Baldwin a passenger on the Coaching Carousel

[cadmiumred]

Felt pretty disappointed when I heard this and I wouldn't post unless I had heard it from a reliable source. It came from a friend who works in Sr.Admin in a Pac 10 school and deals mostly with Athletics. I have known the guy since our college football days too many years back. I trust what he tells me. I am apparently not letting out a "huge secret" as he says it is known in the coaching ranks that Baldwin is interested in moving up and his timing is "impeccable" with his contract coming up for renewal at Eastern. I don't have time normally to post on forums but I do enjoy reading about the Eagles, especially this year!
What I heard:
Baldwin's contract is up with Eastern on Jan 4, 2010 and he has indicated he is a "passenger on the coaching carousel" in "football speak" terms. Baldwin is waiting for the season to end (Championship!!) and getting Coach of the Year (which he should) before he moves ahead. I said maybe he will just negotiate for more money from EWU. My friend said there was no way EWU could match FBS salaries and Baldwin knows that; besides he is ambitious and wants to move up. Baldwin gets a base of $100,000 with incentives at EWU compared on the low end of the scale for FBS HC ,for example, with Wulff at WSU who gets a base salary of $200,000 but with all the add ons brings him up to $600,000 a year. With Wulff's success or lack there of I suggested to my friend I could do a better job for a lot less money. :lol: Revenues for EWU football supposedly not nearly as high as they had hoped with the installation of Inferno and the building success of the team this year. Not suggesting Baldwin to WSU necessarily as WSU can't afford (or can they maybe not afford) to buy his 2 yr contract out. So far WSU AD is sticking with Wulff. My friend suggested Baldwin will not renew his contract in Jan, he will begin the serious talks with FBS schools, he wait for NCAA signing day so it doesn't screw up the recruiting process for EWU (classy guy who cares about the program) and then he will move aggressively. I asked about his coaching staff going with him. He didn't know because you have to look at the program needs where you are going but it is usually a given that your staff goes especially if you have won a championship.

I sure don't want to see Baldwin go but it is hard to not wish a great coach the best and understand that he has career aspirations. When we win the NC what more is there for a coach to do than to just keep winning them? I don't blame the guy. More money but also a bigger fan base of support. Class act not jumping ship before signing day too which means he wouldn't be pulling a bunch of EWU recruits to where he may be going.

Sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news for us but I thought if I put it out there we could make sure that we add a little extra in fan support for the team. We could pass the hat but compared to FBS salaries I don't have that big a hat.

Looking forward to the NC and the Eagles flying home with a Championship. Lots of good support from some other Big Sky teams. Griz have sure mellowed :lol: I think they better get used to being the "Carebears" cuz Eagles are have landed! I heard a funny joke the other day that all the Big Sky team fans need to wear red shirts and when they watch the game. The front of their shirts should read, "GREEN with ENVY"

 

[EWURanger]

This sucks. I had hoped coach B would stick around for another couple of years. And who knows, maybe he will. Hopefully all this talk won't serve as a distraction leading up to the NC game as well as we get into the recruiting season.

 

[cadmiumred]

This sucks. I had hoped coach B would stick around for another couple of years. And who knows, maybe he will. Hopefully all this talk won't serve as a distraction leading up to the NC game as well as we get into the recruiting season.

It shouldn't be a distraction. Baldwin sure isn't distracted and will get the job done. I only posted because I thought it would be a good heads up for making sure we get fan support in Frisco for Baldwin and the guys.

 

[marceagfan5]

Baldwin is a great coach so it is only a matter of time before the FBS comes calling and if he finds a school which he likes, no one can blame him for taking the opportunity. We have a monster team coming back next year and hopefully we will be the defending national champs. I can understand Baldwin wanting to move up and would have nothing but great things to say about him if he does.

I believe it is only a matter of time....hopefully later rather than sooner, but he is just too good of a coach. I am sure right now, all Focus is on Frisco.

 

[EWURanger]

Not sure about all this talk about WSU. Maybe I am missing something, but I thought they just opted to keep Wulff on at WSU? What would WSU be wooing him for, OC? Doesn't make much sense. If he goes anywhere after this season, it will be as a head coach.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I don't buy it, at least not this year. Where would he go? Does anyone think he'd sign on to be an offensive coordinator when he could likely wait a year and get a quality head job? I don't expect Baldwin to stick around like the guy at Appalachian State, but I'm fairly certain we'll get one more year.

