FLORIDA’S NEXT OPTIONS AT HEAD COACH OH YEAAAAAHHH
A list in no real particular order of Urban Meyer’s possible and impossible replacements based on no inside information whatsover.
1. Bob Stoops. Why he’d leave his current cushy, unassailable, and lofty position at Oklahoma where he has a house, places he likes to eat, and a recruiting network he can flex at will, we’ll never know. It would have to be for non-monetary, non-logistical midlife crisis kind of reasons. Remember how Bob Stoops’ dad Ron Sr died? In an ambulance on the way to the hospital after suffering a heart attack on the sidelines of a football game. HE’S A LOCK AND I HAVE VERY IMPORTANT SOURCES. Foley hires ‘em young, Stoops is fat and happy where he is, and he’s almost fifty. It would be a fine hire, and would inspire no immediate thoughts of self-harm at all. It is also highly unlikely given the unfortunate things called facts and situations that govern reality.
Self-harm: None. Only thing harmed: brain cells from celebratory cocktail.
2. Mike Shanahan. Pro coaches for the most part remain pro, meaning you’d see Shanahan come to Florida, look uncomfortable, pick up recruiting after a mere twenty-six year layoff, and smash collegiate minds against a pro-style offense for a year or two before adjusting, all the while being an extreme flight risk at a job he has expressed no interest in while maintaining a matching level of interest in college coaching (none.) In addition to these concerns, he resembles a Scottish Terrier.
Self-harm: Sprained wrist from wanking motion.
3. Bobby Petrino. HA! HA! You’ve recommended Bobby Petrino for our football program! Everything we can possibly say about Bobby Petrino being recommended for our football program is contained in the following graphic.
It should be so obvious as to be a silent given, but in summary: Petrino is an offensive genius and a very good head coach. He is also a legendary asshole whose veins run cold with the steady rush of sulfuric acid, and flight risk doesn’t even begin to describe him if things go even just a bit askance, and that’s before considering the threat of the NFL repoaching him. (And if you don’t think a team is stupid enough to hire him again, we remind you that Al Davis and Dan Snyder both live and breathe on this mortal coil. It could happen, just like a head coach with two national titles in five years can suddenly, two days after Christmas, quit his job and leave you considering OH GOD PETRINO WHY—)
Self-harm: Delayed, like AIDS. Three or four years of fun, and then the slow, inevitable, and painful death begins.
4. Dan Mullen. The official EDSBS pick because he’s Meyer-schooled, an offensive genius, keeps a furious pace like Meyer with a more glib, less heart-destroying stride, and at least has some head coaching experience to go with his stellar record as an assistant. He’s a step down, but-surprise!-after Meyer, they all are. The nervousness comes with his inexperience, and thus these special vitamins we take with our vodka.
Self-harm: Pills. Helping mommy cope since 1937.
5. Ron Prince. This announcement sponsored by The Committee To Hire Ron Prince As A Football Coach. The Twitter sensation brings so much to the job: a well-shaved head, the ability to build skullduggerous compensation clauses into his buyouts, and a goatee that smells like smores and victory. Bonus: POWER TOWELS.
The only possible downside is the endless clamoring at the door for him by other programs.
6. Chris Petersen. A fine idea, but he reportedly hates the East Coast and hasn’t shown any real inclination to leave the niche he’s occupying in Boise. His Satanism might ruffle some feathers, too oh who are we kidding it might help at this job pentagrams welcome!
Self-harm: Lacerations and blood loss from willing participation in Satanic rituals.
7. Tommy Tuberville. Retread-y. Former offensive line coach is now a trucking executive. Never lost to Meyer, but hiring like that is the kind of genius Charlie Weis displayed in hiring practices, and look where that got him. Older, prone to losing bizarro games to unranked competition while slamming ranked opponents, and currently working on the world’s third most lustrous tan on the golf courses of Alabama.
Self-harm: Randomly, we’ll just let someone from Mississippi State or Arkansas knee us as hard as they like in the balls.
