College football soup: coaching rumors du jour

By Tom Dienhart, Sporting News
Posted October 2, 2007

There are several interesting names not coaching this season -- Gary Barnett, Gerry DiNardo, Larry Coker. But the pick of the litter is former Minnesota coach Glen Mason.


Mark my words: some BCS program will hire him.

The guy flat-out is a great coach. He has won at three coach-killer jobs: Kent State, Kansas and Minnesota. And ... get this: Mason runs a clean program.

His firing in the Twin Cities eerily reminded me of Indiana's rueful decision to dump Bill Mallory after the 1996 season because -- like Mason -- Mallory couldn't take Indiana to the next level after generating six bowls. Since Mallory left, IU hasn't been to a bowl.

Be careful what you wish for, athletic directors and boosters.

Mason took Minnesota to seven bowls from 1999-2006, beating the likes of Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon. He guided moribund Kansas to two bowls, and Mason notched a 10-win season at both schools.

Augmenting Mason's cause is Minnesota's current struggles, which make him look even better.

When Mason lands on his feet, no doubt he'll take long-time assistant Mitch Browning with him. Browning is one of the best in the business, helping coordinate a punishing Golden Gopher offense that pounded foes with a fist-to-the-face ground attack that was the trademark of the school.

Just imagine what Mason -- who turned down the Michigan State, Georgia and LSU jobs in the past for various reasons -- could do running one of the nation's "it" programs. Yeah, it's an exciting thought. Even if he doesn't land a plum job, Mason will make whomever he coaches a winner.

TEXAS A&M

If Dennis Franchione is found to have breached his contract's ethics clause with the secret info he was selling through a website, expect him to be gone.

Who would take over? Cal's Jeff Tedford and Rutgers' Greg Schiano could emerge as strong contenders. Another guy who should get a look is Houston coach Art Briles, a fantastic strategist who is well connected in Texas high schools. Auburn's Tommy Tuberville is another possibility. He was A&M's defensive coordinator in 1994.

Money won't be an issue, as A&M could be willing to pay as much as $4 million per year to get its man.

INDIANA

While the Hoosiers have played well under coach Bill Lynch and may reach a bowl for the first time since 1993, I don't think he's the long-term answer. Expect a coach search.

As I stated earlier, I think Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen should get a look. He's a bright, young mind, great recruiter, an Indiana native and a former star defender for the Hoosiers. Hagen is ready for a shot. If Hagen doesn't land the IU gig, I think he would be a good fit at Northern Illinois, where talk is Joe Novak may retire. Hagen cut his teeth as an assistant at NIU.

Another guy who may get a look is Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges, if his offense continues to improve. Borges is a former Hoosier offensive coordinator. He's a sage offensive mind who has paid his dues.

A wild, wild, wild card in the mix is Rick Neuheisel. He is the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. But Neuheisel is more famous for his meteoric rise up the college coaching ranks at Colorado (1995-98) and Washington (1999-2002).

He left U-Dub on bad terms amid hubbub he took part in an NCAA tourney pool. Neuheisel eventually lost his job over the incident. In the end, he was cleared of any wrong-doing.

The IU job would be a perfect place for Neuheisel to convalesce his image. And his high profile would boost an Indiana program that has some momentum. The two seem made for each other.

And think of this: If IU stuck its neck out for Kelvin Sampson (and his baggage) to run its glorious hoops program, why wouldn't the school take a chance on Neuheisel, who may come fairly cheap?

MICHIGAN

People tell me Lloyd Carr will make the call on when he leaves Michigan. I don't dispute that. But I still think this is his final run.

Everyone assumes LSU's Les Miles would be the frontrunner. But don't be shocked if the Wolverines make a run at Cal's Jeff Tedford if the job goes outside the Michigan family. And Kansas State's Ron Prince could be a name to watch if he has a very good season.

The best and brightest on the U-M staff is quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler, but the Michigan grad is too young (32) for the job. He'll be a head coach some day. Not long ago, New England quarterback Tom Brady tried to get him to join the Patriots staff. Yeah, Brady thinks that much of Loeffler.

