Most ADs, regardless of whether or not they have a strong head coach presently, keep a running list of potential candidates should the position spring open. I'm curious to see what people's lists would look like if they were the AD at Notre Dame. Considering BK will 99% likely be back for 2018, I think it would be fun to have a running list and see how accurate it stacks up, especially considering the fact that BK enters a make-or-break year in 2018.

 

Assumptions:

-Coach must be a HC in NFL w/ college exp. at a Power 5 program or show unprecedented success at G5 program

-No coordinators, due to the demands of ND, HC experience is required

-I left coaches who are already at Top 20 programs off the list, lateral moves are rare (No Meyer, Saban, Peterson etc.)

-I left coaches who seem content at their alma maters as well(no Gundy, Shaw, Chryst, Fitzgerald)

-No coaches who already failed at blueblood programs

 

Here's my list in Tiers

I(Dream Hire): Bob Stoops, John Harbaugh, Bill O'Brien

II(Strong Hire): Scott Frost, Gary Patterson, Mark Dantonio...Frost is likely to Neb. and I'm not sure Patterson/Dantonio leave their schools

III(Decent): Justin Fuente, Kyle Whittingham, Kirk Ferentz...Fuente has looked good so far at VT, and Whittingham's Utah program is solid considering their resources, same with Ferentz, but I doubt the leaves Iowa

IV(Wait and see):Fleck, Brohm, Campbell, Clawson, Babers, Mendenhall, Durkin, Odom, Mason(Vandy), Rhule, Stoops(UK), Wilcox, Doeren, 2018s hot G5 coach...none of these coaches are anything special yet, but they're all in various stages of building programs, I wouldn't be surprised if 2-3 explode next year and vault into a higher Tier.

 

That's my list if I'm Jack Swarbrick. I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts on it, and their own rankings.

Edited November 29, 20177 yr by BlackhawkIrish

Here's what we came up with last year:

 

http://www.domerdomain.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51451

 

 

Then I'd add.

 

NFL- Herm Edwards- is interested in Arizona State opening, if he gets it and does well there I think he warrants consideration in a few years

CFB- Joe Moorehead- Will get hired at Mississippi State. Could become a talked about name next year.

 

Strong On the radar this year: Matt Campbell: Toledo, Iowa State, Next jump will be his marquee job. This year's Fleck.

 

Second Chance: Kevin Sumlin- Good coach, might need a second chance

Edited November 29, 20177 yr by FaithInIrishForever

Another for future consideration who didn't get mentioned last year much because of Fleck, Brohm at Purdue. Like Campbell from Toledo to ISU, Brohm went from a successful stint at WKU to doing a decent turn around at abysmal Purdue this season. Those are two up and comers beside Fleck to keep an eye out for.

Mark Dantonio...and I'm not sure Patterson/Dantonio leave their schools

.

 

Dantonio has a record like kelly meaning he sprinkle some good years with mediocre. You want bk's head on a platter for that yet no problem with dantonio. A guy kelly pretty much owns btw.

 

I think we'd be wise to take a page out of msu playbook and hold.

 

Kelly ain't going anywhere. One wishful thinking thread of him being fired is fine. Several of them shows obsession and being somewhat divorced from reality.

Dantonio has a record like kelly meaning he sprinkle some good years with mediocre. You want bk's head on a platter for that yet no problem with dantonio. A guy kelly pretty much owns btw.

 

I think we'd be wise to take a page out of msu playbook and hold.

 

Kelly ain't going anywhere. One wishful thinking thread of him being fired is fine. Several of them shows obsession and being somewhat divorced from reality.

 

If Kelly equaled dantonios record over the last 8 years most fans wouldn't be calling for his head. Dantonio is 77-28 with 5 double digit win seasons including a 4-2 bowl record with a rose and cotton bowl win included. I'm not advocating for dantonio replacing Kelly but let's not act like their resumes are equal

If Kelly equaled dantonios record over the last 8 years most fans wouldn't be calling for his head. Dantonio is 77-28 with 5 double digit win seasons including a 4-2 bowl record with a rose and cotton bowl win included. I'm not advocating for dantonio replacing Kelly but let's not act like their resumes are equal

I mean dantonio won 3 games last year and 9 wins this year. That's not acceptable for bk. Mark is not winning 10 games a year. It's good years and not so much just like here.

 

I apologize for the snarky comment earlier.

I mean dantonio won 3 games last year and 9 wins this year. That's not acceptable for bk. Mark is not winning 10 games a year. It's good years and not so much just like here.

 

I apologize for the snarky comment earlier.

