I myself am on the hire Herman train, but I thought I'd try to take a look at options that haven't been mentioned. I know guys like Chadwell and Napier and being tossed around, along with Freeze and others, but I wanted to think through things the way White and TN might see them.

For instance, they just got done with a coordinator and probably want a head coach. Recent head coaches from G5 schools haven't worked out, so that leaves P5 schools. (Note, TN has only hired 3 coaches directly from another currently P5 school).

Then, I removed those who got hired in 2020. Next, I removed those schools that have a recent playoff appearance or where I felt the coach was imbedded at their school and we had no chance of getting even for say $10 million. Third, I only looked at those with a winning record. Then I removed those coaches who have a losing season in the past three. That removed for instance Gary Patterson.

I was left with:
Jimbo Fisher (it would take a bucketload of money, I know)
Dan Mullen
Kyle Whittingham
Mario Cristobal
Herm Edwards
Hugh Freeze
Paul Cryst
Kirk Ferentz
Mike Gundy
Matt Campbell
Pat Narduzzi
Mack Brown

Among active coaches.

Narduzzi could be interesting ... The last coach from Pitt seemed to work out.

(01-22-2021 12:02 AM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  I myself am on the hire Herman train, but I thought I'd try to take a look at options that haven't been mentioned. I know guys like Chadwell and Napier and being tossed around, along with Freeze and others, but I wanted to think through things the way White and TN might see them.

For instance, they just got done with a coordinator and probably want a head coach. Recent head coaches from G5 schools haven't worked out, so that leaves P5 schools. (Note, TN has only hired 3 coaches directly from another currently P5 school).

Then, I removed those who got hired in 2020. Next, I removed those schools that have a recent playoff appearance or where I felt the coach was imbedded at their school and we had no chance of getting even for say $10 million. Third, I only looked at those with a winning record. Then I removed those coaches who have a losing season in the past three. That removed for instance Gary Patterson.

I was left with:
Jimbo Fisher (it would take a bucketload of money, I know)
Dan Mullen
Kyle Whittingham
Mario Cristobal
Herm Edwards
Hugh Freeze
Paul Cryst
Kirk Ferentz
Mike Gundy
Matt Campbell
Pat Narduzzi
Mack Brown

Among active coaches.

Narduzzi could be interesting ... The last coach from Pitt seemed to work out.

White's a solid hire. But I wouldn't try to overthink this until he's in place and indicates whether he is in support of the latest hires including Steele or not. Then you might have a better basis for speculation. I think this is a big "We'll see."

Just based on the chaotic nature of the last hire, and possible NCAA sanctions coming; I don't think Tennessee will hire a strong candidate this time.

What they may do is hire someone with a decent resume and limited options for movement. Or perhaps someone from a lower level that can't turn down the money.

All in all, Danny White was the more important hire because that department needs stability and vision. They haven't had that in a while. If the next coach isn't an established winner then that's ok as long as they don't go crazy and give him a fat contract and a big buyout.

What they need is a long term plan more so than a splash hire this year.

(01-22-2021 12:18 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 12:02 AM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  I myself am on the hire Herman train, but I thought I'd try to take a look at options that haven't been mentioned. I know guys like Chadwell and Napier and being tossed around, along with Freeze and others, but I wanted to think through things the way White and TN might see them.

For instance, they just got done with a coordinator and probably want a head coach. Recent head coaches from G5 schools haven't worked out, so that leaves P5 schools. (Note, TN has only hired 3 coaches directly from another currently P5 school).

Then, I removed those who got hired in 2020. Next, I removed those schools that have a recent playoff appearance or where I felt the coach was imbedded at their school and we had no chance of getting even for say $10 million. Third, I only looked at those with a winning record. Then I removed those coaches who have a losing season in the past three. That removed for instance Gary Patterson.

I was left with:
Jimbo Fisher (it would take a bucketload of money, I know)
Dan Mullen
Kyle Whittingham
Mario Cristobal
Herm Edwards
Hugh Freeze
Paul Cryst
Kirk Ferentz
Mike Gundy
Matt Campbell
Pat Narduzzi
Mack Brown

Among active coaches.

Narduzzi could be interesting ... The last coach from Pitt seemed to work out.

White's a solid hire. But I wouldn't try to overthink this until he's in place and indicates whether he is in support of the latest hires including Steele or not. Then you might have a better basis for speculation. I think this is a big "We'll see."

If I understand the reports correctly, White has been instructed to move quickly, which makes sense with signing day approaching. That indicates to me that Steele might not be the guy, though he obviously still could be. I think we might know something early next week.

(01-22-2021 12:39 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Just based on the chaotic nature of the last hire, and possible NCAA sanctions coming; I don't think Tennessee will hire a strong candidate this time.

What they may do is hire someone with a decent resume and limited options for movement. Or perhaps someone from a lower level that can't turn down the money.

All in all, Danny White was the more important hire because that department needs stability and vision. They haven't had that in a while. If the next coach isn't an established winner then that's ok as long as they don't go crazy and give him a fat contract and a big buyout.

What they need is a long term plan more so than a splash hire this year.

I agree they need a long term plan, and the White hire is a huge step in the right direction, but I disagree that they can't get a strong candidate. For instance, Herman is available, and has a.710 winning percentage, which is better than Johnny Majors and close to the Fulmer/Bill Battle/Dickey years. Even Josh Heupel is in the top ten by winning percentage among active coaches (with admittedly a small sample size). Napier is 16th. Herman is 18th. Freeze is 20th. Malzahn is 25th. Bill Clark at 36th has a .653 winning record.

