Ferentz to Notre Dame: Could it really happen?
by StoopsMyAss on Nov 29, 2009 9:01 AM CST
74 comments
The Charlie Weis era appears to be over in South Bend.
After losing another close game to Stanford the buzzards are circling even closer to the ground. Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said he's not contacted anyone about the possibility of replacing Weis and is meeting with Humpty Dumpty over the next two days to evaluate the program. It would seem that Weis has little chance to retain the head coaching position. His record is among the worst all-time for Notre Dame coaches, and the media & most fans have decided his fate. At this point the storied football program is known more now for the drama of Charlie Weis than for solid, winning football. Weis has an enormous buyout on his contract though and he has said he will not resign. Moreover, the perfect candidate to take over the program may not be out there right now. It will be interesting to see how Swarbrick proceeds.
What we know at this point is that numerous coaching wish lists have been posted to numerous websites; ESPN analysts (Mark May and others) have openly weighed in on who will succeed Weis and not surprisingly Kirk Ferentz's name is being mentioned as a possible candidate. So, one has to ask whether Sir Kirk would even consider leaving the land of Soy to work in the fishbowl that is Notre Dame?
To begin to consider this question let's briefly compare the two programs during Kirk Ferentz's time at Iowa (1999 to present).
Wins and Losses
Iowa is 80-55 (4-3 in bowl games)
Notre Dame 75-59 (1-6 in bowl games)
Winning Seasons
Iowa has 7
Notre Dame has 5
BCS Presence
Notre Dame has played in 2 BCS bowl games (Fiesta Bowl twice) and lost both.
Iowa has played 1 BCS bowl game (Orange Bowl) and lost.
Final A.P. Top 25
Iowa - 5 times (I'm assuming they end up there this year), 3 times in the Top 10
Notre Dame - 4 times, 1 time in the Top 10
Since 1999 Ferentz has brought more success to Iowa in terms of wins and losses than have Bob Davie, Ty Willingham and Charlie Weis to Notre Dame. But, Notre Dame is still very much an elite college football program. Notre Dame is high profile and has played every game on national television (ABC, CBS, NBC or ESPN) during the time span in question with the vast majority played on NBC. They have a national following that ensures a full stadium every time and everywhere they play. Notre Dame's facilities are considered among the best in the country. Notre Dame is able to recruit nationally. So while expectations are considerably higher at Notre Dame than they are at most schools, and certainly greater than at Iowa, the resources are clearly in place for a good coach to have great success.
It has been reported that Jack Swarbrick would prefer to replace Weis with a defense minded coach who has a proven track record at the collegiate level. There are the cultural ideals as well, as Swarbrick is likely to want someone who understands Notre Dame's mission as a university. Thus, he wants a Catholic, alum and/or a coach who has worked at Notre Dame.
Does Kirk Ferentz fit the bill to be Notre Dame's next head coach?
- He's a Catholic but has never coached at Notre Dame or attended the school.
- He is a proven winner.
- He is not technically a defensive coach but has been deemed a head coach who appreciates strong defensive play first and foremost.
- He has been at Iowa for 11 seasons, which some say is a long time in contemporary college football. He might be due for a change.
- He makes a Top 10 salary but it is safe to say the next head coach at Notre Dame will be paid equal to Ferentz's salary or (more likely) higher.
There is one problem for a possible Ferentz candidacy though: Notre Dame fans seem to be unenthusiastic at the notion of a Ferentz tenure at Notre Dame. Ferentz is not a big personality or well known to the Notre Dame fanbase.
But, just to carry out this hypothetical, who would Iowa seek out to replace Ferentz should he be offered the Notre Dame job....and accept it?
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Satan himself
Because Hell would have already frozen over, and the dark one would be in need of another job.
"Oh no, don't do that, don't do that. If you shoot him, you'll just make him mad." - The Waco Kid
by HawkOnRails on Nov 29, 2009 9:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Not gonna happen...
Ferentz doesn’t hold ND in high regard after what they did to his mentor, Joe Moore, and the whole age discrimination thing. Secondly, when Fiedorowicz committed the other day, he specifically said one of the reasons he changed his mind was that the coaching staff wasn’t going anywhere.
"I'm not doing any good back here."
by Hawkaloogie on Nov 29, 2009 9:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
and to answer the hypothetical...
