NCAAF FBS Coaching Vacancies

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Wisconsin to Arkansas is at best a lateral move. Was Wisconsin unwilling to give him a raise?

Big Ten to SEC is a big step up prestige-wise. The SEC is light-years beyond any other conference.

[cardsfansince82]

That's only really meaningful to him if he can win the same or better than he did at Wisconsin, which I don't think will happen. He doesnt come out ahead losing more games in a better conference. If I was a coach I wouldn't want any part of a low or mid tier school in that conference. You'll make some money but your legacy is almost certainly taking a dive.

The move and the reaction from fans kind of reminds me of Mike Anderson.

Gus Malzahn is a good offensive coach but I think giving him the head coach job at a major program is a mistake. His ceiling is as a coordinator at a good school or head coach at a smaller school. Unfortunately his ego is too big for him to admit that.

[JL21]

IIRC, Andy Staples at SI seemed to indicate that Arkansas was willing to give Bielema more money to build a staff. He said something about Wisconsin losing six coaches last off-season. And of course, Bielema himself will get a lot more money.

[stlouie_lipp]

“I can tell you this,” says Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema. “We at the Big Ten don’t want to be like the SEC—in any way, shape or form.”

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-footba ... lema-upset

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I disagree about Malzahn's ceiling being an offensive coordinator at a major program or a HC at a small program. And, from what I've seen/heard/know he doesn't have an ego any larger than your typical college head coach. Actually, he seems more level headed than most. Time will tell, but I'd be happy as an Auburn alum with the hire. By most (all?) accounts, he's a good person and everything he has touched has turned to gold. And, he's capable of recruiting.

I've always thought there are two types of head coaches:

The first kind are the X and O coaches. They rely on strategy, planning, out maneuvering and perfect execution of their plan to win (Bobby Petrino is the best example of this I can remember. Seriously, go read about how anal and detail oriented he was. Spurrier seems like the same kind of coach).

Then there are those that are Rah-Rah coaches. They're motivators, and can game plan sure...but that's almost secondary to motivation. They seemingly rely more on their kids violently executing an imperfect plan than perfectly executing a perfect plan. (Les Miles immediately comes to mind though that may be selling his ingenuity short. Maybe Will Muschamp.)

The coaches that combine both - highly motivated, well prepared, great plan of action - are the best coaches. (Nick Saban, Urban Meyer come to mind)

Malzahn seems to be the X and O type right now, but I could see that morphing itself into being a combination.

[JL21]

My apologies for nitpicking, but I kind of think there's a third one in there- the program builder. It's the kind of coach who can take 2 and 3 star recruits and coach them up to 4+ star quality, through facilities, smart recruiting (finding diamonds in the rough), and off-season planning.

Or I guess that could fall under your second category. I don't know.

[cardsfansince82]

I don't know a lot about Malzahn specifically but I went to TU and followed his time at Arkansas and Auburn quite a bit so I know more than your average fan.

Mainly I don't think those quirky offensive guru types make good head coaches. Being a coach at a major program involves a whole lot of stuff besides knowing the Xs and Os on one side of the ball. A lot of it has nothing to do with football at all. The offensive guys in particular tend to be control freaks that still want to call all of the plays and usually don't make great leaders for the entire program. Chip Kelly is about the only one off the top of my head that has pulled it off, but he still had a lot of discipline issues.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

My apologies for nitpicking, but I kind of think there's a third one in there- the program builder. It's the kind of coach who can take 2 and 3 star recruits and coach them up to 4+ star quality, through facilities, smart recruiting (finding diamonds in the rough), and off-season planning.

Or I guess that could fall under your second category. I don't know.

No, no. YOu're absolutely correct. I was trying to leave all mention of talent out of it. Though, finding under the radar recruits and building them up is extremely important. As is getting the stud recruits you need.

It was too many variables to deal with though adding that in there.

Malzahn hasn't proven he can do that yet while a lot of guys have. So, there is that question looming large, undoubtedly.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Spurrier has managed to do it quite successfully as well, 82.

Mainly I don't think those quirky offensive guru types make good head coaches. Being a coach at a major program involves a whole lot of stuff besides knowing the Xs and Os on one side of the ball. A lot of it has nothing to do with football at all. The offensive guys in particular tend to be control freaks that still want to call all of the plays and usually don't make great leaders for the entire program. Chip Kelly is about the only one off the top of my head that has pulled it off, but he still had a lot of discipline issues.

I actually agree with all of this. I think we differ on what Malzahn's limitations are however. I think he's known for his offensive mind because that's what he's showcased. But, if put in charge of a defense, I don't think he's unhappy or clueless. He's shown the poise all throughout his career to be able to get along with boosters and has disciplined athletes fairly but sternly. He just doesn't seem like a whiny [expletive] ala Petrino or any other offensive quirky guru control freak guy that comes off like a whiny [expletive].

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Regarding Bielema to Arkansas....Yeah, I don't get why he would leave Wisconsin for Arky. Speculations include:
He didn't feel he was getting respect in Wisconsin. I wonder if that means the same kind of respect Pujols didn't get. Likely.
Alvarez told him his job was in danger if he didn't start winning close games. Sounds made up.
Really, there's not an obvious reason that jumps out. I'd say the respect thing may be a pretty big one. Alvarez still is more of a household name than Bielema even after 3 rose bowls.....a lot of Wisconsin fans are sending tweets (obviously the best way to judge fan reaction ) to Arkansas mediatypes saying take him, he's only had success on Alvarez's coattails.... Winning the SEC (which let's be honest, every coach believes they can win wherever they are*) elevates him to a household name. *I don't think Beilema is thinking, hmmmm....if I can go 10-2 in the B1G, that is 8-4 in the SEC....or whatever. I would imagine he's thinking he can win the SEC. At least I'd hope or he is the wrong coach for not only Arkansas, but any school anywhere.

Here's why the hire makes sense for Arkansas:
He is a guy that can identify the recruits he wants and get them to a program that isn't exactly on everyone's radar. That's key for places like Arkansas.
His game plan is essentially the same as other SEC powerhouses. Run and defend. If you can't beat em, join em, I guess.
He's a proven winner. Say what you will, but 3 BCS games in 7 years has to be as many as any other coach sans Saban has.

As with all things time will tell. At first I hated the hire, partly because (maybe only because) of SIF's dislike for him. The more I think about it, the better I like it for Arkansas. I really don't get why he did it unless the money is that much more and he felt di$re$pected at Wisconsin.