Monday, November 26, 2007

Replacements for Nutt

Replacements for Nutt

Now that there is an actually opening we will find out a ton. Leadership at UA are going to make a run at Tommy T first and Butch Davis 2nd, imo Butch has the best chance of those 2. Butch apparently got VERY offended by some past UNC official’s reaction to his contract extension. A source close to this situation said UA is willing and able to pay as much as needed to get the right guy.

Again, as I have said before Jeff Long is the wildcard, and as you know he has talked to Bo Pelini. Reports today said Nebraska was flying all over the country to meet with Pelini and Turner Gill. Gill has the coveted head coaching experience albeit not much. I stand by my sources that have told me Bo would prefer and SEC job over Neb but I guess you couldn’t blame a man when Neb comes on their private jet to lure you. I know Jeff Long has an allure for Bo but will the hog leadership let Jeff Long really make this hire.

Someone from the athletic department is putting out that there will be no assistants hired, I can’t confirm that. See below for my top 10 candidates

1. Butch Davis - best recruiter in the history of college football (guys if you can pull this off get it done and get it done now)
2. Tommy T – solid choice, damn expensive which Im told doesn’t matter. (Tommy T really likes his brand new 9,000 square foot house in Auburn. I know he can build a mansion in Fayetteville as well)
3. Bo Pelini – How hard will Jeff Long fight for Pelini? Is he “allowed” to hire an assistant
4. Brian Kelly – is the aggies loss Arkansas’ gain?
5. Chris Peterson – They just got rid of a guy from Boise
6. Bobby Petrino – seems committed to Falcons but stranger things have happened.
7. Paul Johnson - hoggies are worried about running to much, how about running up wins
8. Todd Graham – great future and Malzahn’s relationships with Ark high school coached can’t be looked over
9. Charlie Strong – will get an interview, deserving but hasn’t gotten that elusive head job. Has worked for Holtz, Spurrier and Meyer
10. Gus Malzahn – I don’t see it happening but I know the Arkansas faithful would love it and I think he could do it. And if i know there are some boo$ter$ that would support him.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really think that Butch Davis could be a really good fit for an Arkansas program which, after beating number 1 LSU, is ready to burst onto the National Scene next year.

I hear grumblings that many of the large donors at UNC are already fed up with Butch Davis.

Can you please elaborate on the possibility of Davis making the move and then suggest potential replacements for North Carolina. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Mike Leach.

Anonymous said...

Davis is staying at UNC. He just signed a contract extension and got the terms he wanted. He is now the 9th highest paid coach in America. Davis will be at UNC for the next decade unless Ohio State comes calling, which won't happen b/c Tressel isn't going anywhere.

Anonymous said...

You must be silly to think that Davis is concerned about the opinion of an 87 year old man they previously worked for UNC.

They knew there would be some fallout from the academic types and some media members.

Anonymous said...

Lane Kiffin

Anonymous said...

What on earth does Butch Davis have to do with Ohio State?

Anonymous said...

If Arkansas wants Davis, there isn't a thing in the world that UNC can do to keep him.

Anonymous said...

i think davis has an out in his contract for arkansas.

Anonymous said...

Mike Leach? The spread offense coach to the school that just set college offense back 60 years with the "wildhog" formation? Doesn't make sense to me.

I'll take Davis. Tubberville doesn't really excite me that much.

Anonymous said...

Davis or tubby would be the first choices assuming jj isn't interested. Leach only if he's given half a mil for a great DC. If the big names don't pan out, I'd go with Coker or Cutcliffe as head coach with Gus Malzhan as assistant head coach, OC, and heir apparent.

Anonymous said...

Sources close to the UA are letting me know that Ed Orgeron is a top choice for replacement of Houston Nutt. Talks are in the works of a 5-yr initial deal worth $12 million plus the usual incentives.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand how all of you UNC fans think Buthcie won't go anywhere. He pulled this same crap at Miami years ago, saying he was committed to the program and would be around. I'm not saying he will or will not go anywhere, but how can you believe a guy who has proven himself full of it in a very similar situation prior to this. You should be worried, because Butch, like Saban, is a snake in the grass!

Anonymous said...

Arkansas will not get Butch. There best bet would have been to keep Nutt for a couple more years. You hear "many large donors are grumbling?" I can tell you first hand the most important "donors" are very happy.

Anonymous said...

Butch likes it at Carolina and I highly doubt he will leave for another college job. UNC is a great institution for sports and education. They have been dominant in every sport except football and Butch will get the support he needs at UNC to turn it into a winning program. And UNC has all the resources they need if anyone tries to make a run at Butch.

Anonymous said...

Are you Bryan Kelly's agent?

Anonymous said...

butch davis "the best recruiter in the history of college football." wow, that might be a tad bit of an overstatement. either way, he won't leave UNC for Arkansas. Last year he probably would have, but not now.

Unknown said...

If money isn't a problem, and I don't think it is on "The Hill" Go make a statement and hire either Jimmy Johnson or Barry Switzer for four years and pay them whatever they want. Give them $5 Million a year, $6 Million a year.... They were former Hogs, won a national championship, plus a Super Bowl. Money talks, you won't know until you ask.

Anonymous said...

Gus Malzahn is the next U of A head coach. Wait and see.

Anonymous said...

Woooo Pig!!!!!

Bobby Petrino it is. This is exactly the hire all the true hog fans dreamed of. This hire makes us relevant again and I dare say a BCS future awaits us. I can't believe the news. Question: Does Petrino coach the razorbacks in the cotton bowl? Retain any staff already on the hill?

Anonymous said...

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