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Hot College Coaches 2001

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In the year 2000, a plague swept across the land of college football. At 25 cities, in various corners of the country, the disease of fan impatience and athletic director intolerance dealt death blows to good men. ADs were forced to pull the plug on coaches who were left on life-support by too few wins or too many losses versus the wrong opponent. Unfortunately there is no cure for the malady that has invaded the system known as college football and it has reached epidemic proportions.

With the stakes as high as they have become in today's landscape, there is no turning back to a life without the devastating illness of impatience and intolerance. University administrators are much quicker to seek the remedial measures of a quick fix because they understand they too will be fired if the football coach doesn't win, and win immediately.

With his two-year miracle resurrection, Bob Stoops has spread the pestilence of impatience. Intolerance has been disseminated by the incredible job of Bill Snyder at Kansas State, leaving many an AD to mutter, "If they can do it in Manhattan, Kansas, we can do it here..." Every AD wants the right "fit," but where do they find him?

Given this treacherous and disease-infested arena, we offer some help to ADs with our annual look at the coaches who should be on the list every athletic director looking for a savior for his or her program. These men will inspire confidence in the faithful and rally the troops.

The Professional Services Group has researched "hot" coaches using 10 criteria we have determined are the most important in identifying a coaching prospect: 1) Is he a "winner" and has he been associated with winning programs? 2) The coach's character and reputation within the profession. 3) Recruiting ability. What has his track record been for recruiting student-athletes (i.e. how many players has he personally recruited or developed that went on to the NFL, made All-American, all-conference, etc.)? 4) The coach's technical skills and schemes employed. 5) The coach's resume (i.e. his professional background and his mentors). 6) What is the coach's skill level with program management (i.e. working within staffs, managing staffs, working within budgets, academics, compliance, etc.)? 7) Is the coach skilled and adept at working with the media (i.e. public speaking, alumni interaction, fundraising, etc.)? 8) Is the coach in question well versed in the level of competition he will be working in (i.e. has he worked and had success at the same or similar type of situation as the school in question)? 9) What is the coach's prominence and what type of prestige does he bring to the program? 10) Is the coach a fit with the university, region, alumni and university community?

Given the probability that a coach would successfully fulfill our 10 criteria, here is the Professional Services Group Hot List for 2001.

Charlie Strong, DC, South Carolina
During South Carolina's dynamic 2000 season, the Gamecocks rebounded from an 0-11 1999 season to 8-4. The USC story was one of the best in all of college football and much of the credit goes to the stingy defense of DC Charlie Strong. After two years as Holtz's DC, strong has earned a reputation nationally. Having been associated with big-time programs like Notre Dame (1995-98), Florida (1983-85 and 1991-95), and Ole Miss (1990), he is treading in familiar water of high profile jobs and seems poised to get one of his own if the 'Cocks post another winning season.

Gary Darnell, HC, Western Michigan
In 2000, no coach was hotter than Darnell. He was on the short list at no fewer than five schools (Rutgers, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Missouri, and TCU). Unfortunately, it did not work out for him, but this did little to diminish the star of this well-schooled coach (Texas, Notre Dame, Florida, Kansas State, SMU, North Carolina, and Oklahoma State). Last season he led WMU to their second consecutive MAC Western Division title and his overall record at the school is 31-15. In addition to his exploits on the field, he has taken the Bronco program to heretofore unimagined heights in term of facilities, fundraising, and national prominence. If he wins seven or more again, 2001 will be his lucky year.

Gary Nord, HC, Texas-El Paso
The year 2000 was one for the ages in Ol' El Paso. With a 8-4 record (the most wins since 1988) and a bowl trip, first-year head man Gary Nord was heralded throughout the coaching world. His innovative offense and high-energy style make him a coach ADs will covet if he can continue to win at UTEP, a school not known for football success. A Howard Schnellenberger protege, Nord's background includes 20 years of college coaching experience at Louisville, Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh. In addition to his coaching ability, he is glib, articulate, and will play well with fans and alumni.

