(08-11-2018 06:18 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  I really believe coach Houston loves his job and him and his wife are enjoying raising their children in Harrisonburg. So, if Florida or Michigan come calling, alright. I'd wish him the best of luck. But he ain't leaving for an ODU or any G5 program IMO ... maybe an AAC school. I think he's got a lot of pride in this program and has fun laying the bricks he is and we're going to be in a great place in a couple of years.

Agree. And, the likes of Florida or Michigan aren't hiring a D1AA head coach. I know you were using those programs for illustrative purposes to make your point. Point remains that when you break it down, the comments that Houston has made continue to be reinforced. That is, and I'm paraphrasing, words to the effect of "there are only some special opportunities that I may be interested in".

By process of elimination, that break down means he is no candidate whatsoever for the elite programs of the P5. At least, not directly from JMU to them. He may work his way up one day to that level. Won't surprise me at all. The mid-to-lower levels of the P5 are unlikely. Possible, but unlikely. 4 of the 5 G5 conferences are highly unlikely with 90% of that collection being non-options. That leaves the AAC as you mentioned.

Imagine that. We fans should read what a head coach who we all admire and take him at his word. What a concept!

Of course, since this thread is pure fantasy, I'm hearing Lou Rowe has been contacted by Duke to replace Coach Krysjlksajmdlkam;slkmd;lksamdksmdklmaslkdmlksmdlksmdlkmsdlkmaksjndhns;kdjnslkski when he retires.

The only logical reason for an FBS school to balk at an FCS coach is because of their stupid donors. Football is football. Houston knows his football and he knows how to coach it. Ohio State hired Jim Tressel from Youngstown and they won the national championship. I'm happy those people look at hiring a coach from an FCS school as minor league or whatever. Keep hiring Lane Kiffin all you want.

(08-11-2018 06:27 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(08-11-2018 06:18 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  I really believe coach Houston loves his job and him and his wife are enjoying raising their children in Harrisonburg. So, if Florida or Michigan come calling, alright. I'd wish him the best of luck. But he ain't leaving for an ODU or any G5 program IMO ... maybe an AAC school. I think he's got a lot of pride in this program and has fun laying the bricks he is and we're going to be in a great place in a couple of years.

Agree. And, the likes of Florida or Michigan aren't hiring a D1AA head coach. I know you were using those programs for illustrative purposes to make your point. Point remains that when you break it down, the comments that Houston has made continue to be reinforced. That is, and I'm paraphrasing, words to the effect of "there are only some special opportunities that I may be interested in".

By process of elimination, that break down means he is no candidate whatsoever for the elite programs of the P5. At least, not directly from JMU to them. He may work his way up one day to that level. Won't surprise me at all. The mid-to-lower levels of the P5 are unlikely. Possible, but unlikely. 4 of the 5 G5 conferences are highly unlikely with 90% of that collection being non-options. That leaves the AAC as you mentioned.

Imagine that. We fans should read what a head coach who we all admire and take him at his word. What a concept!

Of course, since this thread is pure fantasy, I'm hearing Lou Rowe has been contacted by Duke to replace Coach Krysjlksajmdlkam;slkmd;lksamdksmdklmaslkdmlksmdlksmdlkmsdlkmaksjndhns;kdjnslkski when he retires.

Personally I don't think it's too far fetched that HCMH could make the jump to a low level P5 like Kansas, Illinois, or maybe even Oregon State. I think he could definitely jump to any AAC. Houston, Memphis, and UCF would be less likely but I think HCMH has proved historically that he can move up to the next level and continue dominating (Lenoir-Rhyne -> Citadel -> JMU).

I don't like this thread but I will add my input. Currently, the only school/job I am keeping tabs on is Maryland. It looks like their coach is going to get fired after being put on administrative leave due to an investigation into the football program because of a death from a player during off-season work outs.

Maryland is in the Big 10 which is an appeal despite the fact they play in the eastern division( Ohio State, Penn St, Michigan). The school announced they are building a state of art football facility thanks in part from a large donation from UA Kevin Plank.

Because the school is in a tailspin from the investigation they may not garner a lot of interest from other coaches. The job would allow Houston to keep all his recruiting contacts and he already recruits the state of Maryland well.

The question is would booster Kevin Plank signoff on the decision to go after a FCS coach.

(08-11-2018 01:12 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-11-2018 01:09 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  If we have the season we hope to have, he'll have P5 opportunities. A move to ODU wouldn't make any sense as it would be lateral at best. We're going to play this game every year but I hope Mike sticks around and builds up this JMU program into something special.

Absolutely. That 10 year contract means very little if a big P5 comes callling for MH, but it would be super if JMU transitions to the next level and holds onto him.

I believe it is in Houston's best interest to stay at JMU, no matter what. He has much more to lose if he takes a BCS job where the expectations are off the charts, than he does staying at JMU, secure in a long-term contract, where he can take the Dukes to the promised land.

More than any other FCS team that has moved up in recent years, JMU is far and away better and more ready for the bigs. I believe a consistent Top 25 ranking (a la Boise State) is not unthinkable, and I believe this factored into MH's decision to stay.

The UMD job has yet to be considered anything other than a project. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe our Mike Houston should be looking for a program with a tradition of winning. I believe he saw that JMU has been winning since 2004 and his goal was to make us greater than we had ever been. Taking a non-winner to the promised land just doesn't seem to be in his DNA.

Maryland opening would definitely make me nervous.

