FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[M and L]

I think adding another team would definetly benefit the Big Ten.  It would strengthen the conference most deffinetly especially if they added a good calibar team like ND or Pitt.

I would love to see ND join the Conference just b/c I don't think that they can compete I would love to see Kelly fall short just like his predissors.  If they do join the Big Ten will ND still keep scheduling nonconference with the PAC 10?

Granted the Big Ten is a much bigger market, TV ratings and revenue ect..., but they have a good thing going in the Big East and are already in BCS conference.  Do they really want to leave the good thing that they have going for them?  IS the grass that much Greener on the other side?

[Adam Sayer]

Joe Pa didn't want ND because of their location...not because they turned the bid down once. He wanted another team from the Eastern Seaboard to increase the area of the Big 10, and in turn, increase the number of fans of the Big 10.

Missouri wouldn't make sense to me. Though they are in the midwest, they are already a part of a conference with a set system, and a conference championship game. If you remove Missouri, you now have an uneven number of teams in each division of the Big 12 (not to mention that smaller division would be the Big 12 North which is already the weaker division). You also don't gain a dramatic increase in fan support.

Pittsburgh would be the best choice. They have a pretty solid tradition, though they haven't competed for a Nat'l Championship in awhile, and they have a pretty large fan base. Geographically, they also fit and would for one hell of a rivalry with Penn State (College football loves rivalry games).

Kevin, I think your source was wrong about Shanahan. If he really was interested enough to be interviewed and was friends with UC's AD, then he would have gotten the job. He has better football credentials than someone who has spent his whole career as an assistant coach (only has 3 years as a HC). He may have been in town...but it wasn't to interview for the HC at UC.

[SaintsFAN]

Kevin, I think your source was wrong about Shanahan. If he really was interested enough to be interviewed and was friends with UC's AD, then he would have gotten the job. He has better football credentials than someone who has spent his whole career as an assistant coach (only has 3 years as a HC). He may have been in town...but it wasn't to interview for the HC at UC.

www.footballcoachscoop.com   --- its on there too about Shanahan.  

Monday, December 14, 2009

Cincinnati:
FootballCoachScoop has learned that Mike Shanahan is no longer a candidate at UC.  We have been told his desire is to return to the NFL.  According to
our sources, Athletic Director has narrowed the search to Butch Jones (Central Michigan Head Coach) and Skip Holtz (East Carolina Head Coach).


Also... it makes no sense for UC (or Rutgers for that matter) to enter into the Big 10.  It comes down to dollars and while UC is a major university... they can't compete with the large state institutions (and their money).  It would not make sense for UC to do that.  It would also kill the Big East if Pitt left... they'd be left with 7 teams and could lose their BCS status.  


How would ND not compete in the Big 10?  The only teams that have been more than decent are Iowa, Ohio State and Penn St.   They would beat Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota and Illinois.  Thats 5 wins per year... plus Mich St, Mich, Wisc don't exactly scare anyone either.  

ND won't join the Big 10... because, why would they?  They have things the way they want them with their affiliation now.  Football doesn't need a conference -- and thats why most people like seeing them fail.  

[M and L]

Really who can ND compete with if you look at there six wins.  Out of there six wins they only beat two teams by more than 7 points Nevada 35-0, woopie,  and Washington State 40-14.  Ya they were 2-1 in the Big Ten this year.  But that was against bottom feeders Purdue with score of 24-21, Michigan State 33-30, just barely getting by those teams.  And who could forget the lose to Michigan.

Given that all of there loses were not blow outs if you consider the box scores and that average margin is by less than seven points.  Put I think only two of those loses was only to two Ranked teams.  Bottom line, ND is what they are a .5oo team.  And if you look at the past three coaches for over the last decade history is pretty clear on that.  Don't get me wrong I grew up loving Notre Dame, but they fit right in the with all the mediocer teams at best in the Big Ten like Wisconsin, Minn. and Michigan State.


My opion of ND and how they handle there buuisness with this Brian Kelly ordeal had greatly changed my outlook on them.

[SaintsFAN]

Really who can ND compete with if you look at there six wins.  Out of there six wins they only beat two teams by more than 7 points Nevada 35-0, woopie,  and Washington State 40-14.  Ya they were 2-1 in the Big Ten this year.  But that was against bottom feeders Purdue with score of 24-21, Michigan State 33-30, just barely getting by those teams.  And who could forget the lose to Michigan.

Given that all of there loses were not blow outs if you consider the box scores and that average margin is by less than seven points.  Put I think only two of those loses was only to two Ranked teams.  Bottom line, ND is what they are a .5oo team.  And if you look at the past three coaches for over the last decade history is pretty clear on that.  Don't get me wrong I grew up loving Notre Dame, but they fit right in the with all the mediocer teams at best in the Big Ten like Wisconsin, Minn. and Michigan State.


