Coaches on hot seat

[mrydel]

I would expect a 6-6 or 7-5 bowl game will not remove the name from the hot seat. That includes both the cited list and Orsini's personal list. There has to be consistant and significant upward movement now that Coach B is Orsini's "hire".

[mustangxc]

At this point, I would think that he will remain on the hot seat every year for the rest of his tenure until he leads us to TCU territory (ie winning 10+ games on a consistent basis). Until then, 6 wins and a bowl berth or he probably gets the ax.

[Bergermeister]

I think the Geico Caveman has overstayed his welcome. It's now-or-never. Our fan base (whatever that is) continues to erode and Orsini knows that it is going to take a (somewhat) big name to generate interest in the program since the Ws arent' too prevelant. I hope we win 10 this year.

"I'll have the roast duck with the mango salsa"

[Bergermeister]

since the Ws arent' too prevelant.

or prevalent

[George S. Patton]

I think that's why most of the folks on this thread have indicated this is his year of decision.

[ponyboy]

Ok, let's do a hypothetical. Bennett goes 8-4 this year with an appearance in the CUSA championship game. In 2008, after pulling in the resulting nice recruiting class, Justin Willis gets hurt, bad luck returns in several other areas and he goes 5-7. Is he fired in December of 2008?

[PonyKai]

Your thinking way too far ahead. Think about how you'd celebrate the day we wind up 8-4.

[jtstang]

Ok, let's do a hypothetical. Bennett goes 8-4 this year with an appearance in the CUSA championship game. In 2008, after pulling in the resulting nice recruiting class, Justin Willis gets hurt, bad luck returns in several other areas and he goes 5-7. Is he fired in December of 2008?

Probably, for his failure to recruit a capable backup.

[George S. Patton]

LOL at the cynicism. You don't believe in Corey Slater?

[EastStang]

I'd take Willingham, Groh, or Bowden in a heartbeat if any of them were available and we were looking. I'd hold my nose and take Franchione if the Aggies let him go knowing that we would be just a rest stop on his climb back to another BCS job. Willingham isn't a great recruiter, but a solid respected coach who had some success at Stanford. Groh is a great recruiter who continually puts up Top 20 recruiting classes at UVA. Bowden is a name coach who can recruit and has had some success over the years. And if they got canned, they might work cheap.

[jtstang]

LOL at the cynicism. You don't believe in Corey Slater?

Unfortunately the best he can deliver in 2008 is 5-7.

[Pony in Dawg Land]

It seems every year is Bennett's do-or-die year. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

[PlanoStang]

Ok, let's do a hypothetical. Bennett goes 8-4 this year with an appearance in the CUSA championship game. In 2008, after pulling in the resulting nice recruiting class, Justin Willis gets hurt, bad luck returns in several other areas and he goes 5-7. Is he fired in December of 2008?

That would be just Dopey-esque. Even if that injury happens, and we go
5-7 this year.

[CalallenStang]

I'd take Willingham, Groh, or Bowden in a heartbeat if any of them were available and we were looking. I'd hold my nose and take Franchione if the Aggies let him go knowing that we would be just a rest stop on his climb back to another BCS job. Willingham isn't a great recruiter, but a solid respected coach who had some success at Stanford. Groh is a great recruiter who continually puts up Top 20 recruiting classes at UVA. Bowden is a name coach who can recruit and has had some success over the years. And if they got canned, they might work cheap.

Groh won't be canned this year. The Wahoos will go bowling. Mark it down.

Willingham won't be canned this year...Washington showed improvement last year. Look for it to continue this year. They might make a bowl and they might not, but they will be better this year than last.

If Clemson doesn't get to 8 wins this year, I think Bowden is gone. JMO though. And I'll take him...if we don't go bowling this year. Remember that there are name coaches available every offseason, so we need to make sure that we don't fire Phil prematurely.

[CalallenStang]

I hope Phil gets it done this year...I really do. However, if he doesn't, here's a few people that we may want to look into.

Dan Mullen, Offensive Coordinator - Florida
Pro: The guy has been instrumental in Urban Meyer's success. He calls the plays at UF and has coached QBs under Meyer from 2001-2002 at Bowling Green, 2003-2004 at Utah, and at the present time.
Con: He doesn't have Texas ties. Also, if the Gators have tremendous success once again, he will probably be one of the hottest commodities in the coaching market.

Bo Pelini, Defensive Coordinator - LSU
Pro: A lot of Nebraska fans felt he should have been hired as their head coach following the dismissal of Frank Solich. He's had great success since then as the DC at Oklahoma followed by LSU. He recruits Texas and is a big-name, to a degree.
Con: Pelini is already one of the highest profile coordinators in the game, and he will probably have several offers on the table.

Jim Heacock, Defensive Coordinator - Ohio State
Pro: He's responsible for one of the nation's premier defenses.
Con: His defense looked silly against Florida. No Texas ties.

Brent Venables, Defensive Coordinator - Oklahoma
Pro: OU's defense has been very good during Venables' 9-year stint as the Sooners' defensive coordinator. He recruits Texas well.
Con: Would we be his most enticing offer? One would think not

Jimbo Fisher, Offensive Coordinator - Florida State
Pro: There's a reason why FSU hired Fisher away from LSU: the guy is a quality coordinator.
Con: If FSU turns it around, Fisher will have HC offers from BCS schools. Count us out if that happens.

Dirk Koetter, Offensive Coordinator - Jacksonville Jaguars
Pro: The guy consistently had Arizona State in a bowl and was one of the first successful coaches at Boise State (1998-2000, with records of 6-5, 10-3, and 10-2, respectively). If he decides to jump back down to college after his taste of the NFL, he could be a good choice.
Con: He never got ASU over the hump, and that's why they let him go.

Calvin Magee, Offensive Coordinator - West Virginia
Pro: He has studied under Rich Rodriguez and would probably instill a similar offense if he were to come to SMU. With a mobile QB in Willis and several good RBs, SMU could have success with the spread option.
Con: He doesn't call the plays at WV. No Texas ties.