His recruiting is no where near elite level. Some good kids but not nearly enough of them. I don't understand people who say "we aren't getting anyone better." How could you possibly know this and what are you clinging to?
I would support any of the following realistic candidates to replace KJ. And probably others.
Damian Hahn - Cornell assistant. A huge reason for their success.
Cody Sanderson - Wants his own program at some point and will do it at a place where a title CAN be won. This would be a huge hire for ISU and my #1 candidate. I think the fans can forgive him for leaving with Cael. Not sure about JP.
Drew Pariano - Northwestern head coach. My number #2 candidate. Fantastic recruiter but will never be able to build enough depth at NU, with their limitations, to be a serious title contender. He won't have that problem in Ames.
Brandon Eggum - Minnesota assistant. Has to be wondering how much longer J is going to hang around. Is there a succession program in place?
Travis Paulson. From what I gather he's doing the majority of the coaching in the ISU room. Has his own ideas. Not one of my favorites but I would support the move and think we would be better off.
Eric Guerrero - See Eggum, though Smith has more years left than J.
Tim Flynn - Edinboro. Might be getting a little long in the tooth but maybe he hands over the reigns in a few years to a younger understudy like Paulson?
Mark Perry - Illinois. Yes, I said it.
These are the ones that I've been thinking of. Certainly there are more candidates. We have seen what we will get with KJ. None of these guys would make us worse off. I truly believe that.