More New Coach Chatter
by Nestor on Nov 9, 2007 5:02 AM PST
in Football
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PrintI am traveling out to Southern California today. Can't wait to take in that ocean breeze. I will pop in every now and then and put some posts up via my BB. But I am sure rest of my compadres will keep this place humming. Again I don't have much interest in our actual game this weekend. I just don't care enough or can muster up the enthusiasm to compile notes or read about the Sun Devils. If are dying for a scouting report use the links to paid sites on our blogroll or check out Pitchfork Nation, a pretty cool blog dedicates to all things ASU.
Heading into a long weekend I wanted to keep highlighting the only issue that really matters wrt to our football program, which is who will be the next football coach.
Tom Dienhart from the Sporting News becomes the first reporter from the traditional media to toss in BYU's Bronco Mendenhall's name in the Bruin coaching mix:
Two names keep coming up should a coaching change occur at UCLA: Boise State's Chris Petersen and BYU's Bronco Mendenhall.
And I wouldn't be shocked if Texas Tech's Mike Leach becomes a player for the UCLA job if he opts to leave Lubbock on his own accord. But if Mendenhall left BYU for UCLA, would Leach be interested in going to BYU, his alma mater?
Well there are other names that keep coming up. 66 is tracking the Leach mentions in Texas. Meanwhile, John Wilner, Brian Dohn's predecessor at DN who now writes for the San Jose Mercury News posted this on his blog earlier in the week:
And with ASU, Oregon and USC left on the schedule, there's a good chance the Bruins (5-4) won't win again, in which case firing Dorrell would be a no-brainer.
There's already speculation in Westwood about the next coach: Rick Neuheisel's name has surfaced (he's an alum), but that's a dance-with-the-devil thing. Another way-way-to-early-to-call-him-a-candidate is Boise State's Chris Petersen.
If the Bruins want to scare coaching staffs throughout the conference, they'd place a call to Kansas? Mark Mangino.
This takes me to another point that we have been collectively making here on BN for a while. UCLA's next head coach has the right here, the "perfect fit" just like Coach Howland was for our basketball program. Dave Curtis from the Orland Sentinel has a pretty interesting article on that topic, in which he also notes this:
Oh and by the way, it looks like our Spurrier discussion is ... uhm ... what can I say ... provoking a lot of reaction: on CNNSI, SportsbyBrooks and all over the SEC messageboards/blogs (here, here, here, here, here, and here). And those are just links from the last couple days that popped up a few hours after we bumped the Spurrier mention to the front page. There have been a few others.
Hmm. Sheesh. If our Spurrier to UCLA posts are just speculation on the `internets,' then why all the strong reaction?
Maybe we are on to something that Guerrero should take note of (if he hasn't already)?
GO BRUINS.
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Have a good trip
Lots of interesting coaching possibilities. I like the idea of Mendenhall myself, but not as much as Petersen or Spurrier.
Can we get someone of Petersen's age and ingenuity, and Spurrier's humor and ego (which I happen to like)? Whatever, I'd be thrilled with either guy.
(Remember, guys and gals: Spurrier coined "Free Shoes University" for Florida State. Think what fun he would have with USuC.)
and don't forget...
More from the Houston Chronicle
Can't fire a coach before the season is over? Someone might want to tell that to the Baylor and Texas Southern AD's.
Texas Southern fired its coach -- outright and replaced him with an interim coach. Why now? The AD said "We felt it was best for us to release him now and start the selection process in finding a new head coach."
OK -- so most of you have never heard of TSU. But, the analogy to our situation is apt.
Again from the article: "With 17 starters returning from 2006, expectations wree high for the Tigers ...". Sound familiar?
And, "Injuries have played a major part in TSU's struggles this season. The Tigers are down to just one quarterback .... while the teams leading rusher .... and receiver from last season have missed considerable time." They just lost a linebacker and defensive end to injuries.
So, underachieving with an experienced team even though it has suffered injuries -- is enough to justify an interim firing.
