2017: What about Butch Jones?

[studentfan]

When you look back to the start with Hud... we were worried we'd lose him to the SEC. He would have been the first HC to use UL as a launch pad. He was a cruise missile back then. Now, he's a sparkler that got wet and won't light.

My question is this...why wasn't he plucked away after four straight 8-4 seasons with bowl wins which was never seen in this football program before??? He was even getting national attention from college press.

[ULGrad@HOU]

My question is this...why wasn't he plucked away after four straight 8-4 seasons with bowl wins which was never seen in this football program before??? He was even getting national attention from college press.

Because he didn't beat any significant program. He has only proven to be able to win against medium to low level FBS programs.

[CharlieK]

Because he didn't beat any significant program. He has only proven to be able to win against medium to low level FBS programs.

And that was one of the knocks on him before we hired him...couldn't win the big ones. He would have good seasons at North Alabama, but always lose in the semi's or quarters. I think one thing we should look for if we hire a HC from the lower levels is a proven history of not just winning seasons, but getting over the hump and winning the big games when they count. Of the two mentioned earlier, Mike Houston has that history.

[cajun4life]

And that was one of the knocks on him before we hired him...couldn't win the big ones. He would have good seasons at North Alabama, but always lose in the semi's or quarters. I think one thing we should look for if we hire a HC from the lower levels is a proven history of not just winning seasons, but getting over the hump and winning the big games when they count. Of the two mentioned earlier, Mike Houston has that history.

Mike Houston or John Grass would be homerun hires. Period.

[CajunNation]

Coaching graveyard applies only because we choked in Gainesville and then the violations.. He wins that game, he's gone.

2 kinds of coached are hired away from G5 schools. The young gun or the veteran that has re-branded.

The young gun probably had no prior head coaching experience before the G5 job. The re-branding veteran comes with baggage (Kiffin, Petrino)

Either one of these were really never seriously considered in prior searches. We focus on head coaches and shy away from controversy like the plague. Hence, the graveyard.

If we have a search, I would definitely include guys like Butch Jones and those young, hot shot OC's out there with no head coaching experience.

[CharlieK]

Mike Houston or John Grass would be homerun hires. Period.

I don't know enough about either to judge...I just looked at their records at current job...both impressive. Houston has broken through and won a championship.

[sportsfanatic21]

My only concern with either Houston or Grass is that neither have been at any one place long enough to have had "their" recruits. Obviously, both can coach, as their W/L %s are really good. But in all instances, they've come in and led existing rosters to exceptional records.

[Clutch0364]

My only concern with either Houston or Grass is that neither have been at any one place long enough to have had "their" recruits. Obviously, both can coach, as their W/L %s are really good. But in all instances, they've come in and led existing rosters to exceptional records.

This is year 4 for Grass so the majority of those kids are now his. He just won his 4th outright conference title and hasn't lost a conference game. He is q very good coach.

[fanof71]

This is year 4 for Grass so the majority of those kids are now his. He just won his 4th outright conference title and hasn't lost a conference game. He is q very good coach.

Has a good staff as well with coaches who have played or coached in the belt

[Clutch0364]

Has a good staff as well with coaches who have played or coached in the belt

A DC who has power conference experience.