Ken O’Keefe :-)
"I'm not doing any good back here."
by Hawkaloogie on Nov 29, 2009 9:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Minor correction
Notre Dame has been in three BCS bowls. Lost each of them, of course. I think getting blown out by Oregon State was probably the hardest pill for them to swallow.
"I don't know. I don't know. [waves hand dismissively] First, you'd have to tell me what a 'BCS' is. I don't know."
by ReadingRambler on Nov 29, 2009 9:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
What the hell
SMA here I am getting up waiting to see the newest rankings to see where Iowa is and evaluate Iowa’s chance for the Fiesta and you make me think. As to fishbowl can’t be to much different than Iowa. No offense to ISU and UNI but the Hawks are the main man when it comes to coverage in Iowa. ND would be a bigger fishbowl yes, but not that much different. I don’t see him going. Why rebuild with what he has coming back at Iowa. We lose what 5 of 22 starters from a 10-2 team. Most of the replacements got major playing time this year and Iowa should make a run at NC next year. ND may lose the Qb and I don’t know how many seniors. Also he has stated that he wants his kids to graduate from high school and I think his youngest is a soph. Hope it doesn’t happen!
by nwyms Trebek! on Nov 29, 2009 10:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think he's made it pretty clear that he's not going anywhere
ND is a good job, but Ferentz is comfortable and extremely well paid at Iowa and has a ton of job security (a minority of fans may call for his head after bad seasons, but he has the full support of the administration). I don’t think he wants to go deal with the expectations and all the bullshit the goes along with being the coach of Notre Dame. Just doesn’t seem like his style.
There are also lots of rumors from people fairly close to the Notre Dame program that Stoops is going to be the guy, but I dunno if there’s actually anything to it.
by NorseHawk on Nov 29, 2009 10:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think there are a lot of factors working against ND here:
1. With success and tenure, comes greater control. I think Ferentz has a great deal of say in the overall football operations at Iowa, while at ND much more control falls to the AD, and even Father Jenkins, the president (who made the final call on TW’s firing).
2. The media and scrutiny. Iowa is a fairly well known school yes, but Notre Dame it is not. I just don’t see Ferentz relishing the limelight that comes along with being the headcoach of that school. I also don’t think you can brandish firearms at ND press conferences. -1
3. Recruiting. Iowa has put together a great recruiting class, and is stacked with “Ferentz-type” guys from the last 4-5 years. Would he want to give that up, start at a disadvantage (he wouldn’t be able to recruit until after January 4 if the Hawks are in AZ), and make do with Weiss’ recruits for the next 2-3 years? There are some great players on the ND squad, but a large contingent will jump to the NFL…and this Notre Dame team actually seems the antithesis of what Ferentz tries to build in a program. I know it’s arguable, but you’ve also got the higher academic standards to consider, which doesn’t help matters.
4. Stability. This comes up every year as the rumors fly, but it continues to be true today. I think Ferentz likes it here, and would prefer to stay for both he and his family.
Might he leave? Anything is possible. But I think the odds are stacked more towards someone like Mr. Stoops than Mr. Ferentz.
by mattbednar on Nov 29, 2009 10:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bob Stoops?
What’s the reasoning for this speculation? He already has an elite job at a school with great tradition, and, one would think, better job security than anyone would have at Notre Dame. From Notre Dame’s perspective, it could be argued (sort of) that his teams have failed to perform well against top competition in recent years. Plus, he’s got no history with the school. Doesn’t really make sense to me. On the other hand, I can’t really think of many other suitable candidates. Kelly, obviously. Harbaugh, maybe?
by NHguy on Nov 29, 2009 11:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
While we likely all agree that it's unlikely for KF to be go to ND
Stoops’ other point – who would Iowa look at to replace him – is an interesting hypothetical.
Would they lean towards someone with previous HC experience? I’m not sure — they wanted Stoops last time and he didn’t have previous HC experience. Of course, he was also an alum and had a track record as an excellent assistant. Is there anyone else like that out there right now? Even if they aren’t alums, who are hot assistants who have ties/experience to the midwest (the latter part is a must, I think — we want to avoid a Chizik-esque fiasco)? The hot assistants seem to be guys at Texas (Muschamp), Florida (Strong), Alabama (Smart), Auburn (Malzahn), and Tennessee (Orgeron? Thompson?), who are more Southern guys.
