Hypothetical Head Coach Short-list

[irishguy773 0]

In the "Bash Kelly" thread, there was a question of whom we would replace Kelly with. Well, that got me thinking.....we should have a permanent thread stickied to the top of the forum on something like this question.

 

We always say that every good AD should have a short list of possible head coach candidates at ALL TIMES, just in case. We should try a thread where we permanently keep it tagged, and alter it over time. I think it'd be interesting to see how our short list from 2009 would be different from the short list in 2011, who ended up getting hired elsewhere and how they did, etc.

 

 

Remember, this is all hypothetical, and in your eyes, if you were the AD, what would your emergency short list look like?

 

 

 

This thread could also be a fun way to watch other games around the NCAA with a bit more of an eye to the coaches and programs and keeping track of who impresses you, you want to keep an eye on, etc.

 

Everyone's list can (AND SHOULD) be different! There's no wrong list (well, unless you have Weis, Willingham, and Davie on the list in any way, shape, or form!)......just YOUR list.

 

Have at it.

[irishguy773 0]

And, to be fair, here's my first exercise....

 

Like, for me, I'm not saying that I'd replace Kelly with these guys, but if Kelly took an NFL job or retired, or something came up, this is the list who I'd look at.

 

Throw a flier out there:

Saban, Stoops, Meyer, Peterson, Gruden, Harbaugh, Richt (yeah, I'm surprised I put him here, too)

 

More realistic options (head coaching experience only):

1) Shaw - Stanford (still highly doubtful, though)

2) Sumlin - Texas A&M

3) Sarkisian - Washington

4) Strong - Louisville

5) Briles - Baylor

6) Golden - Miami

I'm pretty fluid on this order, though. And I'm probably skipping someone.

 

Future possibilities onto list depending on how they progress - Butch Jones, Jim McElwain, Kliff Kingsbury, Dave Doeren

 

Guys I just don't see as fits or having ANY interest (and not on the "flier" list), despite talent - Will Muschamp, Jimbo Fisher, Dabo Swinney, Chip Kelly, Les Miles, Jim Mora, Steve Spurrier, Pat Fitzgerald

 

 

Obviously, my list is predicated on having previous head coaching experience, preferably at another major program. Thus, I have no coordinators on here, even though guys like Kirby Smart could be obvious options, as well.

[nd1baby 0]

Good list.

 

Not really PC at this point yet. But hey we're not making world history. Just yapping.

[IrishItalian15 0]

Of the realistic options, are any of them better than BK?

 

Why do people bash BK? In 3 years he has:

 

1. Returned this team to relevancy.

2. Taken ND to the national championship game.

3. While some recruits have left, the recruiting depth is much improved.

 

He is 4-2 this season with his back up QB as the starter.

 

Be thankful we aren't on our way to a 3-9 season with our starting QB...

[nd1baby 0]

I see a lot of people making excuses for Kelly. It's not so much the losses - but the heart attack close games with inferior teams.

 

I think the excuses will continue for a couple more years and then a replay of the past, he's gone.

 

This year could be 8-4 and I look at next year's schedule and see 8-4.

 

That would be 4 out of 5 years at 8-4.

 

I keep hearing about how well this Jeff Quinn guy at Buffalo is doing. Maybe he was the key to Kelly's success.

 

Kelly doesn't have that Holtz/Parseghian charisma to fire the guys up. We need that ND spirit combined with a mind for the game.

[irishguy773 0]

Of the realistic options, are any of them better than BK?

 

Why do people bash BK? In 3 years he has:

 

1. Returned this team to relevancy.

2. Taken ND to the national championship game.

3. While some recruits have left, the recruiting depth is much improved.

 

He is 4-2 this season with his back up QB as the starter.

 

Be thankful we aren't on our way to a 3-9 season with our starting QB...

 

Yeah, that's not AT ALL the point of this thread. This thread isn't a "Bash Kelly" thread. That's also on the first page. Post this in there.

 

THIS THREAD is merely a hypothetical. Maybe it's Kelly wins out and takes an NFL job...maybe his wife gets a recurrence and he takes off to help her, maybe he has stress issues, maybe he just retires young. Who knows. But, IF SOMETHING HAPPENED AND KELLY WAS NO LONGER THE COACH, what is your short list.