8. Gary Patterson. No objections. None. He’s awesomeballs. Look at him here: it’s like he’s about to vomit the hot fire of justice all over someone from the depths of his burly gullet.
Self-harm: Blown retina from attempt to squirt mouthful of grenadine through our eyeballs in celebration of heisting TCU’s coach.
9. Bill Cowher. Do you think this is plausible or desirable? You have tested positive for stupid. Please return to the garbage-filled cave you live in, and let someone else at the public library use this terminal.
Self-harm: Choking ourselves to death with Rivals.com t-shirt.
10. Kyle Whittingham, Utah. Again, zero complaints, and unlike Meyer has completely destroyed an Alabama team on the field. Whittingham would also shore up some of the personnel losses on the defensive side of the coaching staff all by himself, and runs pretty much what Meyer did across the board, and he might smell like Urban. A rich, familiar, comforting musk we suddenly crave like heroin.
Self-harm: Burned nose from hastily glugged champagne.
11. The Kool-Aid Man. A terrible choice for the most part, but his appeal to African-American recruits does bear mentioning. Additional downside: no walls can hold his boundless ambitions.
Self-harm: Concussion from running headfirst into nearest wall.
12. Charlie Strong. Strong would enlist himself in the Shit Army by reneging on his deal at Louisville, throwing himself into Petrino Coaching AIDS territory forever. Foley likely isn’t hiring another first-timer, either: if he wants a shot at Florida, he can look at history, amass a serious resume at Louisville (where expectations are Kragthorpe-low,) and then reboot down the road. Personally, too, it is unlikely Strong would deliver such a firm ratfucking to the guys who just offered him his first job as a head coach and had him in tears at his press conference. (And if he did, again: see Petrino Coaching AIDS territory of “brilliant, but unmanageably disloyal.”)
Self-harm: Fifty swats on the back with a bouquet of nettles out of self-loathing.
13. Kevin Sumlin. Green, but undoubtedly the luminescent offensive coaching mind of the moment. Liabilities popping out all over the place, however, including his relative inexperience, his indifference to defense, and his lack of familiarity with the Southeast. At forty-five he’s older than you think, too.
Self-harm: Swinging stolen helmet into head until unconscious.
14. [NAME REDACTED] Only for the joy of firing him a second time immediately after hiring him.
Self-harm: N/A. We’ve already been through all the harm he can give us.
15. Jon Gruden. Oh, now you’re just being silly.
Self-harm: JUMPS INTO WOODCHIPPER LOOK AT HIM GO THAT GUY IS A FOOTBALL PLAYER.
16: You know.
Self-harm: Only the side effects of a testosterone overdose, that’s all.
1
Burritobrosshits says:
I seriously want Charlie Strong to be the HC.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:26 am
2
Aerobab says:
I’d like to recommend Phil Fulmer. I hear he’s still looking for a job.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:29 am
3
WarChiziken says:
yep, got all the bases covered there Orson …… *coff Mangino coff*
December 27th, 2009 at 11:29 am
4
NatiJacket says:
Lane Kiffin
December 27th, 2009 at 11:30 am
5
An 'eer with a beer says:
Wouldn’t you love to see a “most interesting man in the world” commercial with Schnelly rather than that dude they’re using now?
December 27th, 2009 at 11:31 am
6
Muffin says:
Does this count as the third celebrity death with Chris Henry/Brittany Murphy?
December 27th, 2009 at 11:31 am
7
ConfusingJazz says:
I think Cthulhu would make a fine coach. His (if you can really assign a pronoun to Cthulhu) defense would be taught unspeakable horrors to intimidate the opposition.
However, he tends to consume alumni donors and bring about the end of the world. The donor consumption of course being more important.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:32 am
8
bitterhorn says:
Keep your damn, dirty gator hands off of Muschamp, plz.