As for guys with previous HC experience… there’s always Bob Stoops, but that seems unlikely unless he’s just really tired of the fishbowl in Oklahoma. Perhaps Mike Stoops, who’s done pretty well at Arizona and is of course an alum. Chuck Long is also an alum with previous HC experience, although he wasn’t a very successful HC at all. Bielema and McCarney would probably the last of the “alums with past HC experience,” but they may have too much baggage from coaching at big-time rivals.
From the non-alum camp… again, you want a guy that understands Iowa and the midwest. It’s not an easy job, after all. Gary Patterson has some midwest ties (played/coached at K-State, from Kansas), albeit more from Big 12 territory. Iowa could likely offer better resources/facilities/pay/easier access to the BCS and definitely offer a better fanbase. Butch Jones has done a heck of a job at Central Michigan since replacing Brian Kelly. Kelly himself would be worth a call, since he’s clearly a very good coach and Cincy just seems like a very difficult place to win at long-term, given the woeful fanbase/facilities/resources. Chris Peterson has done great at Boise State, but he has no midwestern ties at all. Randy Edsall has done quite well at UConn, and has a similar background to KF (albeit without the experience of working in the midwest). Al Golden kind of fits the same bill as Edsall.
by RossWB on Nov 29, 2009 11:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
These are all excellent hypotheticals
particularly Patterson. I doubt he will get offered the ND or a similar elite job at this stage, unless he somehow gets TCU in the NC game this year and then wins it or plays it very close. He would be a great replacement for Ferentz in my opinion.
Although, I don’t think KF would take the ND job even if an overture was made. Not his style. I see him leaving Iowa for the pros in 3-5 years.
As for Stoops, he could not stand the academic challenges that ND would create. The team that he would leave to take on would be Ohio State or Michigan. I think he has arguably the most secure college job in America. He is a God down there and after losing three of last efforts to win the NC he has plenty to be motivated about. Now, if he just is bored, maybe he does consider ND. I would be very surprised though. But he is a midwest guy who knows the terrain. So, you never know.
My money would be on three people for the ND job:
Brian Kelly (who I personally think is a huge risk as he has much to prove still for my taste. The guy has never beaten a top 20 team, ever. He gets a chance this weekend though.)
Mike Shanahan (has the ego, has the football know-how, would represent the Univ. well and would win. But, will he want to do the college game? He is the lone “pro” guy i would see ND going to.)
Kyle Whittingham of Utah (super darkhorse but he is going to get snapped up by someone, soon.)
I think they are going to take Kelly. He is safe and he is willing to go. He looks good at first blush so the enthusiasm will be there—particularly if he beats Pitt.
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
by StoopsMyAss on Nov 29, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not so fast, my friend
Brian Kelly’s wife has had something like two- or three-time recurring breast cancer. One of the primary reasons he took the Cincinnati job — and stayed there during last year’s turnover — is that Cincinnati has three highly-regarded hospitals for cancer treatment and Cleveland Clinic right up the road. If he’s moving, it’s to somewhere where she can receive superior treatment locally with a car ride to top-notch care if necessary. South Bend doesn’t have the former, and the regional hospitals in the area (Chicago, mostly) aren’t as highly regarded as Cleveland.
(I’ll leave it to you to point out which team we know and love fits these criteria. Hello, Mayo Clinic!)
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
by Hawkeye State on Nov 29, 2009 2:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Mayo Clinic
is in Rochester. That’s a few hours by car from Minneapolis.
Also, it’s not clear to me that Minnesota is an upgrade from Cincy. Kelly has said that he wants to be where the school will devote the $$$ needed to field a top notch program. The Goophers are obviously trying to do that but as long as Cincy is too, why move?
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
by Flakbait on Nov 29, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not talking about Minnesota
Before you respond, let me remind you: Brian Cook called me smug, which makes me the Obama of smugness. I'm basically Smugbama.
by Hawkeye State on Nov 29, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Luther College, obviously
Rochester is only about an hour away.
by NorseHawk on Nov 29, 2009 7:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dan McCartney
"An out of context quote to support my world view." -Some Dead Guy
by Scumdog0331 on Nov 29, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If you ever suggest Ed Orgeron again...
we will cyber-box to the virtual death. Or something. Seriously though, Ed Orgeron? That guy is a terrible football coach. Just ask anyone in Oxford, MS.
