Football Candidates
- Thread starter umich1817
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I did talk to someone who I believed was very credible saying it is down to the four I mentioned. That was two days ago. Perhaps in that time frame two have been eliminated? IF Montgomery was eliminated there must be something we do not see? Perhaps RMU could not match the money he demanded? I cannot see it being credentials?
I will say it until I am blue in the face, Clark being a finalist seems baffling? Nothing on his resume sticks out and Albany went 4-7 last year with him at DC. Video's acting upbeat and goofy with the kids mean very little to me. I've seen lots of mediocre coaches play the same card. I remember Clark as a player and he was great but that does not equate to HC. I hope this is not a case of a great interviewee. I've seen other institutions get buffaloed with BS. After all, what separates Clark from Farison? Both good DC's? The last thing we need to hire someone on at the moment is a bunch of promises and a hunch. A proven track record goes much farther.
We need someone to come in and change a culture. Someone who has experience as a HC. If Benzel is still in the mix I pray it is him.
Again, does anyone know who is on the committee?
I will say it until I am blue in the face, Clark being a finalist seems baffling? Nothing on his resume sticks out and Albany went 4-7 last year with him at DC. Video's acting upbeat and goofy with the kids mean very little to me. I've seen lots of mediocre coaches play the same card. I remember Clark as a player and he was great but that does not equate to HC. I hope this is not a case of a great interviewee. I've seen other institutions get buffaloed with BS. After all, what separates Clark from Farison? Both good DC's? The last thing we need to hire someone on at the moment is a bunch of promises and a hunch. A proven track record goes much farther.
We need someone to come in and change a culture. Someone who has experience as a HC. If Benzel is still in the mix I pray it is him.
Again, does anyone know who is on the committee?
I hope Monty is still in the mix. He is the best of the bunch by pedigree alone. I just worry that if it is Clark as mentioned above what separates him from Farison other than he hasn't been here and part of the losing for so long. Farison is a great DC, mentor and has offensive view as a QB as well. If it came down to money and extras for Monty vs everyone else, for crying out loud we need to put all in if we want to get back. Benzel may get you there as well, but if your running a race I would like to have the best pedigree horse you put into the stable, not the spry young stallion that's not come out of the gate in the FCS or higher.
I just hope this isn't like recruiting when the kid has a reach, the I think I can get here and the fall back plan. If we get to Benzel and Clark I feel like we are at "what you know you can get" and the "fallback plan."
Let me get out in front of what i am going to say with I believe due diligence has been done on all candidates and I have faith in the administration will choose the guy they find to be the best fit.
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned & it’s probably a good thing at this point it hasn’t but one thing that “could” be playing into coach Clark’s favor is the fact that it has long been rumored that from the top down the administration would be looking for a minority candidate for a major sport. With Men’s / women’s B-ball, M&W hockey, softball ( all major sports on Rmu campus ) locked in on their head coaches this could be a slight factor.
Before my head gets chewed off on here for bringing it up I believe that all the finalist minus Rip would be an upgrade from a coaching perspective. Just thought I’d pass along that slight bit of info I had heard early in the process. Feel free to discuss........
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned & it’s probably a good thing at this point it hasn’t but one thing that “could” be playing into coach Clark’s favor is the fact that it has long been rumored that from the top down the administration would be looking for a minority candidate for a major sport. With Men’s / women’s B-ball, M&W hockey, softball ( all major sports on Rmu campus ) locked in on their head coaches this could be a slight factor.
Before my head gets chewed off on here for bringing it up I believe that all the finalist minus Rip would be an upgrade from a coaching perspective. Just thought I’d pass along that slight bit of info I had heard early in the process. Feel free to discuss........
Wow didn't know this was an elephant in the room... I was strictly concerned about the other elephants we never discuss. Like do we have the right person(s) over the linemen? Who's in charge of developing our QBs? Whomever they select, please bring in adequate position coaches where we aren't starting back to back freshmen Olines. I'm a Farison guy myself... I like all of us, want year to year growth for the program.
irish_buffalo, that makes sense then. As of two days ago when you say you heard from your source that Montgomery was still a candidate, that was true. However, he was contacted yesterday and told he was not going to be one of the finalists and they "wanted someone who was the best fit for RMU." To answer your earlier question on the committee, all I have heard is that candidates met with 8 people (two separate panels of 4). Names I heard were on the committee are Kevin Colbert, Craig Coleman, Andy Toole, and Marty Galosi. Also heard 1 or 2 faculty representatives were involved but don't know any names beyond those.
