When Scott Woodward, UW's athletic director, made the decision to move forward on finding a new direction for the Husky football team, coach Tyrone Willingham was shown the door. With a forced resignation last Monday, the coach announced he would leave at year's end.
Of course, he made it clear it wasn't by choice. Just as he'd said all year, he once again stated he would continue to coach the team in the same manner, with the same diligence and integrity in which he approached each game. Which is why the Huskies are winless.
In a year where the football coach needed his team to save his job, they floundered.
Before the season I speculated the UW would need to make a bowl game - with a convincing number of wins - for the coach to save his job. Turns out I was way off with my guess of winnable games for the UW. At this point, I'm not sure the 0-7 Huskies could beat Bellevue High School.
Hell, I'm not sure they could beat a team of retarded monkeys right now. Especially if the monkeys had a fast backfield.
So Willingham will finish out the season and ride into the sunset. Which leaves the team looking for a new man to right the ship. There's been many names thrown into the mix for the job, some realistic, some far-fetched.
Here's a quick rundown of some of the early favorites.
A former UW player, Mora has mentioned more than once his interest in the job. It got him in hot water while he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, when he told a radio host he'd take the UW job if offered, no matter where he was coaching. It's also home - he graduated and played football for Interlake High School.
But he's also the heir apparent to the Seahawks crown, having already been named Mike Holmgren's successor when he retires after the season. Although given Mora's known interest in the UW job, it wouldn't be surprising if the five-year contract he signed included a "UW out-clause."
I once saw Jim Mora Jr. and his father Jim Mora eating at a PF Changs once. So he's got that going for him.
Any big school opening seems to have interest in Peterson, who has continued to taste success at Boise State. But there's been no indication that he wants to leave the Bronco's blue turf. I wouldn't.
The only thing mildly interesting about the UW stadium is that white substance on the field. I think it's called a "goal line" or something like that. I don't know, the Huskies haven't been able to identify it.
The recently dismissed coach of the Raiders, Kiffin has experience in the Pac-10 after serving as USC's offensive coordinator. That could help with recruiting. Like Mora and Peterson, another younger coach seemingly on the rise. Kiffin already has expressed his interest in the job.
Unfortunately, Kiffin has no soul, because Raiders owner Al Davis already ate it.
Fox was born in Spokane, Washington and attended Central Washington University before taking over the reigns at Minnesota State University, leading the Screaming Eagles football team to a 1993 national title.
In 1995, Fox finally got his shot in the NFL, leading the Orlando Breakers to a wild card playoff appearance, a loss to the Bills.
He hasn't been seen since, although rumors persist that he has moved in with former assistant coach Michael "Dauber" Dybinski and that the two are romantically involved.
The coach of the Missouri Tigers was a longtime assistant under Husky coaching legend Don James. He's costy - he's making nearly $2.4 million - and now that he has the Tigers on the upswing, there's no telling if he'd even want to leave.
But I wouldn't want Pinkel and only for one reason: he recruited Chase Daniel . Editor's note: seriously, look at that picture, you can just read on his face that he's a dickhead. And I think Chase Daniel is a douchebag.
If you like Chase Daniel, you are a douchebag.
Muschamp has the requisite ties - he was the defensive coordinator for LSU when the Tigers won the national championship during UW President Mark Emmert and AD Scott Woodward's time at that school.
He's now in the same position for top-ranked team in the country, the Texas Longhorns. Hell, I might throw my vote for Muschamp in only because of this photo.
Guy looks like a bad ass.
O'Shea proved he had coaching chops after defeating older brother Kevin O'Shea, a former Heisman Trophy winner, in an Ohio pee-wee football championship game.
O'Shea, a former coach of the Pee-Wee Giants pioneered such creative plays as the "Annexation of Puerto Rico".
Rumored to have a drinking problem.
The current coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders' name has been tossed around for the UW job. One things for sure - he'd bring an exciting brand of football to the University of Washington.
The downside - Mike Leach looks like the kind of guy who gets caught bringing a six pack of beer and condoms to an 11-year-old on How to Catch a Predator . I know it's not Leach's fault, but every time I look at him, all I see is someone who wants to touch my bathing suit area.
The current coach of the Fresno State Bulldogs, Hill was rumored to have been interested in the job the last go-round. With the success he's had at Fresno, it's hard to imagine him not succeeding with better resources.
