Profiling Hall of Fame Coaches
17 comments so far
October 25, 2007 by
There are a number of paths to becoming the head coach of a major college football program. Some coaches just climb the food chain of head coaching jobs from smaller schools to bigger ones until they land at a major program. Other times a standout young assistant at a major program gets lured away to be a head coach. In some cases, a coach falls out of pro football and into a college job. And sometimes a long-time assistant is asked to step in for the departing coach at the same school. If you’re trying to find a Hall of Fame coach which type of candidate has been the most likely to be successful?
Program Climbers
Jim Tressel coached at Youngstown State before taking over at Ohio State. Urban Meyer went from Utah to Florida. Both won national championships. Coaches who have proven it on a smaller stage can often shine on a larger one.
Young Assistants
Whether it’s college or pro football, the next great head coach has often been a standout young assistant. Bob Stoops was the hotshot defensive coordinator that put Florida over the top in 1996. And the great Tom Osborne was also still a young man when handed the reins at Nebraska.
Pro Washouts
Pete Carroll, arrived after failing to win as a pro football coach. While he’s got an enviable record, he’s almost alone as a pro washout to have big success in college. John Robinson, got USC to a Rose Bowl after coaching the Rams, but he ultimately washed out at Southern Cal. Even the great Bill Walsh failed in his return to college football. There’s no need to remind Husker fans how things have gone after four years under Bill Callahan.
Long-tenured assistants
These are guys like Lloyd Carr at Michigan, Larry Coker at Miami, and Frank Solich at Nebraska. All of them had some great success within a few years of taking over, but the results have been less promising over time. And even the short term is no guarantee. Randy Shannon has been off to a slow start at Miami. Ray Perkins also had a difficult time at Alabama.
Fortunately, long-tenured assistants haven’t been the best long term choice because Nebraska doesn’t have any. Likewise, another pro washout probably wouldn’t fly too well right now with Husker fans. That leaves the program climbers and young assistants. At this point, either sounds fine. Because more than anything, it’s about the right guy versus the right resume. Of course, the Huskers might not have an opening for a new head coach, in which case none of this applies. But who really thinks that at this point?
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Andrew Oct 25 07
Steve,
If I had to bet, I would say there is about a 65% chance that Bill Callahan will be here next year. I think he is to blame for some of the things that have went on this year, but some things are out of his control. This is a cruel lesson in loyalty here, now we can see why the NFL is such a ruthless business.
Also in an attempt to be a mediator with everything that is going on with Husker football, I offer up another article from AJ the Husker hater, if you can get by his snide comments, he actually makes some points, but like him I am almost starting to believe that some NE fans can't see the forest for the trees. So with that here you go.
http://ajthoughts.blogspot.com/
Husker Mike Oct 25 07
When did Utah win a national title? They got to a BCS game, blasting Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl a few years ago, but never a title team. Before Utah, I think Urban Meyer was in the MAC at Bowling Green for a couple of seasons. Before that, he was a coordinator at Notre Dame IIRC.
Darren Oct 25 07
Mike - I'm pretty sure Steve meant that both Meyer and Tressel won NTs at their *new* schools, Florida and Ohio State.
Andrew - what makes you think BC has a 65% chance of staying? Just curious because that is the highest percentage I have heard anyone give. And, about control, doesn't everything eventually lead to the man in charge? Not trying to argue, just want to know why you think that. It's a unique perspective.
Darren Oct 25 07
Good take, Steve. Sort of sets the table for future discussion. Let me get started with rampant speculation in all four categories.
Program Climbers - Joe Glenn (Wyoming), Gary Patterson (TCU), and Brian Kelly (Cincy).
Young Assitants - Pelini, Pelini and Pelini. Oh, I suppose there are others too... Tyrone Nix at South Carolina or Major (Son of Tom?) Applewhite at Alabama.
Pro washouts - Jeez take your pick from the guys who will get fired. Somebody threw Bobby Petrino's name out there the other day. He's a former college guy.
Long tenured assitants - None. Okay, seriously, maybe Shawn Watson has HC material in him some day.
Question where would Georgia coach Mark Richt fall on this scale? Washout? Program climber?
Husker Mike Oct 25 07
You're right... I misread the original statement as I know Youngstown State got some trophies in 1-AA under Tressel. Applewhite is an interesting case, and you'd have to wonder what he'd do against Texas and Mack Brown after repeatedly being benched in favor of Chrissy Simms.