Now, let's switch over to the Baylor story. Guy Morris has not been formally fired. But, he too, is a dead man walking. Dead enough for the Chronicle to publish that he is gone. And, that the school is looking for replacements.
What's important to us? Chris Petersen is being discussed as a possible successor. The inside track seems to lead to Mike Singletary, a Baylor alum.
Once more, hats off to the Chronicle. Its journalists go after stories. They don't just sit in the pressbox and publish PR papers from the schools they cover.
Peterson Is the Way to Go...
If anything at least you know you won't be getting the run, run, run or run, run, 3rd and long pass. We might get to see a statue of liberty play here and there. It would be awesome to see Petey's pro-style defense lose to a play like that...
My $0.02...
Mangino and other things
I noticed a couple of negative comments about Spurrier based on the fact that he is from the South. We had a pretty good coach from the South named Tommy Prothro. I don't have a problem at all with Spurrier, and if he wants to be a blowhard, he generally produces a team that he has a right to be a blowhard about. And so what if he pushes up the score when he's way ahead. It's been so long that we were way ahead I don't even remember what it looks like any more.
I don't know where I saw it, but somewhere in all these thread was some more quotes from Bruce Davis. Every one of these had in my opinion the exact right tone. He sounded confident but in the way that you would want a player to be confieent. He praised the other team, but in a clinical sense. It seems to me that he gets it now, in how to speak to the press. Now, if CTS would only do the same, but frankly I don't think he's smart enough. Plus, it would mean adapting and adjusting, and he can't do it.
I hear you man
This really rings a bell, even when we had a 10-2 team we had to come from behind to win, and with the talent on that team..ridiculous. The only reason we where 10-2 was because of our awesome running back...not because of any genious coaching from Doofus...
by ralph95 on Nov 9, 2007 8:00 AM PST up reply actions
Me neither..
Me neither. Also, I'd like to have a program that fields teams with a reputation that says, "When you come to our house, you'd better be ready to play!"
When Donahue called off the dogs against SC one year, I almost vomited. Didn't he look back over the years? Didn't he see that old 76-0 score?
Nebraska in the early 70s (I was unfortunate enough to be stationed there in the USAF) used to kick the crap out of teams and run up the score like crazy. They also pulled stunts like spreading the other team's fans around the stadium and generally were homers for the only attraction in town. But no one wanted off their schedule; they wanted a chance at the big show even if they lost 66-7.
Personally, I am a Peterson fan, but I'll take any sumbitch who can breath life into a moribund program like UCLA football and make other schools not respect but fear us. Someone said it best when they described UCLA as a sleeping giant and they got that right! It is absolutely ideal for someone like Peterson who wants to make a rep for himself in the bigs.
I salivate at the prospect of being able to stick it to USC (and the other biggies) at "their own game".
by whp68 on Nov 9, 2007 8:26 AM PST up reply actions
"Wen Donahue called off the dogs against SC
Uh, probably no. And if Donahue did, he probably didn't care. I remember him as being loathe to run up a score.
I'm sure Coach Toast didn't either. Do I remember him as saying he didn't even look at the game film of even the year before he took over? So as to start with a completely blank slate with his new WCO powerhouse system. He didn't want any preconceived notions about what the players that he was inheriting could do. Or, even WHO they were.
About the only time
That kind of attitude was sorely lacking, and sorely needed, especially in '87 and '88 when we had the talent to win the NC.
Let's hope that DG finds the right guy.
The only time I remember Donahue
I think he came away not liking what he had done. I don't think he ever ever again allowed the Bruins so badly maul an opponent. Except in '82? when the Bruins ran up a 56-0 halftime lead against a dreadful Colorado team. But he put the brakes on in the second half to let the Buins sleepwalk to a 56-14? win.
Colorado game at Coliseum
Bill
Rumors will get you Fired
Last night I was playing Halo 3 over the X-box live with my old room mate who is now living and going to school in New York City. He doesn't read this blog and even he heard about the Spurrier rumor and mentioned it to me over the video game from New York. News travels widely very quickly.
Re Sleeping Giants
Hopefully DG feels the same way and hires a top notch talent so he too doesn't have to hear that phrase anymore.