My opion of ND and how they handle there buuisness with this Brian Kelly ordeal had greatly changed my outlook on them.

I agree about ND being mediocre since Holtz left... and they were lucky to be .500 this year.  That said, the Big 10 absolutely is way down.  ND could join the Big 10 and make MORE money due to the TV deals the Big 10 has with ESPN and ABC, but they want to keep their rivalries with teams like USC and Navy intact.  It keeps the alumni involved. 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-17-big-ten-notre-dame-dec17,0,7857636.story

I'm curious what they did with Kelly to have people who say they are fans change their outlook on them.  Even the most stubborn fans of ND that I know of (ones that thought Stoops or Meyer would come running to South Bend-- which was crazy to think), like the hire.  Don't be mad at the circumstances --- THATS the NCAA's fault.  They need to move the signing period back a month or two and then have a date when teams can start hiring (like they do in mens basketball).

I think the Irish are in great shape.  I'm also a UC fan... have friends who played at UC and my buddy is applying to be the new strength coach... that said, Kelly was going to leave at some point.  He listened to job offers from Washington and Tennesse last year, so I'm glad he's at least at ND and one of my teams will be coached by him.  Also... Butch Jones is a great hire.  That and he's keeping Combs in Cincy... Cincy will not miss a beat without Kelly because of Jones.  

I think some of my fellow UC fans need to chill out on Brian Kelly.  

[M and L]

Oh don't get me wrong the NCAA should be castigated for letting the buisness go this rout; they let turn heads and let it happen.  The big part why I grow up adhering to ND football was due to the fact I was raised in a strict Catholic family.  Which is very similar to the Judeo Mission statment that the College holds themselves and their athletics as well.  I just figured they would handle the hiring of new coach, be it Brian Kelly in a more professional manor.  Some where along the lines of their Mission Statement, You know less crocked.

Don't get me wrong I'm not mad that Kelly left to follow his life long dream to coach at ND.  ND is the one that came calling and waving dollar bill signs in Kelly face.  It wasn't the other way around.  I can't place bitterness on Kelly for that.  If the shoe was on the other foot.  Who knows what I would do, probably something similiar.

Andy, your write the writing was on the wall, Kelly wasn't going to be lifer here at Cincinnati.  It was only a matter of time.  The way he departed the team is what leaves a bitter taste in my mouth for ND.

[SaintsFAN]

I guess I really don't see how ND could've done anything differently.  THEY didn't leak a thing... the media pushed the story along.  All ND did was hire a coach... UC went through the SAME thing in the past week.  Their coach is leaving before the bowl game also.  Its the way it is --- and I agree with you, it sucks. 

No offense, but agree to disagree.  and it doesn't sound like you were a huge fan if your choice of words is "adhere".  The only thing that ND did here was to hire a coach.  The search firm gauged interest, then they met with 3-4 guys about the position and made one offer.  Then, kept it extremely quiet for 4 days so Kelly could tell his team after the Banquet. 

[Jackets Backer]

I guess I really don't see how ND could've done anything differently.  THEY didn't leak a thing... the media pushed the story along.  All ND did was hire a coach... UC went through the SAME thing in the past week.  Their coach is leaving before the bowl game also.  Its the way it is --- and I agree with you, it sucks. 

No offense, but agree to disagree.  and it doesn't sound like you were a huge fan if your choice of words is "adhere".  The only thing that ND did here was to hire a coach.  The search firm gauged interest, then they met with 3-4 guys about the position and made one offer.  Then, kept it extremely quiet for 4 days so Kelly could tell his team after the Banquet. 

Yeah, I don't know how else ND or BK could've handled this situation. College football is so weird in the fact there's a month break between a team's last game and bowl game. ND needed a coach and this is a major time for recruiting so they needed someone in place so kids knew who was going to be their coach. Cincy got screwed too with BK leaving and the Bearcats going to the Sugar. It's sad for the kids at UC but Kelly has always wanted to coach the Irish and this was his chance (I don't think any of us would've done anything different when your dream job is staring you right in the face). He coaches the Sugar Bowl and he's SOL getting the ND job because they would've moved on and got someone else in place because ND can't wait that long.

Rich Rod had to do the same thing from WVU to Michigan. It was a once in a lifetime chance to coach at a place both these guys wanted to coach and they had to make the decision to leave their school with a big bowl game on the horizon. People are going to be hurt but that's the business.

It's a double-edged sword for all parties involved really. Totally agree AF, it is what is and that's how college football works. I don't know if there's a solution to coaches leaving their school with a bowl game left and an institution that is courting them.  Maybe the NCAA could put a rule in effect that says a coach can't leave his school until after a bowl game and a program without a coach can't come calling until all the bowl games are concluded.