 

I would take Dantonio over Kelly in a heartbeat given the talent advantage that ND has recruited over Mich St over the same time period. While not my ideal coach for ND, I think that Dantonio is a Top 15 coach while Kelly is maybe a Top 30 coach.

 

Mark Dantonio, 77-28, 3 top ten finishes, 5 top 25, 4-2 in bowls having won the Rose and Cotton.

 

Brian Kelly, 68-34, 1 top ten finish, 3 top 25, 3-3 in bowls with no big bowl wins (Sun, Pinstripe, and Music City)

 

 

 

 

2010 Michigan State 11–2 7–1 T–1st L Capital One 14 14

2011 Michigan State 11–3 7–1 1st (Legends) W Outback 10 11

2012 Michigan State 7–6 3–5 4th (Legends) W Buffalo Wild Wings

2013 Michigan State 13–1 8–0 1st (Legends) W Rose† 3 3

2014 Michigan State 11–2 7–1 2nd (East) W Cotton† 5 5

2015 Michigan State 12–2 7–1 1st (East) L Cotton† 6 6

2016 Michigan State 3–9 1–8 6th (East)

2017 Michigan State 9–3 7–2 T–2nd (East)

 

 

2010 Notre Dame 8–5 W Sun

2011 Notre Dame 8–5 L Champs Sports

2012 Notre Dame 12–1 L BCS NCG† 3 4

2013 Notre Dame 9–4 W Pinstripe 24 20

2014 Notre Dame 8–5 W Music City

2015 Notre Dame 10–3 L Fiesta† 12 11

2016 Notre Dame 4–8

2017 Notre Dame 9–3

Maybe D'antonio's record at MSU shows just how weak the Big Ten is? The guy has a losing record to Brian Kelly after all.

 

Also what has Harbaugh or O'Brien ever done in college for you to consider them dream hires? A dream hire is a guy who's won one or multiple national championships. Saban, Meyer, Stoops. Guys like Chip and Peterson will win sooner or later too.

Maybe D'antonio's record at MSU shows just how weak the Big Ten is? The guy has a losing record to Brian Kelly after all.

 

Also what has Harbaugh or O'Brien ever done in college for you to consider them dream hires? A dream hire is a guy who's won one or multiple national championships. Saban, Meyer, Stoops. Guys like Chip and Peterson will win sooner or later too.

 

Dantonio took a program that had been mediocre since Saban and has put together 5 Top 15 finishes in the last 8 years(as well as 16th as of this year). Maybe he beat up on a weak Big Ten, but he won two BCS bowl games and has 3 Top 6 finishes. I would like to see what he could do with the resource of ND, but he may be getting too old to build another program.

 

I like Harbaugh because he's been consistently successful in the NFL, including keeping some undermanned Baltimore rosters afloat in recent years. His transition to college HC is somewhat speculation on my part, but I think he could be great. O'Brien did well with a crippled Penn State team post sanctions and has taken some QB-less Texans teams to the playoffs twice.

 

Again, this is my opinion and I tried to keep it realistic. There may not be a perfect hire out there. Aside from Saban returning to college and OSU hiring Meyer I would argue every other great coach today was found by taking a chance. That's the nature of the beast.

Dream Hire .....Chris Petersen

Strong Hire .... Bob Stoops, out of retirement... (would be dream but may re-retire after a few years if the stress got out of control)

Ok Hire .... Scott Frost

Not Hire ..........Mike Riley

Swarbrick's list:

1. BK

2. BK

3. BK

4. BK

5. BK

 

Whenever BK decides he's had enough, and chooses to leave on his own, I hope they look for a young, energetic, charismatic coach that the players can relate to.

Dantonio took a program that had been mediocre since Saban and has put together 5 Top 15 finishes in the last 8 years(as well as 16th as of this year). Maybe he beat up on a weak Big Ten, but he won two BCS bowl games and has 3 Top 6 finishes. I would like to see what he could do with the resource of ND, but he may be getting too old to build another program.

 

I like Harbaugh because he's been consistently successful in the NFL, including keeping some undermanned Baltimore rosters afloat in recent years. His transition to college HC is somewhat speculation on my part, but I think he could be great. O'Brien did well with a crippled Penn State team post sanctions and has taken some QB-less Texans teams to the playoffs twice.

 

Again, this is my opinion and I tried to keep it realistic. There may not be a perfect hire out there. Aside from Saban returning to college and OSU hiring Meyer I would argue every other great coach today was found by taking a chance. That's the nature of the beast.

 

Yeah Dantonio has been good but like you I think he's too old and would rather retire at MSU. I just worry about him since that is the one top program Kelly has consistently beat.