Stoops makes the most sense, but it would probably be the five finger death punch to the Big 12. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:34 am
9
Dave says:
How fair is it for you to rail on ND for having a dream list of Stoops, Meyer, Saban, Cowher, and Dungy when replacing Weis and yet, when the time comes to replace Urban Meyer, the first two options on your list are Stoops and Shanahan.
Bobby Petrino is your upper bound for what UF will be able to land.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:37 am
10
wfguiteau says:
I personally don’t think anyone could be angry at Charlie Strong if he took the Florida job. He had no clue that the school he came up through was going to abruptly lose the best coach in college football, one of the few that had actually earned something that vaguely resembles tenure, and leave the program with no real replacement on hand (*cough* Steve Addazio *cough*).
If Florida steals Paul Johnson from my dear Georgia Tech, I will track down the men responsible and exact revenge in the name of all the GT fans who still, to this day, hate Josh Nesbitt out of a reflex response to the quarterback position.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:44 am
11
Golden Hand says:
Seems like either the Utah or TCU guys would be a lock, unless they suddenly come over all Edsall/Schiamoish and decide they couldn’t stand to leave their current fair estates. All other candidates suck in comparison; Tuberville’s a South Carolina move. Potentially big upside with Mullen, but is he gonna screw MSU like that? Petrinoesque, his leaving would be.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:50 am
12
collegegameballs says:
@3 I hope Mangino hides away for about 4 years and slips out of everyone’s minds only to return 250lbs lighter wearing leather chaps for a huge ohhhhhhhhh effect.
Now to be serious. I know nothing of the inner workings of Gator Nation, but I’de be shocked if Spurrier wasn’t a top candidate based on: his past success, his experiment at USC close to be proven a failure and he’s the only (realistic) name that can for lack of a better phrase “fill Meyer’s shoes”.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:54 am
13
OJ's Last Fan says:
The Trojans have this fine OC, Jeremy Bates, with pro experience who’d make an outstanding replacement for Meyer. SC alumni would even kick in his moving expenses.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:59 am
14
MrRedDevil says:
Orson,
Greg Schiano?
December 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
15
Joshua says:
The Horns are reeeeeaaaaaalllly freaked out that the Gators will come calling on Muschamp. Please do it. Just cause it would be fun to watch those spoiled arrogant asses get all pissy. And Muschamp can coach so it’s win win.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
16
WarChiziken says:
Golden Hand - I would argue that Mullen to Florida is not so much Petrinoesque as it is SECesque - coaches have been jumping from lesser schools (Vandy, KY, Miss, Miss St) to other SEC schools with more potential with regularity. Biggest criteria is ability to win… which he has not proven, but Mullen certainly seems pointed in the right direction
since FL is at the top of big time in CFB, they are not going to fall back on an unproven “favorite son”(i.e.Strong)… they will be looking for a proven winner (Stoops, Whittingham, etc) at the top echelon with the ability to exert themselves to maintain Florida’s status.
I could see them convincing Spurrier to come back for a 2-3 yr deal, while mentoring a new HFC ala Muschamp. The only problem with this theory is the “HFC in waiting” process seems unproven… give it 2-4 yrs and perhaps a Joker or Jimbo may set a new paradigm in motion in CFB
December 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
17
TrojanRick says:
Yes, Jeremy Bates would be a sensational choice, and yes, I, too, would help with the moving expenses.
The real not-so-long shot would be Mike Stoops at Arizona. Has really built that program up, has the genes, and just needs a bigger stage and budget.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
18
Brophy says:
Jerry Glanville….he wears cowboy hats and big belt buckles,,,,,,
December 27th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
19
Golden Hand says:
@12 It’s fine to use a lesser SEC school as a stepping stone, but you owe them at least 3-4 years. Two is the bare minimum if your ultimate dream job comes up, I guess, so he’s out of Petrino country.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
20
bitterhorn says:
The course of action should be obvious - NICK SABAN. You already know he’s a soulless ghoul who would happily piss all over alabama for the right amount of silver.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
21
Jay says:
I would consider Mullen leaving MSU after only one year and going back to Florida “Petrinoesque” also. And it seems to be a little more than MSU deserves at this point. A real kick in the balls.