Good for her
by NickBruin on Nov 9, 2007 9:03 AM PST up reply actions
Dave Curtis, please dont make that mistake again..
Karl Dorrell had little if anything to do with our victory over sc last year. The fans at the Rose Bowl had more to do with that win. It will forever hurt me to have his name linked to that incredible win. It was not only incredible to beat usc, but we did it with him as a coach. This is coming from someone on the field, please do not give him credit for that victory, please.
by hbruin84 on Nov 9, 2007 9:39 AM PST reply actions
What do you mean by this?
How about Pete Carroll???
Anyways, it's really nice that we can start having these discussions, and that it's not just happening on BN, but also within the MSM. We are all confident that DG wants to bring in a proven winner (be it an up-and-comer or a proven commodity) after a decade of post-Cade Toledo and Mr. Thousand-Yard-Stare aka "The Sleeper/Golfer/Fixer". Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and yes, I can once again believe in UCLA football.
by norcalbruin95 on Nov 9, 2007 10:42 AM PST reply actions
I really, really want to join in this discussion
Just ask the Trojan fan/furniture salesman from last year.
So, FOR RIGHT NOW, my Top 2 choices are:
PROS:
21-1 as HC (2nd season).
5 years as offensive coordinator (under Hawkins at BSU).
Balanced, yet aggressive offense, including spread.
2006 Bryant Coach of the Year.
Former QB, good at developing QBs.
West Coast ties (UC Davis grad, Oregon coaching tree).
Currently working on public university contract ($150,000 base).
7 total years at BSU (OC and HC) to date.
43 years. old.
CONS:
Still only 2nd year as HC anywhere.
May be reluctant to leave school so early.
No reputation re: defense/ hiring DCs.
Worked primarily in smaller media markets.
BONUS POINTS! Best single-game resume of any candidate (Fiesta Bowl 2007). Hook and Ladder AND Statute of Liberty in the same down-to-the-wire Bowl Game?!? Are you kidding me?
(2) BRONCO MENDENHALL, BYU
PROS:
23-10 as HC of BYU (3rd season)
13+ years as defensive coordinator (incl. 2 yrs at BYU and 5 yrs at NM under Rocky Long).
Aggressive defensive style.
Big-game capability (beat Oregon in Bowl Game 2nd year).
2006 Finalist Robinson Coach of the Year.
West Coast ties (degrees from OSU).
41 years old.
5 total years at BYU (DC and HC) to date.
CONS:
Still in only 3rd year as HC anywhere.
Working on restoring tradition at BYU; maybe reluctant to leave.
Mostly smaller media markets to date.
Working on private university contract, potentially higher buyout.
BONUS POINTS! One of the best sports names ever: "Bronco." Niiice.
M
Excellent choices, if we could get either one
Advanced Football Terminology
Frankly, I think undergraduates should not read further, because this is pretty complicated stuff and it might hurt you.
With respect, M, I expected more from you anyway. The "Hook and Ladder" and the "Statue of Liberty" are always referred to by their full titles, using the word "Old" (or if you're a commentator from the South, "Ol'." Hence, Peterson used the "Old Hook and Ladder" and the "Old Statute of Liberty" play. The equivalent in baseball is the "Old Hidden Ball Trick."
Duly noted, oh wizened Geezer...
I bow humbly in thy general direction.
M
Con
I considered that, however...
Still, that is a valid concern.
M
No it's not
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 9, 2007 3:30 PM PST up reply actions
yes it is, i was looking at an article from
by cv on Nov 9, 2007 4:14 PM PST up reply actions
And he got a raise
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 9, 2007 4:25 PM PST up reply actions
heres another link
Even has a copy of the contract, its $850k.
by hbruin84 on Nov 10, 2007 6:26 AM PST up reply actions
DOG
Haha...absolutely correct
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Nov 9, 2007 12:06 PM PST reply actions
We don't have nearly enough video gear...
M
Ill take almost anybody
by ralph95 on Nov 9, 2007 2:52 PM PST reply actions
You had to go and start it, Ralph
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