Gus Malzahn

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I've kind of hinted at this in other threads, but it deserves its own topic.

The dude is an offensive mastermind. Obviously. And, when you give him speedy athletes, he turns them into superstarts. See: Newton, Cam. McFadden, Darren. Jones, Felix. Williams, Damian. Etc. Soon to be Dyer, Michael. And, the guy can recruit.

anyway, I got off point. If he doesn't land a job in Florida at either UF or Miami it will be a failure on all accounts. There's possibly no better position for a coach to succeed with speed and athleticism abounding in the state. And, possibly no better fit for his system than Miami in particular (with great weather yearly and a weak conference) but Florida as well.

[clevername]

he was a high school coach just 5 years ago as his only head coaching experience and has had some rocky interpersonal issues at previous stops.

I don't know that I'd want to hand him his first major head coaching gig at a big university, and I say that as an Auburn alumnus. He may get a head coaching job this year at a lower profile school, but I don't think at Miami or UF. He'd need to follow Mullen's pattern. That's the guy who will get the UF job, unfortunately.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Yeah, it's not a slam dunk case. And, it certainly wouldn't be conventional for him to jump straight to a HC position at a prestigious program like FL or Miami. I certainly agree.

But, if it was my decision and I had my finger on the button at Miami, he'd be my first choice over almost anyone. Regardless how little experience he has, his schemes, play calling and X's and O's are just as good as anyone's in football. And, with the right players like those you'd find at Miami, and the right conditions, unlike those you'll have at Notre Dame/Penn State/anywhere north (read, nice), it would be the perfect setup for success.

You're right, maybe he can't manage a team and would be a horrible head coach and it would be a disastorous 2 years, but I'd certainly take that gamble if I was Miami....and maybe even Florida.

[letsgocards89]

Frank Broyles said his offense would never work in the SEC. LOLZ.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Frank Broyles said his offense would never work in the SEC. LOLZ.

Ha. Pretty funny that a couple days ago he (Malzahn) won the Frank Broyles Award and Broyles had nothing but praise for him. Also funny that Malzahn's offense won Broyles only his 2nd lone SEC Western Division title before he was canned. I mean moved on.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It seems to me that any big time program with the guts to hire Malzahn would just as soon hedge their bets with the same benefit and hire Leach.

[Jocephus]

malzahn, gus

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

It seems to me that any big time program with the guts to hire Malzahn would just as soon hedge their bets with the same benefit and hire Leach.

He's another good one, no doubt. He may/may not have issues. Regardless, I'll stand by my statement that Malzahn is a better offensive mind than Leach, and that's taking nothing away from Leach.

[phins]

Right or wrong, after hiring assistants two straight hires in Coker and Shannon, both ending disastrously, the next Miami coach will have HC experience.

If they did go the assistant route, which I doubt they would, it would probably Brent Venables from Oklahoma. The Miami AD, Kirby Hocutt, was at Oklahoma for several years with Venables, Kevin Sumlin, and Mike Stoops.

It is much different being the CEO of a major university than it is a coordinator. You are in control of the whole operation as the face of the program. Much of what must be done is outside of the football field. At a large state school, that stuff is mitigated some by a large alumni base, natural fan ownership of the program, and of course, state funding.

At Miami, it's much different. Enrollment under 10,000 means a small alumni base, and no state funding means they rely on boosters and endowments much more heavily. At just over $500 million per year, Miami Oscar behind the larger state schools. Miami needs the right guy to excite that base of boosters, and definitely to get butts in seats. Perhaps no other major program can benefit from a big time hire than Miami. Averaging under 30k fans perfume is costing money. If a new coach's excitement can get that to just 45k, he pays for himself.

I'm not saying Malzahn can't do the job, but given all that goes with the Miami hire this time, I don't think he'll be under consideration.

[clevername]

there are reports that Vanderbilt is offering him a 5 year $15 million contract with promises that they are serious about building the football program. If true, that would be hard to pass up.

$3 million a year without state income tax at a job where expectations aren't sky high.