ESPN on SMU's Coaching Search

[Rebel10]

Even with SMU’s struggles of late, the Mustangs’ head coaching job is sure to draw plenty of interesting names.

June Jones, who resigned Monday, took the Mustangs to four straight bowl games from 2009-12. So before the wheels started to come off the last two seasons, he showed that it is possible to win there. There’s obviously no shortage of talent in the state of Texas, but getting the right fit -- someone who has the right kind of relationships in that state -- will be critical as athletic director Rick Hart looks for Jones’ replacement.

Here’s a look at a few of the possibilities.

David Beaty: He’s in his third season as Texas A&M’s receivers coach and his second season as the Aggies’ recruiting coordinator. A native Texan, he was previously the offensive coordinator at Rice under Todd Graham and also coached high school football in the state in Irving and North Dallas. Beaty has great relationships with the high school coaches in the state and has played a key role in taking the Aggies’ recruiting to another level under Kevin Sumlin.

Josh Heupel: The former Oklahoma All-America quarterback has been on the staff at his alma mater since 2005 and is in his fourth season as the Sooners’ co-offensive coordinator. He’s been on the radar for several other head coaching opportunities in recent years and will undoubtedly be a hot commodity again this year, especially if Oklahoma goes on to have a big year and puts up big offensive numbers.

Mark Hudspeth: One of the top up-and-coming head coaches in college football, Hudspeth has done a terrific job at Louisiana-Lafayette and guided the Ragin Cajuns to three straight nine-win seasons and bowl victories each year. And how many head coaches out there can bench-press 375 pounds?

Chad Morris: Hard to believe Morris wouldn’t be at the top of SMU’s wish list if the Mustangs can get him. The Clemson offensive coordinator has deep Texas ties and was an ultra-successful high school coach in the state before joining the college ranks. He runs a hurry-up, wide-open offense and could potentially do for SMU what Art Briles did for Baylor.

Houston Nutt: Currently working as an analyst for CBS Sports, Nutt would like to make one more run at it after stints at Arkansas and Ole Miss. He has experience recruiting in the state of Texas while at Ole Miss and Arkansas and is now living in Dallas.

Jake Spavital: Only 29 years old, Spavital is the latest offensive wiz to set up shop at Texas A&M. He’s in his first full season of calling plays for the Aggies, who haven’t skipped a beat with Kenny Hill stepping in for Johnny Manziel at quarterback. In addition to Sumlin, Spavital has also worked under Gus Malzahn, Dana Holgorsen and Kliff Kingsbury.

Brent Venables: Hart and Venables were once together at Oklahoma, so they already have a connection. Venables is now in his third season as the defensive coordinator at Clemson and has 18 years of experience as a college assistant. He’s an excellent recruiter, and if Hart decides to go defense, could be a prime candidate.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/colleges ... ies-at-smu

[blackoutpony]

Pretty incredible that ESPN is talking about us as much as they have been since Monday. It can only help IMO. If ED would just keep his mouth shut we'd be golden

[SMU 86]

Good candidates.

[floridianstang]

Chad Morris with David Beaty as OC would be the dream team. Similar to the Art Briles/Montgomery pairing.

[Pony Fan]

Chad Morris with David Beaty as OC would be the dream team. Similar to the Art Briles/Montgomery pairing.

Let's do it.

[SMUstangs22]

How much money would it take to get Beaty to accept OC?

[floridianstang]

How much money would it take to get Beaty to accept OC?

Beaty makes $359K at A&M right now as WR/Recruiting http://247sports.com/Coach/David-Beaty-681

Assuming Morris gets signed at $2.5M, we would be looking at something $500K+. I'm thinking close to $800K/yr (which would be competitive, since Morris is the highest paid OC @ $1.3M)

[floridianstang]

Hmmm, Spavital makes $383K at A&M being OC.
That would probably put Beaty at $500K exact or $800K if we want him to be our coach in waiting.

http://247sports.com/Coach/Jake-Spavital-1330

[SMUstangs22]

Go get both for 650 each as co coordinators! Hah

[SMU21TCU10]

I don't understand Venables. It seems like Clemson has given up a lot of points when playing good teams the last few years, and I always though OUs defense was terrible when he was there. Maybe I am mistaken though.

[SMU 86]

How much money would it take to get Beaty to accept OC?

Beaty makes $359K at A&M right now as WR/Recruiting http://247sports.com/Coach/David-Beaty-681

Assuming Morris gets signed at $2.5M, we would be looking at something $500K+. I'm thinking close to $800K/yr (which would be competitive, since Morris is the highest paid OC @ $1.3M)

If we get Morris as HC would he even want Beaty as OC or would he want his own guy?

[floridianstang]

How much money would it take to get Beaty to accept OC?

Beaty makes $359K at A&M right now as WR/Recruiting http://247sports.com/Coach/David-Beaty-681

Assuming Morris gets signed at $2.5M, we would be looking at something $500K+. I'm thinking close to $800K/yr (which would be competitive, since Morris is the highest paid OC @ $1.3M)

If we get Morris as HC would he even want Beaty as OC or would he want his own guy?

You bring a good point. But Beaty has DFW locked down and is Aggie's best recruiter. OC and definitely head coach may lure him here. Morris may want to think about it if we do have the ability to bring him an all star supporting cast.

[SMU 86]

The thing is I would not want to force a staff on the new coach but if Morris wanted him then I think we should give it our best to get him. Just may take on it.

[SMU 86]

Chad Morris with David Beaty as OC would be the dream team. Similar to the Art Briles/Montgomery pairing.

One more thing, since Morris and Beaty are going for the same HC job, if Morris got the job would Beaty even consider being OC at the place that he was also trying to be HC?

[SMU 86]

Pretty incredible that ESPN is talking about us as much as they have been since Monday.

Let's hope the press coverage continues since we are in coach search mode ad no one else is.