Blog Hawgs SEC Coaching Carousel Predictions–11/12/12
Posted by Adam Butler on November 11, 2012
Typically at this time in this space, regardless of score, I do a post-mortem on the Hogs’ performance in the previous game.
I just don’t have it in me at this point. I am sure you won’t mind. I sense that interest in the 2012 Arkansas Razorbacks season has bottomed out.
Why don’t we do something fun for a change and look ahead?
Arkansas’ job is obviously going to be open in 12 days. The same can be said for the Kentucky job (give or take a day).
Published reports of firings and putrid on-field performance for two teams with coaches on the flaming hot seat–Auburn and Tennessee suggest both will be replacing their head coaches.
So, let’s resort to speculation & conjecture. If you can’t do that at the end of a miserable season, when can you?
Here’s what I want: For each school, name the coach you think will be hired, as well as the coach you hope is hired, and finally the coach you hope isn’t hired. Confusing?
I’ll start it off and maybe it will make more sense. Post your answers as comments.
Let’s also try to live up to our (at least a bit better than slap dash) standards and keep the choices within the realm of possibility. I would be happy to leave the Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders predictions on other sites.
Kentucky: I think Willie Taggert of Western Kentucky will be hired. I hope The Former Mississippi Coach is hired. I hope Bobby Petrino is not hired.
Auburn: I think Gus Malzahn of Arkansas State will be hired. I hope he is hired. I hope Bobby Petrino is not hired (sound familiar?).
Tennessee: I think former UT assistant Coach David Cutcliffe will be hired. I hope Rick Stockstill of Middle Tennessee State is hired. I hope….yup, you guessed it…..Bobby Petrino is not hired.
Arkansas: I think Gary Patterson of TCU will be hired (I base this solely off of a few semi-plugged in people feeling confident enough to go on record with it–namely Pete Roussel (coachingsearch.com) and Bo Mattingly (Sports Talk With Bo). I hope James Franklin of Vanderbilt is hired. I hope Mark Hudspeth of Louisiana Lafeyette is not hired.
Arkansas bonus picks: If not Patterson, I think it will be Tommy Tuberville of Texas Tech. If not Franklin, I would be happy if Arkansas hired either Patterson or Cincinnati’s Butch Jones.
I, with all of my being, hope neither Malzahn nor Clemson’s Dabo Swinney are hired by the Hogs.
DD Fain said
Malzahn stays put. Taggert to KY, Charlie Strong to Auburn, Cutcliffe to TN, Patterson to Arkansas. Bonus pick: Petrino to Texas as OC and coach in waiting.
Adam Butler said
Interesting, DD.
I think Malzahn leaves Jonesboro St. and crawls to AU if offered.
I certainly don’t think he came to NEA with the intent to retire at ASU and I doubt he will have better options than he may in the next few weeks. His worshippers have really hurt his chances of ever getting his dream job–Arkansas.
Your Petrino prediction would make sense, but if Mack has any pull left (and I am sure he does) he isn’t allowing someone like Petrino to be his OC and HCIW.
They are polar opposites.
DD Fain said
I believe Malzahn is out to prove he’s as good a coach at a smaller school as Pederson at Boise St. At ASU he is Lord and Master. I believe he likes the slower pace of the smaller school and doesn’t have the boosters breathing down his back.
And talking about boosters: I think the Texas boosters are tired of paying the top salary and finishing 4th and down in the Big 12 (8). I think they’ll pressure Mack to go after Petrino and offer 1.5 to 2 mil for him to be OC. And I don’t see Mack at Texas more than 2 more years.
Adam Butler said
I’ve seen the Boise comparison. I cannot imagine any scenario by which it happens.
I have no doubt, though, that Gus’ worshippers truly believe that it will.
IMO, Gus is out the door if he is offered a major D1 HC job–especially AU (or Ark–but that isn’t happening).
DD Fain said
No Arkansas isn’t happening for him, YET. He is to polarizing a figure here right now. And I’m not one that is on the Gus Bus. I love the Hogs and like the Indians (Red Wolves). When it comes to ASU they’ll never have a coach as good as Lacewell was.
