CSNbbs

Love today's update, it's keeping us in the news.

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-footb...res/rumors

UAB's options as next head coach
10:21AM ET
UAB Blazers Top Names to watch

John Neal - Oregon DB coach, spent eights seasons as UAB asst. coach.
Jason Phillips - Houston offensive coordinator, played one season (the only season) for the Birmingham Barracudas.
Mike Canales - North Texas offensive coordinator, former USF offensive coordinator to help recruit panhandle.
Lance Thompson - Tennessee DL coach, strong ties to Southeast.

Alabama-Birmingham decided to part ways with its head coach, Neil Callaway, after its fifth straight losing season. The Blazers' opening isn't in the category as other jobs being discussed in Rumor Central, so a different type of candidate will be seen as the school hashes out its next leader on the gridiron.

Pete Roussel of CoachingSearch.com generated an initial group, "The list of candidates for the UAB head coach job may include Jason Phillips (Houston - offensive coordinator / wide receivers), John Neal (Oregon - defensive backs), Mike Canales (North Texas - offensive coordinator / quarterbacks), and Lance Thompson (Tennessee - defensive line)."

An early favorite for the opening may be Oregon defensive backs coach John Neal.


"Sources continue to tell us that the local fan support is with John Neal, current defensive backs coach at Oregon who has significant coaching experience at UAB," FootballScoop.com wrote.

"The AD has told his staff that he would like to have the search completed within 2 weeks. We hear the AD is already setting up interviews with a number of candidates."

- Brent Sobleski

I like that we are moving so quickly. It would be great if we could have a new coach within two weeks.

Understatement. (in regards to local fan support backing Neal)

Phillips & Canales? Nope.

Playing for Barracudas should automatically disqualify you.

We don't need help recruiting the panhandle, so throw out Canales.

Just my opinion.

Alabama-Birmingham decided to part ways with its head coach, Neil Callaway, after its fifth straight losing season. The Blazers' opening isn't in the category as other jobs being discussed in Rumor Central, so a different type of candidate will be seen as the school hashes out its next leader on the gridiron.

Call us UAB, DAMMIT!

(11-29-2011 12:12 PM)hooverblazer Wrote: [ -> ]I like that we are moving so quickly. It would be great if we could have a new coach within two weeks.

Depending on how soon John Neal can interview, there may be a decision by around this time next week, give a day or two.

Lance Thompson - Tennessee DL coach, strong ties to Southeast.
John Neal - Oregon DB coach, spent eights seasons as UAB asst. coach.
Jason Phillips - Houston offensive coordinator, played one season (the only season) for the Birmingham Barracudas.
Mike Canales - North Texas offensive coordinator, former USF offensive coordinator to help recruit panhandle.

They nailed the top 4. Good job ESPN. I don't say that very often. Take note of the order I placed them in.

I would say of that list Neal is my top choice.
Have no issues with Lance.
Jason Phillips intrigues me.

Truthfully, I am not as familiar with the bottom 2 so I probably should do some research.

I know people will question this, but what the heck, it is only my opinion.

1) John Neal
2) Lance Thompson
3) Bill Clark
4) Tommy Bowden
5) Tubby Bowden

(11-29-2011 12:20 PM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]Truthfully, I am not as familiar with the bottom 2 so I probably should do some research.

I know people will question this, but what the heck, it is only my opinion.

1) John Neal
2) Lance Thompson
3) Bill Clark
4) Tommy Bowden
5) Tubby Bowden

I like the list but I would reorder like this and exclude Bill Clark:

1. Tommy Bowden (please at least call him BMack)
2. John Neal
3. Lance Thompson
4. Tater Tot
5. Ask John Neal again in a different tone of voice (pretty please)

I have no idea if Clark will even be interviewed, I will try and find out tomorrow if I can, but if he isn't interviewed, I would double his salary to come to UAB and be DC.

Just me.

I don't think you would have to ask John twice, by the way.

It'd be okay with me if no one named Bowden is even asked to interview.

In the end, we may not have that option anyway.

Both of the two are dwindling down my list.

Not contacting Tommy Bowden would be a mistake if he expressed any interest in the opening! The man can coach! Never had a losing season as HC. Undefeated season at Tulane, many bowl games, graduated his players, is a class act, and is a great communicator like his dad with boosters. No brainer to me.
Lets get serious with this hire.

Tommy should, at the very least, be interviewed

(11-29-2011 12:18 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]Lance Thompson - Tennessee DL coach, strong ties to Southeast.
John Neal - Oregon DB coach, spent eights seasons as UAB asst. coach.
Jason Phillips - Houston offensive coordinator, played one season (the only season) for the Birmingham Barracudas.
Mike Canales - North Texas offensive coordinator, former USF offensive coordinator to help recruit panhandle.

They nailed the top 4. Good job ESPN. I don't say that very often. Take note of the order I placed them in.

I would say of that list Neal is my top choice.
Have no issues with Lance.
Jason Phillips intrigues me.

Giving hints AB?

Let just say for instance that someone who used to be associated with a certain program had some dirt on that program, would he be able to get what he wanted like perhaps an on campus stadium?

(11-29-2011 12:59 PM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]Let just say for instance that someone who used to be associated with a certain program had some dirt on that program, would he be able to get what he wanted like perhaps an on campus stadium?

Maybe, or wind up spending Christmas in the trunk of a '74 Nova at the bottom of Smith Lake.

Could go either way.

Lance Thompson doesnt have a prayer because we don't want him.

I, personally, don't want him

I don't want him as my first option.

I suspect that he may be interviewing for it rather soon.

if that's the top 4 [imo] it's a pretty weak list.
my understanding is we'll be offering $600-700K. we should be setting our sights a little higher.