Steve Oct 25 07
I'd call Richt the young assistant. He was part of two national championship teams at FSU but at 40 still had a lot of years of coaching ahead of him.
Andrew Oct 25 07
Darren,
Let’s start with why I think Bill Callahan has a 65% chance of staying.
First, If you have read anything into what Dr. Tom has said, he has not even hinted towards saying anything negative about the coach, in fact he said during the aTm game that he was encouraged with the team, and that turnovers made it look was than it was. Why I don't totally agree with him, those are his words not mine.
Second, and it is a big one the money involved in the firing. There are a lot of people in NE talking like they have a bunch of money, but I remember not to long ago when people were saying that Steve Pederson was having a hard time raising money to pay off the new addition to the stadium. Where was all of that money then?
Third, take away this year and Bill Callahan has actually done some good things, Dr. Tom once again said that he is a hard worker, and that he liked him. We all have to be honest with ourselves here, know one saw this coming. Everyone at the start of the year was really optimistic about this season. I keep hearing all this stuff about how Bill Callahan has lost the team, but where is the proof? There is not one kid that has stood up and said something, in fact the only thing the players are talking about are the FANS.
Finally, I just don't think Dr. Tom has the balls to fire him, he knows what it is like to coach at NE, during his press conference he even said that he could remember a couple years before all the winning that he could remember when it was not all good. I know all these points I made want make since to anyone, because they do not want to listen, and they are busy hiring there next coach. So think you Darren for being interested!
OU7times Oct 25 07
I'm not sure why, exactly, that you may think that Callahan hasn't "lost the team". When you have the talent that is on NU's squad and you have lost 4 (and could easily have been 5) games, half way through the season. As far as Dr. Osborne not having the "balls" to fire Callahan? Follow me on this, Andrew. To say that T.O. wouldn't fire Callahan would be to say that Callahan has done something to be fired for. This would mean that T.O. would be faced with making a decision that would be best for the university and to say that he wouldn't fire Callahan in the best interest of NU, If needed, would be cutting T.O. a little bit short, don't you think? His win/loss record? His record of coming back when down in the first half? His personal conduct on and off the field (including comments about T.O.)? His unwillingness to adjust at halftime...? I think that it's quite possible Callahan has lost himself, not to mention the team. Callahan, to me has shown that he plays it both ends and why wouldn't he, knowing that his job is on the line, instill in the players minds that it's the fans and not him that is the problem. I have heard some negativity towards "some" players for their lack of play but nothing hateful to have any players be bitter towards the fanbase. Why would you think that the players would be mad at the fans and that the "booing" is clearly aimed at the coaching staff? With all that being said, I can appreciate your optimism.
steve Oct 25 07
Andrew,
While I agree a case can be made for Callahan keeping his job, it's too hard a sell to Nebraskans. That's not trivial if you consider what another year of Callahan (and particularly what another bad year of Callahan) could mean. The end of the sellout streak is possible. If I were in Lincoln, I'd have to think hard about shelling out $50 or more to watch the team get waxed. Don't think that that streak is unbreakable. Nebraska's flirted with it breaking in even better times. In fact, I think there was at least one time in the late 80's or early 90's where someone had to buy up a bunch of tickets (that they weren't actually going to use) just to keep that streak alive. As AD, Osborne is responsible for the product and a losing football team (and even just the perception that the team will lose) is hard to sell anywhere.
Also, read between the lines of some of these recruiting stories of the last few days, particularly this one from the Omaha World-Herald:
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10167222
If Osborne had no intention of making changes, he could be saying a lot more to recruits to calm their concerns about the coaches status rather than just selling things that "won't change".
And look at this quote from the Journal-Star:
“I’m not getting any promises, so I can’t make any promises to (recruits),” Callahan said during his Tuesday press conference.
The writing on the wall is that changes will occur. I agree that it's possible that the assistants and not the head man could get the ax. But if that were anything close to a certainty, Osborne would be screaming it to everyone who would listen. The Huskers have already lost two blue-chippers because of the cloud over Callahan. Osborne's not one to be coy, if he planned on keeping Callahan, he has every reason to say so.
Callahan's head is very much on the chopping block and a 4-8 finish in his fourth year would make it awfully hard for Osborne to retain him.
