David Archer, ex-ISU QB said it was down to 3: Phil Fulmer, Pat Hill and Mike Stoops until Hill pulled out leaving two.
Lots of rumors of late addition of Gary Patterson to the mix.
Most coaches that are bowl bound would most likely wish to coach the bowl games and without any distractions about new jobs. Also gives them the upper hand in negotations with current and prospective employers if they win the bowl (Stoops).
Pat Hill and Mike Stoops play today 12/20. If one of them is the "chosen one", look for an announcement probably the next day as Stoops game isn't even over until around 11 P.M. CST.
Gary Patterson plays on 12/23 at 8 P.M. If he's the guy look for an announcement on 12/24.
If Phil Fulmer really is in the mix, I'd speculate there is one reason why he hasn't already been chosen: Fulmer's agent is the same agent that just screwed ISU over - Jimmy Sexton. Sexton's "hot" clients have a nasty reputation for changing jobs every 2 years. What assurance does Pollard and ISU have that he won't pull a Chizik in 2-3 years?
To Fulmer's credit, he has been loyal to his Alma Mater and never been anywhere else, but without that connection to ISU does he change his commitment to one school approach if he becomes sucessful at ISU? Not only that but does Sexton shake down ISU every year Fulmer wins a bowl game? Yes, almost certainly.
Maybe the issues have nothing to do with the above. It is somewhat counter-intuitive that the longer the search goes the better the choice gets if this is the right line of thinking.
I'd rank them this way:
1. Patterson - TCU Record: 72-27-0, 10-2 this year with only 2 losses to OU and Utah. Has shown loyalty towards TCU, Texas recruiting base and consistently above average in current league. Will this translate to Big 12 wins?
2. Fulmer - UT Record: 152-52-0, 5-7 this year. Winning a NC and SEC titles shows he can recruit and play in the toughest leagues in the land. Being a Sexton pimped coach, can he be trusted to be good to his word and commitment to ISU? If this wasn't a question, he's easily #1 candidate. SEC recruiting connections to add to traditional Texas/FLA recruiting grounds can only improve the program. What can Fulmer say or add to contract to make this clear? $25 million dollar buyout clause? Get a new agent? Please Phil, get a new agent.
3. Even though Hill is "out", I'd have him #3. FS Record: 92-60-0, 7-5 this year. Pretty consistent blue collar type program. Nothing flashy, but consistent. Also Long Term coach in one place.
4. Stoops - Another Chizik-like coaching record. UA Record: 24-34-0, 7-5 this year is ONLY winning record he's ever recorded. I really don't see him beating BYU - much better team than Arizona. And if Bobby Stoops has another NC year and the only game to hold him out is ISU vs. OU, do you expect his brother to really go all out to win the game?? Give me an OC like Okie State's guy over this choice, IMO.
Lots of rumors of late addition of Gary Patterson to the mix.
Most coaches that are bowl bound would most likely wish to coach the bowl games and without any distractions about new jobs. Also gives them the upper hand in negotations with current and prospective employers if they win the bowl (Stoops).
Pat Hill and Mike Stoops play today 12/20. If one of them is the "chosen one", look for an announcement probably the next day as Stoops game isn't even over until around 11 P.M. CST.
Gary Patterson plays on 12/23 at 8 P.M. If he's the guy look for an announcement on 12/24.
If Phil Fulmer really is in the mix, I'd speculate there is one reason why he hasn't already been chosen: Fulmer's agent is the same agent that just screwed ISU over - Jimmy Sexton. Sexton's "hot" clients have a nasty reputation for changing jobs every 2 years. What assurance does Pollard and ISU have that he won't pull a Chizik in 2-3 years?
To Fulmer's credit, he has been loyal to his Alma Mater and never been anywhere else, but without that connection to ISU does he change his commitment to one school approach if he becomes sucessful at ISU? Not only that but does Sexton shake down ISU every year Fulmer wins a bowl game? Yes, almost certainly.
Maybe the issues have nothing to do with the above. It is somewhat counter-intuitive that the longer the search goes the better the choice gets if this is the right line of thinking.
I'd rank them this way:
1. Patterson - TCU Record: 72-27-0, 10-2 this year with only 2 losses to OU and Utah. Has shown loyalty towards TCU, Texas recruiting base and consistently above average in current league. Will this translate to Big 12 wins?
2. Fulmer - UT Record: 152-52-0, 5-7 this year. Winning a NC and SEC titles shows he can recruit and play in the toughest leagues in the land. Being a Sexton pimped coach, can he be trusted to be good to his word and commitment to ISU? If this wasn't a question, he's easily #1 candidate. SEC recruiting connections to add to traditional Texas/FLA recruiting grounds can only improve the program. What can Fulmer say or add to contract to make this clear? $25 million dollar buyout clause? Get a new agent? Please Phil, get a new agent.
3. Even though Hill is "out", I'd have him #3. FS Record: 92-60-0, 7-5 this year. Pretty consistent blue collar type program. Nothing flashy, but consistent. Also Long Term coach in one place.
4. Stoops - Another Chizik-like coaching record. UA Record: 24-34-0, 7-5 this year is ONLY winning record he's ever recorded. I really don't see him beating BYU - much better team than Arizona. And if Bobby Stoops has another NC year and the only game to hold him out is ISU vs. OU, do you expect his brother to really go all out to win the game?? Give me an OC like Okie State's guy over this choice, IMO.
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