TonkaSker

Thanks for adding Whittingham. He's not coming but if he were ten years younger he would be my first call. If Eichorst had hired him instead of Riley we'd be having a completely different conversation.

Grant showed good burst and quick feet Saturday and in the spring game so I'm encouraged it's consistent. Behind a good line he's a good zone RB. When Casey has time and we're playing complementary football he's as accurate a QB I can remember us having. OL was bad BUT I think there's a possibility they gel as they get more comfortable. Seems like a more zone-heavy scheme than in years past so I'd understand if there are growing pains. Too soon to make any positive assumptions Conditioning was rough. Not sure how much of that was jetlag but I'm going to be conservative and say we're an injury away from this getting ugly.

Entz runs a good offense and they do some nasty stuff in the run game I have two big issues with him as our coach, although I like him. 1. This is a recruiting job. Picking off under-recruited kids from our 500 mile radius/texas/florida made NDSU a powerhouse but the blue-chip ratio is real. He doesn't have experience doing that and we don't really have time to waste in letting him figure it out in Lincoln. 2. The two coaches prior to him (Bohl and Kleiman) had similar or the same results, so it's hard to evaluate how good he is. I'd rather let him cut his teeth in the mountain west or Big 12. We have the luxury of hiring out of a bigger pool.

People will laugh but I really don't hate it. He looks like a good long-term solution for Illinois and they're playing solid fundamental football. I'd rather let Iowa deal with him after Kirk retires since he can be a wild card but there's a low-likelihood situation where he's our best option.

I've lurked here since at least 2016 and this will be my first comment, so bear with me. Listened to split zone duo (recommend) this morning and found myself encouraged by what I heard Godfrey mention about the job once it opens up. He's as plugged in as anyone when it comes to coach openings and is as pragmatic and honest as they come in the national media. This job has bones. Nationally, we have a great administration, good finances, and a great donor base. I'll hearken back to what was drilled into us when Scott was hired.. there is "unity of purpose" across our apparatus. In my opinion, we're also prime for NIL and a national recruiting operation. What will open up this year? Auburn is likely, as is UCLA, Arizona State, North Carolina, and I'll throw in Georgia Tech for the purposes of this argument. Last year, that question was answered with a dozen more prestigious jobs. Most of the coaches at Tier A and B schools are under massive contracts, in year 0/1 or building towards something they can use a springboard, so I don't see this being a crazy year. To make things more interesting, a college football environment in flux - and our great position in the new world order - makes this a buyer's market for us and anyone else in a top 2 conference. So what do we have on the rest of the college football landscape when it comes time to hire? Bones. Auburn is (as usual) a cluster. ASU is a total rebuild. UNC competes with three other P5 jobs JUST IN STATE, and the five GT fans left want them to commit to the triple while their administration wants to commit to academics. What do they have on us? Well, they can say that their on-field product isn't an embarassing meme, but more importantly they can recruit well locally (ideally). What do we need? We need a developmental coach with experience recruiting nationally, building culture, professionalism, coaching experience, and a reputation for maximizing talent in scheme, particularly OL/DL. Who comes to mind? My list is as follows. I'm sure it's not everyone's, but I'm excluding anyone toxic or anyone that would need to move laterally. I'm also excluding Chris Petersen and Dan Mullen since I want to be realistic and I'd personally never give up a broadcasting job for this. I'd take Petersen though. - Bill O'Brien: Saban academy grad who will be a top option for all the jobs I mentioned and whatever else opens up. He's a stabilizing force who will bring a modern, professional operation. Penn State should NOT have recovered and the job he did there deserves a lifetime achievement award. Say what you will about his Texans tenure and I'd probably agree with you, but he brought a basement dweller to within a few plays of a super bowl berth. I don't see the negative aspects of his tenure there translating. - Mike Gundy: He would leave based on his recent comments re: T. Boone Pickens. All indications are that he would kill it. - Mark Stoops: Sounds like he's fighting the administration and something will give eventually. He would be an easy sell to a nostalgic fanbase and his on-field product at Kentucky would translate well here in all phases. Especially significant considering what they were before he arrived. Great recruiter also. - Matt Campbell: Say what you want about his performance in big moments, but he's got Iowa State at their absolute ceiling right now. I think of him as what HCSF was supposed to be. Some might say he would never come since he's 'reportedly' passed up big opportunities but I think he's gotta move soon since Iowa State's topped out. - Jeff Monken: I think he's got what it takes to be a great P5 coach that would change his scheme. I don't expect him to run the option wherever he goes next. - Bret Bielema: I think he's changed since he took the Illini job and he would bring a great staff with him. He seems to have Illinois trending and fundamentally sound. - Jeff Hafley: He's done a great job considering what BC is capable of. He'll be back in the big ten soon and would do a great job here. Wouldn't be at the top of my list but deserves a call. Guys I've excluded as I don't see them leaving: Aranda, Fickell, Guys I wouldn't want that many of you do: Urban, Kiffin, Tom Herman B-Tier Candidates I think would do a good job: Jim Leonhard, Ken Niumatalolo, Sean Lewis, Leipold, Jonathan Smith