In other words, there are lots of solid candidates possibly available this time around. I don't know that many are going to energize a fan base right away, but a short, discreet search that results in any of the names I listed above would be considered a win, I think.

(01-22-2021 09:31 AM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 12:39 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Just based on the chaotic nature of the last hire, and possible NCAA sanctions coming; I don't think Tennessee will hire a strong candidate this time.

What they may do is hire someone with a decent resume and limited options for movement. Or perhaps someone from a lower level that can't turn down the money.

All in all, Danny White was the more important hire because that department needs stability and vision. They haven't had that in a while. If the next coach isn't an established winner then that's ok as long as they don't go crazy and give him a fat contract and a big buyout.

What they need is a long term plan more so than a splash hire this year.

I agree they need a long term plan, and the White hire is a huge step in the right direction, but I disagree that they can't get a strong candidate. For instance, Herman is available, and has a.710 winning percentage, which is better than Johnny Majors and close to the Fulmer/Bill Battle/Dickey years. Even Josh Heupel is in the top ten by winning percentage among active coaches (with admittedly a small sample size). Napier is 16th. Herman is 18th. Freeze is 20th. Malzahn is 25th. Bill Clark at 36th has a .653 winning record.

In other words, there are lots of solid candidates possibly available this time around. I don't know that many are going to energize a fan base right away, but a short, discreet search that results in any of the names I listed above would be considered a win, I think.

Napier is probably waiting on the LSU job to open. I didn't think he'd give USC-C a look, but him turning down Auburn was a big surprise!!

I've heard that the SEC "encouraged" Auburn not to hire Freeze, so I would imagine that the SEC would do the same with Tennessee.

(01-23-2021 10:43 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 09:31 AM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 12:39 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Just based on the chaotic nature of the last hire, and possible NCAA sanctions coming; I don't think Tennessee will hire a strong candidate this time.

What they may do is hire someone with a decent resume and limited options for movement. Or perhaps someone from a lower level that can't turn down the money.

All in all, Danny White was the more important hire because that department needs stability and vision. They haven't had that in a while. If the next coach isn't an established winner then that's ok as long as they don't go crazy and give him a fat contract and a big buyout.

What they need is a long term plan more so than a splash hire this year.

I agree they need a long term plan, and the White hire is a huge step in the right direction, but I disagree that they can't get a strong candidate. For instance, Herman is available, and has a.710 winning percentage, which is better than Johnny Majors and close to the Fulmer/Bill Battle/Dickey years. Even Josh Heupel is in the top ten by winning percentage among active coaches (with admittedly a small sample size). Napier is 16th. Herman is 18th. Freeze is 20th. Malzahn is 25th. Bill Clark at 36th has a .653 winning record.

In other words, there are lots of solid candidates possibly available this time around. I don't know that many are going to energize a fan base right away, but a short, discreet search that results in any of the names I listed above would be considered a win, I think.

Napier is probably waiting on the LSU job to open. I didn't think he'd give USC-C a look, but him turning down Auburn was a big surprise!!

I've heard that the SEC "encouraged" Auburn not to hire Freeze, so I would imagine that the SEC would do the same with Tennessee.

An insider who has proven right before at Vol Nation seems to indicate that the university wants someone from the Big 12, though Elliot is getting a lot of press.

(01-23-2021 01:14 PM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  

(01-23-2021 10:43 AM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 09:31 AM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  

(01-22-2021 12:39 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Just based on the chaotic nature of the last hire, and possible NCAA sanctions coming; I don't think Tennessee will hire a strong candidate this time.

What they may do is hire someone with a decent resume and limited options for movement. Or perhaps someone from a lower level that can't turn down the money.

All in all, Danny White was the more important hire because that department needs stability and vision. They haven't had that in a while. If the next coach isn't an established winner then that's ok as long as they don't go crazy and give him a fat contract and a big buyout.

What they need is a long term plan more so than a splash hire this year.

I agree they need a long term plan, and the White hire is a huge step in the right direction, but I disagree that they can't get a strong candidate. For instance, Herman is available, and has a.710 winning percentage, which is better than Johnny Majors and close to the Fulmer/Bill Battle/Dickey years. Even Josh Heupel is in the top ten by winning percentage among active coaches (with admittedly a small sample size). Napier is 16th. Herman is 18th. Freeze is 20th. Malzahn is 25th. Bill Clark at 36th has a .653 winning record.

In other words, there are lots of solid candidates possibly available this time around. I don't know that many are going to energize a fan base right away, but a short, discreet search that results in any of the names I listed above would be considered a win, I think.

Napier is probably waiting on the LSU job to open. I didn't think he'd give USC-C a look, but him turning down Auburn was a big surprise!!

I've heard that the SEC "encouraged" Auburn not to hire Freeze, so I would imagine that the SEC would do the same with Tennessee.

An insider who has proven right before at Vol Nation seems to indicate that the university wants someone from the Big 12, though Elliot is getting a lot of press.

Gary Patterson, Mike Gundy, and Neal Brown seem like the viable candidates if that's the case.

Matt Campbell is desirable, but I don't think he's leaving. None of the others seem a particularly good hire.

Although Les Miles would be interesting.