Bama and others are still lookin' for the coach
December 14, 2006
SportingNews.com
ALABAMA: Again, I'm told by many not to close the door on Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban, no matter what you hear out of his mouth. Another name that has been heating up is Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden. No doubt, hiring either would be a huge coup for the Tide, as the school seems adamant about tabbing a big-name coach.
After those two, the list of names I hear becomes lukewarm.
One semi-interesting name has started to be discussed: Clemson coach Tommy Bowden. I had heard earlier that he would be interested. Still, it's difficult to see the Bama Nation going crazy over Bowden, who never has taken the Tigers to another level.
I also have been told that Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is very interested in the job. He checked out the Miami opening. Don't be surprised if Leach, who recently saw his offensive coordinator (Sonny Dykes) take the same post at Arizona, becomes a real factor in Tuscaloosa. Still, you wonder if Alabama is as interested in Leach as Leach is in Alabama.
Other names I continue to hear are Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey and Navy coach Paul Johnson.
Don't expect a decision anytime soon.
BOSTON COLLEGE: BC is all over the map in a search that lacks pizzazz. Then again, BC lacks pizzazz.
If you're looking for a leader, it's probably Mark Whipple, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach who has interviewed for the post. He also has been the head coach at UMass and Brown.
Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who worked at BC from 1997-98, is a hot name and reportedly has interviewed.
New York Giants quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride has been contacted by BC, which considered Gilbride the last time the job was open. And Frank Spaziani, BC's defensive coordinator, is on the radar. He's serving as interim head coach. Still, he looks like a long shot.
BC would be smart to check out Richmond coach Dave Clawson, who worked with BC AD Gene DeFilippo at Villanova. Clawson is a bright offensive mind.
Another name to watch is Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, a rising star who's primed for the next step. He was interviewed for the Iowa State job and appeared to be an early front-runner.
Other names that could figure in are LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Mike Kruzcek and Houston Texans assistant Mike Sherman.
Expect a decision in the next week.
STANFORD: It could be down to former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh. Both reportedly have interviewed for the job. Each has a connection to the school, as Fassel once worked on the Farm. Harbaugh's father worked at Stanford.
And don't forget about Montana coach Bobby Hauck, who reportedly has discussed the job with Stanford. He would be a great hire. After that, things look wide open for a post that figures to be filled early next week. Names I'm hearing include Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti, Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe, Denver Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster, Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English and San Diego Chargers receivers coach James Lofton. In fact, Aliotti, Knapp and Lofton reportedly have been contacted.
December 14, 2006
SportingNews.com
ALABAMA: Again, I'm told by many not to close the door on Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban, no matter what you hear out of his mouth. Another name that has been heating up is Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden. No doubt, hiring either would be a huge coup for the Tide, as the school seems adamant about tabbing a big-name coach.
After those two, the list of names I hear becomes lukewarm.
One semi-interesting name has started to be discussed: Clemson coach Tommy Bowden. I had heard earlier that he would be interested. Still, it's difficult to see the Bama Nation going crazy over Bowden, who never has taken the Tigers to another level.
I also have been told that Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is very interested in the job. He checked out the Miami opening. Don't be surprised if Leach, who recently saw his offensive coordinator (Sonny Dykes) take the same post at Arizona, becomes a real factor in Tuscaloosa. Still, you wonder if Alabama is as interested in Leach as Leach is in Alabama.
Other names I continue to hear are Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey and Navy coach Paul Johnson.
Don't expect a decision anytime soon.
BOSTON COLLEGE: BC is all over the map in a search that lacks pizzazz. Then again, BC lacks pizzazz.
If you're looking for a leader, it's probably Mark Whipple, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach who has interviewed for the post. He also has been the head coach at UMass and Brown.
Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who worked at BC from 1997-98, is a hot name and reportedly has interviewed.
New York Giants quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride has been contacted by BC, which considered Gilbride the last time the job was open. And Frank Spaziani, BC's defensive coordinator, is on the radar. He's serving as interim head coach. Still, he looks like a long shot.
BC would be smart to check out Richmond coach Dave Clawson, who worked with BC AD Gene DeFilippo at Villanova. Clawson is a bright offensive mind.
Another name to watch is Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, a rising star who's primed for the next step. He was interviewed for the Iowa State job and appeared to be an early front-runner.
Other names that could figure in are LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Mike Kruzcek and Houston Texans assistant Mike Sherman.
Expect a decision in the next week.
STANFORD: It could be down to former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh. Both reportedly have interviewed for the job. Each has a connection to the school, as Fassel once worked on the Farm. Harbaugh's father worked at Stanford.
And don't forget about Montana coach Bobby Hauck, who reportedly has discussed the job with Stanford. He would be a great hire. After that, things look wide open for a post that figures to be filled early next week. Names I'm hearing include Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti, Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe, Denver Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster, Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English and San Diego Chargers receivers coach James Lofton. In fact, Aliotti, Knapp and Lofton reportedly have been contacted.
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