ARKANSAS

The handwriting appears to be on the wall for Houston Nutt. A name to remember: Will Muschamp. He's a rising star who runs the defense at Auburn. Did you see what his defense did to Florida?

Muschamp has it all: The Georgia grad is young (36), has NFL experience and big-time college experience under Nick Saban, who I know will go to bat for Muschamp.

And there is a connection between Muschamp and new Arkansas A.D. Jeff Long, as each worked together at Eastern Kentucky in 1999. But can a new A.D. afford to take a chance on a promising-but-unproven commodity?

I still think a guy like Tulsa's Todd Graham should be considered. And Auburn's Tommy Tuberville would be a good hire. He's an established coach who has succeeded at a high level. Plus, he's an Arkansas native.

UCLA

I hear Karl Dorrell will be watched closely and needs to win pretty big down the stretch. He has picked up the pace recently and looks safe. Still ...

Should a change be made in Westwood, I'm told the Bruins want to hire a big, splashy name.

Look for Boise State's Chris Petersen to figure in. UCLA would love to steal USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. And a familiar name already being batted about is Norm Chow, the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator and former USC coordinator.

I also have to think UCLA would look at Montana coach Bobby Hauck, a top-notch commodity who almost got the Stanford job last year. Hauck is an untapped gem. Maybe he'll be a guy Washington State looks at if it makes a change.

SCUTTLEBUTT


Early word on who Auburn would chase if Tommy Tuberville bolts: Bobby Petrino. Auburn almost had Petrino a few years ago. He may listen again, given how the Atlanta Falcons job has changed (Michael Vick mess) since he took over. Whomever Auburn would get has to have a big, big name to do battle with Nick Saban.

I have heard Syracuse may not have the money to buy out Greg Robinson. But if a change is made, UConn's Randy Edsall could be a top target. He's an SU alum. The Orange was interested in Edsall before Greg Robinson got the job.

Word is Duke would go after Navy coach Paul Johnson if Ted Roof is ousted. Johnson was in the mix for the N.C. State job last year.

Ohio coach Frank Solich supposedly has interest in the Colorado State job if Sonny Lubick retires.

Don't forget about Dan McCarney. The former Iowa State coach is working as an assistant head coach at South Florida, where he only is augmenting his image with a rising program. Mac did a great job at Iowa State, one of the toughest jobs in America. Look for him to get looks for some non-BCS jobs, including Colorado State.

If he isn't brought down by the struggles of Notre Dame's offense, coordinator Mike Haywood looks like a great fit at SMU. Haywood is a 1986 ND grad. SMU A.D. Steve Orsini also is an Irish alum. And Haywood is a Texas native with extensive recruiting ties to the state. Plus, he also was an assistant at Texas and LSU. Haywood, in his third year running Charlie Weis' attack, interviewed with a few schools last year and got a long look from Minnesota.

Speaking of SMU, don't discount someone like Terry Bowden getting a long look in Highland Park.

New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride could emerge as a head coaching candidate. Few know how to develop quarterbacks and offenses better. And Gilbride is an experienced coach who has worked in the NFL the last 19 seasons and was head coach of the San Diego Chargers (1997-98). He was in the mix at Boston College, Arizona State and Idaho last year. Gilbride last coached in college from 1987-88 at East Carolina.

I hear Gary Barnett is ready and willing to coach again. There is no denying Barnett is a fantastic coach. I also know Gerry DiNardo is interested in testing the coaching waters if the right situation presents itself.

Keep your eye on Purdue's Joe Tiller. If he enjoys a big season, I think he may retire abruptly. If not after 2007, then I think Tiller will hang it up after 2008 with quarterback Curtis Painter gone. Whenever Tiller rides off into the Wyoming sunset, look for standout defensive coordinator Brock Spack to take over. Spack is an ex-Boiler who has been on Tiller's staff all 11 years. He is married to a West Lafayette native and turned down the chance to be Bret Bielema's defensive coordinator in 2006 at Wisconsin. What's the point? The guy loves Purdue. And, Spack would come cheap -- which the Purdue brass loves.

By Tom Dienhart, Sporting News
Posted October 2, 2007