Start the new coach wish lists.....

[Beardown]

My first instinct would be to hire someone who has a proven record as a HC, but we would have to look to the DII ranks, and when a coach has to jump up a level it does not always work out, especially considering UNC is not exactly flush with resources. Sometimes finding a great assistant from your level or higher (major assistant, not the *#$%@ special teams coach), who maybe has some HC experience at a lower level is a good pickup. Its really about finding the right guy, when they make the hire it should just 'click', honestly Downing just never had that feeling for me.

Some things that could make a guy 'click' at UNC:
-Solid experience at a successful program.
-Colorado/UNC connections
-History of success at programs with limited resources
-Ambition and energy(double edged sword; see Boyle, Tad)
-Fire and an unwillingness to accept anything less than success.

I'll be very interested to see who applies. In my mind UNC could be in a bit of a tough spot because the job is not nearly as attractive as it was 5 years ago. Back then UNC had just moved up, gotten into a solid conference, we were setting attendance records and had a whole pile of facility upgrades on the way. Now the program is in the toilet, attendance is abysmal, and we are a joke in the conf. The only plus is that we do have that shiny new training facility. Look at what it took to get Boyle here, he didn't even really apply, and we had to come back to him with more $ and scholarships.

As far as some of the names tossed out go:
-Joe Glenn: Of course, but not gonna happen, why would he? Even if he wanted to coach again (which he said he doesn't) why would he go to UNC over Montana, where he also has a history and would have infinitely more resources.
-Dave Logan: Again don't think he would, but it would be an intriguing hire. The guy is a legend in CO and he could deff help recruit CO players, and it might just provide the spark that the program desperately needs. That said its a big jump from HS to FCS.
-Dan Hawkins: He sucked at CU and I would be leery of any 'rebound' hire.
-Marty English: Again leery of a 'rebound' hire. Plus he just doesn't strike me as HC material, he has been an assistant for something like 20 seasons? There is probably a reason he has never really moved up to a HC job.
-Bob Stitt: Probably a realistic option, and he certainly meets many of the things on my 'click' list
-Bobby Kennedy: Don't know much about him, I like the connections, but he does he have any exp as a major coordinator or HC?

Holy crap, that wound up being long...guess I've had some pent up posting energy.

Joe hasn't said he would never coach again.

 

[gobears2010]

It's much easier to win at that level now that the NCC isn't there any longer. Any decent coach would do great things at that level.

That statement makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Is it easier to win at the FCS level because programs like Marshall, Troy and Boise State aren't there? No, other teams have stepped up and are now the cream of the crop. IMO, the D2 route is the ONLY way to go.

 

[#1bearsfan]

It's much easier to win at that level now that the NCC isn't there any longer. Any decent coach would do great things at that level.

"the D2 route is the ONLY way to go.

"

This statement by 'gobears' is absolutely wrong. UNC should look for a coach like Rob Ash, head coach at Montana State since 2007. He was the head coach at Drake (an FCS non scholarship program) where he had a good deal of success as a "head coach". Now look at what he's done at Montana State in three years. A top 20 program and headed to the playoffs. I'm sure there are other coaches like him out there that can and have produced similar results. UNC needs to hire a coach who is a proven winner preferably at the D1 level.
I know it would be a long shot but perhaps UNC should speak with some of the candidates who apply for the CU job.
Anyone know who will be on the search committee?

 

[gobears2010]

It's much easier to win at that level now that the NCC isn't there any longer. Any decent coach would do great things at that level.

"the D2 route is the ONLY way to go.

"

This statement by 'gobears' is absolutely wrong. UNC should look for a coach like Rob Ash, head coach at Montana State since 2007. He was the head coach at Drake (an FCS non scholarship program) where he had a good deal of success as a "head coach". Now look at what he's done at Montana State in three years. A top 20 program and headed to the playoffs. I'm sure there are other coaches like him out there that can and have produced similar results. UNC needs to hire a coach who is a proven winner preferably at the D1 level.
I know it would be a long shot but perhaps UNC should speak with some of the candidates who apply for the CU job.
Anyone know who will be on the search committee?

That's what I was mainly going for; we need someone who is a proven winner as a head coach. I think the best place to find that is someone who has succeeded at the D2 level, though I hadn't considered FCS non-scholarship schools.

 

[hoel4800]

CU is talking to people like Bellotti, McCartney, and Les Miles....Whether you want to admit it or not, its a VERY attractive job opening. UNC would get laughed off the phone if they tried to talk to some of the people who are interested in CU. The only candidate I know of who I think would listen would be Brian Cabral, and two things would have to happen for him to be willing to talk to UNC. One, CU would have to hire from outside the CU family (No McCartney, EB, etc), and two, that individual would have to let Cabral go, which isn't happening, as keeping him is a requirement for that type of hire. Bobby Kennedy may be out of a job after Texas' season ends, and if I were Jay, he'd be my first call. I'd also talk to Stitt and Hawkins (I don't think of that as a rebound hire---its more of an he isn't anywhere near as bad a coach as his CU teams made him out to be). I'd also look at guys who have been forced out of coaching----Jim Leavitt has the itch, but North Texas won't give him a look. He may be willing to take a look at an FCS gig. Mark Mangino may look to get back into coaching, as well.

 

[bearsradio]

I'm hearing Stitt is a confirmed "no", as his contract at Mines pays him more than what Downing made last season.

 

[Beardown]

I don't see why not Greg Peterson. He has connections all over the country after working for as offensive coordinator for K-State and CSU. I've talked to a lot of CSU fans and they said Peterson should have never been let go and Fairchild micro-managed the offense. They also said he has great recruiting ties. Our offense did look better with him. AND he said he's interested in the job.