Also, I agree with your assessment of Clark. As I mentioned in a previous post he has made 10 different stops in 20 years of coaching with very little success. Someone mentioned that he is Albany's "closer" when it comes to recruiting. Well he is "closing" on kids that led to a 4-7 record in year 4 of that staff being there (21-24 overall in those 4 years)... To your point, there is little to no difference between him and Farison, with Farison being a DC longer and with more success. I'm not saying Farison should have gotten the job because I have always said we need to step away from the old regime. But I would like someone who would undoubtedly be a step up from Farison.
At this point, Rip Scherer is the only known offensive candidate remaining and we all started off really thinking it would be an offensive guy due to the lack of offense we have seen. While his resume is also the most impressive of the remaining candidates, his age and his ability to recruit at this level concern me. Benzel to me is the safest of the remaining candidates, but based on qualifications compared to other candidates would make me question the administration's commitment to the football program.
Also, I agree with your assessment of Clark. As I mentioned in a previous post he has made 10 different stops in 20 years of coaching with very little success. Someone mentioned that he is Albany's "closer" when it comes to recruiting. Well he is "closing" on kids that led to a 4-7 record in year 4 of that staff being there (21-24 overall in those 4 years)... To your point, there is little to no difference between him and Farison, with Farison being a DC longer and with more success. I'm not saying Farison should have gotten the job because I have always said we need to step away from the old regime. But I would like someone who would undoubtedly be a step up from Farison.
At this point, Rip Scherer is the only known offensive candidate remaining and we all started off really thinking it would be an offensive guy due to the lack of offense we have seen. While his resume is also the most impressive of the remaining candidates, his age and his ability to recruit at this level concern me. Benzel to me is the safest of the remaining candidates, but based on qualifications compared to other candidates would make me question the administration's commitment to the football program.
All my information has come from this forum and from speculation based on observing past coaching searches and the RMU administration through the years. With that, I am still predicting that Clark will be our new coach. If realRobertMorris has good information that it is down to two finalists and the board meets Friday, I would not be surprised if a press conference is held on Friday immediately after the board meeting.
Let's say Scherer is one of the final two and if Kevin Colbert is on the panel then isn't that a clear conflict right there being that they are cousins?
And if the final two are Scherer and Clark then it has to be Clark as the next head coach at RMU.
If this is all true then it’s clear that this administration wants to completely break away from any ties to the Joe Walton area. Perhaps thinking that a complete new start for the program is what is needed.
I just hope that while this panel reviewed possible coaches, that they took the time to talk to current and former players. Asking them what they believe the program needs. I have not heard if this happen or not.
No matter who is selected, there is a lot of work to be done. Recruiting is key right now and you have to make an announcement soon to get the media outlets to report on the new hire and a new staff in place in hopes to retaining any verbals the current staff has landed.
The scary thing is that it's finals week at RMU. Many current Colonials are completing their finals and heading home with no head coach. So we could see some players not coming back.
I had hope that a decision would be made early this week so the new head coach could talk to the current team before campus is closed for Christmas/New Year.
And if the final two are Scherer and Clark then it has to be Clark as the next head coach at RMU.
If this is all true then it’s clear that this administration wants to completely break away from any ties to the Joe Walton area. Perhaps thinking that a complete new start for the program is what is needed.
I just hope that while this panel reviewed possible coaches, that they took the time to talk to current and former players. Asking them what they believe the program needs. I have not heard if this happen or not.
No matter who is selected, there is a lot of work to be done. Recruiting is key right now and you have to make an announcement soon to get the media outlets to report on the new hire and a new staff in place in hopes to retaining any verbals the current staff has landed.
The scary thing is that it's finals week at RMU. Many current Colonials are completing their finals and heading home with no head coach. So we could see some players not coming back.
I had hope that a decision would be made early this week so the new head coach could talk to the current team before campus is closed for Christmas/New Year.
