Reports suggest Tom Herman will be the head coach for USC next season.

Whose reports? I'd like to see sources. It's still too early for coaches to have already signed on with another team. Anything released now would just be a verbal agreement and still liable to fall apart. Any reports could also be used for contract leverage (see Nick Saban to Texas rumors every year).

EDIT: Well, would you look at that: http://espn.go.com/ncf/story/_/id/142220...ecocks-job

Quote:Houston's Tom Herman, who has guided the Cougars to a 10-1 record in his first season as a head coach, is no longer a candidate for the South Carolina job, the sources said.

I saw that, which is about as big of a blow to them as they could get. #1 target says no.

Maybe they can bring Lou Holtz back.

Kirby is a good choice. USC needs recruiters and he's among the best.

There's a good chance that Herman will stay at Houston. If UH has an inside track to Big 12 membership then there's no reason for him to be hasty in leaving. That's not a slam on South Carolina's program though, I don't think.

If Kirby is taking that job. Then Saban might be on the verge of retiring or trying the NFL again. Kirby is extremely loyal and has followed Saban everywhere. Sabans wife once said that he was like a son to them. So if NS is pushing him to go. Then something is up.

(11-26-2015 09:11 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  If Kirby is taking that job. Then Saban might be on the verge of retiring or trying the NFL again. Kirby is extremely loyal and has followed Saban everywhere. Sabans wife once said that he was like a son to them. So if NS is pushing him to go. Then something is up.

I think you are on to something here. If Saban wins it all this year then he will have to be tempted to do one of two things: 1. Retire or 2. Move for a new challenge. Nick will be 65 next October. I'm betting on retirement. The only job I could see him taking would be Texas. The opportunity to win 3 national championships at 3 different schools would be one of the few things I think he would find appealing. I'm not sure anyone in the modern era has ever done that. That move could also become the Longhorns excuse to make a move to someplace they said they would never go.

(11-25-2015 05:06 PM)XLance Wrote:  Maybe they can bring Lou Holtz back.

Actually the job at South Carolina reminds me of NC State.
Loud, boisterous fans that are delusional.
When a coach takes either job, he knows that his ceiling is third place in this own division and won't be able to dominate recruiting in his own state.
It's a crappy job and South Carolina will have a hard time finding a young energetic coach, so they will probable have to resort to an old guy that is past the prime of his career that just wants a retirement paycheck.

(11-26-2015 09:11 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  If Kirby is taking that job. Then Saban might be on the verge of retiring or trying the NFL again. Kirby is extremely loyal and has followed Saban everywhere. Sabans wife once said that he was like a son to them. So if NS is pushing him to go. Then something is up.

I don't see that Saban is pushing Smart to take a job. Smart has been looking for his first head job for a while now, but is patient. He interviewed for the Auburn job a couple of years ago and has been linked to a couple of others.

I do expect him to finally leave this year though with all the openings. I also expect Kiffin to leave as his employment was meant to be a short term project anyway.

Plus, if Saban was getting ready to leave then I don't think you'd see Smart heading for South Carolina because he would probably be the top choice to replace Saban.

(11-26-2015 10:51 AM)JRsec Wrote:  I think you are on to something here. If Saban wins it all this year then he will have to be tempted to do one of two things: 1. Retire or 2. Move for a new challenge. Nick will be 65 next October. I'm betting on retirement. The only job I could see him taking would be Texas. The opportunity to win 3 national championships at 3 different schools would be one of the few things I think he would find appealing. I'm not sure anyone in the modern era has ever done that. That move could also become the Longhorns excuse to make a move to someplace they said they would never go.

I could see Saban taking the Colts job although I think it is unlikely. He doesn't gain anything at Texas that he doesn't already have at Bama.

What you have to consider is that his wife loves college coaching much more than life in the pros. He's also in his 60s now and starting over somewhere else would be quite a project.

While I don't think he's ready to retire, I do think he loves where he's at. I think Bama came along at just the right time in his career. Odds are, he will retire here.

(11-26-2015 10:51 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 09:11 AM)hawghiggs Wrote:  If Kirby is taking that job. Then Saban might be on the verge of retiring or trying the NFL again. Kirby is extremely loyal and has followed Saban everywhere. Sabans wife once said that he was like a son to them. So if NS is pushing him to go. Then something is up.

