The Case for Kevin Sumlin

[zephyr]

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.

[ManAboutTown]

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.

Lane Kiffin won a national championship and was the HC of an NFL team. Malzahn won a national championship. Petrino was the HC of NFL team. There are others.

Timing is everything. I'm not saying we have a GREAT shot at him.. But we have a shot.

[zephyr]

Lane Kiffin won a national championship and was the HC of an NFL team. Malzahn won a national championship. Petrino was the HC of NFL team. There are others.

Timing is everything. I'm not saying we have a GREAT shot at him.. But we have a shot.

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.

[sportsfanatic21]

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.

[angeleast]

MAT, I agree we should attempt a HOME RUN!!! However, realistically he will ask for a kings ransom. I dont want to usl the next hire but I do expect Maggard to be not afraid of hearing the word no.

[ManAboutTown]

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.

Let me preface with, not being argumentative. I started this thread for exactly this discussion. I think your take is valid on several points.

Kiffin, while embattled, was a hot name at the time. I'll go pull some articles. He was certainly in the mix at P5 openings.

Malzahn just flat out choose to go to Ark St to get a head gig. That's it. There was no caveat with that move. (I think he's from Ark though, but still).

On Petrino, I think your image repair argument holds up more. At that point in time, he was pretty untouchable to big brands. Still, those couple years with him at HC really set them up going forward.

My head tells me Sumlin is too good a coach to have to "settle" for a job in G5.
My heart tells me that the timing is possibly right for both, and we absolutely have to ring his phone to death. Call up Broadway, get a meeting set up with Trace Armstrong, and let's at least have a cup of coffee over it.

[ManAboutTown]

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.

Kiffin didn't need to go to FAU either. Sumlin is a coach, not a TV personality.

It's not a pipe dream. It's a realistic option. Get on the phone, get on a plane, get in front of him and Armstrong.

[ManAboutTown]

MAT, I agree we should attempt a HOME RUN!!! However, realistically he will ask for a kings ransom. I dont want to usl the next hire but I do expect Maggard to be not afraid of hearing the word no.

I'm just discussing. If not Sumlin, someone with clout.
I don't think he'll ask for a King's Ransom. I think With A&M money and what we can offer him, he'll be about $2.5 to $3 million. That's not couch change.

I know he's going to get a call. I'm just trying to drive home the point that we need not just waste his or our time with a phone call. I want a real run to be made at him. I want it to be a serious play, not a "for show" attempt.

[sportsfanatic21]

What's the Armstrong connection? Trace Armstrong that played D line for the Bears??

[no1cajunfan]

No one seems to have interest in Greg Schiano...why can’t we make a play for him. Doesn’t hurt to ask.