Stories to watch this season – Coaches
Posted by Mr. BCS | Posted in BCS Predictions, Projections and Analysis, College Football Stories to Watch, Games to Watch | Posted on 27-08-2009
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In addition to the college football games on the field, there will be some interesting behind the scenes stories to watch as the 2009 campaign unfolds. Here’s a couple I’m keeping my eye on.
Turner Gill, Buffalo. This guy was a hot commodity during the offseason as he interviewed for multiple jobs including the head ball coach at Auburn and Syracuse. Auburn Alum Charles Barkley was so infuriated with the Tigers’ non-choice of Gill that he accused his school of racism. I believe Buffalo will have another strong year and – this time – Gill will be hired by a major college program.
Charlie Weiss, Notre Dame. After taking the Irish to a BCS bowl game in his first two seasons, Weiss and company have struggled mightily, but appear close to turning it around. The administration at ND left him flapping in the wind during the offseason, likely as the gauged Urban Meyer’s interest in attending, which now appears to be non-existent based on Florida’s recent $4M commitment to him. Odds say that Weiss stays with a BCS season, is gone with a poor campaign, but what about a middle of the road effort in 2009? Stay tuned.
Bobby Bowden, Florida State. Head coach in waiting Jimbo Fisher is ready to take the reins (and the administration is probably ready to let him after all the controversy this offseason). Bowden says he wants to win one more BCS National Championship before he retires. They should be setup for a run in 2010 with a little more experience and some guy named Tebow moving onto the NFL. With the recent scandals, should FSU struggle in 2009, will he get that chance?
Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville. No one expected this type of drop off following Bobby Petrino’s departure to the NFL. This is a make or break season for the Cardinals. With the Pitino controversy, the athletic administration needs a good news story. This is not it.
Lane Kiffin, Tennessee. No story would be complete on this topic without talking about Public Enemy #1 in the SEC. He’s softened a little bit as the season draws closer, but spent the offseason generating ire and rancor from fellow SEC schools by accusing them of cheating, insulting their coaching staff – the list goes on and on. Kiffin will get this turned around quickly, but some conference teams will give him a good shot while the Vols are down.
Tommy Tuberville, Phil Fulmer & Tommy Bowden former coaches. When you talk about the competitive nature of college football, these three should be the face of it. Tuberville and Fulmer had tremendous championship seasons in the SEC and are dismissed after a down year. Bowden underperformed with high expectations last season and Clemson and was gone. With this talent pool waiting in the wings, every coach on the hot seat has a much smaller margin for error. Don’t be surprised to see Fulmer at Louisville and Tuberville at Texas A&M in 2010. As for Bowden, expect him to follow the example of his younger brother (Terry) and return to the small school scene.
What about you? What coaching stories are you most interested in keeping your eye on for 2009?
