We’ll know more in the coming days. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn’t – but I’m being lead to believe “Stoops to Miami” isn’t as dead as big brother is making it. There’s more to this story that we’re all hearing and with the coaching conference coming to a close, we should know more by early next week.
As mentioned a few days ago, this should be a no brainer move for Mark. DC at Miami versus DC at Arizona? No contest. The U is on the mend and the talent is returning to Coral Gables. Especially on that defensive side of the ball. Arizona? Already sucking hind teet to USC and Cal the past few years, now they’re dealing with Dennis Erickson in Tempe and battling the desert state power for local and national recruits.
Oh yeah, and don’t look now but Rick Neuheisel just headed over to UCLA – planting Arizona firmly in the middle of the pack regarding the rest of the Pac-10 programs.
Stoops could still choose family over the U Family – and it’d be tough to blame him. Family is a big deal, but in the coaching profession making moves and trying to climb that ladder is all part of the game. The Stoops clan knows that.
Especially Mike, who spent a few years on the Kansas State staff with Bob Stoops. Bob left for Florida and Mike hung around Manhattan until Bob came calling and brought him to Oklahoma in 1999. Four years later Mike bailed Bob for the Arizona gig and offered Mark a spot on the roster, bringing him to Tucson from Coral Gables.
Mike made the necessary career jumps to further his career and needs to get the hell out of little brother’s way if he’s looking to do the same. I guess ‘blood is thick’ only refers to skipping out for coordinator positions. If we’re talking head coaching material, THEN it’s OK to move on to greener pastures, eh Mike?
If this doesn’t play out, here’s hoping Randy Shannon hangs on to the gig for 2008 and finds ‘the guy’ in 2009. No need to bring someone aboard for the sake of bringing someone aboard.
More to come….
comments
The constant re-litigating of the winning-cures-all-while-losing-exposes-warts sentiment rolls on as Miami faithful continue flailing in…
Josh Pate gets it... and I'm not just saying that because he dedicated an entire…
Tyler Van Dyke may very well have thrown his last meaningful pass for the Miami…
We can debate the merits of winning-curing-all and losses-killing-perspective at another time. For now, focus…
Winning might not cure everything, but it certainly can shift a narrative overnight—immediately lightening…
The only remedy for a gut-wrenching loss to Georgia Tech would've been the Miami Hurricanes…
View Comments
What do you think about moving Michael Barrow on up from LB coach? He's been very significant in the recruiting process and has a great deal of experience.
What do you think about moving Michael Barrow on up from LB coach? He's been very significant in the recruiting process and has a great deal of experience.
Barrow might be ready in time and I think he's a solid coach in the making, but he really isn't ready to be DC. Look what just happened with Walton. Barrow has even less experience.
2007 he was with the Canes. 2006 he was coaching high school ball. 2005 he was still in the NFL.
Let Barrow keep doing what he's doing. As a recruit, the kids adore him and now it's time to see him develop some of these linebacking recruits we're bringing in. IF he can do that and thrive, THEN down the road he might be ready for DC. Not yet, though.
Stoops or Shannon. I think that's where we're at right now.
I would prefer that Shannon hire someone if possible and focus on being THE MAN and get us back on track, but if not I understand. Richt handled the offense until recently at Georgia so it can be done. I would just prefer for Shannon to lock in on the overall program and not one side of the ball right now. Even if he does take on the DC title as well, I hope he is willing to be flexible and not so rigid in formation and schemes, and adjusts to what offenses are doing than he was in prior times. I also want him to keep the headset on, on gameday and stay involved with what his assistants are doing in the trenches. Don't be Bobby Bowden. Get in the trenches and pull out wins.
-Columbus Cane
I think if we can't get Stoops for a DC then Shannon should take over duties for now. Over the years the defense played a big part of the U's success, some years it was the crutch we could depend on. Last year teams "kicked the crutch from under us". Hopefully Coach Shannon can get a quality candiate like Stoops in, IF NOT, he should go out and get one of the best DC's off all time and that is.....HIMSELF!
Big A from the 321 to the 305!!!!
good post allcanes. kinda hard posting at your site under my usual alias that I use over the other boards. Another point you can add is that HC that are about to bolt for other HC gigs always deny interest or say some baloney like "I have not spoken to that school and I am here to stay!" In the meantime their agent are cutting their deal for them. What Mike Stoops said about Mark is so minimal that I consider it inconsequential. The hold up probably is that Randy hasn't formally offered or is still talking to other candidates. Mark is smart enough to consider this deal with great seriousness. Hope it comes true so he can ride this current class of recruits to glory!
Stoops would be a good hire. So would Strong. Yesterday during the Basketball game Tim Brant said that Shalala is very committed to Basketball and that a new Basketball facility is being built. Didn't Basketball get a new facility a few years ago? Why in addition are they spending money expanding the Arena? I am all for Basketball and am pleasantly surprised by Haith's team but Football should ALWAYS come first at the "U" and a new facility and an expanded arena with a new scoreboard and video screen demonstrates how biased Shalala is against Football, how she wants us to fail and how she is trying to make us a Basketball school!
Marve musings from the St. Petersburg Times:
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/15/Sports/Marve_is_heir_apparen.shtml
9:39 am,
Do you have any evidence besides hyperbole that Shalala is anti-football as you imply? Do you not realize that in the ACC, which is king of College Basketball the same way the SEC claims to be in Football, we need the best facilities to simply compete? Spending money on other sports doesn't make a school, anti-football, it makes an athletic program more balanced and well rounded.
http://www.theacc.com/ot/07-acc-pick-the-play.html
Looks like Norm Chow just became available. He's been high on my wishlist for the better part of this decade.