If that kind of scuttlebutt were circulating among coaches and agents there is no way they could keep a lid on it.
A&M Going After Jimbo?
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If that kind of scuttlebutt were circulating among coaches and agents there is no way they could keep a lid on it.
We haven’t reached peak Saban rumor time yet. Rumors seem to break out about him every year around championship Saturday.
College football’s hiring and firing season is in full swing. Heading into the final weeks of the regular season, here’s some inside chatter on lots of big searches (and potential searches), per various sources within the coaching industry.
Nebraska
The Huskers haven’t fired Mike Riley yet, but that’s likely to happen soon.
Scott Frost, the current UCF head coach, remains Nebraska’s first choice. A previous version of a possible deal with Frost was believed to be 10 years and "about $5 million" per year, though the following has since been reported:
After UCF’s win over Temple, Frost denied the news reported in that tweet.
Nebraska is also considering coaches who run the triple-option, flexbone offense, specifically Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo. Sources indicate that if Nebraska approached Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, he would recommend Niumatalolo or Army’s Jeff Monken, both his former assistants.
Florida
The Gators want Frost. But Florida is worried about the Heartland native’s ability to build out a staff of SEC recruiters, and the Gators are wary of him bringing his entire UCF staff with him to Gainesville. If Frost were to take the job, Florida would want to include current interim Randy Shannon and perhaps other current Gators on the defensive staff.
Florida has spoken with USF head coach Charlie Strong, a former UF defensive coordinator before his time as head coach at Louisville and Texas.
Chip Kelly
He’s talked with Florida, is also known to be eying West Coast jobs, and is interested in UCLA.
Tennessee
Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden has met with athletic director John Currie about the vacancy. This was a procedural move, and it helped Currie with factions of Tennessee fans and boosters who have long been obsessed with Gruden.
Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schianoare candidates.
Current interim head coach Brady Hoke is not considered a candidate, and could go to the NFL for a position job.
Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida State
The Razorbacks will move on from head coach Bret Bielema after the season.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn is interested in returning home to take that position once it’s open, though his status might depend on this week’s Iron Bowl. He’d also have a hand in picking Arkansas’ new AD.
Memphis coach Mike Norvell will also be a candidate for the Arkansas job, once it’s open. Norvell is from the state and his two years recruiting for Memphis are considered a plus to boosters.
If Malzahn leaves, expect Auburn people to push for Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher. If Fisher were to land at Auburn, he’d hope to retain at least current Tigers defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and associate head coach Rodney Garner.
If Fisher stays at FSU (Texas A&M and Tennessee are also interested), expect him to change at least half of his coaching staff.
Ole Miss
Ole Miss has spoken to a large number of candidates while trying to position a job that could be very good or very bad. With the NCAA’s final ruling on the Rebels still TBD, candidates don’t know exactly what kind of roster they’ll be inheriting. Ole Miss has interest in Norvell, Strong, and Oregon’s Willie Taggart.
Regardless of sanctions, AD Ross Bjork could make a move similar to Baylor’s hire of Matt Rhule: bringing in a proven head coach with no prior connections. Mississippi state law prevents the Rebels from offering a long-term, six-to-seven-year contract, but sources indicate an incentivized deal could compensate for guaranteed years.
Oregon
There is a strong level of interest in Taggart at multiple SEC schools. If the Oregon job were to come open, Mullen could be a candidate with the Ducks, who courted the Mississippi State head coach last year.
If the choice arose, Frost might prefer Oregon, where he used to be the offensive coordinator, to Nebraska.
Mississippi State
Could make a push for Memphis’ Norvell, in the event Mullen leaves. The perception of Mississippi State as a tough job doesn’t match the reality, in coaching circles; the Bulldogs can and will pay, and Mullen has shown that the right developer of talent can win in the West.
Hugh Freeze
If the embattled former Ole Miss head coach isn’t hit with a show-cause by the NCAA, he’ll try for a head coaching job this cycle, potentially at the Sun Belt or C-USA level.