With regard to the minority issue, here is my view - President Howard's preference would be to hire a minority, however, President Howard wants a coach and team that will represent the University in the best light, including winning. If the best candidate is a minority, he will hire him, if the candidates are equal, the minority will get preference. Just my view from what I know of President Howard, not based on anything that I have been told.
If they have talked to current or former players, Farison would be the choice. Evidently they haven't.
My preference is Montgomery, but it seems he may not be in the picture anymore.
As for Clark, I don't understand the criticism that he's moved around a lot. That happens to a lot of coaches. Assistants staying 10 years at a school, especially at the FCS level, is pretty rare. The fact that Farison, for example, has been at RMU for so long is exceptionally uncommon.
These guys are typically ambitious. They want to coach at the highest levels, especially guys like Clark who played at Miami.
His track record reminds me of another coach. This coach played college ball at a decent level and then coached at his alma mater for a few years. Over the next 13 years, he had seven different employers before finally getting hired for his first head coaching job.
That coach was Mike Rice. He went from Fordham to Marquette to Niagara to Chicago State to the Hoop Group to St. Joseph's to Pitt before landing at RMU.
When you're an assistant coach, not everything is in your control. That's especially true in football, where the staffs are larger and player development takes longer. I'd be more concerned about Clark's resume if he wasn't getting promoted, if he was still a position coach. Instead, he's been trusted to be the defensive coordinator at several stops, including FIU when it was making the transition from FCS to FBS, Hampton, and now Albany, where he's also the associate head coach.
I'm also not as concerned about records. We all know that there can be a good coach on a losing team. Albany's defense allowed the 17th fewest points in the FCS this year and was a Top 25 unit in multiple other categories. I'd say that's having success.
It's clear that RMU wants to move away from the current staff. I'd prefer an offensive-minded coach, but if Clark has interviewed well and has shown a clear plan to right the program, he definitely has the credentials.
As for Clark, I don't understand the criticism that he's moved around a lot. That happens to a lot of coaches. Assistants staying 10 years at a school, especially at the FCS level, is pretty rare. The fact that Farison, for example, has been at RMU for so long is exceptionally uncommon.
These guys are typically ambitious. They want to coach at the highest levels, especially guys like Clark who played at Miami.
His track record reminds me of another coach. This coach played college ball at a decent level and then coached at his alma mater for a few years. Over the next 13 years, he had seven different employers before finally getting hired for his first head coaching job.
That coach was Mike Rice. He went from Fordham to Marquette to Niagara to Chicago State to the Hoop Group to St. Joseph's to Pitt before landing at RMU.
When you're an assistant coach, not everything is in your control. That's especially true in football, where the staffs are larger and player development takes longer. I'd be more concerned about Clark's resume if he wasn't getting promoted, if he was still a position coach. Instead, he's been trusted to be the defensive coordinator at several stops, including FIU when it was making the transition from FCS to FBS, Hampton, and now Albany, where he's also the associate head coach.
I'm also not as concerned about records. We all know that there can be a good coach on a losing team. Albany's defense allowed the 17th fewest points in the FCS this year and was a Top 25 unit in multiple other categories. I'd say that's having success.
It's clear that RMU wants to move away from the current staff. I'd prefer an offensive-minded coach, but if Clark has interviewed well and has shown a clear plan to right the program, he definitely has the credentials.
It's entirely possible that some players and/or students are involved in the interview process. That was the case when Mike Rice was hired. I specifically remember reading stories about Tony Lee being able to ask Rice questions before Rice was hired.
As for recruiting, the majority of the focus right now is on the early signing period next week, which is mostly for the major FBS schools. RMU isn't going to have anyone sign next week, even if the coaching staff was in place. Things will be quiet over the holidays. RMU can put together a staff and make initial contacts with recruits. January will be crazed, though. The staff will have to hit the road hard and then be back on the weekends to host as many recruits as possible and sell them on the new direction for signing day.
Just for what it's worth. I hope coach Coleman gets to stick around. Have a lot of respect for him.
http://www.ualbanysports.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=15800&SPID=8009&SPSID=84573
Maybe a little over critical if U Albanys W/L record as well. They lost to Old Dominion an FBS school 31-17. They beat 3 FCS playoff teams and lost to Stony Brook in over time, just missed on Elon as well another playoff school. If we had that season last year they would have put a statue up.
