Coaching Carousel

[IRISHDODGER]

Strange, but just because there's a new AD (about to be announced) at Tulane, and bec. Fritz wanted the Assistant AD promoted to that role, the beat thinks he moves on from Tulane (whereas last year, he was quoted saying he wanted to finish his career there). Tulane to Fritz: Shut up and coach and 5 Potential Power 5 Landing Spots for Tulane Football Head Coach Willie Fritz If he takes a new HC job, I wonder if Pratt goes with him?

I thought Pratt committed to one of the post season senior bowls (Reese’s?) that showcase draft eligible seniors? If that’s the case isn’t his mind made up that he’s going pro?

 

[DillonHall]

In 13 seasons Dantonio went to one CFP and zero BCS title ganes.
In 12 seasons BK went to two CFP’s & a BCS title game.

I can't tell if you're agreeing with me or not. Those seem like similar resumes to me. They each had some good seasons, got to some big games (you could argue Dantonio won more big games than Kelly but that's debatable), never had a legitimate chance to win the BCS/CFP

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

He's done a good job, but one can wonder if he was afforded the time to get this where it is because he played QB there. As we've come to see, a lot of schools dump a guy with the same record.

Smith to Michigan State seems like a very good move for both parties.

 

[allenm5333]

If Narduzzi leaves pitt, i could see al leaving

 

[Luckylucci]

If Jonathan Smith leaves Oregon State that is going to crush the Beavers. I truly feel bad for what's to come of their football program. Getting a raw deal at a time when they are very competitive.

Also, I'm fairly surprised they're going with Smith over Elko. Smith is a very good coach but I would lean Elko for the more diverse recruiting experience and defensive focus. But, that's just me.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

I really like Elko and think he would turn MSU quickly, but Smith leaving Oregon State would crush that troll that pops up here occasionally so I fully back this hire.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

If Jonathan Smith leaves Oregon State that is going to crush the Beavers. I truly feel bad for what's to come of their football program. Getting a raw deal at a time when they are very competitive.

Also, I'm fairly surprised they're going with Smith over Elko. Smith is a very good coach but I would lean Elko for the more diverse recruiting experience and defensive focus. But, that's just me.

You're correct, and that's probably why MSU is targeting him knowing that Oregon State is twisting in the wind with the PAC 12 dissolving. Michigan State isn't leaving the Big Ten and they're going to give Smith time (possibly) and stability to build like he has at Oregon State.

It would be an example of not seeing any easy dots to connect. Smith is from California and played at Oregon State. His coaching stops include Idaho, Montana, Boise State, Washington and Oregon State. This isn't a regional hire whatsoever. I don't know if there is some kind of connection at MSU that links to Smith or if some search firm told them "Go get this guy because he's coaching right now against a lot of teams coming to the conference soon"?

The offensive background makes sense because I'm not sure a defensive focus is needed in the Big Ten right now. They seem collectively behind the rest of the P5 right now in that regard and have some heavy hitters from the PAC 12 coming in when it comes to offense. Oregon State is 25th in total offense right now and the closest team from the Big Ten to them is Ohio State. Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA are all joining that fray too.

 

[dublinirish]

I just remembered back in the day Gary Andersen left Wisconsin to go back to Oregon State because he believed the academic standards were too high in the BigTen lol

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

If Narduzzi leaves pitt, i could see al leaving

Does anyone anticipate this happening in the next few weeks? This is his worst year at Pitt so far and they'll probably give him a shot in 2024 to right the ship. I doubt he retires because he's not even 60 yet.

That program had a great run from 1976-1982. Then what?

It really feels like there are not a lot of places out there were you can actually win. You can get paid, but most of these Power Five programs did whatever they've ever done a very long time ago and haven't had a bite at the apple in a long time.

 

[Luckylucci]

You're correct, and that's probably why MSU is targeting him knowing that Oregon State is twisting in the wind with the PAC 12 dissolving. Michigan State isn't leaving the Big Ten and they're going to give Smith time (possibly) and stability to build like he has at Oregon State.

It would be an example of not seeing any easy dots to connect. Smith is from California and played at Oregon State. His coaching stops include Idaho, Montana, Boise State, Washington and Oregon State. This isn't a regional hire whatsoever. I don't know if there is some kind of connection at MSU that links to Smith or if some search firm told them "Go get this guy because he's coaching right now against a lot of teams coming to the conference soon"?

