Full speed ahead
by John Berkowitz on Dec 2, 2008 1:17 PM PST
21 comments
Jim Mora remains the front runner this morning to become the next head coach at the University of Washington according to various sources I respect. Despite that the search isn't over and is continuing as Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and his wife are headed into Seattle for an interview today. Obviously if it was a done deal with Mora the athletic department wouldn't be continuing to interview potential candidates.
Brian Kelly who was one of the top candidates this weekend announced that he has dropped out of the running choosing to remain with the Bearcats who announced a stadium expansion plan today in addition to considerable improvements in the overall athletic plant at the University. Those improvements were rumored to be in doubt but according to what I read today they are going forward. Good luck finding that kind of money in Southern Ohio.
Kelly is still a good bet to reconsider and take the Notre Dame job later this week if it comes open. He has let it be known that the BC and ND positions are his dream jobs. There is a pretty good chance that Weis will be fired this weekend according to my sources in South Bend.
1. Jim Mora
There hasn't been a single indication out of Seahawk headquarters that anything has changed regarding the status of Jim Mora. I have a very good source who has insisted all along that Mora was not the guy and everything we have heard has simply been a rumor that has grown with the telling. I don't know what to believe about Mora because I hear so many things coming from so many directions. Obviously where there is smoke there must be fire.
2. Mike Leach
If Leach is truly coming to Seattle, and there are actual witnesses that he is on the plane, it means he wants the job. he wouldn't waste his time if he did not. Leach actually applied the last time the job was open to Todd Turner and was ignored so the interest has always been there. We all know Leach can coach and he can build a program. He also wouldn't have a tough time attracting players such as Jake Heaps, Kasen Williams, and Gino Simone. If you want to make a national splash Leach just may be your man.
3. Mystery Candidate?
According to Hugh Millen there is a mystery candidate that will interview that nobody has really mentioned or thought would still be in the running. That could be anyone from Les Miles, Nick Saban to Cal Poly's Rich Ellerson. Don't laugh but the Cal Poly coach is on the list and may be a pretty good fit. John McGrath of the New Tribune wrote a nice piece on Ellerson a couple of days ago. John must read this blog because this was the only place his name has been mentioned.
4. Kyle Whittingham
Don't count out Whittingham who is one of the hottest coaches in the country right now. We all know his background and he would be a very good fit for the job if hired.
5. Pat Hill
Hill is high on the list but we don't know exactly where he falls behind Mora. If you are looking to make a splash he isn't it despite being an excellent coach. I think the blowout loss he absorbed at the hands of Boise State may have moved him down a notch or three.
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Mora?
He has said more than once than he is not interested and he is going to take over the seachickens after this year.
So why is he still the front runner when Leach and mystery candidate are coming to interview and Mora is not?
45-35
more than once?
I recall only one statement from Mora, where he simply said “I’m not a candidate”. He didn’t say he wasn’t interested.
And what makes you think we know of all the interviews Woodward has conducted? If Mora really is still in play, you think that’s going to be made public?
I’m trying to remain skeptical Mora will come, but the fact that Leach is interviewing doesn’t mean Mora isn’t still in play, or possibly even delivered. Leach interviewing could be to provide a smoke screen for the UW and Mora, and to provide Leach with leverage to use against Texas Tech.
It’s likely that Mora isn’t in the mix and Leach is the front-runner, but nobody really knows outside of Woodward, Emmert and the coaches involved.
You Guys Don't Want Leach
He’s horrible, he’s worthless, he’s weird ………..and he’s ours!!!!!
We don’t get much to be happy about out in the stinking desert. Don’t take the one thing we do have. You have no idea how much fun it is to take down those crybaby Longhorns. :-)
Remember – Don’t Mess With Texas. Our wrath can be awesome [see Mexico]. (now where’s that old cannon of mine?)
ya, you took out the longhorns once for the first time in 6 years.
ya thats what I thought, shut up.
45-35
Hook’em it was a joke. Get it? You know, like how you pretend Tech didn’t beat UT a few weeks back? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Shut up.
ummm
You have no idea how much fun it is to take down those crybaby Longhorns. :-)
ya sounds like a joke alright… or an insult.
45-35
Mora
The job is still Mora’s if he wants it but it looks like the deadline is Wednesday. Look for UW to have a new head coach no later than next Monday. Also expect Chris Petersen to possibly jump back into the picture with the rumor that Mike Bellotti is going to be retiring in about 45 minutes and moving up to the AD position.
This Wednesday or next Wednesday?
And how do we know about next monday the new coach will be announced?
45-35
I hear this Wednesday Dec 3
We’ll see.
Mora has been asked more than once if he’s still not a candidate, since his one press release that he’s not a candidate for the UW job, and has not answered the question
If Petersen is back in play, I think we have to take a serious look at that opportunity
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
Has anyone
actually turned the job at Udub down as of yet? Hear lots and lots of names, but has anyone been made an offer to this point?
Rumor has it Muschamp was secured
by Texas because he was offered the UW job. Not sure how true this is.
LEACH!!
If he is out here for an interview he HAS to be interested. Get Leach here now so he can get some recruits.
Leach is absolutly interested.
He tried to get the UW job 4 years ago and went HARD after the UCLA job last year.
Leach
I see Mora as a longshot for leaving the Seahawks unless the Hawks have there eye on someone else. Leach would be as good as we are going to get and sounds like all efforts are on him. This is Leach’s year to leave Lubbock with the kind of season he is having and he can leverage the UW situation for a very nice contract.
If that does not work we fall back on Pat Hill who I think will do better than people think.
Rick Ellerson
John,
The other John heard about Rich Ellerson from Don Borst who must be the one reading your Blog. More people should be checking out your opinions.
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