Coaching Carousel

[FDNYIrish1]

The behind the scenes contacts have been going on for weeks. They get rid of him mid season to get a jump on what they feel are the best options. And despite what some here think, this is the realistic top dog job out there. Get your guy before Florida or possibly FSU come available. It’s a smart play. Franklin is topped out and the admin and alums think they’re not.

 

[Huntr]

You answered your own question. The situation in the stadium would be untenable down the stretch and if the donors want to make a move, well that’s what the money is for.

And they get more time for the replacement process to play out.

This shit always goes through search firms and consultants, lots of vetting and off the record conversations about interest and terms, booster discussions, etc. Firing mid-season gives more time for that stuff to happen.

If he's not the guy, he's not the guy. Move on ASAP.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I don't get the logic of a school firing a coach halfway through the season. I'm not debating the merits of whether Franklin or any of these other coaches should have been fired. But what's the upshot of axing a guy after 6 games? It's not like PSU can go out and get a hot coach to hire (e.g. Rhule, Drinkiwitz, Lea) and start right now. They aren't getting that guy until the season is done. So in the meantime they fire the coach, appoint a coordinator or position coach to be the interim (which stretches that guy really thin having to do 2 jobs) and just write off the season and eat a fat buyout?

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see the strategic benefit of schools doing this. It seems like a reactive decision to please vocal fans & donors. The AD can still make the decision that he will move on from a coach and conduct a search with the guy still in the job. He can even tell the coach behind closed doors "Listen coach, thanks for what you've done but we need to part ways. I'll let play the rest of the season out and when it's over our can resign to save face. But if you don't, I will publicly can you."

The only thing I can think is that a school needs to telegraph early on to HC candidates that they are 100% ready to bring in someone new instead of trying to fill the job with a guy still in the role. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Now that Allar is out for the season, the team is going to be bad. I could see them losing the next 3, and Nebraska won't be easy at the end of the year.

If that happens, the smoke around Franklin would follow the team everywhere, and it would turn even more toxic than it's already become. And if you don't fire him now, you run the risk that the team actually performs well and Franklin saves his job.

Making the move now gives them an excuse for the upcoming expected poor performance, and allows them to do their best to maintain this current recruiting class as the one that will be the start of the next chapter. The situation surrounding Franklin had become so untenable that it was better to cut ties now than wait it out by the end of the season.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Indiana currently has the 27th ranked HS recruiting class. Last years was 49th.

It is entirely unsustainable to not recruit HS at even a Top 20 if the goal is being a CFP team.

Either A) Indiana cant do it because they blow their load on the portal or B) this staff can’t do it or C) HS kids don’t want to go to Indiana still

Look at Texas Tech. They are doing both. I think hopping to PSU would be an attractive off ramp for Cignetti given there is no way they can keep this current level without massive changes to the HS recruiting.

If the goal is to build a CFP team?

Cignetti went last year! And his team is going this year! What else does he need?

Seriously, IU just went into Oregon - a high school recruiting powerhouse - and soundly beat a team who hadn't lost at home in two seasons. He's doing it already. And I expect that to continue, which would result in better recruits, better transfer portal additions, and IU's continuous presence in the CFP.

There's nothing the Penn State gig gives him that he doesn't already have at IU, with exception of a bigger stadium. IU just built an $86 million football facility, they're investing millions in the program, they trust Cignetti, and he doesn't have the pressure of "national championship or bust." He's basically guaranteed a CFP appearance every year at IU until he retires if his teams perform up to snuff.

He's not walking away from that for PSU.

 

[Dale]

If the goal is to build a CFP team?

Cignetti went last year! And his team is going this year! What else does he need?

Seriously, IU just went into Oregon - a high school recruiting powerhouse - and soundly beat a team who hadn't lost at home in two seasons. He's doing it already. And I expect that to continue, which would result in better recruits, better transfer portal additions, and IU's continuous presence in the CFP.

There's nothing the Penn State gig gives him that he doesn't already have at IU, with exception of a bigger stadium. IU just built an $86 million football facility, they're investing millions in the program, they trust Cignetti, and he doesn't have the pressure of "national championship or bust." He's basically guaranteed a CFP appearance every year at IU until he retires if his teams perform up to snuff.

He's not walking away from that for PSU.

It is entirely unsustainable to hit a homerun in the portal every single year, especially without the base of JMU he pulled from. What he pulled off portal wise in Year 1 - 2 versus Year 3 - 4 will be completely different things. Could he? Maybe! Would I bet on it? Absolutely not.