Greg McMackin, Associate HC/DC, Texas Tech
Where McMackin goes, great defense is sure to follow. After being Mike Leach's first hire, McMackin and his defense led the Red Raiders to a 7-5 regular season with a nation's best three shutouts and five games in which the defense did not allow a touchdown. This simply repeated a pattern of success from Miami, Seattle, and Hawaii. Given McMakin's impressive record at Miami and Seattle (NFL), few doubt he and Leach will continue to cause headaches for Big 12 rivals. McMackin has 25 years in the coaching ranks, including time at Oregon Tech, Miami, Seattle Seahawks, with Dennis Erickson, Idaho, San Jose State, Stanford, the USFL's Denver Gold, Utah and Navy. Sometimes DC's get labeled as "unimaginative" on offense, and it is offensive firepower that gets coaches hired nowadays, yet McMackin has been tutored by great offensive minds Jack Elway, Mouse Davis, Erickson, June Jones, and now Leach.

Jim Donnan, Former HC, Georgia
But for the persistent meddlesome President at Georgia, Jim Donnan would still be the head coach at Georgia. A 40-19 record in five years in Athens, 4-0 in Bowl games and an overall 104-40 resume is hardly the work of a fired man. But, the Dawg faithful can be a tough lot (just ask Ray Goff), and no SEC East titles and a poor record versus Tennessee and Florida led to his demise. However, given his excellent track record with on field wins, building facilities, and recruiting prowess, you can rest assured some AD will not let him twist in the wind past Jan 1, 2002.

Kevin Wilson, OC, Northwestern
ADs love offense because it fills the seats. ADs also love great stories because that helps in making a football program. Northwestern's OC Kevin Wilson is an AD's dream. In 2000, the perennial underdog Wildcats won a share of the Big 10 title with one of the nation's most prolific offenses. In switching to the popular spread and utilizing a Clemson-like no huddle attack, OC Wilson engineered a nightmare for conference opponents. With 10 starters returning (including Heisman hopeful Damien Anderson) and a potential top 20 team, Wilson will get his share of the credit. He is in his third year in Evanston, after coming with head man Randy Walker and a stint at Miami of Ohio as OC, where he directed the three best offensive years in school history.

Mike Stoops, Associate HC/Co-DC, Oklahoma
Okay, let's see, a Kansas State defensive coordinator goes to an up-and-coming team and helps them win a national title. Oh, say you've heard that before with Bob Stoops. The story is the same for brother Mike. While the offense got the rave reviews, the defense won the title; Just ask FSU. Mike is the next brother in the Stoops dynasty of coaches. He has the right last name to grab the attention of an AD in need of a media darling. In addition to his last name, Stoops has an excellent pedigree to accompany his bloodlines, as he was a former All-American DB at Iowa, who also coached at Iowa and K-State. From 1996-98, he was the defensive coordinator for Kansas State, a team that was at or near the top of virtually every defensive statistical category. Stoops is a hell fire and brimstone hard-nosed coach who earns the respect, praise and admiration of his players. Mike is the one who calls the defenses and directs the unit.

Noel Mazzone, OC, Auburn
In 1999, Tommy Tuberville went to Auburn and inherited an outright mess. He quickly reversed the Tigers fortunes and played in the 2000 SEC Title game. Tuberville's long-time OC Noel Mazzone was largely responsible for the turnaround. Mazzone is considered a QB guru and did wonders with the physically limited Ben Leard in 2000. With 21 years in the college ranks, including stops at New Mexico, Colorado State, TCU, Minnesota, and Ole Miss, he is often mentioned as a future head coach (word has it he turned down the Memphis job last December). If he can get production out of the Auburn offense that lost its QB, star RB and top WR, this may be Mazzone's last fall in the loveliest village on the plains.

