NCAA Football Coaching Vacancies

[snoodmonger]

Kansas picks Gill

 

Turner Gill will be named head football coach at Kansas, Yahoo! Sports has learned

 

I like Gill, but to go from Harbaugh to Gill is a real disappointment, especially when Tubberville and Holtz seemed like real possibilities.

[SouthSideRyan]

Kansas picks Gill

 

Turner Gill will be named head football coach at Kansas, Yahoo! Sports has learned

 

Great hire.

[Coach C]

I think it's a good hire for Kansas. Gill has some experience in the Big XII football and he has done well in Buffalo. Granted, some people may disagree for this year, but that Buffalo team was somewhat underclassmen heavy.

[snoodmonger]

According to the KC Star:

 

Gill will bring with him Carl Torbush, formerly the head coach at North Carolina and currently the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, to be his defensive coordinator and Chuck Long, formerly the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma and formerly the head coach at San Diego State, to be his offensive coordinator. Gill is also expected to bring two other former head coaches onto his staff at KU.

 

Anybody have any thoughts on Torbush and Long. I'm ashamed to say I don't know much about either.

[mul21]

According to the KC Star:

 

Gill will bring with him Carl Torbush, formerly the head coach at North Carolina and currently the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, to be his defensive coordinator and Chuck Long, formerly the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma and formerly the head coach at San Diego State, to be his offensive coordinator. Gill is also expected to bring two other former head coaches onto his staff at KU.

 

Anybody have any thoughts on Torbush and Long. I'm ashamed to say I don't know much about either.

 

Wasn't Long the OC at OU when Jason White was the QB? If so, I think that reflects pretty well on Long based on how well White played under him and how little of a career he's had after OU.

[Flames24Rulz]

Illinois hires Paul Petrino (brother of Bobby and former Arkansas offensive coordinator) to fill the o-coordinator vacancy.

 

At first glance, I love the hire.

[Keener98]

Illinois hires Paul Petrino (brother of Bobby and former Arkansas offensive coordinator) to fill the o-coordinator vacancy.

 

At first glance, I love the hire.

 

Yea looks like a good hire, but until we get somebody with half a damn clue to fix the D, its not going to matter.

[kujay]

According to the KC Star:

 

Gill will bring with him Carl Torbush, formerly the head coach at North Carolina and currently the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, to be his defensive coordinator and Chuck Long, formerly the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma and formerly the head coach at San Diego State, to be his offensive coordinator. Gill is also expected to bring two other former head coaches onto his staff at KU.

 

Anybody have any thoughts on Torbush and Long. I'm ashamed to say I don't know much about either.

 

I don't either, but I am very happy to see Gill bringing in experienced guys.

 

I agree that it's a letdown after we thought we had a shot at Harbaugh. But I've had a lot of people (mostly Mizzou fans around here) saying all along that they really hoped we didn't hire Gill because it would be very good for KU football.

 

So let's give him a chance. We get the weaker South draw next season but a tougher non-con that usual. Pick better be ready to roll. I know Opurum will be.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't think Gill will let them slide to Terry Allen levels, but I don't think he'll do a whole lot to elevate the program. While Buffalo was a terrible program when he got there, it is in the MAC(which has an obscene amount of parity), and he could only manage one winning season there(Doc Saturday likes to point out how much Buffalo benefitted from turnover margin that year). The only thing I found on Long or Torbush was that Torbush became a punchline during his time at aTm. Ultimately, recruiting will probably be what defines Gill. If he can recruit in the top half of the North, their South rotation could allow them to make a run at the division if things fall right. I don't see him as much of a game changer though, maybe that changes if he's able to stick around for a couple 4-year cycles.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I can agree with what TT said. I think he's a good hire, but out of the four realistic possibilities I was probably hoping for him the most. While past records aren't the greatest thing to look at, 20-30 at Buffalo is quite putrid. Most of the time when MAC coaches get hired into big-time BCS programs, they had their MAC teams fighting for the conference championship every year. Gill definitely did not.

 

That said, though, I do think Gill will be able to recruit very well in the Kansas City area.

 

How solid are your guys' recruits since the Mangino ordeal, and have you had any decommits since then? I know Keeston Terry came out and said he was staying, but I haven't heard much about the other guys.

[Andy]

Gill had 1 good season, got to the MAC championship game only because of a miraculous Hail Mary against Temple, won it only because Nate Davis got the flu and Buffalo had two long fumble returns for touchdowns (at least one of which happened only because a hideous replay overturn took a Ball State TD off the board), and is 20-30.

 

I'm biased because his 'legend' is basically built off a fluke game against my team, but I have no clue how he's gotten so much attention two offseasons in a row. Best of luck to him I guess.

[snoodmonger]

I don't put a lot of stock in his Buffalo record. That program joined the FCS in 1999 and had never won more than 3 games until he got there. So winning 5, 8, and 5 games in his last three years is pretty impressive, imo.