Even Ole Miss has a okay HS base of recruiting. There is a reason Joey McGuire is calling out HS OL/DL to come to Tech.

You are asking for a FSU/Norvell-esque collapse eventually if you don’t get HS straightened out.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

The behind the scenes contacts have been going on for weeks. They get rid of him mid season to get a jump on what they feel are the best options. And despite what some here think, this is the realistic top dog job out there. Get your guy before Florida or possibly FSU come available. It’s a smart play. Franklin is topped out and the admin and alums think they’re not.

This is the part we don't see and fail to realize. This stuff doesn't just happen on a whim. When PSU lost to Oregon, the rumblings started. They lost another big game at home.

After UCLA, now he loses a game that he normally wins and it was one of the most embarrassing losses on paper in college football in the last 40 years. Now the rumblings are getting louder. He's probably lost the locker room.

 

[MacIrish75]

The other thing about IU is that they will ALWAYS be a basketball school first. The last two years will do nothing to change that. It'll wear on Cig at some point...if he were to stick around that long...which he won't.

 

[Free Manera]

Don’t need to call plays to be a HC though. Elite recruiter. Clearly well liked. Management ability would be entirely in question. Fran Brown most recent good example.

Yeah I always took it to mean he doesn’t have what it takes to be in a leadership position whether that is as coordinator or HC. But he is awesome at teaching and connecting with WRs.

But I’m really just reading tea leaves from over the years. It is odd he has been a position coach for this long when everyone talks about him being a superstar. Maybe he’s just biding his time for Day to leave.

 

[Dale]

 

[Katzenboyer]

The other thing about IU is that they will ALWAYS be a basketball school first. The last two years will do nothing to change that. It'll wear on Cig at some point...if he were to stick around that long...which he won't.

What does that matter? The fans come out, he's going to the playoffs, and getting results. And more importantly, he's getting everything he needs to support the football program; who cares if the school's first love is basketball?

Florida is a football school and just won a national championship in basketball.

 

[SportsingHard]

The perfect photo.

 

[NDPhilly]

Sad we live in a world where clickbait On3 is the most popular CFB social account. Thanks Shannon Terry.

 

[IrishSpartan]

The perfect photo.

He is about to get paid. This is a play by his Agent

 

[MacIrish75]

What does that matter? The fans come out, he's going to the playoffs, and getting results. And more importantly, he's getting everything he needs to support the football program; who cares if the school's first love is basketball?

Florida is a football school and just won a national championship in basketball.

If you think you’re the best, filling up 59k in Bloomington won’t compare with 110k at Beaver Stadium…or Jordan-Hare…or The Swamp.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Cignetti is one arrogant dude. I get most of these coaches are, but there is absolutely nothing subtle about Cignetti. He wears his arrogance on his sleeve with every post game interview, every presser. He gives off the "It's all about me" vibe. The kids, the school, the program all come after.

If Penn State, Florida or whomever throw everything at him and more, who knows what he'll do.

 

[Free Manera]

Can we rank the jobs that are coming open this year?

I’m going to miss a bunch but off the top of my head:

FSU
Florida
PSU
Auburn
Wisconsin
Arkansas
UNC
Va Tech

Then as those fill there will be secondary openings at Mizzou, Nebraska, and Indiana most likely. It’s going to be wild.

 

[NDPhilly]

Think I’d go:

1 UF
2 PSU
3 and 4 FSU and Auburn tied
5 Wisconsin (great resources)
6 UNC (great resources)
7 VT (haven’t shown investment Wisky and UNC have)
8 Arkansas (impossible job in the current SEC)
9 UCLA (high upside but big hole to dig out of)

 

[Dale]

Can we rank the jobs that are coming open this year?

I’m going to miss a bunch but off the top of my head:

FSU
Florida
PSU
Auburn
Wisconsin
Arkansas
UNC
Va Tech

Then as those fill there will be secondary openings at Mizzou, Nebraska, and Indiana most likely. It’s going to be wild.

LSU
Florida
Penn State
Oklahoma
——————— Has their NIL shit figured out line
Auburn
Florida State
——————— Has money but kind of a mess
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Arkansas
UCLA
——————— When is basketball season?
Virginia Tech

 

[The Backer]

Can we rank the jobs that are coming open this year?