Paul Johnson, HC, Georgia Southern
The 2000 season ended the same way the 1999 campaign did, with Georgia Southern walking off the field as D-IAA National Champions. Head Coach Paul Johnson is an amazing 50-8 in five years, becoming only the third coach in NCAA Division I history to win 50 games in his first four years. With 17 starters returning and quite possibly the nation's best RB (senior Adrian Peterson 5,100 yds in his three years), the Eagles are poised to three-peat. Not even legendary Erk Russell, the father of the GSU program, can match Johnson's impressive start. The Eagles are a force on offense under Johnson, but this should come as no surprise considering the fact Johnson was a record-shattering OC at Navy prior to taking the Georgia Southern job. In two years at Navy, his offense broke five school records and ranked fifth in rushing in 1996 en route to an 8-3 record. Before his time at Navy, Johnson was at Hawaii for eight years, where six of his eight units finished in the top 20 in scoring, rushing and total offense. He knows how to recruit to a tough place (Navy) and his teams practically score at will. One has to wonder when some AD will make the trek to Statesboro and grab one of the nation's best mentors.

Jeff Tedford, OC, Oregon
It became apparent last winter that head man Mike Bellotti doesn't want to leave (i.e. he turned down USC and Ohio State). So, the next logical choice for an admiring AD wanting some Duck magic is third year OC Jeff Tedford. The 2000 10-2 season has helped make Tedford a name on many a "short-list." As a former record setting QB at Fresno State, he has mentored top QBs, Akili Smith and this year's phenom Joey Harrington, to places atop the Pac-10 stats board. His 2000 offense averaged 28.7 ppg. And 408.9 ypg. In 1998 everyone had one question: "How does an unknown QB go from an also-ran to the top of the NFL draft?" The answer: Tedford. The Oregon OC is given a great deal of much-deserved credit for tutoring Akili Smith, the 4th pick in the 1999 draft. In 1999, with all eyes on him to see what he would do for and encore, Tedford used two relatively unknown an inexperienced QB's to keep the Duck's offense humming. You cannot buy this type of positive press, and nothing gets administrators and fans as excited as an offensive whiz kid.

Steve Logan, HC, East Carolina
Quite simply, one helluva' coach. In 2000, a 8-4 campaign, highlighted by a thorough annihilation of Texas Tech in the gallery furniture.com bowl, gave head coach Steve Logan a 59-44 record and three bowl trips in nine years in Greensville. This season could be another eight-plus win year with 15 starters returning (including stellar QB Garrard) and a potential breakthrough win versus North Carolina in week five. No coach in the nation gets more from less than Steve Logan. ECU plays in the state (North Carolina) with four other D-I teams and has to fight for players at every turn. His offensive philosophy is one of, if not the most, diverse in all of college football. Logan utilizes the option, one-back, two-back, two-tight end, and multiple WR schemes that put a premium on running the football with a great athlete at QB. The Logan resume includes stops at Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Colorado and Mississippi State. Some AD will invest in Logan and look like a genius.

Ricky Hunley, DL, Florida
One of the nation's top recruiters, new Florida DL coach Ricky Hunley has a chance to make a name for himself with ADs looking for a difference-maker if two things happen: the Gators make a serious run a the national title, and DE Alex Brown maximizes his heretofore unrealized potential as a star. After a 7-year run as an assistant with Larry Smith at Missouri, Hunley was part of a purge when Smith was dismissed. In a matter of days, astute head coaches around the nation called to offer Hunley a spot on their staff. He was one of the first coaches hired by Smith at Missouri, and proved to be a valuable asset representing his head coach and school whenever Smith was unable to fulfill these functions. Handling the coordination of the special teams and tutoring the LBs, Hunley gained renown for his ability to relate to and get the most out of his charges. These results and his administrative background as assistant head coach make him an attractive candidate.

Joe Taylor, HC, Hampton
139-55-4, those numbers should bring a head coaching opportunity at a D-IA program. Winning normally brings an opportunity. Hampton head coach Joe Taylor has done his share of winning since arriving at the historically black school in Virginia (78-21-1 in 10 years; his overall record, includes stops at Howard and Virginia Union) with two black college national titles. Well-known in coaching circles after having served in the hierarchy of the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) for a number of years, and a strong pedigree which includes time with Mike Shanahan at Eastern Illinois, and 18 years as a successful head coach, makes Taylor a candidate to get the attention of schools outside of the black college circuit. Normally coaches at the historically black institutions do not move to the huge Division I-A schools, but Taylor just may get the chance.

