HC Candidate/Rumors/Info Thread

[ibeattetris]

Which got me to thinking (always dangerous). If we don't think we can out-recruit HERE, another option might be to out-recruit THERE. And I'm thinking Northern OH, Pennsylvania and DMV. We don' have near the perception problem as we do here, and ... the weather is nicer and players will be able to play against players they know. It certainly addresses some of our constraints.

That’s kinda what happened when we had Al Groh as DC.

 

[g0lftime]

Well yes a lot of people believe that also, but those rumors are rampant right now on secrant. Who expected Brian Kelly to go to LSU or Riley to leave OK for USC?

I never expected Curry to go to Alabama either. Visions of national championships danced in his head.

 

[UgaBlows]

Clark, apparently, wants the job but GT isn't interested.

I suspect Chadwell will not get a look nor any coach from the Sun Belt (or FCS). Harsin, beyond his W-L record, was a disaster recruiting because he simply didn't know ANYONE in the area, had no connections, and was completely tone deaf to the community. I think Batt is well aware of this and wants to set someone up for success, not failure.

My SEC theory (which several have opined on) was/is that if you want to recruit in THIS area, you need someone from THIS area and who knows all the schools and universities. (Harsin didn't have a clue.)

One poster replied that "OK, that's nice, but we are NOT in the Top Tier programs and probably won't ever be but we can compete against our peers and have a nice run at it.) (Paraphrased ... but that's my interpretation.)

Which got me to thinking (always dangerous). If we don't think we can out-recruit HERE, another option might be to out-recruit THERE. And I'm thinking Northern OH, Pennsylvania and DMV. We don' have near the perception problem as we do here, and ... the weather is nicer and players will be able to play against players they know. It certainly addresses some of our constraints.

So, it makes sense to hire a coach with a pedigree from that area and potentially, open a recruiting office there. Tennessee used that to win the Natty in 1998 by recruiting heavily in SoCal, not in TN.

Just a thought.

Chadwell recruits the same area now that he would at Tech

 

[UgaBlows]

Harsin was basically a dead man walking the minute he got hired at AU, the boosters never wanted that guy, he was a terrible fit there in pretty much every way imaginable.

 

[g0lftime]

I like the fact that Batt is being very quiet on the hire. I remember when UGA had a late season offer to Sheridan who accepted before the end of the season but stipulated it could not be announced until season (maybe bowl game) was over. UGA leaked it and he withdrew his acceptance. Ended up at NCSU and did a really good job there. Keep it quiet until signed on the dotted line please. Best for all concerned.

 

[scotts]

Dell McGee - To me, he seems like a solid choice as our next head coach. Good coaching experience - high school, GA Southern and UGA, played in the NFL, excellent recruiter, strong relationships with the high school community, and is seen as one of the top RB coaches in the country. The only downside to me is that he doesn't have HC experience and he currently coaches at UGA. I don't see these two points as negatives. I hope he at least gets an opportunity to present his case to the new AD.

 

[Techster]

Clark, apparently, wants the job but GT isn't interested.

I suspect Chadwell will not get a look nor any coach from the Sun Belt (or FCS). Harsin, beyond his W-L record, was a disaster recruiting because he simply didn't know ANYONE in the area, had no connections, and was completely tone deaf to the community. I think Batt is well aware of this and wants to set someone up for success, not failure.

My SEC theory (which several have opined on) was/is that if you want to recruit in THIS area, you need someone from THIS area and who knows all the schools and universities. (Harsin didn't have a clue.)

One poster replied that "OK, that's nice, but we are NOT in the Top Tier programs and probably won't ever be but we can compete against our peers and have a nice run at it.) (Paraphrased ... but that's my interpretation.)

Which got me to thinking (always dangerous). If we don't think we can out-recruit HERE, another option might be to out-recruit THERE. And I'm thinking Northern OH, Pennsylvania and DMV. We don' have near the perception problem as we do here, and ... the weather is nicer and players will be able to play against players they know. It certainly addresses some of our constraints.

So, it makes sense to hire a coach with a pedigree from that area and potentially, open a recruiting office there. Tennessee used that to win the Natty in 1998 by recruiting heavily in SoCal, not in TN.

Just a thought.

