Dec
11
Washington State Hires Wulff
December 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Washington State filled their coaching vacancy by hiring Eastern Washington coach and Cougar alum Paul Wulff. Wulff led Eastern Washington to a 53-40 record over seven season, and a trip to the Division 1-AA quarterfinals this year. He’s the first WSU alum to head the team in almost 60 years.
Dec
11
Breaking: Miles Still Staying at LSU
December 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Les Miles talked to Michigan again. This got the Blue faithful all up in a tizzy, speculating that negotiations were back on. This despite the fact that Miles just signed and extension with LSU. An extension that reportedly includes a $1.25 million buyout if Miles goes to Michigan, provides free tuition to Miles’ kids, and a DOUBLE PAYMENT OF HIS REMAINING DEAL IF HE GETS FIRED (yes, that does seem to mean he makes more money if he screws up badly enough to get fired…but I digress…). Well settle down Wolverine fans. Miles is staying put.
He explained today that he was simply offering advice to Michigan, in order to help with their coaching search. Something any alum would be happy to do.
Come to terms with it Michigan: Miles will not be your next coach.
Dec
10
Price is Wrong for Wazzu
December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Current UTEP and former Washington State head coach Mike Price has removed his name from consideration for the Wazzu coaching job. Price led the Cougars to two Rose Bowl appearances in his tenure at WSU, before he left for Alabama.
He’s probably best known for getting fired from Alabama before even coaching a game. He allegedly got drunk and went to a strip club in Florida, where he yelled “Roll Tide” and left with a stripper. He, of course, denies all this…
Dec
8
Navy Promotes Niumatalolo to Head Coach
December 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Navy didn’t waste a lot of time or log a lot of miles looking for Paul Johnson’s replacement. They announced today that they have promoted assistant head coach and offensive line coach Ken Niumatalolo to head coach.
Niumatalolo has been an assistant at the Naval Academy for the last six years. Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said “I have observed our program over the past six years and I attribute a large part of our success to the invaluable role Ken has played as the assistant head coach.”
Dec
7
Navy’s Johnson Going to Georgia Tech
December 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Navy head coach Paul Johnson has accepted Georgia Tech’s offer to be their new coach.
Johnson led the Middies to 5 straight bowls and 5 straight Commander in Chief Trophies, not to mention 6 straight wins over Army (a feat that had never been accomplished before). Oh, and he beat Notre Dame, the first time that’s happened in 43 years. His 45-29 record in six seasons with Navy is pretty good, but is spectacular when you consider that Navy went 38-72 in the previous 10 years. Before joining Navy he led Georgia Southern to back-to-back Division 1-AA National Championships. So he knows Georgia.
You can’t talk about Johnson without bringing up his offensive wizardry. He’s known for his pesky triple option attack, which relies on discipline and decision-making rather than lots of speed or strength. It’s one of the major reasons he was able to build Navy into a solid program so quickly. It will be very interesting to see if he installs that system at Georgia Tech, and if so, how successful it will be.
Johnson placed a respectable 54th in our rankings, though it comes with an asterisk. Navy doesn’t reveal what their total football revenue is, so it’s quite possible Johnson would have placed significantly higher.
Look out ACC, this guy could make Georgia Tech a force in the next couple of years.
Read more
Dec
7
Rutgers’ Schiano Says No Thanks to Michigan
December 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Man, what is going on with Michigan? It’s starting to seem like nobody wants to coach there. The latest coach to turn down the traditional Big 10 power is Rutgers’ Greg Schiano. Schiano said:
“I was contacted earlier this week about the Michigan coaching vacancy, but I have decided to remove my name from consideration,” Schiano said in a statement released by the university Friday. “I look forward to our third straight bowl game and to bringing a national championship to Rutgers and the state of New Jersey.
So he didn’t want to leave Rutgers. That’s right, Rutgers. When you have coaches choosing to stay at Rutgers rather than come to your school, you’re in biiiiig trouble.
Schiano finished a disappointing 87th in our rankings, but has been responsible for taking a woeful Rutgers team and turning them into perennial Big East contenders.
And in case you’ve missed the whole Michigan coach-search debacle, here’s a video from The Palestra that sums it up nicely:
Dec
6
Willingham Will Be Back at Washington
December 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The University of Washington has decided against firing coach Ty Willingham, despite winning only 11 games in three years, becoming the first UW coach to have three straight losing seasons, and a 107th place finish in our rankings. Ty will be back for 2008, but this Husky will probably be on a short leash.
You may remember Willingham as the guy Notre Dame blames for everything. But right now his successor Charlie Weiss comes in dead last in our rankings. So maybe it’s not all Ty’s fault.
Dec
6
Miles Signs Extension at LSU
December 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
LSU coach Les Miles signed a contract extension today that will keep him in Baton Rouge through 2012. That’s a bit of a stake in the heart for any Michigan fans who were still holding out hope…
Dec
6
Strike Three: Grobe Not Going to Arkansas
December 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Arkansas coaching search will go on. First they didn’t get Tommy Tuberville. Then they didn’t get Tommy Bowden. Today they found out they won’t be getting Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe.
Grobe decided he wanted to stick with Wake, and informed Wake AD Ron Wellman of his decision this morning. This comes the day after Arkansas’ fundraisers approved a proposed salary for Grobe.
Hey, if nobody wants the job, I’ll take it.
Dec
6
Wake Forest’s Grobe to Arkansas?
December 6, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Curious reports out of Arkansas tonight. Apparently The Razorback Foundation, the athletic department’s private fundraising arm, has approved a supplemental salary request for Wake Forest’s Jim Grobe. This doesn’t officially mean the university is hiring Grobe, but it’s a strong indication.
A news conference could be held as early as Thursday to announce Grobe as the next Razorbacks coach. Or the whole thing could fall apart. Check back to find out what happens.
Grobe only places 51st in our updated rankings, but he’s known for consistently making the most of the talent he’s got, so this could be a good hire for Arkansas.
More info at ESPN and The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
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