Oregon State
The Beavers contacted recently fired Tennessee coach Butch Jones. Other names around the job include former Florida head coach Jim McElwain, Niumatalolo, and Virginia’s Bronco Mendenhall, an alumnus.
UCF and USF
Aside from Houston, Florida’s AAC directionals are widely considered the best jobs in the Group of Five. Oregon’s Cristobal, the former FIU head coach, will be of interest if either position opens. USF would also have interest in Tennessee OC Larry Scott, an alumnus and former interim head coach at Miami.
Georgia Southern
The Eagles are interested in Army offensive coordinator Brent Davis for their open head coaching job. Davis is a Georgia native and a former Eagles assistant. Fans in Statesboro revere the Johnson/Monken under-center triple option that Davis would install.
A group of decision-makers has interest in Tee Martin, the former Tennessee quarterback and current USC offensive coordinator.
Nebraska
The Huskers haven’t fired Mike Riley yet, but that’s likely to happen soon.
Scott Frost, the current UCF head coach, remains Nebraska’s first choice. A previous version of a possible deal with Frost was believed to be 10 years and "about $5 million" per year, though the following has since been reported:
After UCF’s win over Temple, Frost denied the news reported in that tweet.
Nebraska is also considering coaches who run the triple-option, flexbone offense, specifically Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo. Sources indicate that if Nebraska approached Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, he would recommend Niumatalolo or Army’s Jeff Monken, both his former assistants.
Florida
The Gators want Frost. But Florida is worried about the Heartland native’s ability to build out a staff of SEC recruiters, and the Gators are wary of him bringing his entire UCF staff with him to Gainesville. If Frost were to take the job, Florida would want to include current interim Randy Shannon and perhaps other current Gators on the defensive staff.
Florida has spoken with USF head coach Charlie Strong, a former UF defensive coordinator before his time as head coach at Louisville and Texas.
Chip Kelly
He’s talked with Florida, is also known to be eying West Coast jobs, and is interested in UCLA.
Tennessee
Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden has met with athletic director John Currie about the vacancy. This was a procedural move, and it helped Currie with factions of Tennessee fans and boosters who have long been obsessed with Gruden.
Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schianoare candidates.
Current interim head coach Brady Hoke is not considered a candidate, and could go to the NFL for a position job.
Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida State
The Razorbacks will move on from head coach Bret Bielema after the season.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn is interested in returning home to take that position once it’s open, though his status might depend on this week’s Iron Bowl. He’d also have a hand in picking Arkansas’ new AD.
Memphis coach Mike Norvell will also be a candidate for the Arkansas job, once it’s open. Norvell is from the state and his two years recruiting for Memphis are considered a plus to boosters.
If Malzahn leaves, expect Auburn people to push for Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher. If Fisher were to land at Auburn, he’d hope to retain at least current Tigers defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and associate head coach Rodney Garner.
If Fisher stays at FSU (Texas A&M and Tennessee are also interested), expect him to change at least half of his coaching staff.
Ole Miss
Ole Miss has spoken to a large number of candidates while trying to position a job that could be very good or very bad. With the NCAA’s final ruling on the Rebels still TBD, candidates don’t know exactly what kind of roster they’ll be inheriting. Ole Miss has interest in Norvell, Strong, and Oregon’s Willie Taggart.
Regardless of sanctions, AD Ross Bjork could make a move similar to Baylor’s hire of Matt Rhule: bringing in a proven head coach with no prior connections. Mississippi state law prevents the Rebels from offering a long-term, six-to-seven-year contract, but sources indicate an incentivized deal could compensate for guaranteed years.
Oregon
There is a strong level of interest in Taggart at multiple SEC schools. If the Oregon job were to come open, Mullen could be a candidate with the Ducks, who courted the Mississippi State head coach last year.