Tim Lappano, OC, Oregon State
In 2000, there was not a more amazing story than the Dennis Erickson-led steamroller Oregon State. The Beavers appear on the verge of an even more astounding accomplishment - sustaining success and a potentially better year in 2001 (although it is hard to improve upon 11-1). At the vortex of the Beaver storm is their OC Tim Lappano. He begins his third season as Erickson's OC at OSU. His career includes jobs at Idaho (with Erickson), Wyoming, Washington State (again with Erickson for two campaigns, then OC for Mike Price), California, Wyoming again and Purdue (with Joe Tiller), and Seattle Seahawks (once again reunited with Erickson). He has tutored and recruited Drew Bledsoe, Drew Brees and John Friesz. It is a given that many a AD will call to tempt Erickson, but few believe he will leave for another college job. So, Lappano is going to get the call after his boss says "NO!" He appears primed for success.

Phil Bennett, DC, Kansas State
Not only is Phil Bennett more than qualified for a head coaching position, with stops as a DC at Iowa State, Purdue, LSU, and Texas A&M, he is the kind of man that will serve as a role-model for his players. The story of his tragic loss when his wife died from a lightning strike is oft told. Bennett persevered and served as a shining example of will-power and faith for everyone associated with the K-State program. But, his coaching acumen is rock-solid and begs for an AD to give him his chance. In two years as DC for the Wildcats, Bennett has led K-State to No. 4 national ranking in total defense and No. 6 in pass efficiency defense in 2000, and, in 1999 the Cats led the nation in pass efficiency defense and were No.2 in total defense while leading the country in turnover margin. In 2001, if the K-State defense is at or near the top again, with only three returning starters, Bennett will get the calls he deserves.

Scott Linehan, OC, Louisville
All of the pieces are in place for Louisville OC Scott Linehan to burst onto the national consciousness: the Cardinals are coming off a 2000 season that saw the team win their first Conference USA title; they played in their third consecutive bowl game; the offense led by conference MVP QB Dave Ragone returns eight starters for 2001; and Louisville seems poised to crack the top 25. Linehan, known as a QB coach, has an excellent professional pedigree having played for Dennis Erickson, worked for John L. Smith at Idaho, served as OC at Washington, and now enters his third year as OC for Louisville. With all of the attention the Cardinals should have and the security of head man John L. Smith, ADs at struggling programs may want a Smith-clone to lead their rebuilding project.

Walt Harris, HC, Pittsburgh
At the conclusion of the 2000 season, Mal Moore, the Alabama AD, and Andy Geiger, from Ohio State, made serious bids to get Panther head coach Walt Harris to run their respective programs. But, the Pitt boss felt like the timing was not right and he had more to accomplish in the steel city. Last year's 7-5 squad was comprised primarily of underclassmen and insiders know the quality job Harris did with that team. He is considered a top-flight offensive mind having coached 10 first-round NFL draft picks (Davis Boston, Eddie George, Terry Glenn, Tony Eason, etc.) and serving as the OC at Tennessee (1983-88), HC at Pacific (1998-91), QB coach New York Jets (1992-94), QB coach Ohio State (1995-96). Also, Harris has been mentored by Buddy Ryan (his college DC), Bill Parcells (at Air force), and Johnny Majors (Tennessee). Despite a career record of 31-50, a standard that would scare off most ADs, Harris will be a hot commodity if his 2001 squad wins eight or nine games. With 11 starters returning on defense plus offensive firepower, he may do it.

Watson Brown, HC, UAB
UAB Blazer head coach Watson Brown, one of the nation's best offensive minds, is achieving the near-impossible-success at the new kid on the block in a football crazy state dominated by the traditions of Alabama and Auburn. Don't think for one moment ADs did not notice that Mack's big brother was 7-4 last year, and with 10 starters returning on defense and a new no-huddle offense set to be let loose upon Conference USA, another winning year may propel him to the very top of every "short list" of impatient ADs. While his overall record 68-112-1 is obviously not good, poor career choices - head coaching stops at Cincinnati, Rice, and Vanderbilt - explain why Brown is not currently running a big time program. Word has it he could have moved last year but chose to stay. If he gets 8 wins in 2001, "NO" will be hard to say to an AD wanting to make him an instant millionaire. In six years at UAB, Brown has not only improved the product on the field, but has orchestrated dramatic improvements in facilities for the Blazer program.

