Five 'hidden' coaches Alabama would be wise to consider

[JessN]

Five 'hidden' coaches Alabama would be wise to consider
By Jess Nicholas

In terms of name recognition, Nick Saban and Bob Stoops are as common as Kleenex in the minds of any serious college football fan.

But while Alabama is still thought to be in pursuit of Saban, there needs to be a backup plan in case things can’t be worked out.

For the full story, click here: http://tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51718

 

[PattheCatinSaudi]

Great article. I really believe the PTB should look at Kragthorpe. His teams win, and coaching in Oklahoma, he has seen the fishbowl that bigtime coaches live in (e.g. OU).

As far as Harbaugh goes, isn't Ron English considered the heir apparent at Mich?

 

[bamapair]

Another coach I have not read about anywhere in regards to any coaching search it Gary Patterson - at TCU.

While I realize that his ties to franchione are a big turn off, he is an excellent coach in his own right.

http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/patterson_gary00.html

 

[TruCrimson]

Just be prepared...is what I getting out of this column. That the admin are going after Saban, if they don't get Saban are choice will be pretty slim pickins(more than likely). Sounds like one hell of a ride coming..............as if it hasn't already been one

 

[Toss Sweep]

Just be prepared...is what I getting out of this column. That the admin are going after Saban, if they don't get Saban are choice will be pretty slim pickins(more than likely). Sounds like one hell of a ride coming..............as if it hasn't already been one

Exactly what I was thinking. The "slim pickings" may be good coaches, but the fans and the media are after the sexy name.

 

[GrayTide]

Good info, Jess. It appears this next tier of coaches all have a good upside, albeit not much experience with the exception of Ault. Of this group Kragthorpe looks to be the best, at least from the standpoint of D-1 experience. He is young and could be a longer term answer. I hope CMM will use his contacts to try and get some perspective and recommendations on these coaches. It is time to sit back not panic and press on with this search and see who shakes out.

 

[davefrat]

Exactly what I was thinking. The "slim pickings" may be good coaches, but the fans and the media are after the sexy name.

and the myopic focus on a "sexy" candidate is really stupid when you think about. after all, even paul bryant and vince lombardi were young nobodies at one point in their coaching careers.

i just want to get a good coach who wants to coach here because he wants to coach here, not because we were willing to pay him a billion dollars.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

I would be ecstatic to see either Kragthorpe or Patterson hired at Alabama. They are both winning at places no one expects you to win.

I still don't understand the "rocky" nature of Charlie Stubbs' last stint at Alabama. I was a fan of his then and remain one now. As I recall that situation, Stubbs' offense was shackled by an incompetent head coach and offensive line coach. The more success Stubbs had, the more they took away from him. He's thriving under Kragthorpe and would thrive here.

I also don't care about Patterson's ties to Franphoney. Patterson wasn't responsible for what happened and has shown no signs of poor ethics. He can flat out coach a football team.

 

[Toss Sweep]

and the myopic focus on a "sexy" candidate is really stupid when you think about. after all, even paul bryant and vince lombardi were young nobodies at one point in their coaching careers.

i just want to get a good coach who wants to coach here because he wants to coach here, not because we were willing to pay him a billion dollars.

I agree totally. But let me add that we need a coach with the "boys" required to live his coaching (and I guess personal) life in a pressure cooker.

 

[Andy Bulldog]

Im kinda hoping BAMA doesnt hire a BIG NAME.Then the media and attention wont be on who he is and whats expected from him..A No name,that makes his own NAME.

Or maybe Coach Rush Propst,the Coach from Hoover,now that they lost the 6A State Championship this yr.:tongue:

 

[Alabama Larry in Ky]

Again great job Jess. Man where do you find the time? I said it on here and on local radio shows, "when you beat the Orange Bowl BCS team, and take the Neers to Three OTs that says a lot". Louisville is a very good football team.

 

[GrayTide]

Great article. I really believe the PTB should look at Kragthorpe. His teams win, and coaching in Oklahoma, he has seen the fishbowl that bigtime coaches live in (e.g. OU).

As far as Harbaugh goes, isn't Ron English considered the heir apparent at Mich?

