Ok, so I'm hearing everything from Gary Anderson to Utah because of a flub from Oregon State not paying his $3 mil buyout, to Lane Kiffen, Dan Mullen and even Mike McCoy. Kyle Whittingham is still the coach officially and none of these rumors are substantiated at all. Yet, I will address how I feel about each.
Gary Anderson, how would this work? I think as a football move it's my favorite from this list. The likely hood of this I don't see at all, but that is what a rumor is right? Just speculation, which is what I'm doing here. From a PR standpoint, it's scary as hell. Gary Anderson just left 3 years on his deal at Wisconsin to go to Oregon State. This could be a huge mess for OSU if they don't pay the buyout and get him inked. They've already held press conferences and hired assistants. Could get scary for Utah, Whittingham and Sitaki as well. Utah would now have the drama of the entire situation looming over it's head for the next ten years minimum. Would Sitaki come with him? If so, than the problem was Whittingham and not Dr Hill. If, I really mean IF, that happens, how would fans feel about the whole situation? I think the fire on Dr Chris Hill's seat that has started the last few weeks would be extinguished, for now. If that happens and the ire turns towards Whittingham, where would he go to escape it? DC for the Chiefs? That seems unlikely, though probably the best best bet to stay under the radar. Sit out a year and take over for BYU? Highly unlikely. I've heard he has a strong distaste for the fan base since the "fight" with his wife and brother in the stands. Though, you never know. Utah fans would relish the 2016 game and hope the Utes just piled on the hapless Cougars. Again, Anderson wouldn't do that. Can you imagine the personal bridges that would burn as well? Whittingham would never speak to Anderson, Sitaki, Tuiaki or Kaua'aha'a again. This is more than football, it's personal.
Lane Kiffen, just no. No. HELL NO. WHY EVEN CONSIDER THIS GUY?! He's cheated at every level. From deflated balls, changing a players number to cause confusion for who knows what end, to bailing on Tennessee after getting canned from the Raiders where Al Davis said he felt fooled by this guy. USC was justified in firing him at an airport after a game. He's proven to be a liability to a program rather than a benefit. NO!!
Dan Mullen, I don't understand this one at all. Not in the least. His only loyalty to Utah is when he came from Bowling Green with Urban Meyer as the QB coach. He went to Florida when Urban Meyer did as his OC. Coach Mullen even stole Brian Johnson from Utah. Good for Johnson, but would Brian come back to Utah? Is Whittingham the problem there too?
Mike McCoy, here is wishful thinking on anyone's part. I'd still take Gary Anderson, though Mike McCoy is intriguing. It fits the trend however, offensive mind after defensive mind. Since Jim Fassel was fired in 1989 they went defense with Ronnie Mac, offense with Meyer, defense with Whitt. Yes new Ute fans, the Same Jim Fassel who coached for the New York Giants. However, McCoy has earned enough respect in the NFL that even if the Chargers lose on Sunday to the Chiefs (ironic isn't it that I've mentioned them twice in this blog, could it be that this NFL game has Utah implications?) and he gets fired, he lands at least an OC job in the NFL. I don't see him stepping back down to college. He's never done it anyway. Whose to say the recruiting aspect wouldn't suit him. Don't get me wrong, the one time I met him he was a great guy who seemed very charismatic and he could do wonders in living rooms. Imagine being a 17 year old drop back NFL style QB choosing between Oregon, Oregon State and Utah and you have Mike McCoy sitting there telling you he knows what it takes to be an NFL QB. The fun part to this would also be imagining who the defensive hires could be. Anyone would want to work with him. Maybe I'm talking myself into this one a little more...
My vote is Kyle Whittingham for at least one more year. I do believe at this point, that's the most we'll get as fans of the Utes.
No comments:
Post a Comment