Let The Ohio State Head Coaching Search Begin

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se-alum

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Sep 30, 2011 11:01 AM
I seriously doubt that Fickell would've taken the job if he wasn't promised a fair shake if a coaching search opens up. If your dream is to coach at OSU, you don't take the job knowing you aren't in consideration for the permanent spot. You'd be better off to decline, get some head coaching experience elsewhere, so you're for the next opening at OSU. If OSU loses 4-5 games this year, Fickell could never come back and coach at OSU in the future.
Sep 30, 2011 11:01am
ytownfootball's avatar

ytownfootball

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Sep 30, 2011 11:02 AM
wkfan;916992 wrote:Yes....Yes he would be.
No...horrible would be what UM did hiring outta the Big East a guy that doesn't play defense or give it a second thought. At least Mason knows a thing or two about the B1G.
Sep 30, 2011 11:02am
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Writerbuckeye

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Sep 30, 2011 11:14 AM
se-alum;917013 wrote:I seriously doubt that Fickell would've taken the job if he wasn't promised a fair shake if a coaching search opens up. If your dream is to coach at OSU, you don't take the job knowing you aren't in consideration for the permanent spot. You'd be better off to decline, get some head coaching experience elsewhere, so you're for the next opening at OSU. If OSU loses 4-5 games this year, Fickell could never come back and coach at OSU in the future.
That's just it: Fickell apparently never set out to go off on his own and get coaching experience anywhere else. We know of him being passed over for the Akron job, and turning down Notre Dame, but little else. He seemed to have been content staying on Tressel's staff.

Nothing wrong with that, but if your goal really is to be head coach at a major university like OSU, you probably know that the odds of getting hired to do that without having been a head coach elsewhere are pretty slim. Yes, top assistants get jobs at BCS schools, but not too many are hired at places like OSU with zero head coaching experience someplace.
Sep 30, 2011 11:14am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Sep 30, 2011 11:18 AM
Mason would be a good placeholder, nothing else.

OSU would get 9-3 seasons and the cupboard wouldn't be bare, maybe some BCS games here and there. I think he pretty much maxed out his coaching ability at Minny, and with some better athletes I think a few BCS bowls is the max of his ability.

If OSU can't get their top few choices, Mason would be good to hire on a 5 year contract or something.
Sep 30, 2011 11:18am
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enigmaax

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Sep 30, 2011 11:20 AM
se-alum;917013 wrote:I seriously doubt that Fickell would've taken the job if he wasn't promised a fair shake if a coaching search opens up. If your dream is to coach at OSU, you don't take the job knowing you aren't in consideration for the permanent spot. You'd be better off to decline, get some head coaching experience elsewhere, so you're for the next opening at OSU. If OSU loses 4-5 games this year, Fickell could never come back and coach at OSU in the future.
I don't see how turning down the one opportunity you've wanted would help you down the road. Considering OSU has had (prior to Fickell) 4 coaches in what, the last nearly 60 years? Taking a chance that there will be a "next opening" just doesn't seem like something a successful or driven person would do. My opinion is he had to jump on it with or without any promises for permanent consideration.

As for how he performs this year, I'd just say that if OSU isn't going to get a big name, established head coach then they might as well stay with Fickell. For example, I've seen the "other" (assistants) Pelini and Stoops mentioned different places. Unless this season turns out to be a complete disaster (I wouldn't even call 5 losses a complete disaster), Fickell should at least have a leg up on those guys because you'd just be going from one risk of inexperience to another but losing the familiarity that already exists.
Sep 30, 2011 11:20am
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enigmaax

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Sep 30, 2011 11:22 AM
wkfan;916992 wrote:Yes....Yes he would be.
I may have asked you before, but I don't remember for sure (sorry if I missed it)...who is on your wish list?
Sep 30, 2011 11:22am
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FatHobbit

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Sep 30, 2011 11:24 AM
enigmaax;917052 wrote:I wouldn't even call 5 losses a complete disaster
I agree with that to a point. I'm not sure Tressel would have done that well this year with the losses and suspensions we had.
Sep 30, 2011 11:24am
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enigmaax

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Sep 30, 2011 11:26 AM
ytownfootball;917014 wrote:At least Mason knows a thing or two about the B1G.
LJ;917047 wrote:Mason would be good to hire
One fan at a time, this Mason movement is going to get large again.
Sep 30, 2011 11:26am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Sep 30, 2011 11:26 AM
enigmaax;917052 wrote:I don't see how turning down the one opportunity you've wanted would help you down the road. Considering OSU has had (prior to Fickell) 4 coaches in what, the last nearly 60 years? Taking a chance that there will be a "next opening" just doesn't seem like something a successful or driven person would do. My opinion is he had to jump on it with or without any promises for permanent consideration.