 

As far as Torbush goes, he had a lot of success at UNC under Mack Brown, but he struggled with Franchione at aTm. I guess we'll find out who the real Torbush is in the next few years.

 

I'm actually pretty excited about him. The coaches in the Big 12 N are pretty mediocre. And he's assembled a pretty good staff. If he can recruit, I have high hopes. And by all accounts, he was a good recruiter and a great offensive mind under Osborne at Nebraska.

 

How solid are your guys' recruits since the Mangino ordeal, and have you had any decommits since then? I know Keeston Terry came out and said he was staying, but I haven't heard much about the other guys.

 

We lost a inmprtant QB commit (Jacoby Walker), and LSU is trying to swoop in on our best recruit, Geneo Grissom. Other than that, it's hard to say what impact the coaching change is having. Allegedly we were about to get hit by mass transfers under mangino, so that shouldn't happen anymore.

[Flames24Rulz]

Again, it must be reiterated how terrible Buffalo was before Gill became the coach there. Buffalo was consistently one of the five worst programs in I-A each and every year before he took over. He had a 'down year' this year by going 5-7. Five years ago, 5-7 would have been amazing for the Bulls.

 

He's a good coach. No, he's not Jim Harbaugh good but I'd be happy with the hire if I were a KU fan.

Edited December 14, 2009 by Flames24Rulz

[Flames24Rulz]

Illinois hires Paul Petrino (brother of Bobby and former Arkansas offensive coordinator) to fill the o-coordinator vacancy.

 

At first glance, I love the hire.

 

Yea looks like a good hire, but until we get somebody with half a damn clue to fix the D, its not going to matter.

 

No question. I know we were playing the likes of Cincy's defense and Fresno State, but the offense looked much better the later on we went into the season. I'm just hoping Illinois can get more consistent production out of that unit next year.

 

But in those same two games, the defense gave up 48 and 53. That's bad. They should have just completely purged the staffs on both sides of the football if they wanted to make a real meaningful move (besides firing Zooker, of course).

[Keener98]

Illinois hires Paul Petrino (brother of Bobby and former Arkansas offensive coordinator) to fill the o-coordinator vacancy.

 

At first glance, I love the hire.

 

Yea looks like a good hire, but until we get somebody with half a damn clue to fix the D, its not going to matter.

 

No question. I know we were playing the likes of Cincy's defense and Fresno State, but the offense looked much better the later on we went into the season. I'm just hoping Illinois can get more consistent production out of that unit next year.

 

But in those same two games, the defense gave up 48 and 53. That's bad. They should have just completely purged the staffs on both sides of the football if they wanted to make a real meaningful move (besides firing Zooker, of course).

 

Yea the firing of the coaches on the offensive side of the ball, but letting the defensive guys stay is a joke. The D is supposed to be Zook's side of the ball, and they have been terrible. Then again, Zook not being fired is a bunch of bs so why am I not surprised.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Again, it must be reiterated how terrible Buffalo was before Gill became the coach there. Buffalo was consistently one of the five worst programs in I-A each and every year before he took over. He had a 'down year' this year by going 5-7. Five years ago, 5-7 would have been amazing for the Bulls.

 

He's a good coach. No, he's not Jim Harbaugh good but I'd be happy with the hire if I were a KU fan.

 

The MAC isn't a conference that takes much for a complete turnaround. They've had 7 champions in 9 years, and 9 schools have won or tied for the division in the last 5 years.

[Flames24Rulz]

Again, it must be reiterated how terrible Buffalo was before Gill became the coach there. Buffalo was consistently one of the five worst programs in I-A each and every year before he took over. He had a 'down year' this year by going 5-7. Five years ago, 5-7 would have been amazing for the Bulls.

 

He's a good coach. No, he's not Jim Harbaugh good but I'd be happy with the hire if I were a KU fan.

 

The MAC isn't a conference that takes much for a complete turnaround. They've had 7 champions in 9 years, and 9 schools have won or tied for the division in the last 5 years.

 

That's a good point but again, Buffalo was epically bad before he came there.

 

I think the coaching turnover rate in that conference is also a big reason for why it's much easier to win in that conference almost right away as compared to most. All of the real good coaches get plucked away immediately. I guarantee you Buffalo will fade all the way back to the ranks of the obscure now that Gill's gone. Sorry to pick on Andy, but I see them being about as bad as Ball St. was this past year.

 

I don't think he's a program-changing coach for Kansas by any means, but he should have them competing for seven to eight wins a year.

[snoodmonger]

Again, it must be reiterated how terrible Buffalo was before Gill became the coach there. Buffalo was consistently one of the five worst programs in I-A each and every year before he took over. He had a 'down year' this year by going 5-7. Five years ago, 5-7 would have been amazing for the Bulls.

 

He's a good coach. No, he's not Jim Harbaugh good but I'd be happy with the hire if I were a KU fan.