If the choice arose, Frost might prefer Oregon, where he used to be the offensive coordinator, to Nebraska.
Mississippi State
Could make a push for Memphis’ Norvell, in the event Mullen leaves. The perception of Mississippi State as a tough job doesn’t match the reality, in coaching circles; the Bulldogs can and will pay, and Mullen has shown that the right developer of talent can win in the West.
Hugh Freeze
If the embattled former Ole Miss head coach isn’t hit with a show-cause by the NCAA, he’ll try for a head coaching job this cycle, potentially at the Sun Belt or C-USA level.
Oregon State
The Beavers contacted recently fired Tennessee coach Butch Jones. Other names around the job include former Florida head coach Jim McElwain, Niumatalolo, and Virginia’s Bronco Mendenhall, an alumnus.
UCF and USF
Aside from Houston, Florida’s AAC directionals are widely considered the best jobs in the Group of Five. Oregon’s Cristobal, the former FIU head coach, will be of interest if either position opens. USF would also have interest in Tennessee OC Larry Scott, an alumnus and former interim head coach at Miami.
Georgia Southern
The Eagles are interested in Army offensive coordinator Brent Davis for their open head coaching job. Davis is a Georgia native and a former Eagles assistant. Fans in Statesboro revere the Johnson/Monken under-center triple option that Davis would install.
A group of decision-makers has interest in Tee Martin, the former Tennessee quarterback and current USC offensive coordinator.
UCLA is probsbly a better fit from a recruiting standpoint for Chip Kelly. If A&M wants out of Sumlin probsbly the best way is for him to find a soft landing somewhere especially if he beats LSU this week.
I predict that Jimbo Fisher will stay in Tallahassee. None this talk would be happening if the qb hadn't gotten injured.
Serious question - and please answer in the spirit of Thanksgiving - Robo's post listed a ton of high profile job openings, which will then have a domino effect on lower jobs. There is one proven winner sitting at home with a giant wart. How long does Art Briles have to sit out? Or is he done for good? Some one will be so desperate to win that they will take the bait. Ole Miss is going to have a hard time getting a top candidate with sanctions looming. Desperation meet Desperation.
Someone will probably hire him but it will be like a mid major trying to put itself on the map, or a power 5 team that has been awful for a decade.
but he would beat alabama in 3 yrs.
also, congrats to jimbo on the imminent 2 mil/ yr raise he's about to get from fsu
also, congrats to jimbo on the imminent 2 mil/ yr raise he's about to get from fsu
I don't think FSU will give him anything after having a losing season. Which is why I think he will go to aggy if they throw a bunch of money at him.
Apparently there is a report from the Houston Chronicle that Sumlin will be fired after the LSU game, win or lose.
assistants found out coming off the practice field tonight abt the report that Kevin Sumlin would be fired after the LSU game: “For our players to find out about it like this, that it doesn’t matter if we win SAT night at LSU, it’s really shitty" http://on.si.com/2zsfYxp
10:24 PM - Nov 21, 2017
Report first Kevin Sumlin, staff heard of firing
Kevin Sumlin and his Texas A&M coaching staff learned of imminent firing from the Houston Chronicle report, a source told SI.com.
assistants found out coming off the practice field tonight abt the report that Kevin Sumlin would be fired after the LSU game: “For our players to find out about it like this, that it doesn’t matter if we win SAT night at LSU, it’s really shitty" http://on.si.com/2zsfYxp
10:24 PM - Nov 21, 2017
Report first Kevin Sumlin, staff heard of firing
Kevin Sumlin and his Texas A&M coaching staff learned of imminent firing from the Houston Chronicle report, a source told SI.com.