As for how he performs this year, I'd just say that if OSU isn't going to get a big name, established head coach then they might as well stay with Fickell. For example, I've seen the "other" (assistants) Pelini and Stoops mentioned different places. Unless this season turns out to be a complete disaster (I wouldn't even call 5 losses a complete disaster), Fickell should at least have a leg up on those guys because you'd just be going from one risk of inexperience to another but losing the familiarity that already exists.
If they keep Fickell, I think one giant key to his success is hiring a fired or retired ex HC as his o-coord. That way that coach can help mentor him, show him what he needs to know and what kind of decisions he needs to make on the offense as the HC.
Sep 30, 2011 11:26am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Sep 30, 2011 11:27 AM
enigmaax;917065 wrote:One fan at a time, this Mason movement is going to get large again.
He isn't even in my top 5. Don't twist my words. He would be a good placeholder, not a good long term solutions.
Sep 30, 2011 11:27am
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

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Sep 30, 2011 11:32 AM
enigmaax;917052 wrote:I don't see how turning down the one opportunity you've wanted would help you down the road. Considering OSU has had (prior to Fickell) 4 coaches in what, the last nearly 60 years? Taking a chance that there will be a "next opening" just doesn't seem like something a successful or driven person would do. My opinion is he had to jump on it with or without any promises for permanent consideration.

As for how he performs this year, I'd just say that if OSU isn't going to get a big name, established head coach then they might as well stay with Fickell. For example, I've seen the "other" (assistants) Pelini and Stoops mentioned different places. Unless this season turns out to be a complete disaster (I wouldn't even call 5 losses a complete disaster), Fickell should at least have a leg up on those guys because you'd just be going from one risk of inexperience to another but losing the familiarity that already exists.
I would just like to see what Fickell could do with his own staff, and without all the other distractions. Unfortunately, it seems like he's in a spot that is almost impossible to succeed in. Suspensions, hand me down staff, incredibly young team, and it's hard to recruit if you don't know you're going to be there next year. These next 4 games will make or break Fickell as the head coach, imo.
Sep 30, 2011 11:32am
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enigmaax

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Sep 30, 2011 11:34 AM
LJ;917070 wrote:Don't twist my words.
I didn't twist them......I pared them down. I even left out the 5 year contract in case you change your mind.
LJ;917066 wrote:If they keep Fickell, I think one giant key to his success is hiring a fired or retired ex HC as his o-coord. That way that coach can help mentor him, show him what he needs to know and what kind of decisions he needs to make on the offense as the HC.
Makes sense.
Sep 30, 2011 11:34am
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OneBuckeye

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Sep 30, 2011 11:36 AM
LJ;917070 wrote:He isn't even in my top 5. Don't twist my words. He would be a good placeholder, not a good long term solutions.
Why not just make him the OC? I wouldn't have a problem with that. Don't know if he would be interested. Doesn't he already hang around the team with Earle and Cooper?
Sep 30, 2011 11:36am
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Sep 30, 2011 11:38 AM
OneBuckeye;917088 wrote:Why not just make him the OC? I wouldn't have a problem with that. Don't know if he would be interested. Doesn't he already hang around the team with Earle and Cooper?
Fickell as long term HC with Mason as OC would fit my scenario and probably work out really really well. Fickell kind of the figurehead and motivator as he learns, Mason calling the shots and slowly giving Fickell more and more control. Honestly that could work out really well in the long run
Sep 30, 2011 11:38am
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OneBuckeye

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Sep 30, 2011 11:43 AM
LJ;917093 wrote:Fickell as long term HC with Mason as OC would fit my scenario and probably work out really really well. Fickell kind of the figurehead and motivator as he learns, Mason calling the shots and slowly giving Fickell more and more control. Honestly that could work out really well in the long run
Right. We have a BIG 10 championship calibar defense this year. It will not be fickells fault if we faulter. He had 0 time to become involved in the offense and is doing the right thing by putting everything on bollman. I don't want to lose Fickell as a coach because we have so many good things and so many good coaches on that side of the ball, it is not worth bringing in Urban and blowing the whole thing up. I would only do that for Bob Stoops or Nick Saban, neither of whom we will get.
Sep 30, 2011 11:43am
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wkfan

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Sep 30, 2011 11:55 AM
enigmaax;917055 wrote:I may have asked you before, but I don't remember for sure (sorry if I missed it)...who is on your wish list?
In no specific order......

Pat Fitzgerald
Bob Stoops
Jon Gruden
Chris Petersen
Gary Patterson
Bo Pelini

Glen Mason needs to stay right where he is....as far away from the Ohio State sidelines as he can be.
Sep 30, 2011 11:55am
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j_crazy

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Sep 30, 2011 11:57 AM
Bo pelini is the correct choice.
Sep 30, 2011 11:57am
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enigmaax

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Sep 30, 2011 12:04 PM
wkfan;917118 wrote:In no specific order......

Pat Fitzgerald
Bob Stoops
Jon Gruden
Chris Petersen
Gary Patterson
Bo Pelini
How many of those do you see as realistic? I ask because each has some compelling reason as to why they wouldn't consider it. Fitzgerald at his home school. Stoops and Pelini already at traditional powers. Gruden with the seeming NFL nature. Even Petersen and Patterson have gotten to the point where they have just as good a chance of making BCS bowls and are inching closer to having as good a chance of making title games where they are, without having to face as much competition. They've both been offered bigger opportunities and both have the chance to do things no one else has done (or has done in a long time now that TCU will be jumping to BCS status).