 

The MAC isn't a conference that takes much for a complete turnaround. They've had 7 champions in 9 years, and 9 schools have won or tied for the division in the last 5 years.

 

That's a good point but again, Buffalo was epically bad before he came there.

 

I think the coaching turnover rate in that conference is also a big reason for why it's much easier to win in that conference almost right away as compared to most. All of the real good coaches get plucked away immediately. I guarantee you Buffalo will fade all the way back to the ranks of the obscure now that Gill's gone. Sorry to pick on Andy, but I see them being about as bad as Ball St. was this past year.

 

I don't think he's a program-changing coach for Kansas by any means, but he should have them competing for seven to eight wins a year.

if 8 wins is an average season for KU, that's program changing.

[Flames24Rulz]

Again, it must be reiterated how terrible Buffalo was before Gill became the coach there. Buffalo was consistently one of the five worst programs in I-A each and every year before he took over. He had a 'down year' this year by going 5-7. Five years ago, 5-7 would have been amazing for the Bulls.

 

He's a good coach. No, he's not Jim Harbaugh good but I'd be happy with the hire if I were a KU fan.

 

The MAC isn't a conference that takes much for a complete turnaround. They've had 7 champions in 9 years, and 9 schools have won or tied for the division in the last 5 years.

 

That's a good point but again, Buffalo was epically bad before he came there.

 

I think the coaching turnover rate in that conference is also a big reason for why it's much easier to win in that conference almost right away as compared to most. All of the real good coaches get plucked away immediately. I guarantee you Buffalo will fade all the way back to the ranks of the obscure now that Gill's gone. Sorry to pick on Andy, but I see them being about as bad as Ball St. was this past year.

 

I don't think he's a program-changing coach for Kansas by any means, but he should have them competing for seven to eight wins a year.

if 8 wins is an average season for KU, that's program changing.

 

Well 5-7 this year for Mangino was horrible. I think Gill can get 7-8 wins a year, especially playing in the North.

[Keener98]

For you Illini fans

 

Tom Dienhart writes: Illinois is supposed to announce the hiring of a defensive coordinator soon. And I'm told it's supposed to be a "big" hire.

 

Dienhart is a writer for Rivals. Any speculation who the "big" hire could be?

[snoodmonger]

Again, it must be reiterated how terrible Buffalo was before Gill became the coach there. Buffalo was consistently one of the five worst programs in I-A each and every year before he took over. He had a 'down year' this year by going 5-7. Five years ago, 5-7 would have been amazing for the Bulls.

 

He's a good coach. No, he's not Jim Harbaugh good but I'd be happy with the hire if I were a KU fan.

 

The MAC isn't a conference that takes much for a complete turnaround. They've had 7 champions in 9 years, and 9 schools have won or tied for the division in the last 5 years.

 

That's a good point but again, Buffalo was epically bad before he came there.

 

I think the coaching turnover rate in that conference is also a big reason for why it's much easier to win in that conference almost right away as compared to most. All of the real good coaches get plucked away immediately. I guarantee you Buffalo will fade all the way back to the ranks of the obscure now that Gill's gone. Sorry to pick on Andy, but I see them being about as bad as Ball St. was this past year.

 

I don't think he's a program-changing coach for Kansas by any means, but he should have them competing for seven to eight wins a year.

if 8 wins is an average season for KU, that's program changing.

 

Well 5-7 this year for Mangino was horrible. I think Gill can get 7-8 wins a year, especially playing in the North.

 

 

The horribleness transcended the 5-7 record. That was an experience-laden roster with 3 record-holding offensive players. The north was a joke, and it was ripe for the plucking. And he mustered one win--barely--over ISU. We also barely won against So Miss.

 

If Gill can average 8 wins (pre-bowl) with some 6 win/10 win outliers, he'll become the godfather of KU football.

Edited December 14, 2009 by snoodmonger

[woodchip2153]

For you Illini fans

 

Tom Dienhart writes: Illinois is supposed to announce the hiring of a defensive coordinator soon. And I'm told it's supposed to be a "big" hire.

 

Dienhart is a writer for Rivals. Any speculation who the "big" hire could be?

 

Lovie Smith???

[NCCubFan]

For you Illini fans

 

Tom Dienhart writes: Illinois is supposed to announce the hiring of a defensive coordinator soon. And I'm told it's supposed to be a "big" hire.

 

Dienhart is a writer for Rivals. Any speculation who the "big" hire could be?

 

Lovie Smith???

Please!

[Flames24Rulz]

Rob Ryan. He's pretty big.

[Andy]

Gill probably is a good coach and I certainly have nothing against him apart from ruining last season for me, but if "the program was epically bad before he got there" is being used, then maybe KU should have pursued Al Golden, who took Temple, a program just as bad as Buffalo at one time, to 9 wins this year, more than Gill ever got at UB.