The offensive background makes sense because I'm not sure a defensive focus is needed in the Big Ten right now. They seem collectively behind the rest of the P5 right now in that regard and have some heavy hitters from the PAC 12 coming in when it comes to offense. Oregon State is 25th in total offense right now and the closest team from the Big Ten to them is Ohio State. Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA are all joining that fray too.

That's a fair point. I just think that fixing the defense is a little easier if I'm trying to stabilize the program quickly.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

That's a fair point. I just think that fixing the defense is a little easier if I'm trying to stabilize the program quickly.

MSU is 10th in the Big Ten for total offense, 11th in total defense. Overall through 11 games, MSU is scoring less PPG than Iowa.

They're pretty bad on both sides of the ball, but I can understand your point. You can definitely beat most of those teams with a stout defense right now. I think going forward the addition of the West Coast teams is going to open things up a bit.

 

[BoredIrish]

Elko is a good fit at MSU... he might be an even better fit at Michigan.

 

[texbender]

If Jonathan Smith leaves Oregon State that is going to crush the Beavers. I truly feel bad for what's to come of their football program. Getting a raw deal at a time when they are very competitive.

Also, I'm fairly surprised they're going with Smith over Elko. Smith is a very good coach but I would lean Elko for the more diverse recruiting experience and defensive focus. But, that's just me.

I haven't kept up, but is it possible Elko was offered first and declined the offer, waiting for better landing?

 

[Lberry]

Why would Elko settle for MSU when they're ~7th best program in the new big 10 and he's already at the the ~7th best program in the ACC?

He is and will be a top name the next 1-2 years. Not sure why he'd lock into a mid program. You've been adamant MSU is a great spot for him but I don't think you realize the openings and clout he has.

 

[Luckylucci]

Why would Elko settle for MSU when they're ~7th best program in the new big 10 and he's already at the the ~7th best program in the ACC?

He is and will be a top name the next 1-2 years. Not sure why he'd lock into a mid program. You've been adamant MSU is a great spot for him but I don't think you realize the openings and clout he has.

It’s funny that this is how you think it works.

 

[stlnd01]

Why would Elko settle for MSU when they're ~7th best program in the new big 10 and he's already at the the ~7th best program in the ACC?

He is and will be a top name the next 1-2 years. Not sure why he'd lock into a mid program. You've been adamant MSU is a great spot for him but I don't think you realize the openings and clout he has.

Because the 7th best program in the Big Ten can pay more, invest more and give him a bigger stage on which to compete than all but the top two or three teams in the ACC? MSU and Duke are not at all comparable jobs. Coaching Duke is more like coaching Northwestern except with half the TV money and you're really a basketball school.

Maybe Elko has a shot at an even better job - Penn State instead of Michigan State, for instance, or A&M (which is a trap as he's surely aware). But he has to keep winning at Duke to get there. Or he can jump now and - if he wins at Sparty - make that move in a couple of years too.

 

[irishff1014]

Because the 7th best program in the Big Ten can pay more, invest more and give him a bigger stage on which to compete than all but the top two or three teams in the ACC? MSU and Duke are not at all comparable jobs. Coaching Duke is more like coaching Northwestern except with half the TV money and you're really a basketball school.

Maybe Elko has a shot at an even better job - Penn State instead of Michigan State, for instance, or A&M (which is a trap as he's surely aware). But he has to keep winning at Duke to get there. Or he can jump now and - if he wins at Sparty - make that move in a couple of years too.

One thing you are forgetting though MSU you is a shit hole school. The continue to hire the wrong people that also continue to make bad decisions and put the school in a bad light. Who wants to be part of that?

 

[T-Boone]

Elko is overrated at the moment. He has had an impressive enough season but calm down.
I think Elko is just a cool name to say - like Wilko.

 

[BeauBenken]

Elko is overrated at the moment. He has had an impressive enough season but calm down.
I think Elko is just a cool name to say - like Wilko.

Idk man, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was a pretty well received album. I don't think it was just their name...

 

[Lberry]

It’s funny that this is how you think it works.

I'm not sure you undertand how it works these days. This isn't the 90s, the career arc of a head coach is no longer "HC 2-3 P5 teams before you're considered for big job". He's nearly 50 (looks 65) and he's one of the top names in the game at this time. Top teams will not waste time going after talent on short sample sizes (Look no further than who runs out of the ND tunnel on Saturday).