Side question - do Petersen or Patterson have any Ohio ties?
Sep 30, 2011 12:04pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

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Sep 30, 2011 12:05 PM
Fitzgerald....lol I think he's a good coach, but he is right where he belongs.
Sep 30, 2011 12:05pm
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centralbucksfan

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Sep 30, 2011 12:06 PM
wkfan;917118 wrote:In no specific order......

Pat Fitzgerald
Bob Stoops
Jon Gruden
Chris Petersen
Gary Patterson
Bo Pelini

Glen Mason needs to stay right where he is....as far away from the Ohio State sidelines as he can be.
Fitz is at his alma mater, he isn't going anywhere. Highly doubt Pelini makes a move. You RARELY see a coach from the same conference leaving one job and taking another. Stoops is about to sign a HUGE contract at Okl. Gruden falls into the same category as Mason IMO. NFL to NCAA is not successful too often.
Now you are down to Peterson and Patterson. Possibilities. Not sure why you don't have Meyer in the mix?
Sep 30, 2011 12:06pm
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enigmaax

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Sep 30, 2011 12:09 PM
centralbucksfan;917134 wrote:Fitz is at his alma mater, he isn't going anywhere. Highly doubt Pelini makes a move. You RARELY see a coach from the same conference leaving one job and taking another. Stoops is about to sign a HUGE contract at Okl. Gruden falls into the same category as Mason IMO. NFL to NCAA is not successful too often.
Now you are down to Peterson and Patterson. Possibilities. Not sure why you don't have Meyer in the mix?
Hates Meyer as a person, as I recall.
Sep 30, 2011 12:09pm
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Writerbuckeye

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Sep 30, 2011 12:12 PM
centralbucksfan;917134 wrote:Fitz is at his alma mater, he isn't going anywhere. Highly doubt Pelini makes a move. You RARELY see a coach from the same conference leaving one job and taking another. Stoops is about to sign a HUGE contract at Okl. Gruden falls into the same category as Mason IMO. NFL to NCAA is not successful too often.
Now you are down to Peterson and Patterson. Possibilities. Not sure why you don't have Meyer in the mix?
People who don't like Meyer, tend to REALLY dislike him. For whatever reason...
Sep 30, 2011 12:12pm
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j_crazy

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Sep 30, 2011 12:16 PM
centralbucksfan;917134 wrote:Fitz is at his alma mater, he isn't going anywhere. Highly doubt Pelini makes a move. You RARELY see a coach from the same conference leaving one job and taking another. Stoops is about to sign a HUGE contract at Okl. Gruden falls into the same category as Mason IMO. NFL to NCAA is not successful too often.
Now you are down to Peterson and Patterson. Possibilities. Not sure why you don't have Meyer in the mix?

Carroll and Sherman made the transition from NFL to NCAA look pretty easy.
Sep 30, 2011 12:16pm
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enigmaax

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Sep 30, 2011 12:35 PM
j_crazy;917149 wrote:Carroll and Sherman made the transition from NFL to NCAA look pretty easy.
There are a few ways of looking at those guys. Carroll is a mediocre professional coach who happened to do really well in college. It seems pretty obvious that he's better suited for college, even though he may prefer the NFL (or did he really even want to go back, but rather just made a quick decision because of the timing of the offer). Sherman was a good NFL coach (though he didn't really have playoff success) but has been mediocre at the college level (21-20?). These guys aren't the miserable failures at one level that guys like Saban, Spurrier, and Petrino were. But they certainly aren't stellar examples of how a guy can be ultra successful at both levels.

Even if you accept Carroll and Sherman as examples, you can find just as many examples (or more) of how it didn't work (Callahan, Weis, etc.). If you consider Gruden a good NFL coach, I'd hesitate to assume he'd match that success in college.
Sep 30, 2011 12:35pm
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wkfan

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Sep 30, 2011 12:38 PM
centralbucksfan;917134 wrote:Fitz is at his alma mater, he isn't going anywhere. Highly doubt Pelini makes a move. You RARELY see a coach from the same conference leaving one job and taking another. Stoops is about to sign a HUGE contract at Okl. Gruden falls into the same category as Mason IMO. NFL to NCAA is not successful too often.
Now you are down to Peterson and Patterson. Possibilities. Not sure why you don't have Meyer in the mix?
Fitzgerald may be at his alma mater, but Ohio State is a much more high profile program.

Pelini is an Ohio guy and a former Ohio State player and alum.

Stoops is an Ohio guy...more than likely would not leave OU, but you never know until you negotiate.

Gruden, while a former NFL guy aspires, I believe, to coach again. Why not collegiately? Also, Gruden >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mason.

Peterson and Patterson may/should be interested as Ohio State is a much more high profile gig than both Boise State and TCU.

Meyer is a narcisstic doooooooooooooooooosh and I do not wany any coach at Ohio State to think that they are bigger than the tradition and the program. See how RichRod worked for UM?
enigmaax;917138 wrote:Hates Meyer as a person, as I recall.
Don't know him as a person, but as a coaching personality, he is a narcistic doooooooooooooooosh.
Sep 30, 2011 12:38pm