 

[Brian]

I'm hearing Stitt is a confirmed "no", as his contract at Mines pays him more than what Downing made last season.

That is just alarming. I wonder how our pay stacks up against other Big Sky coaches considerign we pay less than DII schools.

 

[BearCub]

I'm hearing Stitt is a confirmed "no", as his contract at Mines pays him more than what Downing made last season.

That is just alarming. I wonder how our pay stacks up against other Big Sky coaches considerign we pay less than DII schools.

get our your check books, seriously that's the only way it can get better. People need to stop bitching about not having money if they don't give money and I don't want to read that people won't give as long as Jay is here because no one gave crap before Jay got here. The culture around here is bitch, bitch, bitch and don't give a dime. Before someone calls me out, I'll say that I give $600/year. That's what I can afford and when my kids get out of college, I'll be upping that.

 

[Brian]

I'm hearing Stitt is a confirmed "no", as his contract at Mines pays him more than what Downing made last season.

That is just alarming. I wonder how our pay stacks up against other Big Sky coaches considerign we pay less than DII schools.

get our your check books, seriously that's the only way it can get better. People need to stop bitching about not having money if they don't give money and I don't want to read that people won't give as long as Jay is here because no one gave crap before Jay got here. The culture around here is bitch, bitch, bitch and don't give a dime. Before someone calls me out, I'll say that I give $600/year. That's what I can afford and when my kids get out of college, I'll be upping that.

I give nothing. The money I donate to charity goes towards places I deem more needy (Wounded Warriors etc...). Plus, I thought donations went to scholarships, not the head coaches sallary?

 

[beardevil39]

I agree with Bearcub. I know everyone can't donate that much and we all have our priorities but give what you can. I don't care if its just 50 bucks but donate. It's for all athletes. Be proud to be part of the Bears!! Did that sound sappy?? lol

 

[Brian]

How is the head coach (or all coaching) position funded?

 

[molly]

I think that UNC should take a serious look at John Wristen from Pueblo, he is a CO guy, has ties all over the state. He built the Pueblo program into a power in 3 years from nothing, finished 9-2 this season, one flag away from playoffs.

UNC needs someone with HC experience, that understands budgets and recruiting in this state. Hiring another DI assistant from some other part of the country is going to flop the Bears again. . .

 

[uncfootballrules]

I'm hearing Stitt is a confirmed "no", as his contract at Mines pays him more than what Downing made last season.

Holy cow - that is shocking (and disappointing) to me. I say do what they did with Boyle then and go back with more money until he says yes. I don't know what it would take but coming up with $20K - $30K more for a head coach is not that big of a deal if he is the right guy. Hell that is just the gate revenue from a 1,000 fans for one game (add in some beers and hot dogs and you are ahead). Bring a winner in and fans will come back. I think we could get back to the 8,000 level with a consistent winner. I do not know the number for sure but that is several thousand more fans than we are averaging now which equals a lot of money.

 

[beardevil39]

How is the head coach (or all coaching) position funded?

I found some interesting facts about UNC athletics thru a USA Today site. They had almost every university's athletic financials ! I did a few comparisons with some other Bigsky schools and we really need to get more donations!!!! But we are not in dire staits either. There are a lot of positive things going on here. We just need to keep growing and get rid of all this negativity

 

[Beardown]

How is the head coach (or all coaching) position funded?

I found some interesting facts about UNC athletics thru a USA Today site. They had almost every university's athletic financials ! I did a few comparisons with some other Bigsky schools and we really need to get more donations!!!! But we are not in dire staits either. There are a lot of positive things going on here. We just need to keep growing and get rid of all this negativity

No doubt. We aren't the worst but we need to improve. It's been said before on here, but there are a lot of people who complain about the football program but the bottom line is we can help by going to the games and then donating to the blue and gold club. We need to suck it up and give as much as you can.

 

[mattdillion]

Another name to mention who may not have ties to colorado but has ties to west and beat some very tough opponents during his tenure at Southern Utah as head coach is C. Ray Gregory. He meets some of the criteria mentioned here on this board and wants to get back out west. He has solid experience as a head coach his teams at Southern Utah played one of the toughest schedules in 1AA with wins against McNeese State, Arkansas State etc. He did this on a limited budget as we have here at UNC. He has been around National Championship programs. It is just a thought when looking for some one who can recruit, raise money, been successful and knows what it takes to win.

 

[bearsradio]

get our your check books, seriously that's the only way it can get better. People need to stop bitching about not having money if they don't give money and I don't want to read that people won't give as long as Jay is here because no one gave crap before Jay got here. The culture around here is bitch, bitch, bitch and don't give a dime.

+1; Unfortunately, what you read here is reflective of a mindset that reaches beyond the University. I don't envy our sales staff at the station right now, that's for sure. I leave it at that, but anyone asking for donations/selling ads/etc. in Greeley is facing a hell of challenge.

Plus, I thought donations went to scholarships, not the head coaches sallary?

Not all donations go to scholarships. The majority do, but I can't speak to how its broken down. In research for hoops, I found a surprising note about Illinois' approach for its coach for basketball...It's an endowed position.

 

[Ursa Major]

I say Hawkins. A lot of people liked him at CU and that good will ($$) could possibly come our way. I liked him a lot more than Barnett, and he has that quality that people around here seem to like...he picks upstanding citizens.
Now, I'm still willing to see some assaults in the police blotter if it translates to a couple more wins. But hey, that's me.

 

[Ursa Major]

Dan Hawkins and Steve Fairchild are really stupid ideas. Why replace one miserable failure with another miserable failure?

Well, we'll need someone to bitch about. :lol: