BREAKING: Willingham officially out at Washington
by Grady Clapp on Oct 27, 2008 1:11 PM PDT
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PrintESPN is reporting Ty Willingham will step down as the head coach of Washington, effective at the end of the football season. The entire Evergreen State saw this decision coming a mile away, but now it's official.
So, the question for you, Coug fans, is what do you think? Are you glad the U-dub is going through another coaching change? Are you concerned they may actually hire someone who will return them to prominence?
Also, of the possible coaching candidates (Mike Riley, Chris Peterson, Lane Kiffin, etc.), which one scares you the most? Which one scares you the least?
Let us know your thoughts.
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Re:Coach
No way Riley even thinks about that job, he has a much better program where he is at and is a Corvallis native. He may use it as a way to get a raise, but no way he seriously considers it. Chris Petersen would really be scary, but he did turn UCLA down last year. Kiffin is unproven so I would prefer they get him or even an old Pat Hill whos age would work against him as far as the length of the rebuild. The only real proven coach besides Petersen that I think they may have a shot at is Pinkle, but I don’t know why he would leave Missouri for UW unless he really likes the area.
Re:Coach
Don’t forget about Mora, Jr. Haven’t there been rumors Holmgren will come back for another year? I wouldn’t rule him out until someone else is hired. One of the reasons they may have announced it before the end of the season is to contact coaches that can talk. I think as an assistant, Mora can talk about a possible deal.
The UW is going to throw money at this. I’ve seen people believe $3M minimum depending on the guy. Probably more for Pinkle or Mora. They can’t afford to make a bad hire. Riley would totally shock me as would Harbaugh. Should be fun to watch.
As for WSU, it’s year 2 of the rebuild. Yes UW impacts recruiting and other things but Wulff has to worry about WSU. No matter who UW hires it won’t change the fact that the WSU staff is going to have to work harder than anyone in the conference. By the way, the “plan” he discussed with Grippi of the Spokesman gives me a ton of hope. It’s well thought and a good plan for WSU.
I don't think Mora can take this job...
Mora is already under contract as the head coach of the Seahawks next season. So unless they break that contract… 1. Holmgren can’t stay to be the head coach of the Seahawks next year. 2. Mora can’t / won’t be looking at other job offers: ie UW.
So hypothetically, Holmgren could take the job at UW… but I doubt he would want to.
Our worst nightmare come true
One “someone” — former Oakland Raiders head coach and USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who said Monday he is interested in the opening. A person familiar with Washington’s plans told ESPN’s Joe Schad that Kiffin would be among the coaches considered, and added the program will begin its search immediately.
“The University of Washington is a great gob,” Kiffin told Schad. “And it’s one I’m sure a lot of people will be interested in.”
Ugh. That guy scares the pants off me.
And don’t underestimate the influence of Don James in the recruitment of Pinkel.
Oh, and one other thing: Imagine the chaos that will really ensue if Mora wants this job. Can you imagine what would happen with the Seahawks? Holy cow.
cfred, why can’t Mora take a college job? Is it somehow binding or language that would not allow him to take another job? Interesting if true because there his name is on every blog I have seen about potential replacements.
I can’t see Holmgren taking a college job but a lot stranger things have happened?
Husky Handicapping
Kiffin – 27%
Pinkel – 23%
Mora Jr -20%
Peterson – 10%
Riley -5%
Field – 15%
Holmgren has promised his wife that he won’t coach next year. And if he does, he’ll take the SF job before UW.
Riley most likely won’t leave a good situation at OSU, same for Peterson.
Mora Jr will have a hard time leaving the Hawks, but I can’t rule him out since UW is his “dream job”.
Kiffin seems the most likely, especially if UW acts early.
The plus side on Kiffin or Mora is that neither have run a successful college program, so there’s an inherent risk with either one. Either way we have to hope the job isn’t viewed as what it used to be.
Peterson is the only one that "scares me"
But I remember hearing that he’s really interested in Oregon and will probably wait for that job to open up.
I don’t understand why Mora would pass up head coaching the Seahawks to head coach the Huskies. He’s been around the NFL for ages, it seems to me like he might want to stick there. Though I suppose he’s got enough ties to UW that it’s not out of the question – maybe he’d rather go where there’s less pressure and he’ll be idolized!
I don’t know about Kiffin, isn’t he going to Rutgers?
I don't believe in the existence of the St. Louis Rams. They're just an urban legend!
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