So far no one on the list has impressed me.

Tyrone Nix - I do not think Ty can unite the fan base. also after South Carolina's collapse this season Ty's stock fell.

Ellis Johnson - This guy is a defensive coordinator not a head coach.

Larry Fedora - If hired we will be going through this again in a few years when another BCS team comes looking for a HC.

Chris Hatcher - offensive guy who has been a head coach @ Valdosta St & Georgia Southern, I think he could be loyal & stay but can he win in D1A?

Steve Campbell - This guy has done a great job on the CC level, but will the restrictions a D1A school has could he have the same kind of success?

What does anyone think about Dennis Franchone?

If Chris Hatcher doesn't impress you, you don't know much about football. He is an amazing coach. Yes, he will win and win big in FBS, but I don't think USM would be anything other than a temporary stop for him along the way to a BCS conference job. Nothing against USM at all, but I hope that he doesn't go there.

Steve Campbell won a D-II championship at Delta State; so, his resume runs a bit deeper than success at the JUCO level.

Hatcher & Campbell are both impressive coaches, no doubt about it but D1A has more restrictions than D1AA or II. That part keeps me on the fence with those two.

I did read that USM may have been in contact with Terry Bowden. THAT would be an interesting hire. Doubt it would happen but would give USM the "name" coach to help compete against some of our rivals.

eagleriffic Wrote:Hatcher & Campbell are both impressive coaches, no doubt about it but D1A has more restrictions than D1AA or II. That part keeps me on the fence with those two.

I did read that USM may have been in contact with Terry Bowden. THAT would be an interesting hire. Doubt it would happen but would give USM the "name" coach to help compete against some of our rivals.

Terry Bowden seems to be scrambling to get a coaching job this season. Did ABC dump him, or is he hoping to win at some other school so that FSU will hire him when daddy retires?

I heard that Bowden's deal with Auburn prevented him from coaching for 9 or 10 years. Also I agree with you IF he can put up a good record somewhere then when Daddy does retire, he could be a serious candidate.

I'd like to see him @ USM. I think he'd do a good job with us - or any team that hires him.

I'm worried about USM being able to come up with $$$$ to get a good coach.

One iffy season at South Carolina should not disqualify Tyrone Nix. As head coach, he'd presumably have a few seasons and recruiting classes to set USM football right, not a one season shot.

If you're not sold on Nix, then how about these names: John L. Smith, Charlie Strong (Florida DC), Mike Shula, Rob Spence (Clemson OC), David Cutcliffe (Tenn. OC)...?

John L. Smith & Charlie Strong are both good options. I'm not sold on Mike Shula or Cutcliffe. I like Tyrone Nix, but I just don't think he had what it takes at this time to unite the USM fan base.