 

Both NFL guys could be good but college is a different game and the kids respond differently. An NFL coach in college is a shot in the dark just like a college coach is in the NFL. If I had to choose one it would be Harbaugh, I think he's a better coach than Jim and more likeable/relatable.

Maybe D'antonio's record at MSU shows just how weak the Big Ten is? The guy has a losing record to Brian Kelly after all.

 

Also what has Harbaugh or O'Brien ever done in college for you to consider them dream hires? A dream hire is a guy who's won one or multiple national championships. Saban, Meyer, Stoops. Guys like Chip and Peterson will win sooner or later too.

 

I'm not sure this is actually true. All three of the coaches you mentioned, Saban, Meyer and Stoops, were all hired by big time power programs before they had won a championship and in Saban's case before he had even had a 10 win season. They all proceeded to win championships in the 2nd or 3rd seasons at LSU, Florida and Oklahoma.

 

Before last season I would have called Dabo a "dream hire" even though he hadn't won a championship. Everyone loves Peterson and I'm not sure he will ever get one at Washington, but he would be a "dream hire" to a lot of people.

Another for future consideration who didn't get mentioned last year much because of Fleck, Brohm at Purdue. Like Campbell from Toledo to ISU, Brohm went from a successful stint at WKU to doing a decent turn around at abysmal Purdue this season. Those are two up and comers beside Fleck to keep an eye out for.

 

Cross Brohm off your list. Tennessee just hired him. Great hire, by the way.

Cross Brohm off your list. Tennessee just hired him. Great hire, by the way.

 

Wow! One and done to Purdue. I kind of wanted to see how he'd shake out in the Big10 and if he could make a little noise there before moving up. Just my opinion the young coaches need a little more experience before taking a premier slot somewhere. But to each their own.

I just heard that (Jeff Frohm) deal unraveled..

 

Looks like the AD is done at Tennessee after this year.. They offered Gundy a reported 6 yr / 42 million and was turned down.

Remember when Dantonio went 13-1?

 

His only loss that season was to Notre Dame with Tommy Rees as starter.

Remember when Dantonio went 13-1?

 

His only loss that season was to Notre Dame with Tommy Rees as starter.

 

Pocket passing quarterbacks who run a 4.9 with medium arm strength can be tough to prepare for..

Forgive me if someone mentioned him, but why is Pat Fitzgerald from Northwestern not on anybody's short list? I know he has not won a Big Ten title, but he consistently wins at Northwestern. I can really see him having a huge impact at Notre Dame if given the chance. Remember, last time Notre Dame hired a coach from Northwestern they did not fair too bad. Compare Ara's record at Northwestern to Fitzgerald's. Fitzgerald's is significantly better!!! Fortunately, for me I have had the opportunity to sit in meetings and practices with coach Fitzgerald because I am a high school coach in the Chicagoland area. He is a phenomenal person and coach!

 

Pro's

Terrific motivator, developer of 2/3 star talents, successful at a school with high academic standards, most consistent staff in the Big Ten, high energy, has some big wins on the resume, Catholic, Chicagoland Product (Southwest Suburbs of Chicago)

 

Negatives

Unproven at a high level school like Notre Dame, can he recruit big time players (I believe he can), has record of some problem about not being recruited by Notre Dame in high school (speculative).

 

First Calls: Urban Meyer /John Gruden/ Bill O'Brien

 

Second Call: Pat Fitzgerald

Kill me if i hear gruden’s name, plz

Forgive me if someone mentioned him, but why is Pat Fitzgerald from Northwestern not on anybody's short list? I know he has not won a Big Ten title, but he consistently wins at Northwestern. I can really see him having a huge impact at Notre Dame if given the chance. Remember, last time Notre Dame hired a coach from Northwestern they did not fair too bad. Compare Ara's record at Northwestern to Fitzgerald's. Fitzgerald's is significantly better!!! Fortunately, for me I have had the opportunity to sit in meetings and practices with coach Fitzgerald because I am a high school coach in the Chicagoland area. He is a phenomenal person and coach!

 

Pro's

Terrific motivator, developer of 2/3 star talents, successful at a school with high academic standards, most consistent staff in the Big Ten, high energy, has some big wins on the resume, Catholic, Chicagoland Product (Southwest Suburbs of Chicago)

 

Negatives

Unproven at a high level school like Notre Dame, can he recruit big time players (I believe he can), has record of some problem about not being recruited by Notre Dame in high school (speculative).

 

First Calls: Urban Meyer /John Gruden/ Bill O'Brien

 

Second Call: Pat Fitzgerald

 

If he would leave Northwestern absolutely

 

I understand he won’t leave Nw.