The Coaching Carousel Stops: What Have We Learned?

9 comments so far December 24, 2008 by Darren K. Carlson

The annual coaching carousel ride appears to have come to a stop for this year, at least in the Big 12. So, it is time to ask what we might have learned from this year's round of apple cart tipping. Quite a bit, I think. Well, we know that Turner Gill isn't in the Big 12 (yet), Iowa State looked to a local talent, KSU looked to their past and Mike Leach isn't afraid to at least look around. Here's a team-by-team rundown of what this year's coach departures and arrivals may have told us in the conference.

NORTH

Iowa State
At ISU, we learned that being local and getting the culture matters. They lost Gene Chizik to what proved to be a controversial hiring for Auburn. Turner was a candidate for Auburn, too. (read more on that controvery's reflection on NU right here.) In Ames they turned to, ironically, Auburn's former defensive coordinator, Paul Rhoads. The swap is funny in that you almost expect there to be some kind of MLB-style "and a player to be named later" clause in it.

But, seriously, I like this hire for the Cyclones. Rhoads is an able defensive coach looking for his shot to be a head man. He's from just up the road in Ankeny Iowa. And, he coached under Dan McCarney at ISU. If ever there was a person to "get" what it takes at a place like ISU, it was McCarney. If Rhoads has that same passion for the place and the chops to do the job, he'll be fine in Ames. No, it won't be pretty for a while. And, no it is not a "sexy" pick. But, it is the right fit for that job. If ISU fans can be patient, it can play out well.

Kansas State
I think we learned that beauty is in the eye of the beholder at KSU, where they deposed Ron Prince and re-hired Bill Snyder to serve as head coach. Several big KSU backers recall Snyder's first KSU reclamation project and long for its return. They disregard his age and the slight downturn that proceeded Snyder's first retirement. Others see or remember those things and cringe, or at least scratch their heads.

We also learned that KSU might have a few more bucks in the coffee can then some thought. They are paying Snyder $1.85 million per year for 5 years. That's not caretaker money. Oh yeah, they also have to buy out Prince. It also tells us what kind of decision making may be going on by the lame duck KSU athletic director and president. Does it mean KSU will be better or worse? I suspect a little better, at least initially. Snyder forgot more football then Prince knows. But, it is hardly a long term solution or building toward the future. Especially after the very large upcoming class of KSU seniors exhaust their eligibility. The cupboard is awfully bare after next season.

Nebraska
At NU, we learned that stability in the coaching staff is always hard to keep. After just one season together as a whole group, members of the NU staff were already drawing interest from other schools. While Shawn Watson and Ted Gilmore stayed put, one of the challenges for Pelini year in and year out will be to establish consistency among his staff. Many of the great coaches - Osborne included - talk about how important that is. Pelini will have to learn first hand.

We also learned that Bo is worth every bit of his rather low salary. Osborne can talk about incentives and things all he wants. (The one for paying more based on academics is very cool). But, I still say Pelini is under paid. After this season, I wouldn't trade him for many of the coaches in the conference, that's for sure.

Kansas
We learned that Mark Mangino is worth his weight in gold. Okay, maybe not quite that much. But, there is no denying how well coached and consistent the Jayhawks are. Mangino and his staff continue to have them at levels not seen for ages at KU. Can he be their big time program builder? Or will some bigger program come calling eventually?

Colorado
We learned that Dan Hawkins can still really sling a sound bite. After another sub-.500 season, Hawkins spouted that his team will have "10 wins and no excuses" in 2009. You might want to back that one up, coach. Or next year you may find yourself spinning on the carousel too. It won't be easy. It never is. Hey...it's the Big 12, brutha.

SOUTH

Texas
We learned that succession planning matters. Texas locked up Will Muschamp by naming him Mack Brown's successor, even though Brown has no plans to retire soon. It worked. When Auburn had a vacancy, surely Muschamp's name was on their list. He said no thank you. I can't blame Muschamp for wanting to stay. UT is one of the most cherry jobs in all of football. But, some still think the allure of being in charge may appeal to him, should other suitors come calling in future years. Longhorn fans had better hope that Brown doesn't pull a Paterno/Bowden and keep stringing things along for too long. It is nice to have that next guy in line.

Texas Tech
We learned that Mike Leach isn't afraid to look over the fence at some other jobs. He interviewed for the Washington opening. Who can blame him? He's elevated Texas Tech to a place that not even the mad pirate could have imagined they would go. But still, they don't get enough respect nationally. As evidence, consider the lack of a BCS bowl birth and Graham Harrell's Heisman un-vitation. If you were Leach, wouldn't you want to take your colorful and effective show to another, bigger, stage?

Oklahoma
We learned that Bob Stoops keeps on rolling. This guy is at the head of the class of coaches in the conference for good reason. He's the king in Norman. He has managed to win titles despite turning over staff members (maybe it's not so important) and he somehow remains fairly grounded by the whole thing. Enjoy it, Sooner fans. I don't want to hear anyone whine and moan about his bowl or BCS game record. Do you know what a luxury you have? I hope so.

Oklahoma State
We learned that Mike Gundy is worth what Boone Pickens pays him. When he lost his coordinator Larry Fedora (great name!) to Southern Miss last year, I admit I was skeptical. But, the Cowboy offense kept rolling. That's what a man does, I guess.

Here's the thing, OSU has a history of being as "stop over" job for great coaches like Jimmy Johnson and Les Miles. What are the chances that Pickens' money can really keep Gundy around? At some point does it stop being about cash and start being about ego or attention? Just asking...

Baylor
We learned that Art Briles can really coach. Baylor is the story of the South, honestly. They played people tough and actually won some games. Again, would the coach stay if he led Baylor to new heights? I don't know. But, hey, he makes more than Pelini does.

Texas A&M
We learned that pro coaches have a hard time adjusting to the college game. Duh. We also learned that when you drive a team basically in to the ground, nobody comes around asking you to coach their team next year. Mike Sherman might want to pick it up a few notches, or risk the last part of his career with the label of "program killer", rather than "mediocre NFL GM". Big downgrade, I know. Former NU and current A&M AD Bill Byrne might be a bit nervous too.

Did you enjoy this article?

Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter

NextPrevious