 

 

I hope I made this clear.

[echo88 74]

Of the realistic options, are any of them better than BK?

 

Why do people bash BK? In 3 years he has:

 

1. Returned this team to relevancy.

2. Taken ND to the national championship game.

3. While some recruits have left, the recruiting depth is much improved.

 

He is 4-2 this season with his back up QB as the starter.

 

Be thankful we aren't on our way to a 3-9 season with our starting QB...

 

1) Briefly. That expired when the clock at the title game expired.

 

2) So that the entire country could be subjected to evidence as to why playoffs are necessary. We proved that being undefeated in the regular season doesn't mean anything. Id rather win an alternate BCS game with 2 losses than to be beaten that badly in front of a much larger audience.

 

3) Agree. Depth yes. He's recruiting at the right positions.

[piratey 6]

1) Briefly. That expired when the clock at the title game expired.

 

2) So that the entire country could be subjected to evidence as to why playoffs are necessary. We proved that being undefeated in the regular season doesn't mean anything. Id rather win an alternate BCS game with 2 losses than to be beaten that badly in front of a much larger audience.

 

3) Agree. Depth yes. He's recruiting at the right positions.

 

Man I wanted a piece of KSU or OSU last year... if KSU hasn't wet the bed against Baylor...

[corysold 0]

Good thread.

 

Weis had more 9 win seasons in his first four years then Kelly has managed, we could bring him back. He recruited pretty well also. He also kept his two BCS losses somewhat respectable.

 

I'd take Sarkisian.

Sumlin.

Maybe James Franklin.

Mike leach.

[golson5 221]

Kelly is not going anywhere. We are going to be good for as long as he stays

[nd1baby 0]

Kelly is not going anywhere. We are going to be good for as long as he stays

 

Be nice if we could go 10-2 this year. I think he'd get coach of the year again.

[KamaraPolice 0]

I'd be shocked if Kelly left, but if he did I'd be all over Fitzgerald. Surprised he doesn't get more attention outside the big ten, but last time we culled a coach from northwestern it turned out not bad.

[nd1baby 0]

I'd be shocked if Kelly left, but if he did I'd be all over Fitzgerald. Surprised he doesn't get more attention outside the big ten, but last time we culled a coach from northwestern it turned out not bad.

 

Word is he's happy with the low expectations at NU and is not too ambitious.

[VCDomer 75]

Sumlin

Peterson

Riley

Late addition: Echo88

Edited October 11, 2013 by VCDomer

[ColinKSU 18]

I'd be shocked if Kelly left, but if he did I'd be all over Fitzgerald. Surprised he doesn't get more attention outside the big ten, but last time we culled a coach from northwestern it turned out not bad.

 

He detests Notre Dame. He was a kid who grew up in Chicago that Notre Dame didn't want, and he's never let that go.

 

ND absolutely made a mistake because he was a stud. But still, he holds one heck of a grudge.

[KellyisNasty 0]

If Kelly left for the NFL they should pay Charlie Strong whatever he wants. He is an amazing coach with ND ties.

[so_cal_irish 0]

Good thread.

 

Weis had more 9 win seasons in his first four years then Kelly has managed, we could bring him back. He recruited pretty well also. He also kept his two BCS losses somewhat respectable.

 

Mike leach.

 

You're kidding right??? Respectable?? Jamarcus is this you??? 41-14 is respectable?

He also managed more 9 loss seasons than Kelly has and never managed to beat sc..

If golson was still around do you think these threads would exist?

[corysold 0]

You're kidding right??? Respectable?? Jamarcus is this you??? 41-14 is respectable?

He also managed more 9 loss seasons than Kelly has and never managed to beat sc..

If golson was still around do you think these threads would exist?

 

It was 14-14 at one point. 21-14 at half. 27-14 late in the 3rd. It got out of hand late, but at least it was a game for awhile and did t get to 35-0 before ND got on the scoreboard.

[KellyisNasty 0]

It was 14-14 at one point. 21-14 at half. 27-14 late in the 3rd. It got out of hand late, but at least it was a game for awhile and did t get to 35-0 before ND got on the scoreboard.

 

He probably didnt watch either game. The OSU game was in hand until the bullshit blocking in the back penalty on the Zibikowski TD return. I hate that we rarely get calls in bowl games.