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Who is Minnesota's next coach ?

  • KnightRyder
    it wasnt that long ago that mark mangino was supposedly contacted by minnesota
  • Manhattan Buckeye
    Don't see Sarkisian leaving, they actually might be bowl eligible (I assume they'll bet wazzou) this year, which is borderline a miracle given the sad shape of the program Willinham left it in. Plus they've beat USC two years in a row.
  • Non
    how about Guz Malzahn?

    he'll have to hire somebody else to coach the defense but you know he'll have a good offense
  • gorocks99
    http://1500espn.com/sportswire/Gophers_football_a_new_phase_in_the_coaching_search112310
    From a source Tuesday afternoon, here's the latest on the Gophers' search for a head coach:

    • The research phase seems to be complete. They have a good idea on who is willing to take the job. Athletic director Joel Maturi has made some trips recently. My source was told that he has focused a ton of attention on Air Force (Troy Calhoun), San Diego State (Brady Hoke), and Temple (Al Golden). Presumably, Maturi hopped on an airplane for one reason: to talk to some/all of these candidates. The source wasn't sure how many others are in the mix. But clearly those three very much are.

    • Maturi also has researched the "deep south", the source said. He wasn't quite sure what that meant. My own speculation makes me think of Southern Mississippi's Larry Fedora.

    • Houston's Kevin Sumlin is spending more time thinking about the opening in Boulder. His interest in the Gophers, or lack-there-of, is telling. Also, the Parker Search Firm hasn't been in contact with Sumlin/his representative for some time. This all could be a part of the "game." However, this source said he would not bet on Sumlin landing here.

    • It's becoming extremely likely that the "U" will hire a current head coach.
  • Ty Webb

    Out of those I would prefer Calhoun. Would be nice to see a verison of the Double Wing in the Big 10
  • gorocks99
    http://www.footballscoop.com/the-scoop
    Minnesota: We have just been told that Brady Hoke, Paul Chryst, Troy Calhoun, and Randy Edsall have all informed Minnesota AD Joel Maturi that they are not interested in the head coaching job at Minnesota.
    With all those names coming out and saying they're "not interested" it leads me to believe the University has their guy lined up and is close to sealing the deal. Either that, or our AD is a dolt.
  • jordo212000
    Al Golden would be a great hire for them
  • thedynasty1998
    Haven't read this entire thread, but has the coach at Minnesota Duluth been mentioned? I believe they are a D2 powerhouse, and he's obviously an in-state guy so he knows the HS coaches in the area and can recruit.

    I know they won the NC a few years ago and are ranked #1 in the country right now.
  • gorocks99
    thedynasty1998;580666 wrote:Haven't read this entire thread, but has the coach at Minnesota Duluth been mentioned? I believe they are a D2 powerhouse, and he's obviously an in-state guy so he knows the HS coaches in the area and can recruit.

    I know they won the NC a few years ago and are ranked #1 in the country right now.

    Hasn't been mentioned here, but he has been brought up on other sites I frequent. Overwhelming response is "no" as a coach moving from D-II to BCS conference is virtually unheard of. I would not be thrilled with the hire.

    Side note, talk seems to be heating up; I expect we'll know who the next coach is within 72 hours.
  • thedynasty1998
    gorocks99;580705 wrote:Hasn't been mentioned here, but he has been brought up on other sites I frequent. Overwhelming response is "no" as a coach moving from D-II to BCS conference is virtually unheard of. I would not be thrilled with the hire.

    Side note, talk seems to be heating up; I expect we'll know who the next coach is within 72 hours.

    Normally I would agree with you about the jump, but this is Minnesota. We are not talking about a team that is going to win a National Championship. They need someone who knows the state and has credibility within.

    I know for every Tressel there are many others who don't succeed, but making the jump from D2 really isn't different than 1AA. And we are talking about Ohio State. One of the top 5 jobs in the country. If it was good enough for Ohio State, it would certainly be acceptable for Minnesota.
  • thedynasty1998
    Also, Brian Kelly was a D2 guy for years. Sure he took steps to get to Notre Dame, but Minnesota could be considered as a stepping stone job.
  • centralbucksfan
    thedynasty1998;580710 wrote:Normally I would agree with you about the jump, but this is Minnesota. We are not talking about a team that is going to win a National Championship. They need someone who knows the state and has credibility within.

    I know for every Tressel there are many others who don't succeed, but making the jump from D2 really isn't different than 1AA. And we are talking about Ohio State. One of the top 5 jobs in the country. If it was good enough for Ohio State, it would certainly be acceptable for Minnesota.
    I would agree with this for the most part. The only issue being recruiting. A place like OSU does quite a bit in recruiting itself. Minny on the other hand, isn't to turn heads with as bad as they have been in a while. So they may need a successful "name" coach at a somewhat major place to get things going. Bit of a risk going with a no name guy at a place like Minny. The plus being that this guy is in Minnesota.
  • gyea36
    I'd really want someone to focus on an exciting style of football...ie the spread. I know winning helps excitement, but it seems like MN needs some electricity and quickly. I would still be all about Leach or someone like him. Create some buzz.
  • thedynasty1998
    But he's probably not a "no name" in Minnesota. He's probably well known, as Tressel was at YSU. Minnesota is going to have to take baby steps. They are not going to hit a home run and turn into a national power. But if they can get a coach in place who can recruit Minnesota, and then hire some assistants with midwest connections, I think it's a great start.

