Coaches on the hotseat has deep ACC flavor

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After two weeks of college football, it appears that one of the more popular topics to discuss is ‘Coaches on the Hotseat’.

Fox Sports has a Top 10 List that includes Maryland’s Ralph Friedgen at #3 and Virginia’s Al Groh at #1. These two schools currently bring up the rear in ACC Sports Journal’s current power rankings. Fox’s list can be seen by clicking here.

Take a look at the bottom section of this entry that we ran in June proclaiming that Groh needed to win ‘8 or 9 games’ this season. That was pretty flabbergasting at the time; and now it obviously looks next to impossible to achieve.

Fox is claiming that Virginia and Maryland will have a race towards Jeff Jagodzinski.

Groh is straddling a six-game losing streak with his latest two losses against TCU and William & Mary. With Southern Miss (Sept.19) looming as the next Cavalier-slayer, rest assured his streak will continue despite Virginia’s glorious quest for ACC relevancy. The Cavaliers might beat Duke and Indiana, but don’t count on it. Things are so bad that, last year, Groh fired his own son as offensive coordinator. It’s going to be a race between Virginia and Maryland on who will throw more Benjamins at Jeff Jagodzinski.

Are you kidding me?

“Jags” may be a decent fit at Maryland’ and, the Terps have shown no problem with having real assholes hold their head jobs (see Friedgen & Gary Williams). But, I propose to you that Mike London will be the leading candidate for possibly both of these jobs – particularly Virginia. Additionally, a wild-card to consider would be Tommy Tuberville (again, more at Virginia)

The primary “coach on the hotseat” that could have a potentially big impact on NC State is obviously Charlie Weis at Notre Dame. It was no secret that some Notre Dame representatives extended overtures to Tom O’Brien during the last offseason; but, I won’t be concerned about this potential scenario until a time comes when I have to be. After Urban Meyer, I think the Fighting Irish would land Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly with little to no disruption in Raleigh.

Of course, Carolina fans aren’t resting ridiculously easy this year either as the few astute fans they have will be watching the performance of Wade Phillips and the Dallas Cowboys with particular interest.

While we are talking Virginia football, we kind of are obligated to share the following video that has become quite a favorite on the internet this week.

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51 Responses to Coaches on the hotseat has deep ACC flavor

  1. choppack1 09/16/2009 at 9:54 AM #

    I wonder if UVA or UMd gives Turner Gill a shot. I know he’s more of a midwest guy – and will probably ultimately leave for Nebraska. However, if you have a coach who leaves for another job, unless you are Iowa State – chance are that there was at least some modicum of success.

    The Notre Dame thing does worry me a bit. Of course, if he Domers make a run, I think TOB will have had to do something pretty special this year.

  2. Alpha Wolf 09/16/2009 at 9:54 AM #

    TOB has said NC State is his last stop before retirement.

    I understand the allure of South Bend, but I also think TOB is a man of his word. How that turns out would be interesting. Let’s just hope it is not in the sense of the Chinese curse.

  3. RickJ 09/16/2009 at 10:01 AM #

    Didn’t Maryland name assistant coach James Franklin “head coach in waiting” a la what FSU did with Jimbo Fisher?

  4. Trout 09/16/2009 at 10:13 AM #

    ^ That’s what this article back in Feb says:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3888717

    If Turbeville lands at UVA, he wouldn’t even have to change his color scheme!

  5. Trout 09/16/2009 at 10:21 AM #

    Bunting, Amato, Groh and Friedgen all came into the ACC at around the same time. All are alums. All could be gone by the end of this year.

  6. choppack1 09/16/2009 at 10:32 AM #

    It’s funny Trout – to be fair – all 4 of those guys had some success.

    I’d even go as far as to argue that 3 of the 4 were an improvement over their successor.

    Why would UMd want to hire from w/in? I really think the Fridge has done some decent things, but his returns appear to be diminishing.

    Anyone think that the Domers would go after Grobe?

