering a job change. It could be as much as liking K'ville more than B'burg or vice versa.
 
#175
#175
And maybe Mullen will pull it together... but right now late in the first half, UMASS is leading Mississippi State 20-13. I will be super disappointed if we end up with Mullen.
 
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