After years of Charlie Strong’s biggest supporters ranting and railing against schools not giving Strong a fair shot, it would be impossible for them to turn around and defend him leaving Louisville at the alter.
Patterson refused to even talk to ND and signed a big contract extension. Leaving TCU after that would also be a kick straight to the nether regions.
Charlie Wies is available. Just trying to help.
I’m disappointed that Jimmy Sexton hasn’t gotten Houston Nutt’s name tied to the Florida job yet. He must still be hung over from Christmas.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
22
Orson Swindle says:
How fair is it for you to rail on ND for having a dream list of Stoops, Meyer, Saban, Cowher, and Dungy when replacing Weis and yet, when the time comes to replace Urban Meyer, the first two options on your list are Stoops and Shanahan.
Because both have coached at Florida before, and we’re saying it’s unrealistic on both counts?
December 27th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
23
Reverend DCQ says:
Why is the guy who can’t win a BCS game #1? Mullen could be a choice but needs more seasoning. Strong equals coach Name-Redacted. No NFL re-treads either. It’s Whittingham or bust as I see it.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
24
PeteJayhawk says:
Oh, come on, Orson, if you’re going to quote the Domer stupidity, you might as well do the whole thing…
“Bobby Petrino is your upper bound for what UF will be able to land.”
Yes, because UF is certainly no glittering Notre Dame, what with the latter’s glorious tradition of not having won a bowl game since Ace of Base was topping the charts.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
25
Orson Swindle says:
December 27th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
26
bitterhorn says:
Good to see you’re coping with this well, Orson.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
27
owls and gophs and craep says:
I will buy and frequently don the blue/orange Prizefighter robes of “GO GATOR” incident fame if Schnelly assumes the throne.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
28
Buffalover says:
What UF really needs is some “Hawk Love”. Obviously.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
29
Tanner says:
Add:
Bo Pelini
Will Muschamp
Sated.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
30
cantcatchuf says:
Schnelly as HC, Mullen as OC, and Muschamp as DC.
Or just Whittingham, if that all falls through.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
31
Elder George Carlin - Ute Fan says:
LMAO at this list! I hope Whittingham is quickly taken off the list…we need him here in SLC!
December 27th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
32
Wright says:
You mean Tebow’s too young to handle the job now? Or would these candidates just be holding Tebow’s place until he’s done with the NFL (which should be in about two years?)
December 27th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
33
Kevin@LSU says:
With Mangino, Weis, Bowden, and Meyer now gone, who would’ve thought it was Meyer who left for health reasons.
December 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
34
Land of Os(borne) says:
My suggestion to UF: yarrrr!
December 27th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
35
matt says:
mike shula is only 70 miles away in Jacksonville… he’s such a classy guy, such a good guy-he should be a gator
December 27th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
36
pootietang says:
let’s face it, the timing of all this is so unusual, so i would give a pass to either strong or mullen if they reneged on their current situations; this is FLORIDA after all. patterson would be an excellent choice.
one other name: barry alvarez; a little aged but the dude can coach; had a glass ceiling at wisco that does not exist at uf; definitely the CEO type foley is looking for, too. just in case meyer is just needing a break, alvarez can hold down the fort for a few years; just saying
December 27th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
37
Rob says:
http://www.clickorlando.com/sports/22066753/detail.html
Good news and bad news? Wishful thinking?
December 27th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
38
gatorfan says:
http://www.alligator.org/sports/football/article_80850686-f317-11de-bb79-001cc4c03286.html
next options is…..
URBAN MEYER
December 27th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
39
WFVMountie says:
Mort is reporting via his Twitter that Meyer has changed his mind and is no longer resigning but instead taking a leave of absence. Adazzio will be interim coach.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
40
ninereal says:
I hear Ty Willingham’s available.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
41
etsuVol says:
Guess this is irrelevant now that he isn’t resigning eh?
