NEW HEAD COACH WISH LIST

[DefendtheRed]

Coach Best may seem rough around the edges, but ask any other player/former player and I'm willing to bet they'd say he's the guy. Playing for him for 4 years was great. He's a natural teacher and has an amazing football mind. Plus, he's dedicated his life to EWU football and getting the job would mean 100x more to him than anyone else.

I'd be willing bet money that Coach Best is the guy.

 

[Hambone]

Coach Best may seem rough around the edges, but ask any other player/former player and I'm willing to bet they'd say he's the guy. Playing for him for 4 years was great. He's a natural teacher and has an amazing football mind. Plus, he's dedicated his life to EWU football and getting the job would mean 100x more to him than anyone else.

If I had to put together a list of considerations for the next HC it would look something like the below.

1) Strong ties to the program seems to be paramount since Eastern has gone outside the coaching "tree" pretty much never before.
2) Familiar with recruiting the PNW and specifically the great state of WA.
3) Must be a "player's coach."
4) Must be able to deliver an offense that is in the top 5 in the nation every year.

I think Coach Best fits the first three and if we bring in the right OC the 4th one as well.

 

[EAGinAZ]

Coach Best may seem rough around the edges, but ask any other player/former player and I'm willing to bet they'd say he's the guy. Playing for him for 4 years was great. He's a natural teacher and has an amazing football mind. Plus, he's dedicated his life to EWU football and getting the job would mean 100x more to him than anyone else.

I'd be willing bet money that Coach Best is the guy.

My thoughts are: Best is the clear front runner but Chaves will do his due diligence. He will interview both Best and Schmedding as well as at least one or two outside candidates and then makes the hire. I wouldn't be surprised if he went for a bigger name hire. He did offer the job to Jim McElwain before offering it to Baldwin. But if I am placing a bet I would put it on Best and TE good times continue to roll!

 

[KJEagle]

So far I have heard:
Aaron Best
Jeff Schmedding
Jimmy Lake

any other names out there? . . .Chip Kelley??? :evil: Just kidding

Jimmy Lake made $500,004. plus bonus last year. And why would be move to Cheney for less than 1/2 of that????????
http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/football/assistant

Head coaching experience.

If Jimmy Lake was honestly interested I think he'd have to be given very serious consideration.

 

[9MFEaglefan]

It still blows my mind that some Power 5 program hasn't scooped CBB up as HC. When Oregon State passed him over a few years back I remember Brock Huard saying how they had whiffed on that one and he was right! Either way I see CBB as a Pac 12 head coach, not an OC but I suppose this could help him get there faster.

We are in good hands with Chaves. He hasn't made a bad hire yet, and if he doesn't go with someone on the current coaching staff he'll find that next rising star out there who is hungry for the opportunity to coach at a place like EWU.

 

[Eagle Talon]

Ty Gregorak current Montana State Defensive coordinator. With the offensive talent we have a focus on the other side would make us even better

This is an interesting possibility but I think Chaves is going to go with someone on the staff or has a connection with the current staff.

I think it should be someone who has a connection but it doesn't necessarily have to be someone on the current staff. There is a pretty large group of coaches out there at different places that have a connection either as a former player or former coach. With Chaves calling the shots I think anything and everything is still on the table at this point.

 

[DaEagles]

Well whoever it ends up being will be walking into a very good situation. Time to turn the page to the next chapter.

In Chaves we trust!

 

[360Eag]

In all seriousness, who do you all think it will be? Many have mentioned Coach Best, but is he ready to be a HC? Should Chaves look outside of the program?

I truly believe it's Coach Best's job to lose.

 

[kalm]

Ty Gregorak current Montana State Defensive coordinator. With the offensive talent we have a focus on the other side would make us even better

This is an interesting possibility but I think Chaves is going to go with someone on the staff or has a connection with the current staff.

I think it should be someone who has a connection but it doesn't necessarily have to be someone on the current staff. There is a pretty large group of coaches out there at different places that have a connection either as a former player or former coach. With Chaves calling the shots I think anything and everything is still on the table at this point.

Agreed on that last point, but I'm not sure the list of viable, EWU-connected coaches is that long.

Internal guys - Best and Schmedds
Hill - probably has an easier path to an FBS HC gig staying at Boise.
Adams
Barnum - his ties to EWU are dated
Lake - would cut his salary in half (still can't believe position P12 position coaches make that much)
Wulff
Kramer

Who else am I missing?

There is more to being a HC than X's and O's. Beau was a very charismatic leader and talented at interactions with the public, recruits, and donors as well. That's not to say the the Bo Pelinis of the world can't be successful coaches but knowing Chaves I'm guessing that he's weighing the personality/ public face of the program, factors too.

I'd be fine with the internal hire as I think both those guys are very talented at what they do. If it ends up being one of them, their number one job is to find an offensive play caller and quick. Sustained success is just as important, if not more so than this year's recruiting class. These guys have connections through coaching clinics and such and the next mad scientist is out there and probably known.

If Chaves goes outside the program, I wouldn't be shocked either.

 

[luckyintheorder]

Any search needs to take a look outside the program doesn't it? Wouldn't be surprised to see a top Div 2 or 3 coach and not necessarily programs in the NW or California in the mix. 38-42 is a good age range too. Is this profiliing? Know those closer to the program have sights set on Best... Is he the Philip Fulmer of EWU?