Maybe a little over critical if U Albanys W/L record as well. They lost to Old Dominion an FBS school 31-17. They beat 3 FCS playoff teams and lost to Stony Brook in over time, just missed on Elon as well another playoff school. If we had that season last year they would have put a statue up.
Ok, we delved into Bernard Clark lets take a look at Rip Scherer.
Rip has not been a HC since 2001. His HC record was 51-63. Since then he has been a journeyman assistant at both the collegiate and pro level. His record as an assistant is 67-113 (overall 118-176). His last two seasons under Jim Mora and having the predicted #2 QB in next years draft saw the Bruins going 4-7 and 6-6.
Believe it or not it is tough to find qualified assistants at the college and pro level which is why so many get recycled so often. Who can afford to pick up their family and move every 2-4 years? Guys like Scherer. So while his resume is long it is mostly due to him being a solid dependable assistant with experience and not neccesairily who I'd choose to build my program around.
Here is my problem with Scherer. Yes, he has a long resume but he is 65 and the romantic thought of rekindling glory or one last chance to come home (he is a Pittsburgh native) and win is a pipe dream. His Wikipedia page states he is best friends with the Steeler's Kevin Colbert which leads one to understand his consideration.
What we will likely see under Scherer is a close resemblance to last year's offense. Pro package and pocket passing. I believe it should be better than what Miller did but same concepts. The notion that his vast knowledge will show the NEC a thing or two is completely false, although if hired I'd support him. I'd support any canidate that they would hire for that matter but that rope will be short. We have lots of kids entering their junior and senior seasons who have a ton of experience.
What we are hearing is exactly what happens with inexperienced committees with a political slant/motivation ie: Colbert.
Rip has not been a HC since 2001. His HC record was 51-63. Since then he has been a journeyman assistant at both the collegiate and pro level. His record as an assistant is 67-113 (overall 118-176). His last two seasons under Jim Mora and having the predicted #2 QB in next years draft saw the Bruins going 4-7 and 6-6.
Believe it or not it is tough to find qualified assistants at the college and pro level which is why so many get recycled so often. Who can afford to pick up their family and move every 2-4 years? Guys like Scherer. So while his resume is long it is mostly due to him being a solid dependable assistant with experience and not neccesairily who I'd choose to build my program around.
Here is my problem with Scherer. Yes, he has a long resume but he is 65 and the romantic thought of rekindling glory or one last chance to come home (he is a Pittsburgh native) and win is a pipe dream. His Wikipedia page states he is best friends with the Steeler's Kevin Colbert which leads one to understand his consideration.
What we will likely see under Scherer is a close resemblance to last year's offense. Pro package and pocket passing. I believe it should be better than what Miller did but same concepts. The notion that his vast knowledge will show the NEC a thing or two is completely false, although if hired I'd support him. I'd support any canidate that they would hire for that matter but that rope will be short. We have lots of kids entering their junior and senior seasons who have a ton of experience.
What we are hearing is exactly what happens with inexperienced committees with a political slant/motivation ie: Colbert.
Original_RMC has mentioned before the nepotism feel of a potential hire of Scherer. He and Colbert are in fact cousins. I'm sure Hank Fraley also would have had a hand in a potential Scherer hire as they worked together last year at UCLA. But the main driver would have to be Colbert, who is on the committee.
I'm not sure what to think if this is the route they go. He certainly has an impressive resume but he is older and I can't get past the fact that I feel he'd be hired mainly because he is Colbert's cousin and not because he was/is the best fit.
As a note, Rip's dad was the head coach at Moon high school and lived right by the Primanti's in Moon on Patton Dr. So Rip is very familiar with Moon Township for what that's worth. I would also assume Tyrone Dixon would be a part of his staff. He hired him when he was the head coach at James Madison so they have a history and Dixon is sitting around doing nothing at the present time.
I'm not sure what to think if this is the route they go. He certainly has an impressive resume but he is older and I can't get past the fact that I feel he'd be hired mainly because he is Colbert's cousin and not because he was/is the best fit.
