We've all been reading/discussing all different coaching options and scenarios. I'm having a difficult time understanding what people are seeing in certain candidates. A lot of people seem to be on the train for Bo Pelini or Charlie Strong. But what is the appeal to pull in a coach who has failed to meet expectations (albeit higher than UMD's) when they have the prestige, facilities, recruiting ties, and budgets to do so at substantially larger programs?
I understand Strong's track record at Louisville, but I also fail to see how that translates to UMD. It is certainly not translating to UT. I never thought Pelini deserved to be fired at Nebraska, but I also don't see how he comes to Maryland and creates a winner.
I want a splashy hire like anybody else, but for me, splashy means something different. I want to see a head coach with some god damn emotion. I would like to equate it to when the Jets first hired Rex Ryan. Sure, he's not going to achieve hall of fame coaching status, but it rejuvenated an otherwise lifeless program. Edsall has managed to talk this program to sleep, emphasizing technique and all games being created equal. That's BS. if you want to see why he's winless against ranked teams, it's because his teams never appreciate the significance of beating Ohio State, versus beating Richmond. I want a coach to come in and spark some life to this team. James Franklin is not the best head coach in college football. But you can't fault the man for his passion, and that passion is infectious. Fans and recruits buy into that hype, and that's exactly the type we need. If you keep the fans and recruits, that will give you a longer leash at Maryland than it will at PSU, who's elitism and pretentiousness are world class.
So who is that person? That's a good question, I don't even know if I have an answer to that. But philosophically, I'd prefer an up and coming coach out of the MAC that has proven to roll with the big boys. Dino Babers impressed the hell out of me a few weeks back, and he might be the type of guy for the role.
Chip Kelly? Sure, I'd take him in a second. Don't think that's happening.
Schiano? It makes sense for some reasons. Not sure I love it. I see elements of Edsall 2.0, but with more proven success in the past.
I am about as big a Maryland homer as there is, I love my Terps unconditionally, but I'm also realistic. This isn't Michigan or Notre Dame or Bama. We are a basketball school at heart, and have a football program that has an overall middling history, on the edge of a city full transplants (myself included), where professional teams take center stage.
There is a ton of potential for the program, but before we can pull the Chip Kelly's away from the NFL, we need someone to take us to that level first. Personally, I think we have a better chance of getting there with someone who's passionate, energetic, intelligent, and knows how to engage with ALL of his stakeholders (recruits, players, fans, administration, donors, media) than someone who fizzled at top tier destinations.
I understand Strong's track record at Louisville, but I also fail to see how that translates to UMD. It is certainly not translating to UT. I never thought Pelini deserved to be fired at Nebraska, but I also don't see how he comes to Maryland and creates a winner.
I want a splashy hire like anybody else, but for me, splashy means something different. I want to see a head coach with some god damn emotion. I would like to equate it to when the Jets first hired Rex Ryan. Sure, he's not going to achieve hall of fame coaching status, but it rejuvenated an otherwise lifeless program. Edsall has managed to talk this program to sleep, emphasizing technique and all games being created equal. That's BS. if you want to see why he's winless against ranked teams, it's because his teams never appreciate the significance of beating Ohio State, versus beating Richmond. I want a coach to come in and spark some life to this team. James Franklin is not the best head coach in college football. But you can't fault the man for his passion, and that passion is infectious. Fans and recruits buy into that hype, and that's exactly the type we need. If you keep the fans and recruits, that will give you a longer leash at Maryland than it will at PSU, who's elitism and pretentiousness are world class.
So who is that person? That's a good question, I don't even know if I have an answer to that. But philosophically, I'd prefer an up and coming coach out of the MAC that has proven to roll with the big boys. Dino Babers impressed the hell out of me a few weeks back, and he might be the type of guy for the role.
Chip Kelly? Sure, I'd take him in a second. Don't think that's happening.
Schiano? It makes sense for some reasons. Not sure I love it. I see elements of Edsall 2.0, but with more proven success in the past.
I am about as big a Maryland homer as there is, I love my Terps unconditionally, but I'm also realistic. This isn't Michigan or Notre Dame or Bama. We are a basketball school at heart, and have a football program that has an overall middling history, on the edge of a city full transplants (myself included), where professional teams take center stage.
There is a ton of potential for the program, but before we can pull the Chip Kelly's away from the NFL, we need someone to take us to that level first. Personally, I think we have a better chance of getting there with someone who's passionate, energetic, intelligent, and knows how to engage with ALL of his stakeholders (recruits, players, fans, administration, donors, media) than someone who fizzled at top tier destinations.