I’m going to miss a bunch but off the top of my head:

FSU
Florida
PSU
Auburn
Wisconsin
Arkansas
UNC
Va Tech

Then as those fill there will be secondary openings at Mizzou, Nebraska, and Indiana most likely. It’s going to be wild.

FSU feels like the best of those jobs, in terms of a consistently available path to the playoffs. Seems like a spot where a solid coach should do well, but you could tell me they have behind-the-scenes problems (a la pre-Sark Texas) and I'd believe you.

I'd put PSU after that, you have enough talent and resources to consistently compete for a secondary B1G bid. Doubt you can ever consistently try to beat OSU or Oregon out for a top spot. Seems like a place where a solid coach (like Franklin) can have a nice run. Expectations might be a bit higher than capability.

I feel like Florida is deceptively hard to win at. A coach like McElwain or Napier could probably have had a nice run at some ACC or even Big Ten schools. They've really only had success when they've had a coaching legend coaching them.

Indiana might be a good spot, they seem like they'll do the stuff it takes for a coach to have a good run. My guess is that if Cig leaves they'll turn to their DC Haines and continue having good-to-excellent years for a while.

The rest seem like "also ran" programs that don't have serious chances to make the playoffs other than in a generational year. They're all badly overshadowed by other conference teams in overall athletic spending (not just NIL but facilities, programs, etc).

If I were Cig or Ruhle and I had to leave my program, it's probably FSU for Cig and Ruhle for PSU as potential upgrade options.

 

[MacIrish75]

LSU
Florida
Penn State
Oklahoma
Auburn
Florida State
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Arkansas
UCLA
Virginia Tech

This would be the job I would project Cignetti to if it comes open.

 

[allenm5333]

Think I’d go:

1 UF
2 PSU
3 and 4 FSU and Auburn tied
5 Wisconsin (great resources)
6 UNC (great resources)
7 VT (haven’t shown investment Wisky and UNC have)
8 Arkansas (impossible job in the current SEC)
9 UCLA (high upside but big hole to dig out of)

Agree mostly with this. But I would drop Florida State down quite a bit to 5. Conference uncertainty big here. Could see UNC elevate if big ten or sec call

 

[Free Manera]

LSU
Florida
Penn State
Oklahoma
——————— Has their NIL shit figured out line
Auburn
Florida State
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Arkansas
UCLA
Virginia Tech

PSU vs Oklahoma is an interesting one. I think that is just really candidate specific.

 

[NDFAN2008]

He is about to get paid. This is a play by his Agent

He just signed an extension I don't see ND offering him a bigger contract now.

 

[Huntr]

Can we rank the jobs that are coming open this year?

I’m going to miss a bunch but off the top of my head:

FSU
Florida
PSU
Auburn
Wisconsin
Arkansas
UNC
Va Tech

Then as those fill there will be secondary openings at Mizzou, Nebraska, and Indiana most likely. It’s going to be wild.

Highly doubt FSU fires Norvell unless they miss a bowl game. They really do not have they money to pay his buyout and a new staff.

And they do not have a bunch of wealthy donors to pick up the tab, either.


ETA: they owe him $58.7 million, more than Franklin's buyout. They really, really can't be cavalier about that number.

 

[Dale]

FSU has no real money but they love racking up a credit card bill or shifting things around from what I’ve heard on them

Depends how soon a buyout would be do.

 

[Huntr]

FSU has no real money but they love racking up a credit card bill or shifting things around from what I’ve heard on them

Depends how soon a buyout would be do.

They've explored PE money, so that would be a difference maker.

Would also hasten their downfall, and I'm all for it.

 

[notredomer23]

Highly doubt FSU fires Norvell unless they miss a bowl game. They really do not have they money to pay his buyout and a new staff.

And they do not have a bunch of wealthy donors to pick up the tab, either.


ETA: they owe him $58.7 million, more than Franklin's buyout. They really, really can't be cavalier about that number.

Crazy work by his agent when Bama was already set on DeBoer to get his name out there for a hefty raise.

 

[Huntr]

All the Ohio State fans shitting on Penn State in the replies are cracking me up.

 

[NDRock]

Does anyone think that any potential coaches would be scared away from taking the job considering Franklin went from almost making it to the championship game to fired in half a year?

Will the firing force PSU to offer a longer term contract and/or overpay on annual salary?

I think that’s just part of taking a big time job. Every top 15 program thinks they should be performing at their historical apex as a matter of course. These coaches understand that and get the huge buyout in place for when it eventually goes bad (which it almost always does).

 

[KPENN]