Black and Gold Blood: Cubbie Blue Heart
Follow me on Twitter: @MattLaCasse
by MissouriHawk on Nov 29, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It was a list of "hot" assistants -- that's all.
by RossWB on Nov 29, 2009 7:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough.
That was more in a jovial/joking manner than anything, but at least in my world, there would be much wailing/gnashing of teeth/wearing of sackcloth if his name and Iowa were ever seriously mentioned.
Black and Gold Blood: Cubbie Blue Heart
Follow me on Twitter: @MattLaCasse
by MissouriHawk on Nov 29, 2009 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ferentz Stays At Iowa Until 2015
He has all but flat out said so. He wants to see all of his kids graduate from City High.
My ideal situation for Ferentz leaving would be that he announces it a year ahead of time and the University at least starts the search for his replacement then. In a perfect world Bob Stoops says “what the hell” and comes to IC (you gotta dream, right?)
Who would take the Notre Dame job is a good question. It’s a great opportunity but the scrutiny and demands made on the head coach border on stupid. I’ve actually started thinking that firing Weis is a mistake. He has a winning record, actually won them a bowl game, and his losses this year were by 7,3,5,2,7,& 4 points. They were in every one until the end. Plus, his attitude seems to have changed.
Then of course, there is next year’s senior class. If Charlie leaves, anybody who can make the jump to the NFL probably will. That will leave ND with a new head coach and all the rock stars gone. Welcome to rebuilding!!
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
by Flakbait on Nov 29, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
There's another Stoops that I'd much rather have
Mike is doing some awesome things at AZ. Plus, he’s not a primo douchenozzle like his brother.
/O'Keefe'd.
by Smokin Herb Grigsby on Nov 29, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
He went 8-5 last year and is sitting at 7-4 this year with a game remaining against USC. He’s done a good job the last few years, but not an “awesome” job, IMO. To me, he needs to put together that one really good year (10 wins) to be in that category.
I doubt he’d ever come to Iowa (or stay long if he did), but the one Pac-10 coach that really intrigues me (aside from Carroll, but seriously…) is Harbaugh. He’s really done a helluva job at Stanford and stylistically, this year’s Stanford team looks a lot like the good KF teams (it’s hard not to think about Shonn Greene when watching Gerhart truck through and around guys).
by RossWB on Nov 29, 2009 3:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Harbaugh
YES – I thought the same thing about the style of the Cardinal team – especially Gerhart.
by GMcNhawkeye on Nov 29, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
Harbaugh knows his stock is (probably) at an all-time high right now, if he’s going to make a jump, he needs to do it now while he’s a hot property. A season or two of Stanford sliding back to the middle of the pack, or worse, in the Pac 10 will take some bloom of his rose (not saying it’s a foregone conclusion that this happens, just that it is likely given all inherent disadvantages that Stanford has).
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Nov 29, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know;, I look at Harbaugh and see Voldemort all over again. Not to Iowa, please.
by txhawkeye on Nov 29, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Harbaugh will end up at Michigan.
Regardless of what Harbaugh has said in the past or who he PO’d at Michigan, Mary Sue Coleman needs a new (and proven) AD and her AD at Iowa was Bob Bowlsby. We all know Bowlsby’s proven himself in showing the door to existing coaches, er, overseeing program transistions.
So, UM brings in Bowlsby, he lays the groundwork for removing RR during another sub-par year and then brings in the Michigan Man, Harbaugh.
Now excuse me, I have to remove my tinfoil hat, my wife says it’s starting to glow.
by hmbfossil on Nov 29, 2009 11:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Correction:
Mike Stoops is a BIGGER douchenozzle (?) than Bob. I live in AZ and all he has done for every year except this one is whine about how ASU has lesser admission standards and cheats at recruiting. I can’t stand listening to him on the radio as he is completely arrogant and thinks nothing with his program at UA is his fault, all ‘bad luck’ and outside influences. I would want NO part of Mike Stoops as head coach at Iowa.
