Sumlin to Florida State?
http://footballscoop.com/news/source...florida-state/
.. and the many "name" coaches that are options.
This attitude of "oh he's not coming here" is frustrating with some of you guys. Why do we have such a low self esteem as a fan base? In the last few years, Gus Malzhan, Hugh Freeze, Lane Kiffin, and Bobby Petrino have used a stint at a G5 school to bolster their careers. (Malzhan has likely parlayed that into playing for a NC).
Kevin Sumlin:
-Available
-South and East Texas ties for recruiting
-Man of impeccable character
-Managed a dumpster fire like John Football
-Could easily parlay 1-2 solid years here into a very lucrative contract
-Lives about 5 hours away and has already said he didn't want to move his family
-His agent is NOT Jimmy Sexton
-Will be getting paid by A&M, so we can afford him
-His hiring would immediately put azzes in seats and boost RCAF
-Has always had top notch assistants
-Has won at a very high level at a G5 school
-Unless Hud has burnt the bridge, we have a connection to Sumlin via T Broadway
I have never been a "name" coach guy, and I certainly want to find the RIGHT guy. But its hard to look at FAU, a perennial nobody and not envy the national attention (while winning) because of the recognition of the HC. It's a big deal and an important piece of the puzzle in 2017, and beyond. As we've discussed at length, 2020 is an important deadline of sorts. If we want to make the cut, IMO, we have to win, win big and do it in a way that demands national attention. I think Kevin Sumlin would accomplish all of that.
Its not low self esteem. Its a sense of reality. He's moved up the coaching tree over the years from Houston to the SEC. He is a guy that will be looked upon from the highest tiers of college football and will get interest and offers from P-5 programs, especially after the season is finished. I certainly think we should contact him as it doesn't hurt but based on feedback we would get from his agent, I think we should have alternate plans. We can only pay him about a quarter or even less of his most recent salary here and that's if we are blowing our wad through RCAF contributions like we have for HUD.
Kiffin had a HUGE image issue that he needed to repair. He couldn't even just coach at Alabama without fighting with Saban on the sidelines. His only route to get back on the FBS HC route was to go to FAU. I don't think this is the same thing as Sumlin has a much better track record and is not considered a cancer within his own program like Kiffin was.
Same thing goes for a Petrino. The hire for him several years ago was controversial in its own right after he got canned from Arkansas. He had major image issues.
Malzahn, I'm not sure how he is compared as he has a good thing going and great reputation. He isn't going anywhere and will not be available.
Coaches typically move up, not down especially when we talk about program prestige, conference affiliation and more importantly, pay. Unfortunately for us, ours is a program where we may more than likely have to go the young up and comer route. I just don't see a guy like Sumlin giving us that much play especially with all of the movement in the coaching ranks. I think you'd have a better chance of getting a Les Miles per se as I could see one of the older guys who may want to continue even though the P-5 guys aren't beating down your door. Kind of like Schnellenberger did at FAU or Frank Solich when he left Nebraska. I think those are the types of big name hires we could make.
Gus and Freeze aren't comparable. They were in G5 as a stepping stone to where they are (were in Freezes case). Petrino was damaged goods...off the field.
Kiffin is the only one that's comparable to Sumlin, but he's also got his baggage. Sumlin does not.
Sumlin will have (has already had) offers at P5 programs. Also potentially on TV. And he doesn't need the money.
Not being argumentative, nor do I have a defeatist attitude about it, but like I've said a few times on multiple threads, Kevin Sumlin isn't coming here. There's no reason for him to.
If we ask, I'll be proud of the admin for turning over every rock, but Kevin Sumlin coaching at UL is a pipe dream...at best.
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