Chadwell recruits throughout the Southeast for Coastal already. I don't think I'd worry about the recruiting part in terms of GT's recruiting footprint vs Chadwell's. If Batt wants P5 experience, that's a whole other discussion, but IMO, he better have a REALLY good candidate lined up to turn his nose up on someone like Chadwell just because he's coaching outside of P5. There are other candidates I think will do just as well if not better than Chadwell, but the question is is GT willing to do what's necessary to get those candidates. It won't just be about salary (though that will be a big component)...it'll be NIL infrastructure, administration commitment, and "other" things factory programs are willing to do. Is GT going to venture out of our corner of P5 and get into the game with everyone else? We'll see...

 

[orientalnc]

Clark, apparently, wants the job but GT isn't interested.

I suspect Chadwell will not get a look nor any coach from the Sun Belt (or FCS). Harsin, beyond his W-L record, was a disaster recruiting because he simply didn't know ANYONE in the area, had no connections, and was completely tone deaf to the community. I think Batt is well aware of this and wants to set someone up for success, not failure.

My SEC theory (which several have opined on) was/is that if you want to recruit in THIS area, you need someone from THIS area and who knows all the schools and universities. (Harsin didn't have a clue.)

One poster replied that "OK, that's nice, but we are NOT in the Top Tier programs and probably won't ever be but we can compete against our peers and have a nice run at it.) (Paraphrased ... but that's my interpretation.)

Which got me to thinking (always dangerous). If we don't think we can out-recruit HERE, another option might be to out-recruit THERE. And I'm thinking Northern OH, Pennsylvania and DMV. We don' have near the perception problem as we do here, and ... the weather is nicer and players will be able to play against players they know. It certainly addresses some of our constraints.

So, it makes sense to hire a coach with a pedigree from that area and potentially, open a recruiting office there. Tennessee used that to win the Natty in 1998 by recruiting heavily in SoCal, not in TN.

Just a thought.

My feeling is that Clark left the UAB job because of health issues and he isn't going to jump into a very stressful job at GT just weeks after he left UAB. Even if he is willing, GT isn't going to take that risk.

Chadwell and Houston are both G5 coaches and I see their experiences as being in the same pool. Not their level of success, but the pool within which they swim. Prime time is even less likely. If GT is looking for someone with P5 experience, none of these guys are candidates.

If he is willing to work at GT and we can afford him, the choice that makes most sense is Mullen. Even with his shortcomings as a schmoozer. He certainly knows the recruiting environment and was successful getting players to join his program. While he has some gaps in his defensive playbook, I loved the offense he ran at Miss State and Florida.

 

[Deleted member 6494]

Lane Kiffin has red flags. Look at his USC and Tennessee tenures. Saban’s Miami tenure was horrible. Every coach we look at is going to have reasons not to hire them.

Very few programs would reject Saban because of his time coaching the Dolphins—it’s ridiculous. But if someone wants to lock onto a reason not to hire a coach, they’ll find one.

I would not hire Saban; each time I see him on an Advertisement, on the sidelines, or a shot of him by the media, I see a worn-out person who seems to be slow in his reactions which tends to be in accordance with his age.

Age is definitely a factor; I don't think as quickly as in the past, I have to use a cane to steady my walk, my eyes are dim and use both reading and driving glasses, my left ear is gone and right ear at 60%, my taste buds have deteriorated, I have to wear a partial set of teeth, my hair is gone, my sense of smell is gone, and I can't bring up the words I need when talking. When I die, there should not be much to it.

 

[Deleted member 6494]

I would not hire Saban; each time I see him on an Advertisement, on the sidelines, or a shot of him by the media, I see a worn-out person who seems to be slow in his reactions which tends to be in accordance with his age.

Age is definitely a factor; I don't think as quickly as in the past, I have to use a cane to steady my walk, my eyes are dim and use both reading and driving glasses, my left ear is gone and right ear at 60%, my taste buds have deteriorated, I have to wear a partial set of teeth, my hair is gone, my sense of smell is gone, and I can't bring up the words I need when talking. When I die, there should not be much to it.

My thoughts on the hire! It seems appropriate to rule out all candidates who are not coaching at present. It would be too risky to hire Deon at this time. I will rule out present candidates from other schools who are not having an extraordinary year. I would rule out any coach who is presently making 4-5 millionaire a year. I have narrowed my guess down to two candidates. It will either be Jamey Chadwell or Bill O'Brien. Personally, I think most Tech fans would want Chadwell, but for political reasons the administration and major donors are leaning toward O'Brien. If Batt goes strictly for the coach with the most imposing record, it will be Chadwell. If he bows down to the administration and the donors, it will be O'Brien.