    This just seems like a no brainer to me, but what the hell do I know?
  • thedynasty1998
    gyea36;580744 wrote:I'd really want someone to focus on an exciting style of football...ie the spread. I know winning helps excitement, but it seems like MN needs some electricity and quickly. I would still be all about Leach or someone like him. Create some buzz.

    The buzz will be in place with the new stadium and a new coach. No reason for a gimmicky offense, unless they think that that coach is the best option.
  • gorocks99
    Larry Fedora (Southern Miss) is the latest name getting buzz. Twin Cities media and Tom Dienhart (Rivals) are all over him today.
  • mucalum49
    Tom Dienhart tweeted that Randy Shannon could be a "Tubby Smith type" hire. Also, Former BC and current Omaha UFL coach Jeff Jagodzinski is another candidate to watch.
  • gorocks99
    Yep, rumors are that the Minnesota AD has spoken with Jags and Shannon has inquired about the job as well. Neither of them do much for me - Jags b/c of his less-than-stellar exits at BC and Tampa Bay, Shannon b/c he couldn't win a lot with great players (what's he gonna do with marginal ones?).

    I'm holding out hope for Mullen (the word is he's asking for 5 years, $25 million, to be divided among him and his staff) but I think Miami has to close before he talks to the Gophers.
  • thedynasty1998
    Shannon would just be another Brewster.

    The Jagodzinski name is very interesting!
  • centralbucksfan
    mucalum49;583325 wrote:Tom Dienhart tweeted that Randy Shannon could be a "Tubby Smith type" hire. Also, Former BC and current Omaha UFL coach Jeff Jagodzinski is another candidate to watch.

    A Tubby Smith type hire? LMAO Only because they are both black! Tubby had a national title and was HIGHLY successful coach at Georgia and UK. Shannon hasn't done jackshit as a head coach. That is a laughable comparison!
  • gorocks99
    Mike Leach really wants the job: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/01/1549045/mike-leach-interested-in-minnesota.html
    "It's like buying real estate - you want a situation where it's undervalued so you can turn it into something," said the 49-year-old Leach, who went 84-43 and never had a losing season in his decade in Lubbock. "That's a program that's under-utilized, that has a lot of advantages but is just lying dormant. . . . I would enjoy the challenge."
    "The most important positions are offensive linemen and defensive linemen. You can walk to the grocery store up there (in Minnesota) and find guys who could be good ones," Leach said. "And nobody in the Big Ten utilizes the skill positions like we do. The fans would rally around it, would get excited about the program. That's what I bring to the table."
  • enigmaax
    gorocks99;584728 wrote:Mike Leach really wants the job: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/01/1549045/mike-leach-interested-in-minnesota.html

    Here's what I liked about that article:

    "Leach has a strong personality, and reports have circulated that the coach offended the Gophers delegation at events leading up to the 2006 Insight Bowl, and came across as arrogant. The coach denied doing anything objectionable - "except pulling off that comeback and beating them," 44-41 after trailing by 31 points, the biggest rally in bowl history.

    Leach said Maturi "seemed like a nice guy. I enjoyed his company. But if they're basing (the hire) on how you're dressed or something, rather than winning football games, they're doomed to repeating history."
  • gorocks99
    Quite a large segment of Gopher fans want him as the next coach. I'm on the fence but would be behind him 100% if he's the guy.
  • centralbucksfan
    gorocks99;584748 wrote:Quite a large segment of Gopher fans want him as the next coach. I'm on the fence but would be behind him 100% if he's the guy.

    On the fence? Not sure why. IF I were a Minny fan, I'd take Leach in a heart beat. His the kind of guy who could get Minny going. He is a name coach, and one that was successful. Obviously some controversy. But, thats not always a bad thing. I think he is worth a chance. He would make them competative again.
  • gorocks99
    I'm not sure he could find the same caliber of players to run his system as he got in Texas in Minnesota, and there's always the whole "loose cannon" thing (which wouldn't necessarily fly with the fanbase). I'm sure he'd win games, but not sure he wouldn't do something insane in 3 or 4 years that would make us all go "huh"? I'd be happier with Dan Mullen, but it appears that Miami has their targets on him now that Gruden is out of the picture.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the guy could win games and he'd be a riot to listen to during press conferences. But at the same time, I think you exhaust the few better options before coming to him.

    That said, Minnesota's AD is a dolt and won't even talk to Leach. You can count on that.