Games In Our Coaching Search

So much for being in limbo. Huh?

Just when things were slowing down a little waiting for New Year's Day games to be over, things get interesting again.

First of all let us say none of us care about having any inside connections to Morgan Center. Sure we have some plugged in friends here and there but when it comes to coaching search, we have taken the route of writing/analyzing/speculating based on the information (both from traditional and new media) that have been out there in public. So imagine the (pleasant) surprise when I see the Mike Riley name popping up in this discussion the very morning I listed him as a "maybe" on BN. FWIW the Corvallis Gazette-Times is disputing Rich Perelman's post about DG pursuing Mike Riley as of right now (HT to DumpDorell.com). But let's assume for a moment Riley is in the picture. I have to tell you I agree with observations turs12 posted in our comment thread:

Those are same great points. I'd like to point out that DG has nothing to be embarrassed about when talking to Riley. IIRC from 2002 search there were public reports that Riley was DG's number 1 choice. And that Dorrell turned out to be Carnesale special. I think DG can make a pretty convincing representation to Riley that he wanted MR all along. Whether Riley will be receptive to this overture now that he is settling in Corvallis that remains to be seen.

Also wrt to Riley's accomplishments turs12 pointed out how he has done a great job in his second stint at Corvallis. To me Riley's most impressive accomplishment took place when he came into Corvallis in 1997 and took over what amounted to Temple Owls of the Pac-10. Riley took over a program from Jerry Pettibone that was 13-52 in previous 6 years. And the coaches before Pettibone didn't do any better. [See CFB Date Warehouse] Riley took over the program in 1997 and within two years made them relevant in the Pac-10 and set up the foundation for a program that went all the way to Fiesta Bowl under Dennis Erickson. And he did this at a place that really had noting to offer in terms of facilities, was getting dominated in its own backyard by a well-financed Oregon program. In some ways the situation Riley found himself at Oregon State is similar to where UCLA is today, the distinction being we have an incredible recruiting base that will make it easier for him to establish a solid program in LA.

Now I am writing all this not to advocate Riley as my number 1 choice. I think it is important to recognize Riley as more than a credible option (if he responds to DG's reported overture) just like we have one in Rick Neuheisel. That said I will be surprised if Riley decides to come down here. My gut tells me stays up at Corvallis. But I could be wrong.

Speaking of credible options that brings me to John Fox and I will highlight another excellent observation in our comment thread (keep these coming folks) by Bruin7982: That sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Now guys if you want to read between the lines check out the common denominator between Riley's program at Corvallis and John Fox's calling card as an NFL head coach. That's right. It's their DEFENSE.

And that brings me to the 3rd name that re-surfaced last night: John Harbaugh. Guess what? John Harbaugh is the defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.  What was the DyNoMite doing before Dorrell brought him in as the DC at UCLA? Yeap, he was the defensive backs coach of Washington Redskins.

That's right guys. Brian Dohn's dreamy candidate, the bestest, most awesomest defensive coordinator in the country aced his interview so much that the three names that surfaced following his second interview all earned their stripes with their DEFENSE.

If DyNoMite and his cronies want to take the hint, this would be it. It is time for their boy wonder to head off to Northwest.

As for rest of us we are going to see this play out and I am starting to like what I am hearing. Even Donahue has now come out in support for Neuheisel. And despite that support I believe Rick Neuheisel will ironically represent a clear break from the Donahue era, given how he left UCLA.

I also think there might be something to the effect that DG is talking to Harbaugh again (perhaps on behalf of RN who is waiting for the Ravens season to come to an end) to gauge his interest as a DC.  And then I think it may not be totally out of the box to speculate a scenario in which Fox (not Mrs. Fox!) comes in as the head coach teaming up with RN as the OC? So lots of interesting scenarios to speculate here.

But all in all I like some of the stories that are coming out. If I am reading between the lines correctly I think it is more than a coincidence we are seeing names with defensive background popping up, just days after we get subjected to the Walker PR machine.

May be DG knows how to play this game after all?

Discuss!

GO BRUINS.