I think you are on to something here. If Saban wins it all this year then he will have to be tempted to do one of two things: 1. Retire or 2. Move for a new challenge. Nick will be 65 next October. I'm betting on retirement. The only job I could see him taking would be Texas. The opportunity to win 3 national championships at 3 different schools would be one of the few things I think he would find appealing. I'm not sure anyone in the modern era has ever done that. That move could also become the Longhorns excuse to make a move to someplace they said they would never go.

If Saban is retiring soon, Kirby should stick around and take over for him.

(11-26-2015 12:02 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(11-25-2015 05:06 PM)XLance Wrote:  Maybe they can bring Lou Holtz back.

Actually the job at South Carolina reminds me of NC State.
Loud, boisterous fans that are delusional.
When a coach takes either job, he knows that his ceiling is third place in this own division and won't be able to dominate recruiting in his own state.
It's a crappy job and South Carolina will have a hard time finding a young energetic coach, so they will probable have to resort to an old guy that is past the prime of his career that just wants a retirement paycheck.

What. He. Said.

(11-26-2015 05:52 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 12:02 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(11-25-2015 05:06 PM)XLance Wrote:  Maybe they can bring Lou Holtz back.

Actually the job at South Carolina reminds me of NC State.
Loud, boisterous fans that are delusional.
When a coach takes either job, he knows that his ceiling is third place in this own division and won't be able to dominate recruiting in his own state.
It's a crappy job and South Carolina will have a hard time finding a young energetic coach, so they will probable have to resort to an old guy that is past the prime of his career that just wants a retirement paycheck.

What. He. Said.

Kirby Smart

(11-26-2015 06:00 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 05:52 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 12:02 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(11-25-2015 05:06 PM)XLance Wrote:  Maybe they can bring Lou Holtz back.

Actually the job at South Carolina reminds me of NC State.
Loud, boisterous fans that are delusional.
When a coach takes either job, he knows that his ceiling is third place in this own division and won't be able to dominate recruiting in his own state.
It's a crappy job and South Carolina will have a hard time finding a young energetic coach, so they will probable have to resort to an old guy that is past the prime of his career that just wants a retirement paycheck.

What. He. Said.

Kirby Smart

Maybe so, but he'd bolt for UGa or Bama given the opportunity. Heck, LSU could nab him this year.

(11-26-2015 08:22 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 06:00 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 05:52 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 12:02 PM)XLance Wrote:  

(11-25-2015 05:06 PM)XLance Wrote:  Maybe they can bring Lou Holtz back.

Actually the job at South Carolina reminds me of NC State.
Loud, boisterous fans that are delusional.
When a coach takes either job, he knows that his ceiling is third place in this own division and won't be able to dominate recruiting in his own state.
It's a crappy job and South Carolina will have a hard time finding a young energetic coach, so they will probable have to resort to an old guy that is past the prime of his career that just wants a retirement paycheck.

What. He. Said.

Kirby Smart

Maybe so, but he'd bolt for UGa or Bama given the opportunity. Heck, LSU could nab him this year.

L.S.U. and UGa are interested in Fisher. Kirby won't go to a division where he has to play against Nick. Now if Nick retires or goes to Texas (only possibility I see that he would be interested in) then perhaps Smart stays at Bama.

Personally I think Richt would be a good fit for Missouri. Any way you cut it the fruit-basket turnover is going to be prime this year. So we'll see.

(11-26-2015 08:54 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 08:22 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 06:00 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 05:52 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 12:02 PM)XLance Wrote:  Actually the job at South Carolina reminds me of NC State.
Loud, boisterous fans that are delusional.
When a coach takes either job, he knows that his ceiling is third place in this own division and won't be able to dominate recruiting in his own state.
It's a crappy job and South Carolina will have a hard time finding a young energetic coach, so they will probable have to resort to an old guy that is past the prime of his career that just wants a retirement paycheck.

What. He. Said.

Kirby Smart

Maybe so, but he'd bolt for UGa or Bama given the opportunity. Heck, LSU could nab him this year.

L.S.U. and UGa are interested in Fisher. Kirby won't go to a division where he has to play against Nick. Now if Nick retires or goes to Texas (only possibility I see that he would be interested in) then perhaps Smart stays at Bama.