Mark Whipple, HC, UMass
Although the 2000 season saw the Minutemen fall to 7-4, the glow surrounding head coach Mark Whipple was not extinguished. A master at turning around moribund programs, Whipple has done it three times (New Haven, Brown, and UMass). At each stop his career, Whipple has taken a downtrodden program and quickly reversed its fortunes. Most recently, Whipple led UMass to the 1998 D-IAA national title in just his first year on campus. In 1999, his squad made the semi-finals losing to eventual national champion Georgia Southern. He possesses offensive mind and his team scores points in bunches (a sweet sign to ADs looking to fill seats). His overall record at UMass is 28-11 (.710) pretty awesome for a school that had won just 19 games in the four years before he arrived. All he needs is an open-minded AD.

Others to Watch

Al Borges, OC, Cal (...after years at UCLA, he takes his considerable skills to Berkeley to help Holmoe try to save his job, if he succeeds, ADs will give him credit...); Andy McCollum, HC, Middle Tennessee (... he's done a great job leading his team into tough I-A waters, with an upset or two, he may get a shot to move...); Bill Cubit, OC, Rutgers (... an immensely talented coach, who former boss Larry Smith describes as one of his best hires since Lindy Infante, Cubit has a system and it works, but it may take a year or two at Rutgers to get the players he needs...); Billy Joe, HC, Florida A&M (... his tenure with the Rattlers has been exceptionally successful, he is innovative and respected by his peers, he may get a chance to run a I-A program by some forward thinking AD...); Bob Pruett, HC, Marshall (... no one in the nation does a better job, but he is "home," for years he has rejected overtures from bigger schools, but maybe one more MAC championship will make him look for a new challenge...); Brian Knorr, HC, Ohio (... he is a few years away from moving, but this former Air Force QB and Fisher DeBerry and Jim Grobe disciple is a real star in the making...); Bob Elliott, AHC/STC/DB, Iowa State (...the former Hawkeye DC well-schooled in the Hayden Fry methods has taken his talent to ISU, if McCarney turns in another miracle, Elliott may get a team of his own...); Brent Venables, co-DC, Oklahoma (... winning always equals opportunities and he has been around two of the best: Snyder and Stoops, although he is still young, very soon some AD will leap at the chance to get the next Stoops...); Bud Foster, DC, Virginia Tech (... the Hokies rise to the top of the college football heap was not just on the back of Michael Vick, for years Va. Tech has played outstanding defense and the Beamer system is coveted by other schools...); Dan Hawkins, HC, Boise State (... not this year, but soon he will be the next ex-coach at Boise...); Dan McCarney, HC, Iowa State (... if he can pull out another bowl trip for the Cyclones, and that's no certainty, he will get a call from a bigger and better paying job...); Doug Martin, OC, East Carolina (... leading one of the nation's most diverse and effective offenses has garnered attention for him, but this year's dark horse Heisman candidate, QB David Garrard, may finally give him the national spotlight he needs to get his own team...); Fitz Hill, HC, San Jose State (... after years at Arkansas, he now will run his own team, let him take the Spartans to a bowl game and upset a big boy and the bigger schools will seek him out...); Greg Davis, OC, Texas (... if the Longhorns win it all this year and Simms lives up to the hype,Davis may reap the rewards...); Hal Mumme, former HC, Kentucky (...on the field and the x's & o's were not the issue, plus no mention of his name in the NCAA report helps, if he gets a plan for staff management in place some AD will want the product and the attention hiring him will undoubtedly bring...); Jeff Bowden, OC, FSU (... this year will be a test, but let's face it, the name will get him noticed and if he keeps the 'Noles at the top of the heap with an untested qb, his own team may not be too far off in 2003...); Jeff Bower, HC, Southern Miss (... year-after-year he wins, dominates Conference USA and scares the heck out at least one SEC team, but he has been reluctant to move, last year he wanted Alabama and Georgia but it didn't happen, this year he may go or just settle in and become a lifer in Hattiesburg...); Jim Chaney, OC, Purdue (... Tiller's right-hand man is available and a Rose Bowl trip helps, if he gets big numbers from a non-Drew Brees qb, he may get his program to operate...); Jimbo Fisher, OC, LSU (... a Bowden family favorite, if the Bayou