 

[luckyintheorder]

I like this guy... Gary Pinkel disciple. David Yost http://www.utahstateaggies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/david_yost_1034793.html

 

[Jibjab68]

Here are a couple of outside names that have ties to the Big Sky.

Bobby Hauck former Griz HC and UNLV HC was tied to the MSU job when Choat was hired. Currently at San Diego State as associate head coach and Special Teams.

Tim Cramsey former MSU OC and UNR OC. Recently a leading OC candidate for the Sam Houston job.

 

[EagerEagle]

I'd like Zak back! We need an offensive mind. Not putting down Coach Best, love the man, but not sure he is the right fit for OC. Zak could fit the bill for both... and wouldn't come back just to be the OC.

 

[Get'emGriz]

Here are a couple of outside names that have ties to the Big Sky.

Bobby Hauck former Griz HC and UNLV HC was tied to the MSU job when Choat was hired. Currently at San Diego State as associate head coach and Special Teams.

Tim Cramsey former MSU OC and UNR OC. Recently a leading OC candidate for the Sam Houston job.

Bobby Hauck was not in consideration for the MSU job, and Hauck didn't want that job. He even came out and said he wasn't interested in the MSU job.

He was a finalist for the UM job when Stitt was hired. Sounds like the reason he didn't get the UM job back was because former President Engstrom didn't want Hauck back.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Here are a couple of outside names that have ties to the Big Sky.

Bobby Hauck former Griz HC and UNLV HC was tied to the MSU job when Choat was hired. Currently at San Diego State as associate head coach and Special Teams.

Tim Cramsey former MSU OC and UNR OC. Recently a leading OC candidate for the Sam Houston job.

Bobby Hauck was not in consideration for the MSU job, and Hauck didn't want that job. He even came out and said he wasn't interested in the MSU job.

He was a finalist for the UM job when Stitt was hired. Sounds like the reason he didn't get the UM job back was because former President Engstrom didn't want Hauck back.

Big Sky ties are not the same as Eastern ties. We don't hire coaches the same way some of the other schools do. We hire "our" guys, Cheney guys (at least at some point in their lifetime), guys that understand our program and know what it takes to win here.

Two names I saw on this thread that I'm pretty sure can be removed: Paul Wulff. No chance, he got the program hit with sanctions on his way out. His name is mud with our current admin. Mike Kramer. Personally, I love the guy and think he'd do a good job. But the admin that hired him the first time is gone. He may as well be persona non grata at this point.

And I'm not sure why people don't see Best as an "offensive guru?" I mean, the guy has had the OC handle the whole run of the way under Baldwin. All our successes can be tied to him. Just because he doesn't call the plays doesn't diminish that his hands are all over the blueprint.

 

[bertram]

I wouldn't rush the selection, and wouldn't throw away the idea of trying a season under the co-interim HCs left in place. This time frame is a delicate issue in regards to on the fence recruits with a possible change in staff.

 

[clawman1]

Mike Kramer. Personally, I love the guy and think he'd do a good job. But the admin that hired him the first time is gone. He may as well be persona non grata at this point.

When I think of some previous coaches it reminds me of the saying "You can't catch a falling knife". I would like to see a rising star which was BB 9 years ago. The danger is in determining if he is a rising star or a burning comet.

 

[clawman1]

I wouldn't rush the selection, and wouldn't throw away the idea of trying a season under the co-interim HCs left in place. This time frame is a delicate issue in regards to on the fence recruits with a possible change in staff.

There is no such thing as leadership by committee. Every organization needs a leader.

 

[dudeitsaid]

I wouldn't rush the selection, and wouldn't throw away the idea of trying a season under the co-interim HCs left in place. This time frame is a delicate issue in regards to on the fence recruits with a possible change in staff.

There is no such thing as leadership by committee. Every organization needs a leader.

Agree with this. If "they" are in charge, no "one's" in charge. Someone one said in a different leadership context, "things with two heads are put in the county fair and laughed at." I've been in a management situation where there were "co-managers" and no GM, and it was a mess.

As Chaves said, this all came up so fast, I think it may have been the immediate gut reaction to maintain some level of solidarity in the ranks, but this is not a good long term solution, and I can't imagine how this coaching scenario plays out for a full season. I guess if Chaves throws out a clear breakdown of responsibilities in which each one was ultimate authority...

 

[Eaglefanatical]

I wouldn't rush the selection, and wouldn't throw away the idea of trying a season under the co-interim HCs left in place. This time frame is a delicate issue in regards to on the fence recruits with a possible change in staff.

There is no such thing as leadership by committee. Every organization needs a leader.

Agree with this. If "they" are in charge, no "one's" in charge. Someone one said in a different leadership context, "things with two heads are put in the county fair and laughed at." I've been in a management situation where there were "co-managers" and no GM, and it was a mess.

As Chaves said, this all came up so fast, I think it may have been the immediate gut reaction to maintain some level of solidarity in the ranks, but this is not a good long term solution, and I can't imagine how this coaching scenario plays out for a full season. I guess if Chaves throws out a clear breakdown of responsibilities in which each one was ultimate authority...

I believe the current agreement is just an interim solution to get the program through the recruiting season. I would be willing to bet that a new HC is named prior to National Letter of Intent day.