'They are who we thought they were!'
by twsmith23 on Nov 29, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Notre Dame ?? NFW
Kirk has far to much control over his ego to ever consider an idiot move like this. The ND job is best suited for those ready to retire because that is always the next step.
by BadgerHawk on Nov 29, 2009 12:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Fishbowl
Just wondering if Iowa would ever get the national prime time game (if the BXI would allow it) when they are 6-5 playing a 26th ranked team at 7-4? This is what happened with Notre Dame last night – the level of fishbowl at ND is so significantly higher it isn’t a comparison.
KF seems like a private guy and there is nothing private, even weight control surgery, as the head coach of ND. Every year this talk happens where KF is on every school’s short list and every fall for the last 11 years he comes to Iowa City to coach football.
Said, if for no other reason, to avoid making Pat Angerer angrierer.
by The Bacon Explosion on Nov 29, 2009 2:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
BTW
Let’s hold off on the NC talk for the 2010 season, next thing we know we are going to start acting like an SEC school. If history is any guide injuries can play havoc with an Iowa Football season. I say we hold off until we beat tOSU in Iowa City to remain perfect.
Said, if for no other reason, to avoid making Pat Angerer angrierer.
by The Bacon Explosion on Nov 29, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
One name not mentioned...
as a hypothetical is Mark Farley. I know he’s mentioned on multiple occasions that he hates Iowa and loves attempting to beat us, but he’s an Iowa guy who runs his program his way. That’s a traditional head coaching technique for those that grace the field of Kinnick with a headset. Hayden did it his way, Ferentz does it his way, and you can bet your ass the first person to get a call if KF ever heads out sometime soon is Farley.
/O'Keefe'd.
by Smokin Herb Grigsby on Nov 29, 2009 2:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The first person?
I fucking hope not. He may be in consideration, but he better not be the first option.
by RossWB on Nov 29, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
how about the Cincinnati DC
Bob Diaco?
this place smells like feet. i’ll bring a can of lysol next week.
by pfac51 on Nov 29, 2009 3:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I think after his remarkably poor sportsmanship this year
That Farley took himself out of consideration. It’s one thing to want to beat Iowa, it’s another when you basically spend your press conference talking shit about how yours was the superior team.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Nov 29, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And then promptly go and lose three teams to fellow I-AA teams.
Not to mention that that irrefutable bastion of truth and integrity, ye olde message boards, has coughed up various stories of him not being particularly well-liked or respected by his players. I dunno how true any of that is or not, BUT he has dealt with a not-insignificant amount of legal woes the past few years (something we’d just as soon like to avoid, I think) and the senior-laden team he had this year absolutely underachieved.
by RossWB on Nov 29, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying I'd like it
but I could definitely see it happening. I wasn’t aware of his players not liking him though.
I can’t remember who suggested the nickname, but Capt. Wacky-Pants Chris Petersen would be the first person I would call. Talk about bringing a program out of obscurity and doing well with what you’re given. His lack of ties to Iowa would make it damn near impossible though.
This is all silly though. In Kirk We Trust.
/O'Keefe'd.
by Smokin Herb Grigsby on Nov 29, 2009 5:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ioweegin wanted me to give her credit
for Capt. Crazy-pants Chris Peterson
by MP hawkfan on Nov 29, 2009 10:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Farley...
is very demanding, maybe at times unreasonably so, of his players and coaches. He also has a pattern of having a good-to-great year, and then having a not-so-great year.
There have been several pretty-embarrassing legal or on-field incidents by players during the Farley era. Some of these include:
a) a UNI DBack punching some Montana player in the crotch in the semifinals of the NCAA playoffs in 2001.
b) some of his best players being suspended or thrown off for drugs in the last two years (Johnny Gray, Victor Williams, Chris Parsons).
c) some of his players rioting at some small rap concert a year or two ago (Brandon Keith).
d) one of his O linemen dealing with charges regarding a bar fight near Okoboji earlier this year (Austin Steichen).
e) He brought Benny Sapp in after Sapp was thrown off the Iowa team (although I think Benny actually cleaned up his act). He brought in Hakim Hill after Hill had been thrown out of Arizona State for rape, and then Hill promptly got in a fight with cops and got thrown off UNI.
And these are just the things I can remember and quickly look up on google. There are definitely more that I am not thinking of.
You also have to ask yourself, could Farley do as well in a school where he can’t grab transfers from bigger programs? Pat Grace, Benny Sapp, Elijah Hodge, and others were transfers who didn’t want to sit out a year to move to a D1 program, so they went to UNI.