 

[EWURanger]

I don't buy it, at least not this year. Where would he go? Does anyone think he'd sign on to be an offensive coordinator when he could likely wait a year and get a quality head job? I don't expect Baldwin to stick around like the guy at Appalachian State, but I'm fairly certain we'll get one more year.

Exactly, I am thinking along these lines and I hope you are correct. Why go be an OC somewhere when he can keep adding to his resume as a HC in a proven program? We are going to be loaded next year and have a good shot at another BSC title. This is also only his third year as a Division I head coach. Another couple of years of success and he could have a very good chance to be a head coach at a legit program vice NMSU, Wyo or wherever.

 

[kalm]

With Wulff's shakey footing at WSU he'd be crazy to go there as an OC. If WSU plans on firing Wulff another Big Sky Coach would be an extremely tough sell to the WSU fan base and boosters - been there, done that.

So which other Pac 10 schools will be shopping for a coordinator? I suppose Harbaugh could leave Stanford and shake things up a bit. Sit back and watch the carousel.

 

[eaglesfootball]

I guess I would be a little surprised to see Baldwin jump at the first thing that he was offered and i'm hoping to see him around for at least next year. Really hope he doesn't leave so soon, but if he does let's get Jim McElwain.

 

[Obzerver]

This isn't unexpected. Apparently EWU hasn't been able to re-up Baldwins contract for whatever reason. Should have been extended before the season started. I can see him go to a bigger program as an OC which will double his salary and be a step up. Hauck had a better resume and the best he could do was a head coach of a crappy program in a crappy conference(thats after looking around for a couple of years). Don't see Baldwin taking over a head coaching job just yet when he can refine his skills at a big name program then take over an established program. This shouldn't be disappointing news, shouldn't be a shock to anyone but here's to him staying for another year.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I really hope this isn't true, and if it is, he stays at least one more year while we still have the main corp of a potential NC team returning. Teams almost always suffer setbacks when transitioning to a new coaching staff, just look at Montana this year. I'd hate to see that happen next year when BLM is finally getting comfortable and TJ's senior year, etc etc.

 

[EWURanger]

I've been thinking about this a little more. Baldwin probably hasn't renewed his contract yet because he might want to get his feelers out and see what's out there as far as opportunities. There's nothing to say that he won't come back if a better opportunity doesn't present itself. I'm sure he could always renew if he decides he wants to stay another year or two.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Again, put the fear and emotion aside and think about this logically... where would he go? What jobs for a head coach are out there unmanned right now? I can't really think of anything. Maybe 3 weeks ago, but everything has been filled.

The only potential I could see is if he got offered some kind of Chip Kelly-type gig to work as an OC for a couple of years and then get the top crack at the head job when it opens up. But where would that be? Plus, I haven't heard this from a legit source yet, so I'm extremely dubious.

 

[cadmiumred]

For the record the intent of me posting this was because I thought it might fire up fans to get out and support the Eagles more. Fact is, the attendance in playoffs has not been that great and I thought it might show Baldwin EWU fans and alum are behind him.
I am not going to quote all the posts but will try to explain a few things:
It was not supposed to be a "distraction" (who is going to be distracted?)
It was a conversation with a friend who works in the industry at the FBS level. It was a casual conversation not only about Baldwin and Wulff but about other teams and coaches in the coaching carousel. It is not a big secret and he was very matter of fact about it. He didn't think it was a big deal because coaches do this all the time. In my post I said that he used WSU and Wulff as "an example" of the salary difference between what an FBS and FCS coach makes. Everyone knows Wulff is being retained but even the papers said that Moos was not happy with WSU's record but that payout was too expensive. Fact, Baldwin's contract comes up this January and there has been nothing in the press about renewal. Why wouldn't he move when he wins a championship and gets Coach of the year which in all likelyhood is going to happen; strike while the iron is hot.Why would he want to leave such a strong team? Perhaps, because he gets to develop another stronger FBS team? I did not mention Baldwin was looking for an OC job I said I heard HC. Does he need more experience at EWU? Well I guess the question would be, "Did the extra years of experience at EWU help Wulff?" Fact, Baldwin is a rare find and an exceptional coach The question that it would seem believable a few weeks ago when jobs were looking to be filled? It is very believable. Coaches are in bowl games and playoffs. It is standard that coaches even if they aren't in a bowl game wait to see where the chips fall once seasons are over. Then vacancies appear. As for nothing in the Pac 10..read the article below. Why would Chaves mention Pac 10?
Still, Chaves said there is a downside to having such a successful young football coach – the same one that became so apparent when Wulff left for WSU.