  7. SeaWolf 09/16/2009 at 10:38 AM #

    “Of course, Carolina fans aren’t resting ridiculously easy this year either as the few astute fans they have will be watching the performance of Wade Phillips and the Dallas Cowboys with particular interest.”

    I’m confused by this statement. Are we talking about UNC or the Panthers? And why would either of those fans be interested in what Wade is doing in Dallas?

  8. MatSci94 09/16/2009 at 10:42 AM #

    @seawolf

    Wade Phillips -> out
    Butch Davis -> in

  9. MatSci94 09/16/2009 at 10:44 AM #

    I thought that UVA had said that because of the large buyout of the guy before Groh that they would not be in the financial position to buyout Groh. Has anything with that situation changed (like a large reduction in his buyout this year?)

  10. SeaWolf 09/16/2009 at 10:48 AM #

    @MatSci94

    Being a Dallas fan, I’m fairly confident that Jerry wouldn’t want Butch Davis. You can talk about history, but I just don’t think he’ll do it. Of course Jerry’s a little unpredictable.

    As far as Groh goes, I’m pretty sure that they haven’t reworked anything with his buyout. I’ve also heard that with Bennett’s contract, UVA is in an even worse position to be thinking of firing Groh. Still, I’d hate to be a UVA fan.

  11. MatSci94 09/16/2009 at 11:07 AM #

    I don’t think its likely either, but one of the downsides of having a ‘hot’ coach is that his name will come up every time there is an opening. I think we’ve all heard that almost none of the media speculation on coach names is based on ‘fact’ but ‘throwing things out and seeing what sticks’.

    From the Dallas standpoint, it might be more of a question of who wants Jerry as an owner…

    Also, Jags? really? After the train wreck in BC and fired again in 6 months by Tampa?

  12. 61Packer 09/16/2009 at 11:19 AM #

    Being a UVA football fan is like being an NCSU basketball fan, except that the Hoos have hopes of having another coach within the next 5 years.

  13. choppack1 09/16/2009 at 11:20 AM #

    MatSci – from a results standpoint, you can’t call his tenure a trainwreck. The man played in 2 ACC Championship games – that was an improvement over his successor.

  14. SeaWolf 09/16/2009 at 11:34 AM #

    Also, shouldn’t UNC be watching what happens in South Bend. I may be way off base, but I always thought Butch wanted to coach the Irish.

  15. Clarksa 09/16/2009 at 11:37 AM #

    Being a UVA fan is nothing like being a NC State fan…we have two national championships…they have Ralph Sampson.

  16. choppack1 09/16/2009 at 11:45 AM #

    That’s true Clarksa – also, didn’t they play in the Sugar Bowl one time in relatively recent history?

    I mean, I think if you look at the 30 year span – it’s better to be a State fan. However, if you look at things in the 20 year span – we’ve had more of a cross to bear so to speak.

  17. Wolfman300 09/16/2009 at 12:05 PM #

    I don’t know much about the Jerry Jones – Butch Davis history. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mike Shanahan (sp?) in Dallas if the position comes open. That would be “Romo” friendly. I think Shanahan and the Broncos actually offered Romo more money than Dallas did as a free agent.

  18. primacyone 09/16/2009 at 1:27 PM #

    The whole Butch Davis possiblities could get extremly interesting at somepoint in the future. You know somebody’s going to be calling him if he continues to put up the numbers. But you also know the UNX may be willing to offer him a lot of money to stay if he continues to put up the numbers. Could get very interesting to watch. I could also see Butch going to the Dolphins.

    Could it be that Butch, Beamer, TOB and JimBob down a FL State put the ACC on thier back and carry the ACC to SEC land? Could we be looking at $3 – $4 million dollar salaries to Butch and TOB in the next five years?

    Lot’s of real and potenitial opportunity for STATE in the next 2-3 years. Lot’s of doors opening that would allow for a move to the next level.

    Jag’s!!! Man, I hope not. I don’t see it either as his recruiting efforts were less than stellar at BC. I think UMD and UVA especially are going to need great recruiting coaches. I can see Tuberville at UVA – probably a pretty dang good fit if he can deal with the Academic requirements of the ACC.

