ULM is essentially an impossible job. The fact that Berry led them to a bowl game and an eight-win season a few years ago was really quite impressive. In fact, that 8-5 season is the program's only winning season since 1993, their last season in I-AA (now FCS) football. Berry's salary, $360,000, was the lowest in FBS, $15,000 less than Appalachian State's Scott Satterfield, who has the second-lowest salary. Their athletic department budget for 2014, according to data from USA Today, ranked 182nd in the nation, dead last among FBS schools. And not just by a little, by a lot. Arkansas State is next to last, at 124. At 182, they are in the company of programs like Cal State-Fullerton, who doesn't even have a football team, much less an FBS football team. I'm all for football programs striving for bigger and better things, and Appalachian State and Georgia Southern are examples of programs that were clearly ready for the jump, but I think ULM is a classic case of a football program overreaching and trying to play at the highest level, simply for the status of being an FBS program, when they simply lack the resources to truly do so.
Kiffin to me is the Rex Ryan of CFB. Not sure how they keep getting HC gigs but they'll bring the buzz and publicity. This would actually be a good hire for Maryland.
Figured he wanted to coach Andrew Luck next season. Or that UH would be looking at him in a year or two.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Iowa State HC Paul Rhoads has been dismissed per source.</p>— Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThayerEvansSI/status/668479622737084416">November 22, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It's tough to say that Rhoads got a raw deal at Iowa State given that the team hasn't won more than three games (barring a win next week) in any of the last three seasons, but he's done about as well as anyone has at ISU by getting the program to three bowl games in his seven seasons on the job. He and Dan McCarney are honestly probably number 1 and 2, in some order, of the most successful head coaches in program history. Before Rhoads, Gene Chizik went 3-9 and 2-10 in his two seasons before beating the posse out of town by taking the Auburn job. Before that, McCarney got the Cyclones to five bowl games in 12 years on the job (including an all-time program-best 9-3 in 2000, led by future Texans Sage Rosenfels and J.J. Moses). Prior to 2000, the program had not been a bowl game since 1978 and had only been to four in their entire history. Given that there is such a staggering number of job openings already in FBS football, I kind of figured that Iowa State would roll the dice that Rhoads gets the program turned back around like he had done early in his tenure rather than get into a coaching rat race with a bunch of other programs with more attractive openings and more money to spend.
Yeah, they've already announced that he's coming back for next season, and I have to think that has as much to do with the sheer volume of teams already in the market for a coach as it does their confidence in him getting things turned around.
Rhoads should have been allowed to finish out the season at least. His speech after the Nebraska upset is a classic moment in sports IMO. ISU is a though job without a doubt and thought he did as good as a job as he could have.
Nick Saban's next stop will be in the NFL. There is nothing left for him to accomplish in the college ranks. I predict he will be the front runner for the Colts job once Chuck Pagano is shown the exit. The opportunity to coach Andrew Luck and compete in the AFC against his good friend Bill Belichick for a Superbowl ring is too good to pass on. Book it.
Interesting enough to that there have been some rumblings that Saban isn't all that happy at Bama anymore. Take it for what it's worth but a 2nd chance in the NFL with Luck make a lot of sense. Worked out pretty well for Pete Carroll.
Good little read. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Big Picture: As the Silly Season heats up, here are 51 coaches to keep an eye on: <a href="https://t.co/MyNfpefh0g">https://t.co/MyNfpefh0g</a></p>— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/668616651881889792">November 23, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Texas doesn't even have an AD right now. I can't imagine hiring a new coach without one and then having a new AD come in with no loyalty at all to the coach.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Syracuse HC Scott Shafer has been dismissed & will coach final game vs. BC per source.</p>— Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThayerEvansSI/status/668801035784364033">November 23, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Agreed. The coaching change before the new AD on board would essentially handcuff him to the coach for at least 3-4 years which is not a desirable situation no matter where you are. But Strong all but confirmed he ain't leaving today saying he told the kids he is here for the duration. A LOT of rumblings of Les being out at LSU. This would flip the carousel right upside down if it happens. Should be a fun ride.
I keep hearing rumors that Chad Morris is about to take the VT job. This makes no sense for us or them.
Apparently the boosters will take care of this but big mistake if this happens unless they already have their guy on board. Jimbo Fishers name has already been floating around.