As a note, Rip's dad was the head coach at Moon high school and lived right by the Primanti's in Moon on Patton Dr. So Rip is very familiar with Moon Township for what that's worth. I would also assume Tyrone Dixon would be a part of his staff. He hired him when he was the head coach at James Madison so they have a history and Dixon is sitting around doing nothing at the present time.
When you have the General Manager of one of the most successful NFL franchises on your search committee, you are certainly going give his recommendations strong consideration. Considering that Kevin is an RMU graduate and a board member, he cares and wants to do the right thing for the University. In Kevin's position, he has to make difficult decisions all of the time involving hiring and firing personnel and often has to put personal feelings about a person aside for the good of the team. Assuming that Colbert is the one pushing Scherer, I do not believe he would do so if he did not honestly believe he would be a good fit. He would not want to set up the University or the Coach for failure. I also believe that President Howard and Craig Coleman would not hire a coach if they believe the person is not the right fit, regardless of who is recommending them.
I am not on the Scherer bandwagon at this point. I respect the wisdom of President Howard and Craig Coleman. If they decide Scherer is the guy, I will be on board
I have got to believe this process is nearing an end. I would not be surprised if we know something by the end of the day or tomorrow. That's just a guess.
I believe this process is moving along on schedule, you don't want to rush things and regret your decision. With that said, it could have been started sooner. Prior to the last two or three games, the writing was clearly on the wall. I suppose there are good reasons for having Coach B wait until after the last game to turn in his resignation,
but it did delay the search process.
I am not on the Scherer bandwagon at this point. I respect the wisdom of President Howard and Craig Coleman. If they decide Scherer is the guy, I will be on board
I have got to believe this process is nearing an end. I would not be surprised if we know something by the end of the day or tomorrow. That's just a guess.
I believe this process is moving along on schedule, you don't want to rush things and regret your decision. With that said, it could have been started sooner. Prior to the last two or three games, the writing was clearly on the wall. I suppose there are good reasons for having Coach B wait until after the last game to turn in his resignation,
but it did delay the search process.
nep*o*tism - the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.
No offense but I look at it differently. "Assuming" he is the one pushing Scherer? I'd say he is THE ONE pushing Scherer.
The minute Scherer became a candidate Colbert should have stepped away from the committee.
65 years old with a combined record of 118-176 . Same offense. More than likely lose Farison. Tell me how we are better? When things do not make sense there is a reason.
Personally I feel the team would respond more favorably to a younger more energetic coach. Players on the team for two or three years of Banaszak, certainly don't want to go through more years of a head coach similar to the one that just left. I really liked Banaszak, but he was too nice and let some of his assistants like Miller, exert too much control over personnel and game plans. That is the reason both Buss and Owens left in 2016, as well as a lot of offensive linemen. Banaszak wanted an offensive coordinator that ran a balanced attack. Instead he got one that threw the ball 75 to 80 per cent of the time. My first choice would have been Farison, followed by Montgomery and then Benzel. I believe more of the current players will leave if Rip is named the head coach. Their thinking will be "here we go again".
Okay RMU, it's time to make a decision. I keep thinking we will hear something today. If not, I suspect there may be negotiation issues with the preferred candidate.
For what it's worth, at this point, Benzel would be my choice as well, but I will respect whatever decision is made by the committee and administration. If I were betting on who it is going to be my money would still be on Clark.
For what it's worth, at this point, Benzel would be my choice as well, but I will respect whatever decision is made by the committee and administration. If I were betting on who it is going to be my money would still be on Clark.
I don't have any real information to pass along, but I've been thinking about a couple things.
1. RMU kept this very quiet, which tells me that the search committee headed by Coleman and Howard was very small. Usually news leaks out of the university like a rickety old tugboat.
2. It has become increasingly clear that the university wants to move away from the Walton tree as much as possible. That said, I think I misunderstood by how much. If we are to believe that Scott Benzel, Rip Scherer and Bernard Clark are the three finalists, then Scott Farison was rejected sooner than I expected. I posted a few days ago that I thought they must have made an offer to someone and that offer was accepted because Farison is the guy you keep around as a fallback in case your preferred option turns down the offer.
I no longer believe that to be the case. I believe Benzel is the fallback. He's been removed enough from the Walton-Banaszak tree over the last few years to avoid being tainted by the past few seasons, but he still has relationships with the university. He's at Westminster, so RMU will surely give him a raise and higher profile.