Andrew C. Thompson said
Adam — Why wouldn’t you mention Charles Strong as a viable and attractive HC candidate for Arkansas? Surely he would be better than Tuberville at this point in Tuberville’s career. And wasn’t he a Batesville Pioneer back in the day?
Adam Butler said
Rev ACT–
I have mentioned Charlie Strong several times in this corner of cyberspace as a viable and attractive candidate. I just didn’t include him here because the list isn’t exhaustive.
Also, I think Strong is staying at Louisville. Yes, I know EVERY coach says that but, he has been adamant and has cited the fact that the LOU brass gave him a chance after he had interviewed and been passed over many times by other schools. He sounds like a guy who is thankful for his long overdue shot and is going to reward LOU with loyalty. I could be wrong. As you point out, he is from Batesville.
As for Tuberville, he, too, is from AR (Camden) and has long been intrigued by the job. This may be a bit of a reverse jinx effort on my part. Tuberville is a high-end “Jeffy”.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbloghawgs.com%2F2012%2F10%2F16%2Fon-the-arkansas-coaching-search-beware-of-jeffy%2F&ei=iBChUMCHB4j8qwHw5YDYCg&usg=AFQjCNH1XDrtRXZ1N9BATN8hQq1Yqg-nXQ
Andrew C. Thompson said
Fair enough. (And thanks for the link. I didn’t realize you had replied to my question on the Jeffy post. Thought I had subscribed to that comment string, but perhaps not.)
Since we’re on the subject of potential hires with Arkansas roots, please rank the following: Ricky Timbs, Richard Shelby, Gene Weeks, Bill Weeks, and Coach Carter.
All have legitimate Arkansas ties that could help recruiting. All have head coaching experience except Coach Carter. But in his case, he has an advantage in being able to invoke “Coach Carter’s Rules” if a play goes the wrong way to give the Hogs another chance. That is the kind of thing that practically no other coach can bring to the table.
Adam Butler said
For those who don’t know, this is a list of ’80s-’90s FB coaches in Greene County, AR. Their combined winning % is probably around 30%.
1. Coach Carter–never lost a game. Feathered hair.
2. Bill Weeks–Real potential, but was always passed over. I wonder why?
3. Richard Shelby–I am just scared to rank him any lower.
4. Ricky Timbs–Won a state title at a school with a man’s forename. Used the same 2 quotes in every interview.
5. Gene Weeks–Probably the best coach of the bunch. But, he has 2 strikes against him. He started Kris Boyd and he produced a QB that went on to be a Gussite.
Maukavelli said
Wasn’t Kris a big hitter, though?
Adam Butler said
His name is Kristen. You tell me.
Hail to the Kristor said
The problem with Gene Weeks is similar to that of Jon Gruden. They are both out of coaching and see how life on the other side is less time consuming.
Kris "The Rubber Mallett" Boyd said
@Maukavelli: If by “big hitter” you mean “avoid at all costs” then, yes, I was a HUGE hitter.
@Adam: Charlton Cupp is a Gussite?
Adam Butler said
Rev ACT–
You can’t weigh in on the SEC Coaching Carousel and then not weigh in with your own picks. It’s one of Coach Carter’s Rules.
Maukavelli said
Auburn – Think it will be Charlie Strong. Wish it would be Butch Davis (b/c just imagine how much cheatin’ he would do there, but he’s not clever enough not to get caught. NOTE: this opinion goes away if he’s hired by the Hogs because I don’t want to think about it.). Hope it’s not Paul Rhoades (although I don’t think Auburn goes to IA State twice in a row).
Kentucky – Think it will be David Cutcliffe (although why he’d want to try this is beyond me. Is Duke THAT much worse than Kentucky right now?). Wish it would be Willie Taggert (seems like a good guy who would fit in there). Hope it’s not Sonny Dykes (because he’s just good enough to get them competitive about the same time they roll back onto our schedule).
Tennessee – Think it will be Kirby Smart. Wish it will be Phil Fulmer. Hope it’s not Jon Gruden (although I’m not convinced he’d make a good college coach, but I’d rather not find out with him in the SEC).
Arkansas – Think it will be Patterson. Wish it’s Patterson. Hope that it’s not anyone other than Patterson. I’m going suicide on Patterson, folks.
