Top 5 coaches who would come to Miami

[01Canes]

Pruitt's a much more appealing candidate than a retread coming off an embarrassing head-coaching tenure like Schiano/Kiffin or a guy like Cristobal, who's the nightmare scenario poster boy as a position coach this useless administration would hire because he's a cheap, uninspiring, unqualified hack with "South Florida ties," bro.

But I'd hope Pruitt would be just a fallback option if Herman can't be lured away from Houston for whatever reason. Or if the admin is too stubborn to get over Butch moving upward in his career to coach in the pros 15 years ago. Or if other more proven candidates who may cost more don't emerge in the next 2/3rds of the season.

Pruitt doesn't get a "**** no" from me right now, and I'm not opposed to taking a risk on a Southern savage with upside if the alternatives are the 2015 equivalent of Golden/Edsall/Trestman. But I'd prefer he be a fallback option in a tier or two below Herman/Butch. And I completely understand those who are wary of taking such a chance on someone without head-coaching experience.

Pruitt above Fuente?

Not sure, TBH. I've had tunnel vision about wanting Herman and haven't learned enough about Fuente. I'll check out some of the Memphis-USF game tonight to get another look at his team after that wild game against Cincinnati last Thursday.

I do like Pruitt, especially compared to my nightmare list of Cristobal/Schiano/Kiffin. But I need to get a better look at some of these potential candidates in the coming weeks to develop a more informed opinion.

 

[CaneInTheBrain]

But those mid-major guys are just as risky when they jump up a level. We know that better than anyone.

The great, established head coaches like Briles or Patterson are pipe dreams. Herman gives you a nice blend of big-program experience and upside, but he's just one guy.

Who is on your list?

Golden NEVER accomplished what we NEEDED. Golden didn't dominate the MAC, he never even won the conference. Sure he did something decent at Temple but it wasn't anything special. He wasn't ready for a BCS program of Miami caliber.

Here is a name.

Justin Fuente: For those that don't know, Memphis was a train wreck before he arrived. Memphis won 5 games combined in the previous 3 seasons before he arrived. They won 2 conference games during that time. They also finished last in their conference each of those seasons. Memphis was awful. This guy has the background, learning under Gary Patterson and is an offensive guru.

In 2014, he had an impressive season. He won 10 games, the conference and beat BYU in the bowl game. The 2014 season definitely earn him the spot-light as a prime coaching candidate. The question is, in 2015, would he repeat the success? At 4-0, it appears he is on pace to have similar success. In fact, Memphis may be ranked going into Ole Miss.

I know people will complain about his defense, but in 2014 and 2013 Memphis had a good defense:

2014:
Scoring D: 11th (19.5 PG)
Total D: 27th (349.5 PG)

2013:
Scoring D: 44th (24.6 PG)
Total D: 39th (370.7 PG)

The difference in 2015, Memphis lost their DC to Missouri and had to replace 8 defensive starters. This is Memphis, it isn't exactly an easy thing to reload with quality talent. I wouldn't say these are "excuses" because he has won every game this season and 11 games in a row. Big games against Ole Miss and Houston on the horizon. If Fuente wins the conference in 2015 with 10 regular season wins, he is a name that should be at the top of the list for Miami.

FAIL

 

[DMoney]

You lost me at pro-style offense which unfortunately I expected. Offense and spreading people out is the name of the game.

I'd take Pruitt, but personally I want an offensive coach. That's just the way the game is being played right now.

People say this a lot, but I don't think it's true.

How did we win in 2001? How did OSU win in 2002? How did LSU win in 2003 and 2007? How did USC win in 2004? How did Alabama win in 2009, 2011 and 2012? How did FSU win in 2014?

Pro style offense. Smothering defense.

The "evolution of the game" is overstated, IMO. Oregon is still waiting for its first title. Give me a dominant defense and a pro-style offense that can run and pass.

But nobody is playing smothering defense right now. Not even Bama. They've been shredded by up-tempo spreads quite a few times recently. I'm not averse to running a pro style offense, but almost every national champion since 2005 has run some variation of the spread.

I just prefer an offensive coach who wants an aggressive defense. For example, when Chip was at Oregon, he ran an attacking 3-4 that forced a ton of sacks and turnovers. And that was with Oregon talent.