I agree with you about Kragthorpe. As far as who replaces Lloyd Carr, the odds on favorite to return to his alma mater, Michigan as HC is Les Miles at LSU. At his point if CMM and the BOT are prepared to wait on Saban then I am okay with that but hope they have someone in their back pocket that is willing to accept when Saban, again says no thanks.

 

[RhodeIslandRed]

I also don't care about Patterson's ties to Franphoney. Patterson wasn't responsible for what happened and has shown no signs of poor ethics. He can flat out coach a football team.

However, I'm sure they still talk and the waters will be poisoned.

 

[bamapeppy]

Jess would it sweeten the deal to offer Saban the head coach job and the athletic director job. The combined salaries would be tremendous, add to that the power he would have.

After Saban Patterson at TCU would be my choice. He bailed out on Franchione to stay at TCU and has done fairly well. He seems to be a personable guy who gets enough talent to win a lot of games. My only concern is his teams get blown out in a game or two every year.

 

[Big_Fan]

Five 'hidden' coaches Alabama would be wise to consider
By Jess Nicholas

In terms of name recognition, Nick Saban and Bob Stoops are as common as Kleenex in the minds of any serious college football fan.

But while Alabama is still thought to be in pursuit of Saban, there needs to be a backup plan in case things can’t be worked out.

For the full story, click here: http://tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51718

A friend of mine and I were talking about Chris Ault the other day, but I don't see him as close to realistic. He is a hall of fame coach who has been at his school since 1976 in some capacity, moving from the head coaching spot into the athletic director's job and back to head coach; fantastic football mind though.

 

[TommyMac]

I don't get this fanatical obsession with Saban. He's nothing but a flat-out mercenary and has no sense of loyalty. In other words....He's fRan with a better resume. :mad2:

 

[XXL TideFan]

Exactly what I was thinking. The "slim pickings" may be good coaches, but the fans and the media are after the sexy name.

and the myopic focus on a "sexy" candidate is really stupid when you think about. after all, even paul bryant and vince lombardi were young nobodies at one point in their coaching careers.

i just want to get a good coach who wants to coach here because he wants to coach here, not because we were willing to pay him a billion dollars.

I want a good coach that can show improvement and be able to adapt. Someone for 15 - 20 years would be phenomenal.

 

[jthomas666]

Great article. I really believe the PTB should look at Kragthorpe. His teams win, and coaching in Oklahoma, he has seen the fishbowl that bigtime coaches live in (e.g. OU).

I'd personally be happy if he brought Charlie Stubbs back--his playcalling was not a factor in the DuBose staff meltdown.

 

[mlh]

I don't get this fanatical obsession with Saban. He's nothing but a flat-out mercenary and has no sense of loyalty. In other words....He's fRan with a better resume. :mad2:

My sentiments exactly, TommyMac.

If we are waiting on Saban... we might as well get ready for one of the others on the list. In a few weeks we'll all be talking about the potential or our new HC rather than his impressive resume. But I don't really have a problem with that. I think we need someone who is hungry and wants to make a name for himself at Bama. Saban has made a name for himself already. The same can be said for Petrino and the other "sexy" coaches that have been discussed.

Give me someone who knows how to run a program and has a burning desire to etch his name in the record books of college football.

 

[Crimson Speed]

even paul bryant and vince lombardi were young nobodies at one point in their coaching careers.

i just want to get a good coach who wants to coach here because he wants to coach here, not because we were willing to pay him a billion dollars.

Very true. Buying our way into a good coach might look good up front, but what kind of long term stability can we expect? I am concerned that we will be looking over our shoulder every year when December rolls around. There is a lot to be said for evaluating young coaching talent with a burning desire to excel.

The question is whether the search committee has the ability to recognize that talent. This really concerns me, given the recent history coaching choices (last 10 years).

Coach NS could be an exception. I believe he would quickly turn the program around because he would demand enough control to back down the power brokers at the Capstone. This man has no problem standing toe to toe with anybody, including the political insiders that share much of the responsibility for the present quagmire. But, being realistic, I believe the chances of him coming here are slim. There are just too many things that have to fall into place to make it happen. Stranger things have happened; maybe this will be one of them.