COMMENTARY| I guess it’s true, nice guys do finish last. Well, at least in college football.
Jon Embree, ousted as head coach at the University of Colorado on Sunday, is considered to be one of the nicest men in the business. Unfortunately, nice doesn’t win games.
Embree leaves Boulder with a 4-21 record in two seasons, including a 1-11 campaign this year, the worst in the 123-year history of the program.
In a joint statement from University of Colorado President Bruce Benson, Chancellor Phillip P. DiStefano and athletic director Mike Bohn, they said: ”We firmly believe a change in the leadership in our football program is in the best interests of the University of Colorado, particularly given our goal to compete at the highest levels of the Pac-12 Conference.
It was a difficult decision, given Jon Embree’s history with CU, and one we arrived at after considerable deliberation. We appreciate his passion and dedication and wish him the best.”
So where do the Buffaloes go from here?
I’ve put together four categories of coaches that the Buffs should target, and hopefully find the right man for the job.
Dreamin’ Big Division (The list all Buffs fans are closing their eyes and wishing for.)
(1) Chris Peterson, head coach, Boise State. Of course Peterson leads off this list, he leads almost every coaching wish list in America as the top man at Boise State. The guy is winner, but he’s not landing in Boulder.
(2) Jeff Tedford, Unemployed. Tedford just lost his job at Cal. He took a completely irrelevant Cal program and won in the Pac-12. He could be just the man to resurrect the Ralphie faithful.
(3) Jim Tressel, administrator, Akron. He screwed up. It cost him his gig at Ohio State. But, Tressel is a player’s coach, he is loyal. He will win anywhere he goes. I don’t think the Buffs can afford him.
Most likely to get hired from this group: Tedford. With that said, don’t count on it.
Recycling Bin Division (Former winners that could resurface in black ‘n’ gold.)
(1) Rick Neuheisel, TV analyst. He’s already won in Boulder. He was the head man at CU from 1995-1998, before bolting for more money at Washington. Yeah, he wasn’t great at UCLA, but he won’t be recruiting against the Trojans if he returns to the Rocky Mountains, and Jim Mora Jr., proved Neuheisel’s recruits to UCLA could compete in the Pac-12.
(2) Turner Gill, head coach, Liberty. He was a bust at Kansas after being America’s hottest coaching name. He has reappeared at FCS school, Liberty, and led the flames to a 6-5 record in his first season.
(3) Joe Glenn, head coach, South Dakota. Joe knows Colorado. He won two national championships in 10 seasons at Northern Colorado before capturing another title at Montana. He bottomed out in Wyoming, but Glenn can recruit, and his enthusiasm and piano playing will work well in Boulder.
Most likely to get hired: Neuheisel. No Buff fan will forget the fake punt to beat Oregon in the Cotton Bowl in Neuheisel’s maiden season as the Buffs coach. I would’ve said Glenn, but boosters won’t accept his 1-11 record at FCS South Dakota in 2012. I don’t think either will get the job.
Brian Kelly Division (Coaches that are getting it done at lower levels, like Kelly did at Grand Valley State.)
(1) Craig Bohl, head coach, North Dakota State. Getting recruits to Fargo can’t be easy, especially compared to the flatirons of Boulder, yet, Bohl’s Bison are 10-1 and a number one seed in the FCS playoffs as they try to defend their national championship from last year. This guy knows how to win. Period.
(2) Bob Stitt, head coach, Colorado School of Mines. He’s been called an offensive genius, and DI programs have heralded his success. He has won at an academically rigorous institution outside of Denver for 13 seasons. It would be an easy move up the turnpike if the Buffs hired Stitt.
(3) Bob Nielson, head coach, Minnesota-Duluth. Two national titles, five conference titles, three perfect seasons and five playoff DII playoff appearances in nine seasons. Winner. And, he’d be cheap.
Most likely to be hired: Stitt. Denver Post columnist Woody Paige already pleaded with the Buffs to hire him this year. Personally, I’d go get Bohl from the frozen tundra.
Colorado Ties Division (Coaches with ties to the state that could be intriguing names.)
(1) Dave Logan, head coach, Cherry Creek High School. Every time an opening comes up in Boulder, Logan’s name is mentioned. He is the best football coach in the state. He has produced talent like no other, and he played for the Buffs. No one would hate this hire, and the top recruits would be staying in state, guaranteed.
(2) Shawn Watson, offensive coordinator, Louisville. His name was attached and removed from the Auburn head coaching opening. He coached as an assistant in Boulder under Gary Barnett from 1999-2005, leading an offense to four Big 12 North titles, and one conference title.
(3) Mick McCall, offensive coordinator, Northwestern. Ten years as head coach at Colorado prep powerhouses, Douglas County H.S. and J.K. Mullen H.S., led him to the college ranks. His offenses have rejuvenated the Northwestern program to a 9-3 record this year.
Most likely to get hired: Watson. Sorry, Coloradoans. I don’t see Logan leaving the high school ranks, but if he ever wants to make the jump, now is the time.
So there is the list.
Buffs fans should hope it comes down to Tedford, Bohl, Stitt and Logan. You can’t go wrong with any of those hires. Having fired two coaches in three years, money is probably tight in Boulder. That probably eliminates Tedford. Logan probably eliminates himself as a candidate, as he has every other time the gig has come open. That leaves us with Bohl and Stitt.
Bohl can’t stop winning in the FCS. Bring him to Boulder. Give him three years to recruit and coach’em up. If he was smart, he’d bring in Stitt as his offensive coordinator, and the pair could bring the Buffaloes back to prominence.
