Do you old timers remember Mike Price's presser, when he, out to the blue and said he was going to make the Cougs known for their defense, because wins championships. We snickered a bit, from a coach known for offense and little else. But crazy Mike did it and accomplished what was then thought essentially impossible, twice. While there is legitimate debate about whether Leach's or Price's 8+ win teams had better offensive personnel, their is little debate on the defensive side of the ball?
Now that Leach is gone, and we can talk about hiring a coach who has the capacity to beat the odds to get us back to the Rose Bowl, shouldn't we focus on a defense minded coach. Offensive minded coach's are far more sexy, that is a given. But if Mike Leach can't deliver, can any offense first coach? You don't get any better.
I know that this won't be popular, but shouldn't we be looking for a coach with a defense background or has demonstrate a commitment to defense?
Here are my thought on the "top" candidates.
Harsin -- while a offense guy, did not win with pure offense. Boise defense has been solid. My concern is that most "can't miss" Boise coaches have missed, Koetter, Hawkins failing at Pac-12 schools and Harsin never return Boise to their glory days.
McElwain, another offense guy, turned CSU around in three years, who failed at Florida, because of bad offense??? Like Leach, was at odds with the Florida admin and is seen as a bit of a loose canon, claimed he received death threats that were never substantiated. Turned CMU around in one season (with a young team) in Tedford like fashion. Could be a coaching genius, or Neuheisel lucky, we just don't know. He is the big gamble candidate. No big time school will not touch him without some Leach like rehab.
Rolovich, offense guy who uses the "run and shot," had some success at Hawaii, with suspect defense and a senior dominated team this year. Coaching resume is very weak.
Grinch -- Grooming himself for the big time, DC at tOSU and OU. Turn crap into the 16 defense national while in Pullman in Zimmer fashion. However, this was at a time the offense dominated TOP with dink and dunk passing, 77 snaps per game vs. 53, so his defense was protected.
What the hell would he do on offense and does he have the personnel management skills to be a top HC? Clearly, a stepping stone job for him, nothing more. His hire would make the most waves within the coaching fraternity.
Harrell -- OC at USC is by far the best Leach plug in replacement candidate. However, would probably need a psych exam if he took the job. He is the "fall back" USC hire right now to replace Helton when he is canned, and USC has had no luck hiring a big name coach, ever. So he must know that he is in line to be handed a blue blood job. While his hire would create the most Coug fan pop, he probably is the least ready to be a head coach and very tough job like WSU.
Now that Leach is gone, and we can talk about hiring a coach who has the capacity to beat the odds to get us back to the Rose Bowl, shouldn't we focus on a defense minded coach. Offensive minded coach's are far more sexy, that is a given. But if Mike Leach can't deliver, can any offense first coach? You don't get any better.
I know that this won't be popular, but shouldn't we be looking for a coach with a defense background or has demonstrate a commitment to defense?
Here are my thought on the "top" candidates.
Harsin -- while a offense guy, did not win with pure offense. Boise defense has been solid. My concern is that most "can't miss" Boise coaches have missed, Koetter, Hawkins failing at Pac-12 schools and Harsin never return Boise to their glory days.
McElwain, another offense guy, turned CSU around in three years, who failed at Florida, because of bad offense??? Like Leach, was at odds with the Florida admin and is seen as a bit of a loose canon, claimed he received death threats that were never substantiated. Turned CMU around in one season (with a young team) in Tedford like fashion. Could be a coaching genius, or Neuheisel lucky, we just don't know. He is the big gamble candidate. No big time school will not touch him without some Leach like rehab.
Rolovich, offense guy who uses the "run and shot," had some success at Hawaii, with suspect defense and a senior dominated team this year. Coaching resume is very weak.
Grinch -- Grooming himself for the big time, DC at tOSU and OU. Turn crap into the 16 defense national while in Pullman in Zimmer fashion. However, this was at a time the offense dominated TOP with dink and dunk passing, 77 snaps per game vs. 53, so his defense was protected.
What the hell would he do on offense and does he have the personnel management skills to be a top HC? Clearly, a stepping stone job for him, nothing more. His hire would make the most waves within the coaching fraternity.
Harrell -- OC at USC is by far the best Leach plug in replacement candidate. However, would probably need a psych exam if he took the job. He is the "fall back" USC hire right now to replace Helton when he is canned, and USC has had no luck hiring a big name coach, ever. So he must know that he is in line to be handed a blue blood job. While his hire would create the most Coug fan pop, he probably is the least ready to be a head coach and very tough job like WSU.