Personally I think Richt would be a good fit for Missouri. Any way you cut it the fruit-basket turnover is going to be prime this year. So we'll see.

Would be surprised if fisher left FSU. Already won a national championship and makes $5M/year. It would be a lateral move at best. And let's face it - he has a smoother path to the CFP in the Atlantic division.

(11-26-2015 09:40 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 08:54 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 08:22 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 06:00 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 05:52 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  What. He. Said.

Kirby Smart

Maybe so, but he'd bolt for UGa or Bama given the opportunity. Heck, LSU could nab him this year.

L.S.U. and UGa are interested in Fisher. Kirby won't go to a division where he has to play against Nick. Now if Nick retires or goes to Texas (only possibility I see that he would be interested in) then perhaps Smart stays at Bama.

Personally I think Richt would be a good fit for Missouri. Any way you cut it the fruit-basket turnover is going to be prime this year. So we'll see.

Would be surprised if fisher left FSU. Already won a national championship and makes $5M/year. It would be a lateral move at best. And let's face it - he has a smoother path to the CFP in the Atlantic division.

Nothing against you, but you guys are in such denial about Jimbo and Dabo. Just watch and see.

LSU is going to go after Chip Kelly or Jim Mora. Southern Cal will be going after Jeff Fisher. Les Miles ends up at South Carolina.

(11-26-2015 10:55 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 09:40 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 08:54 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 08:22 PM)ren.hoek Wrote:  

(11-26-2015 06:00 PM)JRsec Wrote:  Kirby Smart

Maybe so, but he'd bolt for UGa or Bama given the opportunity. Heck, LSU could nab him this year.

L.S.U. and UGa are interested in Fisher. Kirby won't go to a division where he has to play against Nick. Now if Nick retires or goes to Texas (only possibility I see that he would be interested in) then perhaps Smart stays at Bama.

Personally I think Richt would be a good fit for Missouri. Any way you cut it the fruit-basket turnover is going to be prime this year. So we'll see.

Would be surprised if fisher left FSU. Already won a national championship and makes $5M/year. It would be a lateral move at best. And let's face it - he has a smoother path to the CFP in the Atlantic division.

Nothing against you, but you guys are in such denial about Jimbo and Dabo. Just watch and see.

I'll gladly eat crow if need be, but barring some behind the scenes conflict with FSU administration, jimbo has no reason to make that move. I bet he plays it for a raise.

As for Dabo, I could see him leaving for Alabama for obvious reasons. Or he may decide to stay rather than coach in the shadow of Bryant and Saban. He has a great deal of sweat equity in Clemson and has changed the culture to his very own. There are a lot of good reasons he would stay. Clemson isn't hurting for money, but Alabama can pay more than anyone not named Texas. It wouldn't be about money for Dabo. It's never been about money to him. He makes about 3.3M now and I'd imagine he'll get a bump to 4.5ish after this year. I haven't heard him mentioned for any jobs this year anyway.

I don't see Dabo bailing this year. He's got a good situation and there aren't a lot of programs on a level above Clemson.

Looks like South Carolina will go after Smart. I think Richt will be safe for at least another year. Les Miles looks like he is out. Not sure Jimbo Fisher wants that job, but I suppose it is possible. In the event Fisher does leave, who would FSU go after? That's certainly an attractive job.

I have no idea who Mizzou goes after. There are rumors that Dan Mullen is looking at Maryland although I'm not sure I see him making that move. In the event he did leave, MSU could be left in the lurch. VT...Bud Foster maybe?

Where does Fuente land? I think Lane Kiffin gets another shot this year, not sure where though. USC is open so they will probably go after a proven coach and then we've got yet another chain reaction.

Lots of turnover this year.

You guys been keeping up with the sports talk on radio? If not you might be surprised. I didn't make up any of the current conjecture that I posted. Mullen has been mentioned in some circles for V.T. He's not been talked in the South to be interested in Maryland. The first name on Georgia's list was Jimbo Fisher. If Richt had lost to Auburn, which certainly could have happened as neither team played well in that game, then there would be no over his leaving. A loss to Georgia Tech could bring the same outcome. But, if he beats Tech then he might stay, might. We'll see.

As for L.S.U. I'll say this, if they didn't already have an ace lined up for head coach, then I doubt they would have been talking about Les being gone so publicly. Smoke that over.