That said, I would take Pruitt, and I think he'd do well.

That's fair. I'm good either way as long as it's the right guy.

My sticking point is big-time football experience. I like that Herman spent time at OSU. I want someone who is used to high expectations and major-league competition.

 

[brock]

Butch

Lane kiffin/cristobal
Jeremy Pruitt
Tom Herman
Ed Oregeron

It should come out of this group

 

[UMFarArcher]

Better
Be
Butch

 

[SpikeUM]

After the various recent coaching fiascos, I doubt that we would hire anyone with baggage. That rules out Butch and Kiffin for sure, and probably Mario and Orgeron too.

 

[Cribby]

Gloria Estefan

 

[The Franchise]

Pruitt might turn out to be a great HC, but what has he done to make anyone think he will?

Dominate at his job.

His first year as a defensive coordinator, FSU finished 1st in scoring defense and won the national championship. He left, and they dropped to 54th.

He went to Georgia, which ranked 84th in scoring defense. They finished 16th. They also went from 95th in turnover margin to 4th. And as I mentioned, he's a recruiting phenom.

If you're going to limit your search to head coaches, that's fine. But those mid-major guys are just as risky when they jump up a level. We know that better than anyone.

The great, established head coaches like Briles or Patterson are pipe dreams. Herman gives you a nice blend of big-program experience and upside, but he's just one guy.

Who is on your list?

FSU won the NC because of Jameis. Their defense wasn't much better his year than the year before he got there.

He's done a nice job at UGA, but they got gashed up pretty good a few times last year.

He's been a good DC. Small sample size and has had the benefit of working with two of the most talented rosters in football.

The list of guys who were good coordinators who flopped as HCs is a mile long. It's a total guess with Pruitt because he's never been a HC anywhere. Big difference between running one facet of a team and being the man in charge of everything and being a leader of men.

Recruiting? Like I said, it's way overhyped as a grounds for hiring a HC at UM. If you win at UM and field an exciting product you will have your choice from the best talent pool in the nation. If you don't, then even renowned recruiters like Folden and Coley are rendered useless. Win and they will come. Lose, and it doesn't matter how hyped you are as some recruiting genius.

UM isn't in a position to take such a reckless gamble on a rookie like Pruitt. He might be great and he might flop. There's no data to support either guess.

 

[DMoney]

He might be great and he might flop. There's no data to support either guess.

There's no data to support any of these guys. They haven't coached at Miami. Golden had great "data" until he got to the big leagues.

Butch is the only guy where you know what you're getting. But from what I hear, it's not looking like a possibility.

Who is on your list? I know you are in tune with the coaching ranks.

 

[UMFarArcher]

He might be great and he might flop. There's no data to support either guess.

There's no data to support any of these guys. They haven't coached at Miami. Golden had great "data" until he got to the big leagues.

Butch is the only guy where you know what you're getting. But from what I hear, it's not looking like a possibility.

Who is on your list? I know you are in tune with the coaching ranks.

Then those *********S. in charge better make it look like a probability.

I'm so sick and tired of all this risk-taking, and then the UM dumbasses will try to cheap out at contract time on someone like Butch, but will give a zero like Golden an extension.

Anyone else feel like everything a UM is upside down?

 

[Andrew]

I think in these days it is better to have an offensive minded HC. Nothing helps your defense more than scoring points. Look at school like Baylor, TCU, Ohio State, and Utah. It has been proven you can win the ship with Randy Shannon as your DC under the right head coach.

 

[NVA CANE]

If I'm Blake James I call the following and force them to say no

Chip Kelly
Fuente
Herman
Morris
Pruitt

I want a guy that comes from a real coaching tree and has experienced high caliber football. No more Al Groh disciples or "Miami guys." Get me a guy that has been at programs that have won at the highest levels, has coached under solid coaches and can dominate his side of the ball. I'm sure there are a couple more names.

 

[UMFarArcher]

I think in these days it is better to have an offensive minded HC. Nothing helps your defense more than scoring points. Look at school like Baylor, TCU, Ohio State, and Utah. It has been proven you can win the ship with Randy Shannon as your DC under the right head coach.

Drew, I've heard all my life - "Defense wins games, Offense packs stadiums."