3. So if Benzel is the fallback, then the decision should be down to the other two finalists. I truly believe that Bernard Clark is the preference. Respected, higher level experience, and some familiarity and ties to the area. He's also younger and should connect with his players.
4. So if Clark is the preference, why is Scherer involved? I think RMU wanted three finalists to bring before the board to do one last round of interviews. With Kevin Colbert and Patricia Rooney on the board (one as a member, one as an emeritus member), Coleman and Howard could have Scherer interview while knowing Clark will probably impress on his own. You don't want to have too many interviews at the final stage, so that's probably why Shane Montgomery was rejected. You need Benzel to interview as your fallback; Scherer is the "political" nominee; and Clark is your real nominee.
5. Why Clark over Montgomery? I like Montgomery's resume better, solely because he's an offensive-minded coach. But another factor may be at play: Bo Pelini may not be at YSU much longer and Montgomery may know that. Pelini signed a 4-year contract that ends after the 2018 season. The deal is worth $215,000 a year. Coincidentally, Pelini is still getting paid by Nebraska to the tune of $128,000 a month through February 2019.
If Pellini has another season like YSU did two years ago, he'll have been away from his controversial exit at Nebraska long enough and have had enough success at YSU to be a candidate for an FBS job again. That'll time up well with his expiring contract and the end of his Nebraska payments.
And who would YSU turn to as head coach if Pelini leaves? Why not his highly successful offensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery? Montgomery gets the experience of interviewing at RMU as a dry run and that prepares him to take the reins at YSU next winter.
6. So what's the timeline? Yes, the early signing period is next Wednesday through Friday, but RMU wouldn't have anyone sign even if they had a coach. It's a dead period in recruiting from December 18 through January 11, so recruits can't visit campus and coaches can't visit recruits. That allows Clark to hire a staff, identify some targets, talk to recruits on the phone, set up visits, and do all of those things in order to have a four-week sprint to signing day on February 7. RMU will probably announce an initial class then and continue to add players through March and April.
7. My final prediction: The final round of interviews concludes today. Final negotiations over the weekend. Bernard Clark is announced as head coach on Monday or Tuesday, press conference a day or two later, and RMU has a football coach by the middle of next week.
1. RMU kept this very quiet, which tells me that the search committee headed by Coleman and Howard was very small. Usually news leaks out of the university like a rickety old tugboat.
2. It has become increasingly clear that the university wants to move away from the Walton tree as much as possible. That said, I think I misunderstood by how much. If we are to believe that Scott Benzel, Rip Scherer and Bernard Clark are the three finalists, then Scott Farison was rejected sooner than I expected. I posted a few days ago that I thought they must have made an offer to someone and that offer was accepted because Farison is the guy you keep around as a fallback in case your preferred option turns down the offer.
I no longer believe that to be the case. I believe Benzel is the fallback. He's been removed enough from the Walton-Banaszak tree over the last few years to avoid being tainted by the past few seasons, but he still has relationships with the university. He's at Westminster, so RMU will surely give him a raise and higher profile.
3. So if Benzel is the fallback, then the decision should be down to the other two finalists. I truly believe that Bernard Clark is the preference. Respected, higher level experience, and some familiarity and ties to the area. He's also younger and should connect with his players.
4. So if Clark is the preference, why is Scherer involved? I think RMU wanted three finalists to bring before the board to do one last round of interviews. With Kevin Colbert and Patricia Rooney on the board (one as a member, one as an emeritus member), Coleman and Howard could have Scherer interview while knowing Clark will probably impress on his own. You don't want to have too many interviews at the final stage, so that's probably why Shane Montgomery was rejected. You need Benzel to interview as your fallback; Scherer is the "political" nominee; and Clark is your real nominee.
5. Why Clark over Montgomery? I like Montgomery's resume better, solely because he's an offensive-minded coach. But another factor may be at play: Bo Pelini may not be at YSU much longer and Montgomery may know that. Pelini signed a 4-year contract that ends after the 2018 season. The deal is worth $215,000 a year. Coincidentally, Pelini is still getting paid by Nebraska to the tune of $128,000 a month through February 2019.
