Now What?
With the firing of coach Al Groh today, it is time for the rumor mill to begin whirring here in Charlottesville. Last week, the Daily Progress published a list of potential candidates for the job. Who do you think should be hired off the list? Vote below and let the speculating begin!
The List
(Courtesy of dailyprogress.com)
MIKE LONDON, HC University of Richmond
A native of Hampton, London certainly knows the UVa culture having coached here for two stints during the Groh regime. He has NFL experience and played at UR from 1979-82. He led the Spiders to the FCS national title last year and has them back in the playoffs this season. He won numerous national coach of the year awards last season and has a reputation for being a solid recruiter. London’s salary has not been disclosed, even though his contract runs through 2014 at UR.
CHARLIE STRONG, DC University of Florida
Like London, Strong has been around the block, but mostly at the FBS level (Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Florida). He’s been with the Gators since 2002. He became the first African-American coordinator in SEC history. Is known as one of the nation’s top defensive coaches. Salary: $290,000 per year.
In his first year at Auburn after an eye-popping stint at Tulsa, where his 2007 offense led the nation in total offense, and finished second in 2008. In ’08, the Golden Hurricane averaged 565 yards and 47 points per game. He is credited with introducing the “wildcat” offense to major college football, having done so at Arkansas as offensive coordinator in 2006. Salary unknown.
Played for Fisher DeBerry and replaced the legendary coach in 2006. Has done a solid job. Served as Jim Grobe’s offensive coordinator at Ohio U. from 1995-2001 and followed Grobe to Wake Forest, where he was coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2001-03. Calhoun moved on to coach with the Denver Broncos for two years, then the Houston Texans before taking over at Air Force. Current salary is $860,000 per year, contract runs through 2013.
CHRIS PETERSEN, HC Boise State
Has been the Broncos’ head coach since 2006 and directs one of college football’s most exciting offenses. His record coming into this season was 46-4 and he was national coach of the year in 2006. Some say that Petersen isn’t “gettable” because of his love of the Boise area and family considerations. Current salary is $850,000.
Was a grad assistant under George Welsh at Virginia and left as an assistant at Penn State to become Al Groh’s defensive coordinator at Virginia in 2001. Golden, considered an up-and-comer in the coaching world, has been head coach at Temple since 2006 and led the Owls’ transition from the Big East to the Mid-America Conference. His team is 9-2 and he’s a shoo-in for MAC coach of the year honors. Golden interviewed for the UCLA head coaching job in December 2007 but withdrew his name. Salary unknown.
DEREK DOOLEY, HC Louisiana Tech
Is the only head football coach and athletic director at a major college football program in the nation. Great bloodlines – son of Georgia legend Vince Dooley and nephew of former North Carolina coach Bill Dooley. Derek Dooley was a wide receiver for Virginia on some of the Cavaliers’ greatest teams. He graduating in 1990, having played with Shawn Moore and Herman Moore. Was an All-ACC academic selection. Earned a law degree from Georgia. Coached under Nick Saban at LSU and the Miami Dolphins. Salary unknown.
If its football knowledge and academics that Virginia wants, Murphy has to be considered. Has a 97-52 record with the Ivy League school, making him the second-winningest coach in Crimson history. His ’04 squad went unbeaten. Coached at Maine, where he won, and at Cincinnati, where he did not. Known as one of the top teachers and motivators in the game. Salary unknown.
TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Former HC Auburn
Served as head coach at Auburn from 1999-2008 and was head coach at Ole Miss prior to moving to Auburn. Was the 2004 national coach of the year. The only football coach in Auburn history to beat Alabama six times in a row. Considered a top-notch coach and gentleman. Big in the community. Said recently that he wanted to return to a BCS school. Last salary: $2.8 million per year.
The Vote
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Petersen’s last name is with an E, not an O.
I think he’s easily my top choice here now that he’s on my radar. But what about Cincy’s Brian Kelly? I think he and Petersen are on the same level in terms of “get-ability.”
I dont think we can get Petersen…he honestly has no reason to leave or any ties to the area here. And he inherited a good program…can he build his own?
I think the idea of Charlie Strong is intriguing…he’s done well everywhere he’s been and Florida does do some recruiting in the VA area.
Based on our hoops coach search, however, it’ll be someone no one saw coming and we’ll all ask “who?” when they announce it in january