New Coach?

There are many names being bantered around as possible replacements for Jon Embree.  Unfortunately, CU really needs to replace Mike Bohn first, as he has not done the two most important aspects of his job: maintaining the cash cow that is a Division 1 football program and raising lots of money to keep said program up with the Joneses (those two will fund and support everything else).  While the basketball program has greatly improved, Bohn cannot take credit for that, except for his original hire of Bzdelik.  However, even there he was bullied by Bzdelik to include the facilities improvements as an element of his contract, and he is the one, not Bohn, who truly deserves the credit, handing two NBA prospects (he lucked out somewhat in bringing in both Alec Burks and Carlon Brown) to Tad Boyle whose hire was really perfect serendipity for Colorado, and especially Bohn.  Now all Bohn does is bask in that spotlight, while whining and complaining that football boosters and donors haven’t anted up enough for him to do his job. 

            He has failed miserably in both aspects and is in turn rewarded with a chance to pick yet another coach, even though the football program has not been “galvanized”, has been on a downward “trajectory” and whose “brand” has gotten progressively worse under each successive decision during his tenure.  He has shown himself over and over to be arrogant and smug, dodging questions, and it appears has been blatantly deceitful.  Who would want to come here in this environment? (See previous post and I didn’t even mention the academic restrictions that the university has in place on top of any NCAA or conference.)

            Bohn has said he definitely wants a coach with head coaching experience and that he has at least one name in mind that is currently a head coach. That might eliminate many of the “hot” coordinators who are being mentioned for the numerous open positions.  The biggest names being thrown around-Louisville’s Charlie Strong-won’t even bother looking at Colorado with so many other, more attractive and lucrative situations out there, and let’s just take Dave Logan out of the conversation. Tom Kensler of the Denver Post suggested that they target a big name offensive guy, as the offenses today are able to make a much quicker impact than defense, and then try to get a great defensive coordinator.  Here’s a list of the coaches that people somehow think would actually want to come to CU and the possibilities they might actually take the jump:

Gary Anderson, Utah State, has said that he is staying in Logan and isn’t interested in any job.  Translation: “It will take a buttload of money to lure me away from this great small school.”  Although CU has supposedly already contacted him, he is one of the hottest names out there for many of the job openings, and he will get a more lucrative offer from a better situation than CU could offer.

Tim DeRuyter, Fresno State, knows what he would be getting into after witnessing firsthand what the young Buffs can actually do on the field.  He will also likely get offers much better than Colorado.

Sonny Dykes has done a great job with Louisana Tech and is a third head coach at a smaller school who is about to make the jump to the big time.  He should also receive better offers than CU’s.

Mike McIntyre, who has turned San Jose State around in two seasons, and has good recruiting ties in California, is another hot name.  I don’t know much else about him, but he actually might have a profile that would fit many of CU’s needs and would not be as expensive as the previous three names.

Willie Taggart, a Harbaugh protégé at Stanford, is now leading Western Kentucky.  He is an intriguing possibility with his west and east coast recruiting experience.

Of course, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun was mentioned often in the early hours, but that has seemed to die down a little.

Jeff Tedford, recently fired from Cal, is a definite possibility and would be a good offensive fit.  However, he is sitting on a $6.9M buyout and does not need to be in a hurry picking a new spot.

Mines coach Bob Stitt is probably a long shot, but a local favorite (this round’s “Dave Logan”) and offensive mind.  He is personally very interested and says he could bring CU back to relevance.  However, his hiring would not make nearly a big enough splash with recruits or boosters.

There are a handful of available coaches who have had great success but carry a lot of baggage, like Bobby Petrino and Jim Tressel, but I don’t think they will go in that direction.

One name who could be put into that previous baggage category is, Mark Mangino, the former Kansas coach who was run out for his verbal abuse of players.  Mile High Sports reported that both CU and Mangino had reached out to each other, and that Mangino was even willing to come as offensive coordinator if a defensive head coach was hired.  Thankfully, at least one source has said Magino is not a candidate for any position at CU.

Would any of these guys actually consider coming to CU with all of its baggage at this point?  How much money will it take to lure someone away from their current position? Or should I say how much money will someone settle for if they decide to take the job in Boulder?

Note on Assistant Coaches:  All of the assistants are still currently employed and will be “evaluated” by the new coach who will choose his own assistants.  They are essentially being used to keep recruiting going, instead of being allowed the freedom to search for a new job, while Bohn finds the man who will actually fire them.  It is quite doubtful any of them would stay on even if asked, after seeing the way their leader, Jon Embree, was treated.  This includes LB coach Brian Cabral.