I think Farley has been successful at UNI, and he is a UNI man. However, I don’t see him having that type of success at Iowa. And, I doubt the legal issues that Iowa players have had would get better with a guy like Farley at the helm.
Also, he was one of Terry Allen’s assistants who went with Allen to Kansas, but came back to UNI before Allen got fired. You have to wonder if Farley knows that it would not be the smartest move to chase D1 money if you have to leave a place where they love you.
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Nov 29, 2009 11:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pedersen
is Mormon I believe…not exactly a good fit at Notre Dame.
"I'm not doing any good back here."
by Hawkaloogie on Nov 30, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
the Catholics (Weis, Davie?) don’t seem to be getting it done anymore. Why not?
LOL
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Nov 30, 2009 10:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
other Iowa-connected coaches
Leavitt at USF – took the team from obscurity to bowl bound again
Jonathon Hayes – he was on Stoop’s staff at OU and now is Tight ends coach of Bengals
Jay Norvell – OC at OU
by GMcNhawkeye on Nov 29, 2009 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
wasnt Norvell also a Raiders
assistant & also @ Nebraska w/ Callahan? I also recall a stint with UCLA.
this place smells like feet. i’ll bring a can of lysol next week.
by pfac51 on Nov 29, 2009 3:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I've said it before, and I'll say it again
But I think a surprise darkhorse candidate for the ND job will be Urban Meyer. I know he’s all but said he’s not interested in the job now, but I’m not completely sold that this is the case. Meyer has shown a tendency to upgrade programs when his stock is soaring, and right before his current program goes through a downswing. Florida, regardless of how it does this year, is looking at a pretty major rebuilding effort next year – no Tebow (obviously), plus most of its defense will be gone – of course, rebuilding at Florida is much easier than rebuilding at someplace like Iowa. That said, if Meyer were to leave Florida, this will be the year he does it. I don’t put the odds at that high, but I won’t be surprised if it happened.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Nov 29, 2009 4:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rebuilding...
Not only will Meyer have to do some pretty significant rebuilding of his own team, he’ll be doing it in a SEC that isn’t likely to be as down as it was this year. And if he DOES win a national title this year… damn, he’s set a standard that’s pretty damn hard to top. Still, the winnin’ is always going to be easier for him at Florida than at ND, if only because of the relative ease of recruiting and the caliber of athletes he can easily get.
by RossWB on Nov 29, 2009 4:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll simply point out...
that what Meyer said this past week in regards to leaving Florida (something along the lines of, I love it here, my family loves it here, I’m not leaving) is disturbingly similar to what he said about his time in Utah before he bolted for Florida.
Here’s the thing about Urban Meyer. I think it is safe to say the man has the biggest ego in college football. Even bigger than Carroll. Despite what all of us think about Notre Dame; it is THE program in college football. Much like North Carolina or Kansas are THE programs in college basketball. The luster is gone from that program in South Bend, and the temptation to return it to glory may be too much to resist for Meyer.
I perceive him as a very vain person. I think winning a national title at Notre Dame would be the capstone on his resume in his world. So maybe he hangs out at FLA for another few years until whomever ND brings in doesn’t live up to their standards and THEN swoops in as the football savior. That might be something that could finally satisfy his ego. The man does not have loyalty to programs, schools, or even his own players. Witness the Tebow concussion from earlier this year. Tebow should have sat that week against LSU, season be damned. He played him…not because Tebow wanted to, but because he needs another title on his resume. Ego matters with Urban Meyer, and not a whole lot else.
Black and Gold Blood: Cubbie Blue Heart
Follow me on Twitter: @MattLaCasse
by MissouriHawk on Nov 29, 2009 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I really don't think Urban Meyer wants to go to Notre Dame right now
He is in deep on a number of development intiatives at Florida which his wife plays a very meaningful role, his chidren are in their teens, and he has #1 ranked recruiting class by ESPN and Rivals.
He is in great shape to win a NC for #3 and then have three years to rebuild and no one will say a thing. He can solidify himself as a superstar coach in the history of football if he gets his third this year. Then he can go to the stratosphere with a 4th and tie Frank Leahy. Bear Bryant has 3, 4, 5 or 6 depending on how you count them (5 in AP poll only and 6 including the UPI…but in those days they did not re-poll after the bowl games and Alabama lost twice in bowl games in years they are listed as NCs).