Bengals win the SEC and the qb, Rohan Davey, is effective, he may be the next to leap from the Saban ship...); Joe Glenn, HC, Montana (... a great coach, 132-55-1, who won two national titles in D-II with Northern Colorado and was successful in his debut at Montana last year, 13 wins, a national title may lead to a better job in D-IA...); Joe Lee Dunn, DC, Mississippi State (... one of the real geniuses in all of college football, every year the Dawgs play great defense, was once a head coach at New Mexico and may want another shot...); John L. Smith, HC, Louisville (... by all accounts and by any standards he should be at the top of any list, he has done a great job for the Cardinals and at Utah State before that, the only issue is whether he wants to start over at his age, he can run the table and keep 'em happy in Louisville, why move?...); John Cooper, former head coach, Ohio State (... he can flat out coach, most coaches would love his career record and he may not want to go out with the bad taste of a dismissal on his palate, the age will be a concern, but for an AD with the need of a dramatic impact hire, he may be the ticket...); Jon Hoke, ,DC, Florida (... although he has taken heat in Gainesville, a huge season for the Gators' defense and a national title may make him a good fit for an AD...); Keith Burns, HC, Tulsa (... he is going where few have gone before by leading the Golden Hurricanes to respectability, if Tulsa becomes bowl eligible, he will look awfully attractive to an AD at a school looking to restore a winning tradition...); John Thompson, DC, Arkansas (... everywhere he has been , Southern Miss, Memphis and now Arkansas, the defense dramatically improves, he is a coach to watch...); Mickey Matthews, HC, James Madison (... last year's 6-5 campaign slowed this fast train down a little, but smart ADs are watching this 20+ year veteran coach...); Manny Matsakis, AHC/STC, Texas Tech (.. one of the most organized and intelligent coaches in the game, prior to his stint in Lubbock he was a record-setting HC at Emporia State and OC at Wyoming, a former two-time K-State assistant and Snyder favorite, he is more than prepared to run his own show after serving for two years as Leach's right-hand man...); Rick Minter, HC, Cincinnati (... in his career at Cincy he has done more than his predecessors who escaped to bigger and better paying jobs, his bowl appearance last year gained attention, another visit to the post season in 2001 and maybe he's off to greener pastures...); Mark Mangino, OC, Oklahoma (... well-respected and a graduate of the Bill Snyder school of coaching, he is in as a high a profile position as any assistant in the nation, if the Sooners come close to repeating and play well offensively without Huepel he may have to fight off anxious ADs...); Marty Galbraith, OC, NC State (... after a distinguished stint at Marshall, he joined Amato and Norm Chow in Raleigh last year and the results surprised everyone, when Chow left for USC, he became "the man"...); Mickey Andrews, DC, FSU (... it is embarrassing that some AD hasn't plucked this wizard from Bobby Bowden, he is a great coach and would win big-time, if Bama had gone in this direction a few years ago, they would not have had to resurrect their program now...); Pat Hill, HC, Fresno State (... this former NFL OL coach has done a great job turning the Bulldogs into a WAC powerhouse, he seems content but may have to fight of the temptation of big money with another bowl season...); Pete Richardson, HC, Southern (... he has turned the program into quite possibly the most dominant in all of black college football, year-in and year-out the Jaguars compete for SWAC titles, while it has been difficult fir head coaches to escape the historically black ranks, he may do it...); Randy Sanders, OC, Tennessee (... timing is everything and he is riding shotgun at a Vol program that has it in high gear, if UT lives up to preseason promise and the offense gels, his time may have arrived for some up-and-coming team...); Tim Hundley, DC, Washington (... with the Huskies at the top of the heap, every AD will look for Neuheisel helpers to get their program headed in the winning direction, he is known for getting the most out of his troops...); Tony Samuel, HC, New Mexico State (... last year's 3-8 season set back his progress, but most agree that the 1999 winning season was the best evidence of his ability, if he can coax one more winning season from an under-manned Aggie squad, he will get another team to run...).



























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