Throwing Coaching Crap Against The Wall To See What Sticks
Unlike most years, there is not really a sure fire hot commodity that any school would want as their new HC this year, which is bad for those hiring, and even worse if you aren't one of the Big Dogs hiring.
Now there could always be that "Oh wow" didn't see that coming hire like Bert to Arky, but other than that it's different this year. Last year was the Herman sweepstakes. This year it's the Scott Frost, a guy with 2 years experience and a good record vs less than top competition sweepstakes..
Or 2 guys who are out of coaching.
I'd be shocked to see Gruden go to Tn., though I do think they will throw the bank at him.
I think Kelly ends up there or Fla. if offered either. Frost could get the other, or Neb.
But other than those, who else would totally fire up anyone looking for a coach's fanbase?
Only one.... Malazahn to Arky if they fire Bert as expected. If State rolls Saturday, he is done.
If A&M loses this weekend, which Vegas and myself think happens, Sumlin is done.
So theoretically , Ark. and A&M are gonna be open too.
Outside Gus to Ark., who could either hire to excite those fans?
The Iron Bowl will have a BIG effect. If Bama wins, Gus is I would say 50/50 to go to Ark. If Aub. wins, Arky is SOL.
Hold a gun to my head, I say Kelly, Fuente or Frost to Fla. Kelly, Frost or Novell to Tn. Gus or Norvell to Ark. Morris to A&M. If Aub. opens up, that will be very very interesting.
Which brings us to the Land That Time Forgot.
They will have to watch Fla., Tn, A&M, and either Ark. or Aub. get 1st dibs. They have no shot at Frost or Kelly anyway, but they still would have to watch 3 others they would love to have go to others.
So who's left? Neal Brown, Frank Wilson, Bill Clark, Jay Hopson, maybe McIntyre?
I think they will really know the minute the Egg Bowl ends. If they beat A&M, and are competitive or God forbid win the Egg, Luke will be their coach.
For many reasons.
Are those left to chose from any better? Would any of them have gone 6-6 or 7-5 at OM this year? No telling, but Luke did it. As far as Hopson, is there really any difference in he and Luke?
Luke loves OM more than life and hates State as much.
He would never leave for another job, unlike anyone else who will jump at the next opportunity.
He will kiss the boosters asses, and he knows which ones to kiss.
Recruiting will slowly go back to the way it always has, he knows how it's done there more than anybody.
He would take it for what he's making now. Others would demand more, lots more. And is any coach that they can hire actually worth that much?
I see where most OM fans think they can do way better than Luke. With who?
They want somebody to get fired up about, just like the other schools hiring, but that guy isn't out there, IMO, not just for OM, but for a lot of schools not named Florida and maybe TN. Or Arky if they get lucky with Gus. Who out there, that they could get, would truly energize the OM fanbase?
So OM Fan, if you don't want Luke, you better hope he loses to A&M and State rolls him.
Otherwise, I'm laying a bet he is your HC next year.