(08-12-2018 08:42 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  The UMD job has yet to be considered anything other than a project. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe our Mike Houston should be looking for a program with a tradition of winning. I believe he saw that JMU has been winning since 2004 and his goal was to make us greater than we had ever been. Taking a non-winner to the promised land just doesn't seem to be in his DNA.

Well he did start at LR and the Citadel so I don’t think he would shy away from a challenge. I do believe he feels at home at JMU, but he can afford to be selective and will have offers that will be hard to turn down.

If nothing else, MH seemed committed to JMU because JMU was committed to providing the resources necessary for (student) success. He believes in what JMU aspires to be with regard to its collegiate athletics approach.

Given that (and what we know about GSU), there's no way he moves to ODU. I'm not sure enough about how UMD stands behind their programs. Kind of doubt UMD would hire a FCS head coach though. I honestly don't think that Mike Houston would leave JMU (or anywhere) as his season is about to begin. Just doesn't seem to be the kind of man he is.

(08-11-2018 07:31 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  The only logical reason for an FBS school to balk at an FCS coach is because of their stupid donors. Football is football. Houston knows his football and he knows how to coach it. Ohio State hired Jim Tressel from Youngstown and they won the national championship. I'm happy those people look at hiring a coach from an FCS school as minor league or whatever. Keep hiring Lane Kiffin all you want.

There is so much truth to this statement and it has always sickened me. A wealthy donor has no greater insight or expertise as to who would be the best candidate than the average message board poster. What they do posses in many cases, is a petulant attitude when they don't get what they want. The end result can be the loss of their donation.

Deez, I agree. I give crap to our admin for certain choices, but I love their willingness to go far to keep Houston happy. I also love their principled approach to supporting women’s athletics fully.

(08-12-2018 10:00 AM)olddawg Wrote:  

(08-11-2018 07:31 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  The only logical reason for an FBS school to balk at an FCS coach is because of their stupid donors. Football is football. Houston knows his football and he knows how to coach it. Ohio State hired Jim Tressel from Youngstown and they won the national championship. I'm happy those people look at hiring a coach from an FCS school as minor league or whatever. Keep hiring Lane Kiffin all you want.

There is so much truth to this statement and it has always sickened me. A wealthy donor has no greater insight or expertise as to who would be the best candidate than the average message board poster.

True. That said, JMU has experienced this phenomenon, although in MBB with Sherman Dillard due to wealthy alums advocating on his behalf.

(08-11-2018 07:31 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  The only logical reason for an FBS school to balk at an FCS coach is because of their stupid donors. Football is football. Houston knows his football and he knows how to coach it. Ohio State hired Jim Tressel from Youngstown and they won the national championship. I'm happy those people look at hiring a coach from an FCS school as minor league or whatever. Keep hiring Lane Kiffin all you want.

Well, that's part of the reason, but coaches also need to have relevant experience and success. Tressel for example had already coached at Ohio St and proved himself successful recruiting in Ohio St's backyard. That'd be the equivalent of Coach Houston getting an offer from VT after having coached there previously for a few years, then going on to win 4 FCS championships within 7 years at JMU. How many FCS coaches have that kind of history/resume?

(08-12-2018 10:49 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-12-2018 10:00 AM)olddawg Wrote:  

(08-11-2018 07:31 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  The only logical reason for an FBS school to balk at an FCS coach is because of their stupid donors. Football is football. Houston knows his football and he knows how to coach it. Ohio State hired Jim Tressel from Youngstown and they won the national championship. I'm happy those people look at hiring a coach from an FCS school as minor league or whatever. Keep hiring Lane Kiffin all you want.

There is so much truth to this statement and it has always sickened me. A wealthy donor has no greater insight or expertise as to who would be the best candidate than the average message board poster.

True. That said, JMU has experienced this phenomenon, although in MBB with Sherman Dillard due to wealthy alums advocating on his behalf.

Oh, I remember that happening here quite well. And I've seen it unfold with Maryland football over the years as well.

There is a rivalry thread on the Liberty board. A poster there is has posted how it would be nice to have Mike Houston.

I hope JMU has a plan besides outspend the entire fcs field in all categories. The spend on athletics infrastructure buys benefit of doubt that the admin knows what it is doing ???.

(08-11-2018 09:56 PM)Rock House Duke Wrote:  I don't like this thread but I will add my input. Currently, the only school/job I am keeping tabs on is Maryland. It looks like their coach is going to get fired after being put on administrative leave due to an investigation into the football program because of a death from a player during off-season work outs.

Maryland is in the Big 10 which is an appeal despite the fact they play in the eastern division( Ohio State, Penn St, Michigan). The school announced they are building a state of art football facility thanks in part from a large donation from UA Kevin Plank.

Because the school is in a tailspin from the investigation they may not garner a lot of interest from other coaches. The job would allow Houston to keep all his recruiting contacts and he already recruits the state of Maryland well.

The question is would booster Kevin Plank signoff on the decision to go after a FCS coach.

The Maryland head football coach job is where coaches go to end their careers.

Can we nominate Longhorn for the worst thread title in the history of our message boards?

(08-11-2018 03:56 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  I believe the only Sunbelt/CUSA he'd leave for is Appy. They love their football. Otherwise it'll be an AAC team or P5.

This is accurate, I would guess. The only lower than AAC program we should worry about is App State. It’s AAC or higher for him.

I think we can all agree that the only reasonable content under this thread title is:

(08-12-2018 10:13 PM)bjk3047 Wrote:  I think we can all agree that the only reasonable content under this thread title is:

Perfect, a road trip with this thread locked in the trunk. Take the slow route and hopefully we get to game week before its arrival in Norfolk.