The Pirate has had offenses, but he couldn't buy a defensive coordinator to save his skin.

The other thing is your offense practices against your defense, and vice-versa. It was our great defenses that made our offenses great, and our great offenses that made our defenses great.

BBB.

 

[FrancisSawyer]

Doesn't Fuente run the same garbage defensive scheme that Al does?

 

[The Franchise]

He might be great and he might flop. There's no data to support either guess.

There's no data to support any of these guys. They haven't coached at Miami. Golden had great "data" until he got to the big leagues.

Butch is the only guy where you know what you're getting. But from what I hear, it's not looking like a possibility.

Who is on your list? I know you are in tune with the coaching ranks.

Folden didn't have great data. That's where you're missing the boat. Folden was smoke and mirrors. He never won anything at Temple. Never beat any good teams. Recruited better than anyone in the MAC and never won the conference.

When you're looking at lower level guys you have to see moments of greatness and some big wins. Find a guy who pulled some upsets and won a conference.

My feelings about Pruitt are that I'd rather have him than some of the **** being tossed around here like Kiffin or Cristobal or Orgeron. If we're somehow left with those types as options I'd take Pruitt in a heartbeat.

However, my strategy would be to shoot for the moon with this hire. See if we can pull a Bama (Saban), a Michigan (Harbaugh), or even an Arkansas (Petrino). I'd put together an enticing package and make Chip Kelly tell me no.

If you can't pull that off, then keep close tabs on Tom Herman this year. If he continues to do what he's been doing make him a target. I also like Justin Fuente a lot.

A sure thing type of hire in my book would be a vet like Gary Pinkel, who has done more with less for a very long time. He's a super HC.

In that same area is a guy like Butch Davis. Although I don't think he's anywhere near the more with less type of HC that Pinkel is, Davis is a guy who you absolutely know will eventually get you to a high level. It might take 4 years, but he'll get the program stocked and humming.

 

[The Franchise]

Doesn't Fuente run the same garbage defensive scheme that Al does?

Fuente is a Gary Patterson disciple, so I doubt he's doing anything Folden does. He has said he patterns his program after what Patterson did. He might not have a great D, but let's not forget he's at Memphis. They lost a ton of starters from last year, but they're still winning every week.

 

[FrancisSawyer]

He might be great and he might flop. There's no data to support either guess.

There's no data to support any of these guys. They haven't coached at Miami. Golden had great "data" until he got to the big leagues.

Butch is the only guy where you know what you're getting. But from what I hear, it's not looking like a possibility.

Who is on your list? I know you are in tune with the coaching ranks.

From what you hear Butch is not looking like a possibility? That's why this administration is the biggest joke in college football. We all know **** well that we will hire another ****. Sickening! They have the perfect guy right in front of their face and they're going to ***** that up too. Just mind boggling!

 

[FrancisSawyer]

Doesn't Fuente run the same garbage defensive scheme that Al does?

Fuente is a Gary Patterson disciple, so I doubt he's doing anything Folden does. He has said he patterns his program after what Patterson did. He might not have a great D, but let's not forget he's at Memphis. They lost a ton of starters from last year, but they're still winning every week.

Thanks for clearing that up. I just remembered someone saying that. Well in that case then Fuente seems like a very intriguing option. Frankly I truly didn't know much about the guy. A Patterson disciple is most certainly worth looking into.

 

[ssvir]

He might be great and he might flop. There's no data to support either guess.

There's no data to support any of these guys. They haven't coached at Miami. Golden had great "data" until he got to the big leagues.

Butch is the only guy where you know what you're getting. But from what I hear, it's not looking like a possibility.

Who is on your list? I know you are in tune with the coaching ranks.

 

[MedleyCane]

He might be great and he might flop. There's no data to support either guess.

There's no data to support any of these guys. They haven't coached at Miami. Golden had great "data" until he got to the big leagues.

Butch is the only guy where you know what you're getting. But from what I hear, it's not looking like a possibility.

Who is on your list? I know you are in tune with the coaching ranks.

From what you hear Butch is not looking like a possibility? That's why this administration is the biggest joke in college football. We all know **** well that we will hire another ****. Sickening! They have the perfect guy right in front of their face and they're going to ***** that up too. Just mind boggling!

Why are you surprised?