Taking a lateral move for a few more years to beef up the resume for an inevitable jump to a better job would be a waste of his time. He'll get a better job than MSU in next 1-2 years (maybe now) if he wants one, mark it down.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm not sure you undertand how it works these days. This isn't the 90s, the career arc of a head coach is no longer "HC 2-3 P5 teams before you're considered for big job". He's nearly 50 (looks 65) and he's one of the top names in the game at this time. Top teams will not waste time going after talent on short sample sizes (Look no further than who runs out of the ND tunnel on Saturday).

Taking a lateral move for a few more years to beef up the resume for an inevitable jump to a better job would be a waste of his time. He'll get a better job than MSU in next 1-2 years (maybe now) if he wants one, mark it down.

There should be a rule that you can’t hire a coach that looks older than his actual age.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

I'm not sure you undertand how it works these days. This isn't the 90s, the career arc of a head coach is no longer "HC 2-3 P5 teams before you're considered for big job". He's nearly 50 (looks 65) and he's one of the top names in the game at this time. Top teams will not waste time going after talent on short sample sizes (Look no further than who runs out of the ND tunnel on Saturday).

Taking a lateral move for a few more years to beef up the resume for an inevitable jump to a better job would be a waste of his time. He'll get a better job than MSU in next 1-2 years (maybe now) if he wants one, mark it down.

The point you’re missing is MSU is 100% not a lateral job. A simple comparison of football budget and last 50 years football history clearly indicates that. Duke is historically a 3-9, 4-8 team year in and year out. Leaving for MSU also doesnt mean he cant take a bigger/better job in 1-2 years if that is his aspiration.
Will he do it or will he even be offered? Who knows, but your logic is flawed and you’re pretty much the only one who doesnt understand that.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

17 of the 36 total CFP appearances have been by head coaches in their first job.

 

[Lberry]

The point you’re missing is MSU is 100% not a lateral job. A simple comparison of football budget and last 50 years football history clearly indicates that. Duke is historically a 3-9, 4-8 team year in and year out. Leaving for MSU also doesnt mean he cant take a bigger/better job in 1-2 years if that is his aspiration.
Will he do it or will he even be offered? Who knows, but your logic is flawed and you’re pretty much the only one who doesnt understand that.

The logic isn't flawed, I'm just not using your made up "measurement" looking at budgets of 50 years. In blue blood prestige, MSU eats behing OSU, Michigan, PSU, Nebraska, USC, Oregon, and maybe even UCLA in the big 10. That's about where Duke sits in ACC.

Averaging last 2 recruiting classes in conference, MSU recruits 10th, Duke 8th.

It's about as lateral as it gets and would be a waste of years of his life, and his name could very well never be hotter than it is now.

And even if your selected parameters mattered, a simple google search shows Duke has ~$20 million more in annual athletic revenue than MSU ($108 M vs $89M)

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm not sure you undertand how it works these days. This isn't the 90s, the career arc of a head coach is no longer "HC 2-3 P5 teams before you're considered for big job". He's nearly 50 (looks 65) and he's one of the top names in the game at this time. Top teams will not waste time going after talent on short sample sizes (Look no further than who runs out of the ND tunnel on Saturday).

Taking a lateral move for a few more years to beef up the resume for an inevitable jump to a better job would be a waste of his time. He'll get a better job than MSU in next 1-2 years (maybe now) if he wants one, mark it down.

You must not math too well

Prime example of you moving the goalposts.

These are two separate arguments. The latter of which I don’t believe anybody has even argued the other side of.

I would agree that he’ll get a better job than MSU whether he stays at Duke or goes to MSU. That doesn’t make your original point any smarter or right. But, I’m sure you won’t see it that way.

 

[Irishdrunk]

Sometimes candidates give early indication they are not interested at all. Elko has options. He may have said thanks but no thanks to MSU already. Surprised if TAMU doesn't go after Elko hard. But whatever.

 

[T-Boone]

17 of the 36 total CFP appearances have been by head coaches in their first job.

did u make this up

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

did u make this up

Kirby Smart
Dabo Swinney
Ryan Day
Lincoln Riley
Jimbo Fisher

All their CFP appearances are with the school that gave them their first head coaching job.

Elite programs value quality over experience.