Who Lurks?

Mike Stoops is out at Arizona.

And the first college football coaching domino has fallen. You know I love this stuff… and I can’t say that Stoops didn’t have it coming but I will give him this. He inherited a program that was beyond terrible. And he left it a mess, but not a terrible mess.
He has shown you can actually win some high profile games in Tucson and win again. I just don’t think he was the right guy to be a head coach. He always seemed pissed off, and sometimes you just have to relax. So who replaces him? This is my favorite part… let’s run down some of the candidates I think make sense.

Mike Leach, Former Texas Tech head coach
I am mildly surprised the guy hasn’t found a job yet. Now, he’s a little weird (understatement) but if you are Arizona, you probably not able to be picky, unless you’re shelling out the major cash. If they’re going to continue to pay around that 1.4 mil range, you’re going to get either a former head coach that failed, an older guy that isn’t a long term solution, or a very good coordinator at another program. I don’t even think 1.4 would get you a top coordinator as those guys get the pick of the litter if they want to move on. So I like the mad scientist… he’s a good head coach that got totally screwed over. He’d be a great fit for a program like Arizona.

Rich Rod, Former Michigan/West VA head coach
Seriously… this is who I would hire. If Rich Rod wasn’t made to coach in the Pac 12/10/14 then I don’t know who is. The guy can coach, he probably should have never gone to Michigan. I can’t hate on what he did there, but turning Michigan from 3 yards and a cloud of dust to wildcat/spread offense just does not happen overnight. He runs an entertaining system, one that would sell tickets and probably get his team in bowl games in time. If an athletic director is patient, it could easily pay off. For the record, I would hire him.

Chuck Cecil, Tennessee Titans Defensive Coordinator
If you want the homer pick, it is Cecil. The guy was a star at Arizona and has done well in the NFL. Yes, he has never been a head coach, but you have to start somewhere. I feel like a Defensive coordinator in the NFL could figure it out. As an alumni, you have to at least place a call to the guy, right?

Paul Chryst, Offensive Coordinator Wisconsin
At some point you have to give Chryst is love. He’s not the best offensive coordinator, but Wisconsin always handles their business and he seems to keep producing no matter who comes or goes. I personally doubt he leaves Madison. That is a great college town and it is a lot more fun to win if you’re comfortable. With Ohio State a mess, the conference is more up-for-grabs than ever before. Michigan probably isn’t as good as their record says, and you can’t help but feel that Bo Pelini’s act wears his team down.

Jack Del Rio, Head Coach Jacksonville
He should be available any day now. He’s always mentioned as a possible USC head coach… would he want to hang out in Tucson for a few years? Could be a big win for Arizona if they play their cards right…just a thought.

Oh, apparently they are talking about Chris Peterson (Boise State) and Dan Mullen (Miss St). Neither is going to happen, you are Arizona, not exactly a glamour program at the moment.