Apparently there is a report from the Houston Chronicle that Sumlin will be fired after the LSU game, win or lose.
assistants found out coming off the practice field tonight abt the report that Kevin Sumlin would be fired after the LSU game: “For our players to find out about it like this, that it doesn’t matter if we win SAT night at LSU, it’s really shitty" http://on.si.com/2zsfYxp
10:24 PM - Nov 21, 2017
Report first Kevin Sumlin, staff heard of firing
Kevin Sumlin and his Texas A&M coaching staff learned of imminent firing from the Houston Chronicle report, a source told SI.com.
Talk about being a bunch of Dixie Chickens.... DL Bobby Brown come on down!
They could go after the ghost of Landry and Lombardi and they're never doing shit in the SEC. Ever. Belichek wouldn't muster 500. They're just idiots and that's it.
If A&M were to win against LSU, they are 5-3 in conference with losses to Bama, Auburn, and MSU all ranked in the top 20. And that's starting a freshman or redshirt freshman all year. This is probably his best coaching year. It'll crush their recruiting class. Just seems like total dumbass thing to do. Even if they go 4-4 in conference, that's still pretty good with what they had at QB. Tenn, Florida, UCLA are all better jobs than A&M. They just aren't looking at this from realistic eyes. Who wants to play in the SEC west until Saban retires. SEC east has a much cleaner path to a CC.
I think the decision to fire Sumlin has already been made regardless of the outcome against L$U.
Man firing a coach that may go 9-3. That’s rough...pressure is on the AD now. Sumlin will land on his feet. Hes a solid coach. A lot of jobs coming open.
They might as well have fired him after getting blown out by Miss St. at home coming off the bye week. His fate was sealed at that time.
His mismanagement of the QB position put the program in an impossible situation. Getting Trevor Knight for a year helped but having your first and 2nd string QB's (both 5 stars) transfer at the same time is unthinkable. There was simply no way he was going to recover from that and it was every bit his fault that it happened.
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I think that was quite awesome if I might say so myself. aggy is still aggy and will always be an 8-4 type of program. Its who they are. Always has been. Always will be.
Here are some a&m stats for you: has a losing record at home in the $EC, has a 16-19 record against the $EC west, hasn't beaten an $EC west team at home since October 2015, hasn't won a conference title since 1998, hasn't won a bowl game since 2014, has only won 10 games twice since 1994.
You guys should be used to being the big dogs bitch and playing second fiddle in your conference. Accept it.
Let’s be honest - leaving a positioned blue blood for A&M would be a downgrade. I don’t think anyone sees PSU to A&M as a lateral.
True.
Also, with the Florida and Tennessee jobs open, most coaches, if they're smart, will find those openings more appealing because you don't have to face the $EC west powers and you have a much easier path the the championship game from the east side than the west side. To your point, James Franklin is not going to leave Penn State for a&m. That is a lateral move at best, and it makes no sense. He has PSU positioned very well now.
I'll be surprised if Jimbo Fisher leaves Florida State for a&m. There is absolutely NO comparison between football programs at the schools. I've heard that Fisher has had issues with the FSU brass and has some desire to return to the $EC, but again, the $EC west is not very appealing given who you would have to deal with in that division. I still say its going to be Chad Morris at aggy, who would be a decent hire.
Texas A&M does less with more than just about any other program. The only reason they were invited to the SEC is because they’re a large state institution that got the conference’s footprint into the state of Texas.
They think they somehow one-upped UT, but the reality is the SEC wanted the state itself and unfortunately for them had to invite Texas A&M along for the ride. If UT ever decided to look elsewhere and were willing to roll the Longhorn Network into an existing conference network, they could have an immediate invite to any of the other four Power 5 conferences. Luckily, the Big 12 is still making a ton of money and is Texas-centric, which is what I’ve been told UT wants.
The big 12 is still making money but weather or not it lasts past this current TV deal(2024 I think) is a major question imo. I think Texas will be shopping itself down the road.
Texas is fine where it's at. I don't see a move unless the whole conference explode. If the PAC 12 don't get their stuff right, you could see the AZ schools making a push towards the BIG12
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