Dwayne Oct 25 07
Steve,
I totally agree with you. If Osborne had any intention of retaining Callahn, one would think that he would surely state that now to encourage recruits to hold to their commitment. Osborne understands that even he can't promise that. What intrigues me is the commit that came this week from a 5 star defensive lineman. I wonder if there is something he may know that many of us don't. Interesting. I would love to see this class remain committed, but I don't think it is as dire as some people think it is. If we can keep these in-state guys, grab, Robinson, and build around that, I would be satisfied. This season is all on Callahan. Blame whoever you want, but coming off a 9-5 season to where we're at now, is unfathomable. We'll be ok.
Andrew Oct 25 07
Steve,
How could Osborne, come in and have the job for a week, and deside who he is going to hire and fire? He said one thing at the start (that he was going to evaluate the coaching STAFF and the end of the season) why should he change what he is doing now, just because some 18 year old kids decommit, That does not seem like a very good habbit to get into, making your plans for a whole university, just to sway recruits.
Dwayne Oct 25 07
Steve,
He could based on new and/or confirmed information which he thought was detrimental to the program. I don't think Osborne would do anything different than what he has said, unless he felt that way. I'm not saying this is even the case, but idividuals are released many times under this presumption.
steve Oct 25 07
Andrew,
Fair point, but his statement also reveals that he hasn't ruled out cleaning house. In fact, that option is so squarely on the table that even with blue chippers walking away, he won't give a vote of confidence to the head coach. Don't think the recruits are a small matter to Osborne. At the Big Red Breakfast he went on in much detail about recruiting through the years and how they very nearly let Johnny Rodgers get away. Switzer still moans about Turner Gill coming to Nebraska.
I'd love to see what Callahan might do paired with a top-notch defensive coordinator. I'm just afraid that after a 4-8 season, that's an opportunity he won't get.
ze Oct 27 07
BO P, BO P, BO P, BO P, BO P, BO P, BO P, BO P, BO P.......!
Any questions?
Well, since you asked, I would be happy with Brian Kelly too, but.....
BO P, BO P, BO P..........
ze bop Oct 27 07
O.k., in response to Andrew I would say that Calli IS getting a raw deal and crucified by many a Husker Fan for alot of reasons that make absolutely no sense at all: e.g., he doesn't understand NE's 'tradition', can't motivate, yada, yada...
I like Callahan and like his brand of WCO.
But the deal is that when you sign up for HC at NE you are accountable for a much higher standard of success than, say, the Mizzou's of the world where they are beating their war drums about victories over Ill. while at the same time they're getting their a$$es handed to them by the Mighty Sooners. Not winning anything of note since 1960 would make any fan base loopy.
I would love a successful and new tradition of Calli style fb--with recognition of the old-- but he hasn't shown that he can consistently be a 9-10+ win per year guy and the fact that his teams have these major meltdowns with a growing predictability spells 'Yer Fired' in Husker Nation.
And don't for a minute think that OZ wouldn't fire Calli in a heartbeat even though he likes the guy. OZ is fierce under that undemonstrative demeanor and will do what it takes to restore the order at NE--no question about it.
The real deal though is COZ who appears to be the worst DC on the planet.
But there's no way they keep Calli while giving Coz the ax. After this year's absolute disaster of a season there will be no choice for OZ at all: these guys will be gone as fast as the next train outta Dodge....
I don't feel too sorry for Calli though, since I don't think he feels sorry for himself and could certainly land on his feet somewhere just fine--most suitably back in the NFL as an OC where they have enough time to master his complicated O scheme.
ze bop Oct 27 07
Dwayne,
Like Josh Freeman at KSU, that 5 star dl verbal commit probably sees that he will garner immediate playing time, possibly under....
BO P, BO P, BO P......! :)
ze bop Oct 27 07
Last but not least, consider the OZ reevalution at season's end:
OZ: "Hey Bill, whaddup? Let's get started here. Hmmmmmm, '07, '07, OH Seven? Ball St. 41-40, Mizzou 6-41, Okie St 14-45, aTm 14-36...TX 13-66, KU 17-38, KSU 20-27-nice improvement there, Puffs 16-27-3 fgs., NICE!"
"Uh, 4-8 w/l, not exactly what we're looking for here, hmmm, of course one wouldn't expect a bowl invitation...."
"You know Bill, when I was working in D.C. I rented a smallish apt. there and had some of my Husker memorabalia shipped out via MAYFLOWER Moving Co......I found them to be pretty good...."
'zE' no more.