 

[leatherneckjacket]

Dell McGee - To me, he seems like a solid choice as our next head coach. Good coaching experience - high school, GA Southern and UGA, played in the NFL, excellent recruiter, strong relationships with the high school community, and is seen as one of the top RB coaches in the country. The only downside to me is that he doesn't have HC experience and he currently coaches at UGA. I don't see these two points as negatives. I hope he at least gets an opportunity to present his case to the new AD.

What makes you think he can build a winning organization other than the fact that he can recruit 5 star athletes into ugag and then they are good enough to eventually get to the pros? I have no idea if he will make a good coach, since he has never put together a staff at the college level. Also, he does not coordinate either the offense or the defense, so who knows what those will look like. Being a good recruiter and position coach at ugag has almost no correlation to being a good head coach at Tech. If it wasn't for his connections to HS coaches, would he even be a consideration?

 

[g0lftime]

BOB is probably a bigger splash hire than Chadwell who is not as well known in Georgia. I would be okay with either. Just get it over and time to move forward. I also would not totally rule out Key if a decision has not been made. If Bama was in the mix for the playoff, then BOB would likely stay through that but if a bowl, I think he would start his new gig immediately. He would need to form a staff but Chadwell would likely bring most of his current staff. Chadwell might stay through any post season games.

 

[bobongo]

Chadwell recruits throughout the Southeast for Coastal already. I don't think I'd worry about the recruiting part in terms of GT's recruiting footprint vs Chadwell's. If Batt wants P5 experience, that's a whole other discussion, but IMO, he better have a REALLY good candidate lined up to turn his nose up on someone like Chadwell just because he's coaching outside of P5. There are other candidates I think will do just as well if not better than Chadwell, but the question is is GT willing to do what's necessary to get those candidates. It won't just be about salary (though that will be a big component)...it'll be NIL infrastructure, administration commitment, and "other" things factory programs are willing to do. Is GT going to venture out of our corner of P5 and get into the game with everyone else? We'll see...

The more I think about it, the more I like Chadwell. He seems an excellent coach in every aspect, he's winning right and left, he's got the hybrid option offense I'd always hoped Paul would morph into, his recruiting area overlaps ours, and his salary would allow Tech to give him maximum support and hire some excellent assistants and recruiters. If we just get a coach in here who will start winning football games, the rest of that stuff will fall into place. He looks like the real deal to me. can start winning now, with the players we have now.

Lots of guys being talked about have the potential to do well, but I think there are options in the up-and-coming lower end of the salary range we could afford to pay who look as promising, if not more so, than the high maintenance guys, AND Tech could afford more for the staff. Chadwell, in particular, has earned his shot.

 

[Techster]

BOB is probably a bigger splash hire than Chadwell who is not as well known in Georgia. I would be okay with either. Just get it over and time to move forward. I also would not totally rule out Key if a decision has not been made. If Bama was in the mix for the playoff, then BOB would likely stay through that but if a bowl, I think he would start his new gig immediately. He would need to form a staff but Chadwell would likely bring most of his current staff. Chadwell might stay through any post season games.

From recruiting standpoint, I think BOB > Chadwell. O'Brien is actually a good recruiter, and 4/5 star QBs would immediately give us consideration. He'll put in an offense that's attractive to guys looking for NFL preparation. He's an old school guy in terms of building from the trenches out, and getting/developing high level QB play.

For all the great things Chadwell has done at Coastal, his system still gets dinged as an "option offense". That will turn off some recruits, especially QBs. However, his offense is so unique, and he has a system that doesn't need a bunch of 4/5 stars to succeed. I think he would get much better talent at GT, but I wouldn't expect a bunch of Top 25-30 recruiting classes from him.

IMO, both would be splash hires, but for different reasons. Chadwell and his system is VERY popular on social media. GT hiring would put a LOT of media eyeballs on our program. BOB for all his criticisms, is very respected within the football community. Getting him at GT would mean we are taking the football business seriously...BOB is not going to a school without a serious commitment.