Urban Meyer could conceivably own the most seriously considered NCs in history if he can win this year and twice more.
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
by StoopsMyAss on Nov 29, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's very true.
But the bottom line is where does Meyer think he will be best remembered; winning titles at Florida, or restoring ND to its former glory and winning titles there? The wife, his kids in their teens…that all matters. All I’m saying is I don’t think we should be so quick think that Meyer won’t take it. There’s plenty of development initiatives to be had in South Bend, and if the kids can buy in to it…I think it’s a real possibility. I have no idea what kind of man Urban Meyer is. My guess is that he’s no Kirk Ferentz, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he jumped ship to take the Notre Dame job.
After all of that…there’s a 99% chance that I’m wrong.
Black and Gold Blood: Cubbie Blue Heart
Follow me on Twitter: @MattLaCasse
by MissouriHawk on Nov 29, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Literally the only reason this rumor exists is because he's Catholic and named after a Pope
He’s not leaving Florida.
by NorseHawk on Nov 29, 2009 7:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree he probably isn't going anywhere.
But the fact that he coached at Notre Dame for 4-5 years AND has spoken fondly of coaching there are pretty big reasons why he continues to be rumored for that job.
by RossWB on Nov 29, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And he constantly finds a way to upgrade his job
In other words, he’s constantly on the make. I don’t think he leaves Florida, I just wouldn’t be terribly surprised if he does. While Florida is one of the best, if not THE best, programs in college football right now, it is still considered somewhat nouveau riche as far as football goes. You can be one of the best football coaches at Florida, but only at a handful of programs can you reach God-like status (ND, Michigan, Alabama, USC and maybe OSU). I think Meyer has the ego to see himself as a deity, just remains to be seen if he thinks he needs to make a move to achieve that status.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Nov 29, 2009 8:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Did you expect him to stay in Utah forever or something?
Leaving a Mountain West school for Florida is hardly a sign that he’s always on the hunt for a new job.
Florida is one of the best jobs in the country. I might even argue the best. They have plenty of history (maybe not ND history, but still), are willing to shell out money on athletics, are in the most talent-rich state in the country, and have an extremely passionate fanbase. You can certainly achieve “god-like status” there; Spurrier pretty much already did, although he kinda ruined it by leaving and sucking everywhere else he’s been.
by NorseHawk on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the thing.
Do you want to be remembered at Florida (and let’s be honest…name a head coach of Florida before Spurrier) or do you want to be mentioned in the same breath as The Gipper, Touchdown Jesus, Knute Rockne and all that comes with Notre Dame. It’s why most coaches, if approached, want to take a shot at winning in South Bend. It’s BETTER than winning at Florida.
As I said above, like it or not, there is a mystique that surrounds Notre Dame. If Meyer can talk his wife and kids into it, I think there is a very real possibility he’s the next coach in South Bend.
Black and Gold Blood: Cubbie Blue Heart
Follow me on Twitter: @MattLaCasse
by MissouriHawk on Nov 29, 2009 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If he wins a couple more national championships, it won't matter where he won them
He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest coaches every regardless of where he was coaching.
by NorseHawk on Nov 29, 2009 9:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I want to buy into the...
idea that “Urb” (as Jim Rome calls him) is an egotistical job-hunter. But he would have to be insane to jump from Florida to ND right now.
Maybe after the next ND coach fails, and ND really is down in the dumps, and if ND shells out like $5 million per year to him, then maybe Urb leaves Fla. But not right now. ND fans have the taste of blood, and they will turn on Urb quick if he goes .500 or a little better or worse in his first two or three years at ND. And he probably will.
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Nov 29, 2009 11:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Urb is only 47 years old.
inside of the next 7 years Notre Dame will be looking for yet another new coach. At that time the Urb will be on a Bobby Bowden contract at Florida…one of those assumed contracts that goes from year to year as long as the Urb is interested…there will be no buyout on his end. His kids will all be in college and he’ll be 54 with 4 national titles. Bored stiff and feeling a bit more spiritual.
Of course Lou Holtz was 47 when he went to Notre Dame.
The End.
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
by StoopsMyAss on Nov 30, 2009 6:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually...
my math makes Holtz about 49 when he went to Notre Dame. Yes, I’m picking nits.
