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September 22, 2007
Leach? Spurrier? June Jones? Who'll coach the Aggies in '08?
With the Franwagon abandoned on the side of Highway 6 with peeling paint, bald tires and a blown head gasket, it's time to look ahead. Sure, Fran might sweep OU, Texas and Tech and fool us all. Given what we've seen so far, that doesn't appear likely to happen. No use crying over spilt milk. Let's look ahead. What follows is my working list for 2008, with a brief (and typically insightful) analysis of each candidate:
(Note: Kirk Ferentz didn't make this list. That ship has sailed. Charlie Weis didn't make the list, either but he might be available soon.)
Mike Leach: He's easily the most intriguing name on any list. Changing jobs within the same conference can be tricky, and I don't know his contractual limits. That said, he should be No. 1. He has arguably the most brilliant offensive mind in the nation, doing great things without getting the best recruits. He might win a national championship at A&M. Recruits would be lining up to play there. There's a downside. He has a law degree from Pepperdine and doesn't walk, talk or act like a football coach. This might be uncomfortable for Aggies. They're more com fortable with people who think and act the way they do. This being the 21st century and all, there aren't that many people who fit this description. But Leach would win and do it in an interesting style. They'd get used to the Hawaiian shirts.
June Jones: Like Leach, his offensive mind is absolutely brilliant. He's also a genuine, decent likeable man. He has coached at every level and understands all aspects of the game. He'd win back those Aggies who've been turned off by Fran's chilly personality. This columnist highly endorses June Jones.
Todd Graham: He's not everyone's cup of tea. He's, uh, how shall I put this, extremely ambitious. He also has no problem telling players to make a commitment and then bailing on them. The Aggies surely won't have a problem with this since their current coach had some issues in that area. Now to the good news. He'll win. Got that? He'll win. He'll get the entire program organized. He'll play an exciting style on both sides of the ball. After a year or two, they'll be adding seats to Kyle Field.
Mike Sherman: Smart, talented, decent, organized, tough as nails. Have I left anything out? Yes, I have. I've left out about the part that of all the people on this list, he's the one Aggies might be the most proud to have as their coach. You can walk from one end of the earth to the other and now find a better human being. He understands the game and will win. Trust me when I tell you that when Mike Sherman visits a recruit's house, he's going to leave with that recruit. He might not play the glittering offense of the other guys, but he'll win.
Steve Spurrier: He made the list only because an Aggie said to me: ''Is it true that Spurrier is only making $1 million?'' This will be a tough sell, and given his age, might not be worth the trouble. But the man knows how to win, and he'll make it interesting. Just between us girls, I think he and Mack Brown aren't exactly close. Spurrier would routinely take his shots at Mack. He'd also out-coach him on game day.
Pat Hill: He has declined other opportunities to leave and might not do this time, either. But he's really good and would be a great hire.
Chris Peterson: He knows how to beat OU.
Leach? Spurrier? June Jones? Who'll coach the Aggies in '08?
With the Franwagon abandoned on the side of Highway 6 with peeling paint, bald tires and a blown head gasket, it's time to look ahead. Sure, Fran might sweep OU, Texas and Tech and fool us all. Given what we've seen so far, that doesn't appear likely to happen. No use crying over spilt milk. Let's look ahead. What follows is my working list for 2008, with a brief (and typically insightful) analysis of each candidate:
(Note: Kirk Ferentz didn't make this list. That ship has sailed. Charlie Weis didn't make the list, either but he might be available soon.)
Mike Leach: He's easily the most intriguing name on any list. Changing jobs within the same conference can be tricky, and I don't know his contractual limits. That said, he should be No. 1. He has arguably the most brilliant offensive mind in the nation, doing great things without getting the best recruits. He might win a national championship at A&M. Recruits would be lining up to play there. There's a downside. He has a law degree from Pepperdine and doesn't walk, talk or act like a football coach. This might be uncomfortable for Aggies. They're more com fortable with people who think and act the way they do. This being the 21st century and all, there aren't that many people who fit this description. But Leach would win and do it in an interesting style. They'd get used to the Hawaiian shirts.
June Jones: Like Leach, his offensive mind is absolutely brilliant. He's also a genuine, decent likeable man. He has coached at every level and understands all aspects of the game. He'd win back those Aggies who've been turned off by Fran's chilly personality. This columnist highly endorses June Jones.
Todd Graham: He's not everyone's cup of tea. He's, uh, how shall I put this, extremely ambitious. He also has no problem telling players to make a commitment and then bailing on them. The Aggies surely won't have a problem with this since their current coach had some issues in that area. Now to the good news. He'll win. Got that? He'll win. He'll get the entire program organized. He'll play an exciting style on both sides of the ball. After a year or two, they'll be adding seats to Kyle Field.
Mike Sherman: Smart, talented, decent, organized, tough as nails. Have I left anything out? Yes, I have. I've left out about the part that of all the people on this list, he's the one Aggies might be the most proud to have as their coach. You can walk from one end of the earth to the other and now find a better human being. He understands the game and will win. Trust me when I tell you that when Mike Sherman visits a recruit's house, he's going to leave with that recruit. He might not play the glittering offense of the other guys, but he'll win.
Steve Spurrier: He made the list only because an Aggie said to me: ''Is it true that Spurrier is only making $1 million?'' This will be a tough sell, and given his age, might not be worth the trouble. But the man knows how to win, and he'll make it interesting. Just between us girls, I think he and Mack Brown aren't exactly close. Spurrier would routinely take his shots at Mack. He'd also out-coach him on game day.
Pat Hill: He has declined other opportunities to leave and might not do this time, either. But he's really good and would be a great hire.
Chris Peterson: He knows how to beat OU.