If Pellini has another season like YSU did two years ago, he'll have been away from his controversial exit at Nebraska long enough and have had enough success at YSU to be a candidate for an FBS job again. That'll time up well with his expiring contract and the end of his Nebraska payments.
And who would YSU turn to as head coach if Pelini leaves? Why not his highly successful offensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery? Montgomery gets the experience of interviewing at RMU as a dry run and that prepares him to take the reins at YSU next winter.
6. So what's the timeline? Yes, the early signing period is next Wednesday through Friday, but RMU wouldn't have anyone sign even if they had a coach. It's a dead period in recruiting from December 18 through January 11, so recruits can't visit campus and coaches can't visit recruits. That allows Clark to hire a staff, identify some targets, talk to recruits on the phone, set up visits, and do all of those things in order to have a four-week sprint to signing day on February 7. RMU will probably announce an initial class then and continue to add players through March and April.
7. My final prediction: The final round of interviews concludes today. Final negotiations over the weekend. Bernard Clark is announced as head coach on Monday or Tuesday, press conference a day or two later, and RMU has a football coach by the middle of next week.
Appreciate your post and thoughts insider. The only issue I have with that timeline, plan, etc on the admins side is it does not allow new coach to get in front of current players, and the loss of recruiting time.
I had an ad tell me, you fire someone unless you know who will likely replace them. If that were the case this would be a done deal.
Hope it is figured out soon, I personally think everyday is critical.
I had an ad tell me, you fire someone unless you know who will likely replace them. If that were the case this would be a done deal.
Hope it is figured out soon, I personally think everyday is critical.
It's entirely possible that they have a meeting before kids leave this weekend and things are simply made public on Monday. I could see that happening. As you point out, it'd be good for the returning players to meet the new coach before leaving on break.
Offer being made today with an expected announcement Monday. I don't know who the offer is being made to however.
Nothing said today? Shame.
Kids will start to look elsewhere.
Allow me to point out a couple other unforeseen aspects.
Rip Scherer, although native to Pittsburgh, has not been around in some time. Who is he going to get as assistants and can he/RMU afford them? Will they come from across the U.S.? Does he know enough quality local coaches? What about recruiting? He will be starting at day one and WAY behind the eight ball. Not to mention he is a 65 year old journeyman who is a combined 118-176 and has not been around a winner since the 2007 Browns (there is some real irony there). Will he relate to kids? He will try. Banaczak tried. I firmly believe if he is named coach kids will bolt and I mean more than what you usually see when staffs change.
On the flip side Scott Benzel has all of those unkowns answered. He will have a staff in no time. He will have a grasp on recruiting. There is a chance Farison, Coleman, DiMichele, and Brown stick around. He can relate to the kids and what is most important he is a unified and energetic Head Coach. These kids and this program need a Scott Benzel right now.
Kids will start to look elsewhere.
Allow me to point out a couple other unforeseen aspects.
Rip Scherer, although native to Pittsburgh, has not been around in some time. Who is he going to get as assistants and can he/RMU afford them? Will they come from across the U.S.? Does he know enough quality local coaches? What about recruiting? He will be starting at day one and WAY behind the eight ball. Not to mention he is a 65 year old journeyman who is a combined 118-176 and has not been around a winner since the 2007 Browns (there is some real irony there). Will he relate to kids? He will try. Banaczak tried. I firmly believe if he is named coach kids will bolt and I mean more than what you usually see when staffs change.
On the flip side Scott Benzel has all of those unkowns answered. He will have a staff in no time. He will have a grasp on recruiting. There is a chance Farison, Coleman, DiMichele, and Brown stick around. He can relate to the kids and what is most important he is a unified and energetic Head Coach. These kids and this program need a Scott Benzel right now.
Benzel or bust from names mentioned on this thread (minus Montgomery). For any of you that do not Benny, he is a hell of person, who the the guys will get behind. He can recruit like wildfire.
He recruits Florida like crazy, who was recruited from Florida to SFU when he was there? Lorenzo.
It's a no brainier to me to between him, Clark and rip.
He recruits Florida like crazy, who was recruited from Florida to SFU when he was there? Lorenzo.
It's a no brainier to me to between him, Clark and rip.