  19. choppack1 09/16/2009 at 1:37 PM #

    primacy – I’m just not buying the Butch back to NFL thing. His stint in Cleveland was so miserable, I’m just not sure who is going to take a flyer on him again. I only see 2 organizations stupid enough to do this – the Cowboys and the Raiders.

    OTOH, I could see NFL teams making runs at Stoopes, Brown or Carrol – which could open up a position that Butch would find attractive.

  20. SeaWolf 09/16/2009 at 1:38 PM #

    @Wolfman300
    Not only did Denver offer him more, but Shanahan was a QB at Eastern Illinois just like Romo. Seems like a perfect fit there. Jones and Shanahan are buddies too.

    @primacyone
    “Could it be that Butch, Beamer, TOB and JimBob”
    What no Randy Shannon? Everyone in the media is so high on that guy and he’s yet to really prove anything. I’m so sick of hearing about Miami’s return to glory. You’re right. If they stick around, they’ll be the power four of the ACC.

    The big problem with Tuberville at UVA is the money again. You have to buy out Groh and pay Tubs a couple million to lure him. Not that he needs to be lured, everyone knows he wants to coach again. I’m sure we’ll see Tommy Bowden back somewhere next year as well.

    @choppack1
    Carrol kind of flopped in the NFL too though.

  21. Classof89 09/16/2009 at 1:45 PM #

    Taylor Zarzour, speaking at Raleigh Sports Club today, of course said that Groh (who he was really down on as an “awful coach”) and Friedgen as the top two on the ACC hot seat ranking. Interestingly (to me at least) he was also a little down on the abilities of Jimbo Fisher, the heir apparent at FSU, mainly because of his lack of head coaching experience. He also mentioned all the apparent internal dissension on Randy Shannon’s team.

  22. ppack3 09/16/2009 at 2:18 PM #

    I really love to hear the chatter about how bad OTHER programs are suffering. It sounds like, in a perfect world, UVA has a decent shot at getting a hot commodity Head-Coach if they had the money. It also sounds like there’s nobody in line, waiting for the UMD job to open up! Both of these programs will have a bare cupboard left for the next guy. A rebuilding process would have to take place at both schools, if they are ever rebuilt at all.

    RE: Butch. If Butch struggles to put together 9+ wins per year, he will end up cutting his ‘losses’ and taking the first job that pays more. That’s just my opinion, for what it is worth, which is about 2 cents. The problem Butch will run into…The more UNX pays him, the more they have to pay Roy! That game is going to get old, fast. The whole, ‘Basketball First’ mentality in Chapel Hill, could get older, first. It did for Mack Brown. Somehow, all Carolina has to do is win 7-8 games every year, and they will be thrust into the top-25, based on potential (they are young, aren’t they?), their Coach’s name, and the name on the front of the jersey. Honestly, I expected him to be gone by now. I could be terribly wrong about these things.

  23. Alpha Wolf 09/16/2009 at 2:25 PM #

    You guys can guess why I am going to say this, but UNC os a seven win team at best. That’s because their OL is a patchwork that will keep a so-so QB from being able to make deep enough passes to keep the D off of their RBs. You have to run to pass and pass to run and if you can’t do either you can’t win.

  24. McPete 09/16/2009 at 2:36 PM #

    “If Butch struggles to put together 9+ wins per year”

    I’m not so sure i’d call winning 9 games a year ‘struggling’, but did you mean to say that if he can’t consistently win 9+ games a year he’d want to quit? I don’t see it happening. In the next couple of years, i think he’ll have an 11 win season, win the acc, and then move on to greener pastures. he is assembling some talent over there, as much as i hate to admit it.

    But who are the Carolina Panthers going after when they fire Fox? Will Bill Cowher take it?

  25. Classof89 09/16/2009 at 3:02 PM #

    why would Cowher take the Panthers job? They are a small market team just like Pittsburgh, but without the rabid fan base and smart front office. Small market – rabid fans – good management = low probability for continued success…

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