Throwing Coaching Crap Against The Wall To See What Sticks

[Spiderman]

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.

[Irondawg]

Good points. I think they end up with Luke and if ARK can't get Malzahn, I could see them at least talking to Sumlin.

I think Strick will try to hire Kelly but we'll see if he gets his way

[Reason2succeed]

Could Gus pull a fast one and end at TN? You heard it here first!!! TN is a better job than Arky and is about equal to Auburn. His clock resets at TN. Since TN ain't getting Gruden and probably isn't getting Kelly over Florida, Gus is the next best option.

Matt Luke will be the OM coach in 2018. It makes sense on all sides. Let him ride the probation through and then they can get someone slightly better with a clean slate.

A&M will end up with Morris and their fanbase will still be pissed.

Florida may get Kelly or end up with Frost.

Norvell to Arky or TN if Gus doesn't do the above.

Auburn will be screwed in this scenario. Couldn't happen to a better bunch. They may be forced to call Les Miles and their fanbase will explode in anger. It will be beautiful.

All the while a certain lonely beaver will have to console himself with the help of some willing tree huggers.

[Todd4State]

Here's the thing about Luke- would Freeze have done any better this year? At worst he's going to have the same record as Freeze last year. Maybe Freeze would have beaten Cal Berkley but that's about it.

[Coldsleeve Jr.]

I know Gus coached in Ark at one time but is that like his dream job? Why would he leave Auburn for Arkansas?

[Todd4State]

I know Gus coached in Ark at one time but is that like his dream job? Why would he leave Auburn for Arkansas?

He actually played at Arkansas for a couple of years and used to coach high school football there- including at Springdale which is just outside of Fayetteville. I could see him coaching at Arkansas one day for sure.

I'm not sure if it's his dream job but it's probably up there.

[Maroonthirteen]

WPS can tell this story better than i but....from what i remember the Tyson chicken people love Malzahn. Nutt did not want to hire Malzahn but Tyson told Nutt he was hiring Malzahn or else...... With that, Malzahn got his foot in the door.

Malzahn would most certain bolt to Ark if the Aubies give him shit after the IB. Good relationship with the big booster and the only show in the state.

[msbulldog]

WPS can tell this story better than i but....from what i remember the Tyson chicken people love Malzahn. Nutt did not want to hire Malzahn but Tyson told Nutt he was hiring Malzahn or else...... With that, Malzahn got his foot in the door.

Malzahn would most certain bolt to Ark if the Aubies give him shit after the IB. Good relationship with the big booster and the only show in the state.

Malzahn was Mitch Mustains high school coach. Nutt hired Malzahn to make sure Mustain came to U of A.

[Maroonthirteen]

Malzahn was Mitch Mustains high school coach. Nutt hired Malzahn to make sure Mustain came to U of A.

Correct. However Mom Mustain was threatening de commitment at one point of the recruiting process. Because Nutts offense was perceived as unimaginative. Then came the push from Tyson to hire Malzahn to keep the Springdale kids and Nutt wasn't for that. Until he was told he would be for it or else.

[dickiedawg]

To me it would make sense because Gus is tired of being on the "hot seat" continually. That seems crazy to say when they're having a great season, but the line between 9-3 and 7-5 is not that wide. I could see him thinking he's got better job security at Arkansas.
(Part of why the Mullen to... rumors don't get me riled up until a true blue blood opens up. He's really got it made in Starkville.)

[WPS]

WPS can tell this story better than i but....from what i remember the Tyson chicken people love Malzahn. Nutt did not want to hire Malzahn but Tyson told Nutt he was hiring Malzahn or else...... With that, Malzahn got his foot in the door.

Malzahn would most certain bolt to Ark if the Aubies give him shit after the IB. Good relationship with the big booster and the only show in the state.

I think his wife will have more influence on this than many people realize. They were very involved in a megachurch up here who has a lot of pull politically and Kristi's parents still live here and are getting up there in age so she may want to be closer to them. Springdale (where he coached) is the home of Tyson so their boosters like him. It's a weird dynamic because most of the common fans here don't like him, but the big money in Northwest Arkansas do.

[Jack Lambert]

I think his wife will have more influence on this than many people realize. They were very involved in a megachurch up here who has a lot of pull politically and Kristi's parents still live here and are getting up there in age so she may want to be closer to them. Springdale (where he coached) is the home of Tyson so their boosters like him. It's a weird dynamic because most of the common fans here don't like him, but the big money in Northwest Arkansas do.

Are the Waffle House more taste in Arkansas?

[Jack Lambert]

I know Gus coached in Ark at one time but is that like his dream job? Why would he leave Auburn for Arkansas?

You don't have to live in Alabama.

[Leroy Jenkins]

Sharps think Kelly is waiting on UCLA. It’s in LA and an easier path to natty.

[Todd4State]

Sharps think Kelly is waiting on UCLA. It’s in LA and an easier path to natty.

I don't know about that. He would be going up against USC for players. Probably Stanford as well.

[TUSK]

Sharps think Kelly is waiting on UCLA. It’s in LA and an easier path to natty.

Did the basketball start, already???

[dawgday166]

Did the basketball start, already???

LOL .. yea. I was SMH on that one too.

[Leroy Jenkins]

I don't know about that. He would be going up against USC for players. Probably Stanford as well.

Did the basketball start, already???

If you dont think winning the Pac12 is easier than winning the SEC, I cant help you. Recruiting wise, if he can get Cali and Texas kids to Oregon he can get them to LA.

[Spiderman]

Sharps think Kelly is waiting on UCLA. It’s in LA and an easier path to natty.

I could see that. It's all about the fit when you are in a position like Kelly and can be choosy. Kelly is in the catbird seat and can just sit back and decide.

[Leroy Jenkins]

Sharps think Kelly is waiting on UCLA. It?s in LA and an easier path to natty.

Tick tock. Tick tock.