December 27th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
42
Cochese says:
Now he’s not resigning? What the hell is going on down there??
December 27th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
43
Charlie says:
Why not Charlie Weis?
He’s got schemes and stuff.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
44
TampaGatorGal says:
seeing Steve Adazzio will be interim coach crawl across the bottom of the screen is soooo disturbing…ugh.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
45
david says:
my vote goes to a combination of YARRRRR and TA-NOOOO-TA!
Srsly.
-David
December 27th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
46
Jack Fact says:
Press conference at 1630. Pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
47
5knklshfl says:
Iowa in bcs game = Florida bound coach and instantly atop the fulmer cup
December 27th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
48
wfguiteau says:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4774134
Confirmed ambivalence. Urban Meyer isn’t a mercenary in the Nick Saban vein. You can tell he genuinely loves coaching and loves the game, and quitting the game for your health would be like having to decide to amputate your arm to save the rest of your body. Sure, the choice is “clear”, but is it really?
I’ve been in the situation of leaving something I loved for the purpose of putting my life back in order, and just the two months I took off were excruciating, and this was something I did maybe ten hours a week. I cannot imagine how horrible it would be to try to do what Urban Meyer is doing.
Urban’s not reading this, but take 2010 off, leave the program in the hands of an able advisor who will accept your inevitable return, get your life in order and your priorities straight, and then come back and bring the pain.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
49
cantcatchuf says:
Addazzio as the interim HC?? By god, what did Brantley do to deserve this? Eat the entrails of living babies?
December 27th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
50
bitterhorn says:
SEC publicity stunt to boost flagging ticket sales.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
51
Kevin@LSU says:
Tebow’s been having this song on repeat…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grtbH0lw2-I
December 27th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
52
Tractorr says:
At least when Addazzio only pulls off 7 wins next season there will be no one else to blame, and he will go back to coaching the offensive line like he is supposed to.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
53
Signal to Noise says:
Addazio as interim? Someone please find Orson and tell him to put the gun down.
MAO!
December 27th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
54
Old South says:
First Billy Donovan, then Urban. Just can’t leave Gainesville I guess.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
55
Socraticsilence says:
If Addazio is really the interim- someone needs to tell Tebow he’s holding Black Masses or something (c’mon you know deep down Tebow’s basically a crusader transported to the wrong era- highly religious, not particularily bright, a fiery leader, strong as an ox- if you can’t see him leading a charge on Jerusalem and wielding a broadsword I don’t know what to tell you). Seriously, giving the program over to the guy who turned the greatest player of my generation into a pocket passer who occasionally smashes into the line- he couldn’t do more to annoy me (watch next year he tries to turn Brantley into Tommy Frazier and calls exclusively short passes on the rollout- after all that’s what a guy with a massive arm is best at right- screens and rollout passes?
December 27th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
56
Socraticsilence says:
So he’s pulling a Coach K- missing a hard year both on the court (due to players leaving) and off (his health) and then coming back- I can deal with that- especially since it would basically cement the guy as a Gator for life (the school that allows this would have to accrue major points). Seriously, though can’t we win back Billy G by letting him interim for a year and just outright firing Steve “I ruined Tim Tebow’s senior year- yes I really do suck that bad” Addazio?
December 27th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
57
jakldawg says:
Can I trade my knee-to-the-junk privileges in the unlikely situation that Tubberville in exchange for the more likely scenario of Mullen going back?
December 27th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
58
Puddles says:
No love for Chip Kelly? I heard he’s incorporating string theory into his offense next year.
Eligible receivers will exist in multiple dimensions at once. It’s pretty good against the zone.
December 27th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
59
bayoubengal says:
Log on to http://www.HireRonZook@UF.com to show your support
December 27th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
60
dgdawg says:
Whittingham? Don’t you mean Willingham? He’d do great in Florida - lot’s of golf.
December 28th, 2009 at 1:05 am
61
Matt says:
Uh…have you BEEN to Oklahoma?
December 28th, 2009 at 12:49 pm