Still don't see something like that happening because that would really leave a program in a bind without a coach for possibly up to six weeks right during an important recruiting period.

I can't think of a way for this to be fixed and it's just going to continue and everyone will have to live with the outcomes when big-time college football programs come calling.

[altor]

I just received a "Christmas card" from Coach Taylor and the DC football team that contains their 2010 schedule.

Sep 4 @Muskingum
Sep 11 @Adrian
Sep 18 Anderson
Sep 25 @Hanover
Oct 2 MSJ
Oct 9 RHIT (Homecoming)
Oct 16 @Manchester
Oct 23 @Earlham
Nov 6 Franklin
Nov 13 @ Bluffton

[M and L]

Nope, never really was a die hard fan.  Matter fact, really don't have a specific team that I root for.  Growing up in a single parent home.  Grandma was the only one who turned on the TV in my family to watch football.  Saturday was ND b/c they were America's Catholic team, Penn St. b/c of she loved and admirred her "little Italian Joe Pont".  Then Sundays we watched the hometown "Bungles" as she put it. The only team that I have ever been loyal to were those that I was either playing /played for or coached/coaching for and the people that I was associated with during those times.  Teams change with new coaches and new personalities come in with different people.  Guys come and go.

If a AD decides to let a guy who he chose like Charlie.  Then why can't they bear those six months of recruiting lumps during that down time between the last game and bowls games?  Thats all I'm saying.  But its not set up like that.   Systems no perfect, or there would be a playoff.  So life goes on.


What time is the Stagg Bowl?

[dc_has_been]

I wonder why ND and BK couldn't just wait to finalize things till after the Cincy's bowl game.   Recruiting shouldn't be affected for ND since they are not playing in a bowl game this year so what diffence would it really make.  I know it would have been a hard thing to keep quite, but maybe ND could have waited to interview till after the New Year.  Just my opinion.

Altor-Thanks for the post.  Glad to see Adrian still on the schedule.

Does anyone know if Muskingum game is still in contract or did DC and Muskingum renew?

[M and L]

Who else did ND interview?

Hey, Did DC have 6 home games this past year?

[SaintsFAN]

Nope, never really was a die hard fan.  Matter fact, really don't have a specific team that I root for.  Growing up in a single parent home.  Grandma was the only one who turned on the TV in my family to watch football.  Saturday was ND b/c they were America's Catholic team, Penn St. b/c of she loved and admirred her "little Italian Joe Pont".  Then Sundays we watched the hometown "Bungles" as she put it. The only team that I have ever been loyal to were those that I was either playing /played for or coached/coaching for and the people that I was associated with during those times.  Teams change with new coaches and new personalities come in with different people.  Guys come and go.

If a AD decides to let a guy who he chose like Charlie.  Then why can't they bear those six months of recruiting lumps during that down time between the last game and bowls games?  Thats all I'm saying.  But its not set up like that.   Systems no perfect, or there would be a playoff.  So life goes on.


What time is the Stagg Bowl?

11am kick in the Stagg Bowl

Different AD... the AD who hired Charlie Weis was Kevin White, who resigned in June 2008.  

They couldn't wait, has_been because of recruiting.  Doesn't matter about whether or not they play a bowl game.  Kelly has a very busy two months ahead of him.  If they had waited, they'd have been behind the 8-ball with recruiting.  Its already hard enough to find guys who "fit in with ND"

They also interviewed Randy Edsall, Skip Holtz and depending on who you talk to Jack Harbaugh

[Adam Sayer]

People honestly believe Notre Dame will never join a conference. In my opinion, they are Brian Kelly, failed coaching tenure away from almost being forced to make a decision. If this doesn't work out, and Notre Dame is still mediocre, I think they almost have to join a conference. Joining a conference (Big East most likely because basketball is already there) provides the following:
1. Automatic BCS Bowl game - In order for ND to play in a BCS bowl, they have to finish in the top 8.
2. The chances of playing in a Bowl (BCS or otherwise) dramatically increase - Most BCS conferences have 6 Bowl tie-ins...ND will always finish in the top 6 in any conference. Many BCS conferences get 2 teams to a BCS bowl, even if they are not in the top 10.
3. Guaranteed money every year, even if a Bowl game is not played. - Since conferences share the Bowl wealth, if ND has a bad year (5-7/4-8), they still get some cash.

As of now, football isn't bringing in money to the department...if it continues, they will have to reconsider. ALSO, if BK fails, ND will be working on almost 25 years of mediocrity.

[KYGrizzly]

Joe Pa didn't want ND because of their location...not because they turned the bid down once. He wanted another team from the Eastern Seaboard to increase the area of the Big 10, and in turn, increase the number of fans of the Big 10.

Sorry I must have interpreted it wrong when he said Notre Dame had its chance and shouldn't be asked again.

Link to Article: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009912160378