I had no idea Holtz was that “young” when he became ND head coach. In my mind, he has perpetually been about 65 for all time.
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Nov 30, 2009 10:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Norvell
Here is his resume:
2008-Present Co-Offensive Coordinator & Receivers Coach Oklahoma
2007 Offensive Coordinator & Quarterback Coach UCLA
2004-2006 Offensive Coordinator & Wide Receivers Coach Nebraska
2002-2003 Tight Ends Coach Oakland Raiders
1998-2001 Wide Receivers Coach Indianapolis Colts
1995-1997 Assistant Head Coach, Quarterback Coach & Receivers Coach Iowa State
1989-1994 Wide Receivers Coach & Special Teams Coach Wisconsin
1988 Wide Receivers Coach Northern Iowa
by GMcNhawkeye on Nov 29, 2009 4:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
With all the talk of who would replace Ferentz
who saw it coming when they hired him? I know everybody was focused on Stoops but seriously. When they announced Kirk who DIDN’T say WTF?
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
by Flakbait on Nov 29, 2009 4:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If Ferentz did leave
I hope Iowa would put in a call to Joe Philbin and see if he’s interested. The guy’s pretty much hit it out of the park in every job he’s had, and back when he was our O-line coach we were very very good.
by Brock Sampson on Nov 29, 2009 11:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we could get the guy that Philbin replaced in GB
Jeff Jagodzinski
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
by StoopsMyAss on Nov 30, 2009 6:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
No way
He’s never been more than WR coach. Granted, he’s very good at that, but it’d be nice to get someone who has at least been a coordinator or higher. I could see eventually moving him to OC, but the jump to HC is too much, I think.
by NorseHawk on Nov 30, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Philbin
Any chance we bring him back? Doesn’t have head coaching experience (and not a member of the Fry coaching-tree), but definitely has shown ability and has a similiar mindset as KF (i.e. offensive line guru).
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Nov 30, 2009 1:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He's going nowhere
A) Notre Dame is not the Notre Dame of the past. Based on their performance over the past decade, they are no better than Northwestern, this would be a step down for Kirk
B) The only pressure Kirk gets at Iowa is from our fickle fan base and some turd at the Press Citizen
C) Notre Dame will not be paying out big money for someone, they have an $18M bill to pay soon
D) Kirk has never led us to believe anything is going to change. He tells the truth, he doesn’t play games. Kirk has said over and over again he is happy here. The only way I see him leaving is after all of his kids are done with school in Iowa City.
by ChinaWall on Nov 30, 2009 1:58 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Fitzgerald to ND?
It will never happen, but nothing would give me a greater sense of schadenfreude than if Fitz went to Notre Dame. The wailing, rending of garments and general misery over at LTP would well be worth it.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
by HoyaGoon on Nov 30, 2009 2:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
My brother and I have been pining for just this for the last month or so.
Sadly, Bitchgerald seems to have purple sizzurp running through his veins…
by RossWB on Nov 30, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if...
all this “Ferentz to ND” talk stems from the fact that ND was talking to Neil Cornrich about Bob Stoops? I think Cornrich is agent to both Stoops and Ferentz.
Maybe somebody heard about it, and just assumed ND was going after both of them.
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Nov 30, 2009 10:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Interesting article...
on Ferentz’s agent, Neil Cornrich. He also represents (or did, as of 2006): Bielema, Leavitt, both Stoops brothers, Mangino, and Tom O’Brien.
Oh, and Al Groh and Glen Mason :)
Here is the link:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2006-11-17-coaches-agents_x.htm
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Nov 30, 2009 11:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Kirk to ND
I smell fear—if Bob Stoops turns down the offer, your coach will be driving the U-Haul east on I-80 Thursday.
by AkaskanDomer on Dec 1, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
hahahhahahahahahah
Fear? Go back and real the wailing and gnashing of teeth when Michigan thought he might be the coach (before RR got hired). Not our fear, theirs. He’s not going anywhere.
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Dec 1, 2009 7:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whatever helps you sleep at night.
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
by Oops Pow Surprise on Dec 2, 2009 1:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dumbest post of the year
Easy.
I am just being me... Awesome ~ChinaWall
by ChinaWall on Dec 2, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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