Which means, TCU will be open – Think it will be Gus Malzahn (nobody else thought of this? He’s perfect for them. Christian school. Big town. Lots of rich housewives to supply his wife with Vicodin. One step closer for him to end up as HC of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s all there.) Wish it will be Dan Hawkins (college football is better with him in. At least the unintentional comedy factor is.). Hope it’s not Dick Bumpas as a promotion because that means he’s not coming home to F’ville.
BMFP ends up at Idaho or Southern Miss.
Kroaching Search said
Auburn: I think it will be Charlie Strong. I wish it would be Kirby Smart (too funny for Auburn to snag BAMA’s DC who I think is a figurehead anyway). I hope it is not Bobby Petrino.
Kentucky: I think it will be Bobby Petrino. I wish it were Kevin Kelly (what does KY football have to lose?). I hope it is not Bobby Petrino (like Mauk said; they’ll roll onto our schedule).
Tennessee: I think it will be Sonny Dykes. I wish it were Kirby Smart (same as above). I hope it is not… ditto with Mauk.
Arkansas: I think it will be Gary Patterson. I wish it would be Chris Petersen. I hope it’s not (my list is long) Gundy, Malzahn, Smart, Holgerson, Mullen, Ferentz, Tedford, Rhoades or anyone else other than James Franklin.
Adam Butler said
Maukavelli–
Nice. Very Nice.
Kim said
I definately would like to see someone with good recruiting ties to Texas. I think Arkansas should step up it’s recruiting in Texas.
Brain said
Here goes:
Kentucky
- Think: Mark Hudspeth. Mainly to be different and not have Taggert, plus with Hudspeth’s history as SEC assistant and nice showing against Florida.
- Hope: Houston Nutt. ’cause the SEC media days just isn’t the same without this quote machine.
Tennessee
- Think: Charlie Strong. After a couple of young eventual embarrassing hires, they go with a more reserved, no nonsense, seasoned coach.
- Hope: Kirby Smart. Like Maukavelli, I came close to putting him in the think with Sunsieri already there as a DC, but in the end don’t think they will go back to back Saban disciples.
Auburn
- Think: Malazahn. After going the route of a defensive coach last time, Auburn does a 180(k) and goes the offensive route that, in the eyes of many Plainsmen fans, was the HC for their NC in 2010.
- Hope: ditto with Malazahn
Arkansas
- Think: Patterson. As has been stated, a defensive tandem of him and Arkansas alum Bumpus, that brings a Texas recruiting presence seems to be a win/win for the Hogs.
- Hope: Jason Garrett, as long as former Cowboy teammate Deion Sanders comes as his recruiting coordinator / defensive backs coach.
Adam Butler said
Brain–
180(k).
You complete me.
Maukavelli said
The problem with bringing Deion is that then Kris would want to go to all the games, and his track record of being at Razorback games is atrocious. He’d single-handedly kill any bonus we’d get from having Prime Time on the sideline.
Kris "Friday Night Death Slot" Boyd said
I’m sorry. I blacked out at the thought of Deion being on our staff. What happened?
Brett Kincaid said
Kentucky: I think Willie Taggert of Western Kentucky will be hired. I hope Dave Wanstedt is hired. I hope Bobby Petrino is not hired.
Auburn: I think Gus Malzahn will be hired. I hope Houston Nutt is hired. I hope Tommy Tubberville is not re-hired.
Tennessee: I think David Cutcliffe will be hired solely because that’s a program that needs stability and maturity. (I think he’s a 4-to-5 year coach that can get them consistently winning). I hope Mark Mangino is hired. I hope James Franklin is not hired.
Arkansas: I think Charlie Strong will be hired, despite the growing drumbeat for Patterson. I hope James Franklin of Vanderbilt is hired because I’ve had a man crush on him for 2 seasons now. I hope David Cutcliffe is not hired.
Jim Gooch said
Arkansas – Think it will be Tubberville. Hope it will be Patterson or Strong. Hope it won’t be Tubberville.
Kentucky: Think it will be Petrino. Hope it will be don’t really care. Hope it won’t be Petrino.
Tennesse: Think it will be Patterson. Hope it will be Nutt. Hope it won’t be Petrino.
Auburn: Think it will be Malzahn. Hope it will be Tubberville. Hope it won’t be Petrino.
Adam Butler said
Gooch!