[h=2]I have never thought head coaching experience was neccessary. Sporting news' Matt Hayes agrees: http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...le-bo-pelini-and-urban-meyer-need-adjustments
6. Against the grain[/h]They’ll soon be searching again, looking for that one magical fit that can make everything bad go away (see: Nebraska).
Some advice for presidents and athletic directors searching for new coaches (this means you, too, USC): embrace the coordinator.
Time after time, we see big programs in search of a coach proclaiming they want head coaching experience. The obvious question: why limit yourself when so many coordinators with zero experience have proven track records.
In the last decade alone, Chip Kelly, Dabo Swinney, Jimbo Fisher, Mark Dantonio, Pat Fitzgerald and David Shaw (among others) have proven over and over the right fit doesn’t have to have experience in the big chair. Then there are two of the best hires in program history at two heavyweights: Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) and Mark Richt (Georgia).
The USC job is open, Texas could be open, and undoubtedly there will be more when December rolls around. The top five coordinators for hire:
1. Chad Morris, Clemson offensive coordinator: His offense is fantastic, a system skill players love to play in. He’s also a meticulous organizer.
2. Kirby Smart, Alabama defensive coordinator: His defenses at Alabama have been fantastic—he runs the show, not head coach Nick Saban. Also doesn’t hurt to be part of the Saban coaching tree.
3. Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason: The Cardinal have become more physical and active in the front seven under Mason, a team that plays more like an SEC defense than a Pac-12 unit.
4. Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman: A rare offensive mind and well-respected in the coaching community. Similar to Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, whose reputation among his peers was elite while he was coordinator for the Ducks.
5. Baylor offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery: It’s coach Art Briles’ offense, but Montgomery has gained more control of it (and play calling) with each passing season. Has spent 15 years with Briles at the high school and college level, and understands the building process.
6. Against the grain[/h]They’ll soon be searching again, looking for that one magical fit that can make everything bad go away (see: Nebraska).
Some advice for presidents and athletic directors searching for new coaches (this means you, too, USC): embrace the coordinator.
Time after time, we see big programs in search of a coach proclaiming they want head coaching experience. The obvious question: why limit yourself when so many coordinators with zero experience have proven track records.
In the last decade alone, Chip Kelly, Dabo Swinney, Jimbo Fisher, Mark Dantonio, Pat Fitzgerald and David Shaw (among others) have proven over and over the right fit doesn’t have to have experience in the big chair. Then there are two of the best hires in program history at two heavyweights: Bob Stoops (Oklahoma) and Mark Richt (Georgia).
The USC job is open, Texas could be open, and undoubtedly there will be more when December rolls around. The top five coordinators for hire:
1. Chad Morris, Clemson offensive coordinator: His offense is fantastic, a system skill players love to play in. He’s also a meticulous organizer.
2. Kirby Smart, Alabama defensive coordinator: His defenses at Alabama have been fantastic—he runs the show, not head coach Nick Saban. Also doesn’t hurt to be part of the Saban coaching tree.
3. Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason: The Cardinal have become more physical and active in the front seven under Mason, a team that plays more like an SEC defense than a Pac-12 unit.
4. Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman: A rare offensive mind and well-respected in the coaching community. Similar to Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, whose reputation among his peers was elite while he was coordinator for the Ducks.
5. Baylor offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery: It’s coach Art Briles’ offense, but Montgomery has gained more control of it (and play calling) with each passing season. Has spent 15 years with Briles at the high school and college level, and understands the building process.