“If a Pac-10 school is interested in one of your coaches, they will out-resource you,” Chaves said about the potential of some Football Bowl Subdivision school eventually coveting Baldwin’s services.


http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/13/1462981/lumps-of-life-shaped-baldwin.html#ixzz18uPpSQUw

Interesting that Baldwin announces to the press he will be making phone calls to FBS coaches about how to arrange practices going into a playoff game. So when the ladies at the front desk are fielding calls form FBS programs over the next couple of weeks everyone will know what the calls are about and not start rumors flying (I am speculating this statement)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/dec/19/eagles-seek-ways-to-approach-layoff/

Hope that clarifies things. It was not intended to ruffle any Eagle poster's feathers but let's not put blinders on. That being said, "Let's support the team and help them bring home a NC"

 

[kalm]

No feathers ruffled here, it's just that some of your rationale is suspect, and message boards have a long and storied history of rumors that start with "I had this conversation with someone in the know..." and end up going nowhere. That's not to say every eagle fan shouldn't be prepared for this eventuality and, if the chips fall right, it occurring this off-season. But so far, all you've given us to go on is hearsay and some very loose coincidences. "Hey! Did Beau just look longingly to the southeast? Laramie is to the SE and everyone knows Joe Glenn is in trouble. Hmmmmmmm". :mrgreen:

If, according to your source, it's an HC position, didn't you guys also discuss the where?

 

[EWURanger]

As far as getting a HC job at a Pac-10 school, yeah, I do think the extra years Wullf spent at Eastern helped. The conference championships in 2004 and 2005 could have easily been chalked up to having Meyer and company those years. After all, we didn't fare too well in the playoff department before then and after Kramer left for MSU. But when he took a 2006 team that went 3-8 in the regular season to 8-3 in the regular season and the second round of the playoffs, it showed he could recruit and coach. Most of the players who contributed on the 2008 and 2009 teams were recruited by Wulff. Even the Seniors and RS Juniors on this team were.

Again, not doubting you had this conversation or that your friend is in the know, so to speak. But I just thought the timing was a little odd when the exact same post appeared over on egriz the same day. See the "and the rumors begin" thread.

 

[Dozy]

A nice attempt by an obvious eGriz guy to stir things up... Saying you thought the "timing was a little odd" is way too nice.

Way too many "coincidences" on this one. First time poster, same timing as post on eGriz, same date mistake for the contract expiration. If it walks like a duck...

Go crawl back in your hole.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I checked into this situation and I'd be willing to say it is completely without merit. You never know, of course, and something could pop open... but Baldwin hasn't been interviewing for anything. There is some scuttle that he may look elsewhere in the next year or so, but not now. Whoever wrote this is likely 100% full of shit.

 

[clawman1]

A nice attempt by an obvious eGriz guy to stir things up... Saying you thought the "timing was a little odd" is way too nice.

Way too many "coincidences" on this one. First time poster, same timing as post on eGriz, same date mistake for the contract expiration. If it walks like a duck...

Go crawl back in your hole.

My thougths from the beginning of the thread. If a guy is willing to put their real name to the stmts, made as fact, then I may listen, a little. But a fake name attached to a new poster... BS and I don't mean Big Sky.
The reality is that BB may very well leave at some point in the future and no one could blame him. It would seem to me it may be a little premature with only 3 yrs and one major run under his belt he has not maximized his potential yet. Another strong run at NC and possible the big prize itself twice would seem to increase his stock dramatically.
Just my humble opinion.
Cal Clausen