Category: Mike Leach

ESPN reported that Greg Schiano officially turned down Miami today, deciding to take the $20M Rutgers offered and run. You go, Greg. $2M a year for 10 years is hard to turn down. Plus, you were NEVER going to see a ten year commitment out of The U. Not after one good year at Rutgers.

I’ve received a ton of emails from Scarlet Knight faithful attempting to break balls about Miami being “turned down” by Schiano, as if that’s an indictment on The U. Please. If Schiano put these rumors to rest by lunch on Monday that tells you two things, (1) he wasn’t all that interested and (2) Paul Dee didn’t pursue him vigorously.

If Miami threw it all at Schiano, this thing would’ve taken a few days to mull over. You don’t turn down a multi-million dollar deal over a hoagie. You let it sink in a bit. The way it all played out today, this meeting seemed like it was just a formality.

I’ve been on the phone this morning, curious to get to the bottom of things and a few different sources have reported the same name back to me, Bob Stoops.

While I have NO CLUE how Miami will compete for one of the game’s highest paid coaches, there are some signs (albeit far fetched at this point) which could point to Stoops being Miami’s guy.

>>> The talk has been of a “high profile” coach coming to Miami. Schiano and Steve Spurrier were mentioned early on and seemed to fit the bill. Spurrier used Miami for leverage (once a Gator…) and Schiano merely seemed logical based on ties to The U and the fact he’s a an up and coming coach.

Both names were thrown out there to feed the masses the past few weeks. People devoured anything Spurrier or Schiano related, but at day’s end neither had merit.

Stoops has been contacted by Miami. We know that much. What hasn’t been confirmed is the purpose of the call. Is Stoops a candidate or a sounding board? He did employ Mike Leach as offensive coordinator (1999-2000) his first two seasons at Oklahoma. Was this a brain-picking session regarding Leach, or is Stoops that “big name” guy the Miami boosters wanted and have kept mum on?

I don’t know if there’s any merit to this Stoops talk. I’m going on a tip that Miami and the Oklahoma head coach have been in discussions since last Thursday. What that means, we’ll find out soon enough.

There are $3,400,000 reasons why I don’t believer Stoops would bail Oklahoma for Miami, but I’ll play devil’s advocate below:

>>> If this plays out, then Chuck Neinas stayed true to form and was worth every dollar. Neinas helped bring Stoops to OU years back and helped bring Urban Meyer to Florida in 2004. He knows how to work with big name coaches, top universities and every article I’ve read mentions how discreet he is in the process.

Because this is so under the radar, it deserves some consideration. Speculation is that “Spurrier to Miami” blew up when the media got a hold of it. If Stoops is Miami’s ace in the hole, that news is being held close to the vest and these other coaching rumors are just a smoke screen.

>>> Random message board rumors have mentioned Stoops being frustrated with the booster situation at OU and the events leading to QB Rhett Bomar’s dismissal. Others say Carol Stoops is over Norman and is ready for change. The Stoops own a condo in South Florida, so they obviously dig the area.

Pure speculation? Absolutely but after eight seasons in the midwest, it’s not far fetched for the Stoops to be thinking change and trek back to the Sunshine State. The most dominant program in Florida awaits. Howard called it The State of Miami.

Christy Schiano supposedly didn’t care for South Florida, which obviously played into her husband’s decision to stick around New Jersey. Don’t underestimate a wife’s influence whether Coach stays or goes.

>>> Miami message boards are reporting that Dee is in New York today conducting interviews at The National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame. Coaches and athletic directors from across the nation are all gathered in this centralized location. Stoops and Leach are both at the event. Dee will talk to one or both of them.

>>> After Stoops, I’m not sure what Miami is thinking outside of a current NFL guy, if they’re still thinking “big name” head coaching hire. Leach continues to get press, but that’s because he’s the only one vocal about wanting the opportunity. As of this morning Leach stated that no one from Miami has contacted him, but who knows? His interest level alone might vault him to the #2 guy. He told a mutual friend of ours that he’d “gnaw off his arm” for a chance to coach The U.
That’s exactly the kind of guy Miami needs.

>>> Randy Shannon is still a viable candidate, but I believe that’s only if plans A, B and C fall through. Shannon had to be publicly named in an effort to keep other schools at arm’s length. The premise of Leach’s offense with Shannon’s defense would be a helluva fit, but is that too many egos under one roof? Shannon will get offered a head coaching job somewhere. Miami would have to sweeten the pot to keep him around as a coordinator. More money and the Assistant Head Coach title, you’d think.

>>> More to come, but for now make note; Stoops is a viable candidate. There’s enough stuff floating around out there to warrant throwing his name in the mix. Bear with me, Sooners.

It’s highly unlikely Miami lands an A-list guy like this. But it’s a dream scenario and Miami is at a huge turning point regarding the program’s future. The Canes don’t just need a hire, they need a proven entity who’s not a retread.

Stoops got his first title at Florida in 1996. He knows the state and how to recruit it. Took over a national power in Oklahoma. Won a title year two. Solid teams year in and year out, he’s possibly coming off of his greatest coaching feat yet.

10-2 and a BCS berth after dimissing Bomar, getting robbed of a win at Oregon and losing would-be Heisman winner, Adrian Peterson to a busted collarbone weeks back. Stoops kept his team focused and they got a hell of a consolation prize in a “down” year; a Fiesta Bowl berth against Boise State.

Stoops has the resume of an old timer.

He’s only 46.

The guy’s in his prime. Does he want a new challenge or is he set to stay put? We’ll see.

Either way, you don’t let something like this out of the bag until it’s a done deal. Not with a big name, big money guy like this. “Stoops to Miami” is out of left field, but until he officially says he’s not a candidate, my interest will remain piqued.

The more this is playing out, the more I believe Stoops was Miami’s #1 option after firing Coker. Spurrier and Schiano were thrown in so the media would muck up the waters. This could be the calm before the storm. The Canes are pursuing the Sooners top dog. Does Dee have enough in the tank to lure Stoops back to the Sunshine State? Let’s see how it all unfolds.

>>> OU folks already flooding the Inbox, let’s clarify a few things. I am not reporting this as a done deal. I got a tip, I read some rumors and I’m connecting the dots from a Miami fan’s perspective.

Two Miami sources mentioned Stoops to me. When I posted it on CanesTime, I got a few PMs from guys close to The U who told me the same thing. Does that give it legs? Who the hell knows.

I’m just reporting what I heard this weekend. Stoops is talking to Miami. Whether that’s to recommend Leach or to test the waters for himself, we’ll see.

Until then, let us Miami folk speculate.

We’re bored as hell and less than thrilled about New Year’s in Boise.

.:Canes305:.