 

[scotts]

BOB is probably a bigger splash hire than Chadwell who is not as well known in Georgia. I would be okay with either. Just get it over and time to move forward. I also would not totally rule out Key if a decision has not been made. If Bama was in the mix for the playoff, then BOB would likely stay through that but if a bowl, I think he would start his new gig immediately. He would need to form a staff but Chadwell would likely bring most of his current staff. Chadwell might stay through any post season

What makes you think he can build a winning organization other than the fact that he can recruit 5 star athletes into ugag and then they are good enough to eventually get to the pros? I have no idea if he will make a good coach, since he has never put together a staff at the college level. Also, he does not coordinate either the offense or the defense, so who knows what those will look like. Being a good recruiter and position coach at ugag has almost no correlation to being a good head coach at Tech. If it wasn't for his connections to HS coaches, would he even be a consideration?

No one knows if he would be a good coach. No one knows - whoever we take - will be a successful coach. But I prefer someone from a big time program who has the connections not only in high schools but within the coaching community. He is 49 years old. He has a lot of experience. I think he would be able to pull together a solid coaching staff ASSUMING Tech will spend the money to hire the right people.

 

[Gtech24]

Clark, apparently, wants the job but GT isn't interested.

Based on sources? Any info as to why we are not interested? Just cant wrap my head around why we would not be interested over some of the other names mentioned.

 

[Bleedwhiteandgold]

I would not hire Saban; each time I see him on an Advertisement, on the sidelines, or a shot of him by the media, I see a worn-out person who seems to be slow in his reactions which tends to be in accordance with his age.

Age is definitely a factor; I don't think as quickly as in the past, I have to use a cane to steady my walk, my eyes are dim and use both reading and driving glasses, my left ear is gone and right ear at 60%, my taste buds have deteriorated, I have to wear a partial set of teeth, my hair is gone, my sense of smell is gone, and I can't bring up the words I need when talking. When I die, there should not be much to it.

Watch how you talk about the GOAT. Anybody who wouldnt make Saban their coach is smoking on something narly...he could be the coach at any CFB team if he wanted.

 

[Gtech24]

If true that we turned down Clark that must mean we have locked in on someone else (probably Chadwell). No way we turn Clark down unless we have someone Batt views as better already locked down.

Worst case scenario would be if our top option (Chadwell) turns it down for another job and we are stuck keeping Key.

 

[bobongo]

From recruiting standpoint, I think BOB > Chadwell. O'Brien is actually a good recruiter, and 4/5 star QBs would immediately give us consideration. He'll put in an offense that's attractive to guys looking for NFL preparation. He's an old school guy in terms of building from the trenches out, and getting/developing high level QB play.

For all the great things Chadwell has done at Coastal, his system still gets dinged as an "option offense". That will turn off some recruits, especially QBs. However, his offense is so unique, and he has a system that doesn't need a bunch of 4/5 stars to succeed. I think he would get much better talent at GT, but I wouldn't expect a bunch of Top 25-30 recruiting classes from him.

IMO, both would be splash hires, but for different reasons. Chadwell and his system is VERY popular on social media. GT hiring would put a LOT of media eyeballs on our program. BOB for all his criticisms, is very respected within the football community. Getting him at GT would mean we are taking the football business seriously...BOB is not going to a school without a serious commitment.

I lean toward Chadwell, but I'd be very happy to see BOB here as well.
Chadwell runs a superior offensive system, but BOB for his part is quite adaptable in his approach. He's well respected because he's good, even if a lot of Alabama fans don't appreciate that. Getting BOB would be a sign Tech is taking football seriously but getting Chadwell wouldn't necessarily mean the opposite. Winning would take care of that.

 

[leatherneckjacket]

No one knows if he would be a good coach. No one knows - whoever we take - will be a successful coach. But I prefer someone from a big time program who has the connections not only in high schools but within the coaching community. He is 49 years old. He has a lot of experience. I think he would be able to pull together a solid coaching staff ASSUMING Tech will spend the money to hire the right people.

You think he will assemble a solid staff based on what exactly? Being a good recruiter and position coach at ugag? He has never been a head coach in college let alone in a P5 program. He has never coordinated an offense or defense in college. He's 49, has a lot of HS connections and knows people. Great. So do a lot of coaches. I think you are chasing some fantasy that if we can hire away uaga's best recruiter and that then, somehow, what, we turn into them? I do not get it. This is high risk and low reward to me.