LongviewLobo01
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- Oct 22, 2013
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So often we all get caught up in the "homerun" or "big name" hires that we miss out on guys who could become the next "homerun." I remember an article over on Barking Carnival last year about just this topic. I can't remember who wrote it, but basically they were looking for the next Jim Harbaugh, a guy who worked his way from the lower ranks and made it in the big time coaching world. I distinctly remember one of the names he brought up was the HC at Utah State at the time and the guy who replaced Bielma at Wisconsin, Gary Anderson and there's no doubting the job he's done in his first year there.
If Texas misses on the Saban, Meyer and Briles' of the coaching world, here are some guys that need to be mentioned:
Kirby Smart, Defensive Coordinator, Alabama - Everyone knows Smart and what he has accomplished working with Saban. The biggest question when hiring any DC who's worked under Saban is how well they will do when they are no longer with him, but I think Smart is ready. He's the biggest coordinator out there when it comes to hiring a HC, but would he leave Alabama when he could be handed the keys to that machine in a few years when Saban retires? He's already turned down big jobs before, but Texas might be too hard for him to pass up. If you can't have Saban, why not have the guy who looks like the next one?
Chad Morris, Offensive Coordinator, Clemson - As Smart is to DC's, Morris is to OC's. If you're looking for the next big thing and want an offensive mind who could be the next Gus Malzahn, look no further than the former Lake Travis Head Coach. Ties to Texas and big offensive numbers at every stop make him an extremely attractive option in today's college football landscape. I laugh every time I see someone mention him as a possibility for OC because the only way he's leaving Clemson is for his own gig. He's rocketed up the ladder very quickly since his time in the Texas high school ranks and is very comparable to Auburn's Malzahn. Instead of trying to poach Malzahn from Auburn, why not try to find the next one?
Philip Montgomery, Offensive Coordinator, Baylor - Everyone wants Art Briles because of the offense Baylor, but the guy who actually calls the plays is Montgomery. He's been with Briles since their high school days at Stephenville and after a short detour at Denton High School he was hired by Briles at Houston and has been with him ever since. Obviously, the concern would be how he would fare without Briles, but just like Smart, you have to think that he has been able to learn from Briles and could be in line for that job if he sticks around.
Tim DeRuyter, Head Coach, Fresno State - The former aggy DC took over at Fresno State after Sherman was fired and took a 4-9 team to 9-4 in his first season. In his second season, he's undefeated and has his team ranked 15th in the country. Being that he has a defensive background, it's not surprise that the defenses at Fresno State have been solid, but he also has them playing an up tempo style of offense which you don't always see from defensive minded coaches.
Willie Fritz, Head Coach, Sam Houston State - Talk about a winner everywhere he's been. He's won two JUCO titles at Blinn, took Central Missouri to their first playoff berth in 32 years and has taken Sam Houston State to back to back FCS title games. He's a guy who definitely knows the state of Texas.
Craig Bohl, Head Coach, North Dakota State - Most people probably hadn't heard of North Dakota State before they beat Kansas State this year, but they have won back to back titles (over Fritz and SHSU) at the FCS level and are poised to make it 3 in a row. He has been at NDSU for 11 years and has taken them up to the FCS level. He coached as an assistant at schools like Duke and Nebraska previously so he isn't lost at the top level.
If Texas misses on the Saban, Meyer and Briles' of the coaching world, here are some guys that need to be mentioned:
Kirby Smart, Defensive Coordinator, Alabama - Everyone knows Smart and what he has accomplished working with Saban. The biggest question when hiring any DC who's worked under Saban is how well they will do when they are no longer with him, but I think Smart is ready. He's the biggest coordinator out there when it comes to hiring a HC, but would he leave Alabama when he could be handed the keys to that machine in a few years when Saban retires? He's already turned down big jobs before, but Texas might be too hard for him to pass up. If you can't have Saban, why not have the guy who looks like the next one?
Chad Morris, Offensive Coordinator, Clemson - As Smart is to DC's, Morris is to OC's. If you're looking for the next big thing and want an offensive mind who could be the next Gus Malzahn, look no further than the former Lake Travis Head Coach. Ties to Texas and big offensive numbers at every stop make him an extremely attractive option in today's college football landscape. I laugh every time I see someone mention him as a possibility for OC because the only way he's leaving Clemson is for his own gig. He's rocketed up the ladder very quickly since his time in the Texas high school ranks and is very comparable to Auburn's Malzahn. Instead of trying to poach Malzahn from Auburn, why not try to find the next one?
Philip Montgomery, Offensive Coordinator, Baylor - Everyone wants Art Briles because of the offense Baylor, but the guy who actually calls the plays is Montgomery. He's been with Briles since their high school days at Stephenville and after a short detour at Denton High School he was hired by Briles at Houston and has been with him ever since. Obviously, the concern would be how he would fare without Briles, but just like Smart, you have to think that he has been able to learn from Briles and could be in line for that job if he sticks around.
Tim DeRuyter, Head Coach, Fresno State - The former aggy DC took over at Fresno State after Sherman was fired and took a 4-9 team to 9-4 in his first season. In his second season, he's undefeated and has his team ranked 15th in the country. Being that he has a defensive background, it's not surprise that the defenses at Fresno State have been solid, but he also has them playing an up tempo style of offense which you don't always see from defensive minded coaches.
Willie Fritz, Head Coach, Sam Houston State - Talk about a winner everywhere he's been. He's won two JUCO titles at Blinn, took Central Missouri to their first playoff berth in 32 years and has taken Sam Houston State to back to back FCS title games. He's a guy who definitely knows the state of Texas.
Craig Bohl, Head Coach, North Dakota State - Most people probably hadn't heard of North Dakota State before they beat Kansas State this year, but they have won back to back titles (over Fritz and SHSU) at the FCS level and are poised to make it 3 in a row. He has been at NDSU for 11 years and has taken them up to the FCS level. He coached as an assistant at schools like Duke and Nebraska previously so he isn't lost at the top level.
