First of all, I don't understand the obsession with Butch. This is the same guy that walked away from our program when it was at its penultimate. The same guy who hasn't been hired by ANYONE in 4 years. The same guy who went 28-23 at UNC and had a losing conference record. Finally, did we forget that he had to leave Chapel Hill because the program was entrenched in an NCAA investigation. But, hey, let's hire a 62 year-old coach and have no eye for the future.
Realistically, it's going to take us going after a major coordinator or a mid-major HC to get his right and I really think it needs to be a guy with a defensive background. Here is who I'd target:
Pat Narduzzi (DC - MSU) - May have to back the brinks truck up for this one. Probably the least realistic person on the list but should be the first call we make
Kirby Smart (DC - Alabama) - Another longshot, but maybe he finally makes the jump to HC
Mark Stoops (HC - Kentucky) - He isn't winning at UK anytime soon. Obviously has been here in the past
Ruffin McNeil (HC - ECU) - Could be in line for a huge pay day so we may not be able to afford him anyways
Matt Campbell (HC - Toledo) - Probably the kind of guy we end up hiring
Geoff Collins (DC - Mississippi State) - Big fan of SEC defensive coordinators
Some offensive guys to consider:
Matt Wells (HC - Utah State) - Anderson is doing well at Wisco and this guy was his heir apparent. We could probably afford him too
Jake Spavital (OC - Texas A&M) - Would need an established DC like a Jim Leavitt but I trust anyone coming off the Sumlin coaching tree
Tony Levine (HC - Houston) - Another guy off of the Briles/Sumlin tree
Mike Norvell (OC - Arizona State) - Has done a great job with the ASU offense. Very young
Realistically, it's going to take us going after a major coordinator or a mid-major HC to get his right and I really think it needs to be a guy with a defensive background. Here is who I'd target:
Pat Narduzzi (DC - MSU) - May have to back the brinks truck up for this one. Probably the least realistic person on the list but should be the first call we make
Kirby Smart (DC - Alabama) - Another longshot, but maybe he finally makes the jump to HC
Mark Stoops (HC - Kentucky) - He isn't winning at UK anytime soon. Obviously has been here in the past
Ruffin McNeil (HC - ECU) - Could be in line for a huge pay day so we may not be able to afford him anyways
Matt Campbell (HC - Toledo) - Probably the kind of guy we end up hiring
Geoff Collins (DC - Mississippi State) - Big fan of SEC defensive coordinators
Some offensive guys to consider:
Matt Wells (HC - Utah State) - Anderson is doing well at Wisco and this guy was his heir apparent. We could probably afford him too
Jake Spavital (OC - Texas A&M) - Would need an established DC like a Jim Leavitt but I trust anyone coming off the Sumlin coaching tree
Tony Levine (HC - Houston) - Another guy off of the Briles/Sumlin tree
Mike Norvell (OC - Arizona State) - Has done a great job with the ASU offense. Very young