But Hill looks a bit...well, off. I mean look at his picture. It's like they hired a retarded kid and told the rest of the coaching staff to go along with it. Now, that I mention it he looks a lot like...
...nice hire.
Former coach of the West Caanan Wolves, Kilmer is a legend in Texas high school football. Rumor has it Kilmer is looking to end his forced retirement and this reporter believes he'd be a great headman for the Huskies.
If Pinkel isn't interested, the Huskies can always take a run at his offensive coordinator, an Everett native and former UW player.
I literally don't know enough about Dave to make fun of him.
Which means naturally he'll get hired.
FishBear's take: Take a run at Mora. Everyone in the world knows he wants the job, and he's one of those guys that you have to hear him say no first. If Mora passes, take a run at Muschamp or Christiensen, guys who look like they would bring a little fire to the program, something Willingham failed to do. Kiffin's intriguing as well. Petersen's only been at the head in Boise for two seasons, but he might be a nice pick too.
Guys I'd stay away from: Hill (too old), Pinkel (too expensive), Leach (too fucking crazy), Jeff Tedford and Mike Riley (why would you want a current Pac-10 coach to come in?).
4 comments:
Yeah where do you start in choosing a new coach? I personally like what Willingham has done at UW, it'll be sad to see him go.
I guess UW needs to first figure out the direction it wants to take, then pick a coach that can fit that system. You'd think somebody out there could bring that Locker fellow into the spotlight.
Ty Willingham’s first mistake was when he left Stanford. Ty, you had the college football world by the balls. You had a winning program and worked for a great school. Did you get to greedy? Did you reach too far for the golden ring under the golden dome? Going to Notre Dame was a big mistake. Looking back, I wonder if they hung you out in South Bend. For what ever reason, you were destine to fail.
So then you get a chance to come back to the Pac-10, to coach the UW Huskies. Why not? You had success in the Pac-10 before. You also brought integrity back to the program because you are a straight shooter. Too bad you inherited a crappy program that you could not turn around. In Seattle Ty, nothing matters but winning on the banks of the Mount Lake cut. Oh yeah, I think you got hung out once again. Seems the UW boosters are willing to have a black President of the USA but can’t get their arms around a black football coach. Hey UW Boosters, look in the mirror and say that you gave Ty a chance.
Ty, leave with your head held high. You are a class guy.
So as they say in the wrestling world, who’s next?
Jim Mora better take his dream job. Jim, do not want to be the Seahawks coach. You will be in the shadow of Mike H. and your players are too fragile. Unemployment will be 3-years away if you walk the sidelines in Qwest!! Take the UW job dim wit!!
We are now in the world of "rent a coach". Who ever the UW gets will only be there a short while if they win and if they don’t, well ask Ty where the door is!
Other than Jim Mora, there are two other options. Mike Price or Dennis Erickson. Integrity is not in their vocabulary so they would fit well with the UW Boosters. Mike will find the strippers on HWY 99 and Dennis will find the criminals he has on all his teams. Flip a coin.
11-01-08
FOLLOW-UP: Jim Mora Jr., you have just blown the best chance in a coaching lifetime: You made it official that you will not take the UW job after Ty leaves at the end of the season. You must not have had an out clause in your contract with the Seahawks. Dumb move on your part.
PREDICTION: In three years you will be out the door with the Seahawks. FACT: You better have winning seasons fast, something you will not be able to do with the current undertones of the Seahawks. FACT: The Seahawks will be a much different team without Mike running things (duh). Jim, you will want to put YOUR stamp on the team no matter what you say or do this year under Mike. FACT: The fans want to go far in the playoffs and have a parade after a Super Bowl…You will not deliver.
Prediction: UW selects somebody not in the main running for the job.
Fact: Whoever UW picks...the boosters and fans will not be satisfied.
I've never seen a fan base with such unrealistic expectations for their football teams. The talking heads on the radio say that the Huskies should contend for the Rose Bowl every year. Everyone points to USC's dominance but before about '03, USC was in a funk as well. No one team can contend for it's league title every year when you play in a conference like the Pac-10. Look at other conference's such as the SEC, the Big 10 and Big 12.
There's nothing wrong with having a winning season every year. But the UW fans seem to want perfection each year, and it ain't happening.
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