OK, with Dirk Koetter headed to Jacksonville, it’s time for the Miami coaching search to turn elsewhere. I’ve traded emails with a few sources today and here’s what I’m hearing regarding The U as well as some other college coaching-related news:
>>> Steve Kragthorpe to Louisville is just about a done deal. Kudos to AD Tom Jurich for pulling this off. Talk about one of the best in the game. No pussyfooting around here. Bobby Petrino bails on Sunday night and Jurich could have Krag locked down within 48 hours?
Simply amazing and very reminiscent of Miami in the 80s when Sam Jankovich loses a Howard Schnellenberger and lands an up and comer in Jimmy Johnson. The Cards are going places as long as Jurich keeps running the show there.
Curious what Tulsa does now. Look for both Mike Shula and Larry Coker to have their names thrown in the mix for this new vacancy. Coker spent 1979-1982 as an assistant for the Golden Hurricane.
>>> With Koetter out of the mix for Miami, here are some names I’m hearing: Kevin Sumlin (Oklahoma co-OC), John Bond (NIU OC) and George McDonald (Western Michigan OC). I’ve been reminded that former Cane great Mike Sullivan is on that WMU staff and would be a good sounding board for Randy Shannon regarding McDonald.
Also in the mix, a few Rutgers guys, possibly. John McNulty or Craig ver Steeg could be contacted due to Miami coaches digging the Scarlet Knights’ physical running game.
On a side note, I am hearing nothing regarding Kevin Rogers of the Minnesota Vikings. His name has been popular on message boards or in the media, but something tells me that Shannon isn’t interested in his style of offense as a long-term fix for Miami.
Curious to see where Shannon goes here. I definitely like the prospect of an up and comer who is going to be hungry to turn things around with The U’s offense.
I liked the prospect of Koetter and that “instant fix” it might’ve brought, but in the end it’d have been temporary as this guy would’ve headed to the NFL or a mid-level college head coaching gig in 2-3 years if he did anything with the Canes’ offense.
As I’ve stated blog after blog, Miami is a special place which needs the right guy for the job. Sometimes the right guy isn’t always the one who looks best on paper. Like a three-star recruit compared to the overhyped five-star, it’s about that intangible. We need a guy salivating at the prospect of coming to Coral Gables to work with this talent – not a guy using The U’s offer as leverage for an NFL gig.
Sit back and watch. Things are about to get interesting.
.:Canes305:.
I love reading your blog man it’s a fresh relief from all the doom and gloomers on the message boards. I know everyone feels the Florida win was bad, but I am sorry I couldn’t help but take some joy at the expressions on those Ohio State fans faces. Then to see Tressel get desperate and go for it on 4 and 1 in the 1st half had me rolling. I totally agree with you on the recruiting comment all these fans on the forums don’t understand that we want to get players at Miami who fit the program, not because some ranking service has them rated high (I.E. – Kyle Wright and Brock Berlin)
Can you elaborate on what you think the deal is with each of the candidates you just went into. The more I think about it the more I am starting to like the power running game idea with these names at OC. What are the selling points and chances with each name. Thanks and keep it up.
i hate those buckeyes and their fans i was in vegas over new years and had to deal with alot of those idiots, especially because i was wearing my cane gear with pride. i’ll be the offensive coordinator, hire me. i’ll do it for cheap.
Doc in cali.
p.s. i still like mark trestman if available.