Who do you want as SMU's next head coach?

[BRStang]

Troy Brown HC at Troy and his contract must includes his present defensive coord.

I think you mean Neal Brown. I think he could be a good candidate for us, but I would be concerned about the lack of Texas ties/experience. IMHO we need someone who can step in to the relationships already in place with Texas HS coaches to not miss out on a year of recruiting.

Correct I meant Neal Brown (had Troy on my mind) He was o. coord. at Texas Tech 2008-2010 so can recruit here plus he can go out of state and get us some interior defensive linemen.

I had forgotten about his short stint at TT under Tuberville.

[Top Twenty]

To pull this all together, Ron Meyer was easily the greatest recruiter this school ever had. From Day One, and he had zero Texas ties. If Neal Brown is the best coach and a fit, we should go get him.

[Top Twenty]

Neal Brown ran the ball to beat LSU.

[BRStang]

Looking back on our coaching hires over the years, I guess my biggest takeaway (if anything) is that we really, really should look to someone (1) who likes to and is good at recruiting; and (2) has Texas connections. Of the 18 or so coaching candidates that I have looked at in this single evening, I guess right now my focus would be on:

1. Les Miles: Former National Championship Head coach, has recruited Texas (and Southeast) well and is a proven recruiter, and instant splash and publicity. Would be a huge get IMHO, especially given the current slate of candidates. Could even be a stop gap. We'd be mentioned on ESPN regularly.

2. Blake Anderson (Arky State): Somewhat of a proven winner HC, good recruiter and has Texas ties. Fits the bill.

3. Frank Wilson (UTSA): HC with demonstrated, although limited, success. Got the #1 recruiting class in C-USA last year (69th overall- not too shabby for friggin UTSA), some developing Texas ties. Also has ties to LA.

Whatever we do, don't overlook the importance of Texas connections, influence and respect!

Edit: I did not list Mack Brown, because he is a washed up has-been and I don't like him anyway; nor Sumlin or Kiffin b/c I don't think they are candidates for this job.

How does Todd Graham not fit yours and or really anyone's requirements? Texas born recruiter as well as Texas connected. Has had some pretty impressive classes with multiple 4 star recruits. Runs an offense that will suit our current roster. Was known for changing a dismal culture at ASU. Has won big games.

Negatives: Has been known to jump ship. Who cares? If he make us better, he can leave (see Chad). The days of a coach staying for their career is sadly gone. Hasn't really competed for the Pac12 in recent years. I can't really speak to that. I don't pay enough attention to their conference if someone wants to fill me in. First three years, better than we have had at SMU since the death penalty. The last three years, on par with the season we just had, but against much better teams.

I'm no expert, and don't claim to be one, but I need someone to breakdown the reasons why we wouldn't want this guy.

Oh, and please don't tell me because he will leave at the first chance he gets. That is the way of the NCAA head football coach. Leaving means he did something.

To me, Graham is a d!ck who hasn't done jack in the PAC 12. I don't know, for me, personality and cuthe carry some weight, especially when the guy hasn't done much at his last stop. Seem like the proverbial "retread" everyone seems to loathe. There are plenty of other retreads out there we could interview besides Graham.

[Stallion]

Graham checks off a lot of factors that we should be considering. He does rub some the wrong way by running from every job. But he's 53 and DFW is really his "home"--if he was committed to staying he might be at that perfect age where he's young enough but wants to stay. He started the trend of hiring and seasoning high school coaches. In fact, he himself made a quick jump from high school to College Head Coach. His "family tree" and identification of young bright assistants is one of the best in college football history. 9 Bowl games in 12 years-really 10 if he hadn't been fired. First or 2nd in Division at Arizona St in 4 out of 6 years

[mustangxc]

I think Graham could be our Patterson, including emulating him in the not so indulging aspects lol!

[BRStang]

Neal Brown ran the ball to beat LSU.

Yep. Is that supposed to be some type of burn or something.

[sbsmith]

How does Todd Graham not fit yours and or really anyone's requirements?

He's the best fit for this job as far as retreads go. He's coached at a couple of small private schools so coaching here wouldn't be a culture shock like it would be for someone like Miles or Sumlin.

[Stallion]

Assistants under Graham who have become head coaches:

Gus Malzahn: Arkansas State (2012), Auburn (2013–present)
Chad Morris: SMU (2015–present)
David Beaty: Kansas (2015–present)
Mike Norvell: Memphis (2016–present)
Major Applewhite: Houston (2016–present)
Jay Norvell: Nevada (2017–present)

there are more coordinators too

I'm not saying we should hire the guy but I'd want my AD to have him on the List

[SMU_Alum11]

Sounds like he would be a good AD...

[BUS]

Can we spell it this way... SMULIN?

[Comet]

Assistants under Graham who have become head coaches:

Gus Malzahn: Arkansas State (2012), Auburn (2013–present)
Chad Morris: SMU (2015–present)
David Beaty: Kansas (2015–present)
Mike Norvell: Memphis (2016–present)
Major Applewhite: Houston (2016–present)
Jay Norvell: Nevada (2017–present)

there are more coordinators too

I'm not saying we should hire the guy but I'd want my AD to have him on the List

Another thing to note is that he's somewhat familiar with the schools we play against (including us). All that time at Rice and Tulsa, plus his high school experience at Allen makes Graham a close to a no-brainer for me. As much as I would want a sexy new up and comer, Graham might be the best shot that SMU has at a coach that checks most of our boxes and might actually stay for a bit.

[WolfFan]

The problem with Les Miles is he will be taking a step down from LSU to SMU.... he just couldn’t adjust to the difference in game day atmosphere, program resources etc.
now Blake Anderson..... he would be a good hire. Step up to the AAC- cradle of P5 coaches.

Funny part is most of our coaches have left for the P5, no stop in the AAC. Freeze to Ole Miss (how the might have fallen), Mahlzan to Auburn and, not a P5, Harsin to Boise. But I agree this would be a good stop for Blake if he was offered.

[redpony]

IIRC Sumlin got a one-time payment from the f-aggies. IMO the issue with he and Miles is if they could adjust to coaching at a small private school after being at much larger institutions.

[TidePony]

The Larry Brown model worked, maybe we could catch lightning in a bottle twice with Les Miles. Know one is interested in him now. He knows he has to have an innovative power spread offense (he learned that the hard way), and defense under Miles would be terrific. He’s a good coach, has hardware, and every recruit and high school coach in Texas knows him well.