BTN's Dienhart: What are college football's 'destination' jobs?

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per Dienhart:

What FBS schools would I consider to be “destination” jobs? By my count, there are 25 such jobs in America.

ACC (5)
Clemson
Florida State
Louisville
Miami (Fla.)
Virginia Tech

Big 12 (2)
Oklahoma
Texas

Big Ten (6)
Michigan
Michigan State
Nebraska
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin

Pac-12 (4)
Oregon
USC
UCLA
Washington

SEC (7)
Alabama
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
LSU
Tennessee
Texas A&M

Independents
Notre Dame

http://btn.com/2014/12/12/dienhart-what-are-college-footballs-destination-jobs/

Go Gophers!!
 


What FBS schools would I consider to be “destination” jobs? By my count, there are 25 such jobs in America.

ACC (5)
Clemson - Have Coaches been saying Clemson is a "destination"? Isn't that a major qualifier?
Florida State
Louisville - When Conferences were re-aligning how many of them said "We have to get Louisville!"
Miami (Fla.) - Not since they were handing out 100 bills on the sidelines.
Virginia Tech - Good program but how many name coaches would stand in line to get the job after Beamer retires?

Big 12 (2)
Oklahoma
Texas

Big Ten (6)
Michigan
Michigan State
Nebraska
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin - Great recent and 20 year track record, but you can't lose 2 Head Coaches in 2 years to Arkansas and Orgeon State and be a "destination" school.

Pac-12 (4)
Oregon
USC
UCLA
Washington - Not for years.

SEC (7)
Alabama
Auburn
Florida
Georgia
LSU
Tennessee - Not since Kiffin left. Better yet when the sanctions hit.
Texas A&M

Independents
Notre Dame

http://btn.com/2014/12/12/dienhart-what-are-college-footballs-destination-jobs/

Fun to speculate about at least.

Go Gophers!!
 


Didn't realize Tom was such a big ACC fan. Geez.

Lists like this are dumb. I guess Saben didn't feel Michigan State was a "destination job." But, they have had a few decent seasons under Dantonio so now it is a "destination job." The good news is if the Gophers have a similar run under Kill, presto, MN will be a destination too.
 


Big 12 (1)
Oklahoma
Texas

Big Ten (4)
Michigan
Nebraska
Ohio State
Penn State

Pac-12 (2)
Oregon
USC

SEC (3)
Alabama
Florida
LSU

Independents
Notre Dame

To me these are the jobs that are persistent "destination" jobs, meaning a coach would leave nearly any other job for one of these and isn't including jobs that are current flavor of the month kind of things due to a recent run of success (Mich St for example)
 

Ski U Master said:
Big 12 (1)
Oklahoma
Texas

Big Ten (4)
Michigan
Nebraska
Ohio State
Penn State

Pac-12 (3)
Oregon
USC
Washington

SEC (3)
Alabama
Florida
LSU

Independents
Notre Dame

To me these are the jobs that are persistent "destination" jobs, meaning a coach would leave nearly any other job for one of these and isn't including jobs that are current flavor of the month kind of things due to a recent run of success (Mich St for example)
Click to expand...

I think this list is much better. I'd remove Washington though and add Florida St., Auburn, and probably Georgia.
 

I think Tom was pretty generous here. Those are all pretty great jobs, but I wouldn't consider them all destination jobs.
 

Ski U Master said:
Big 12 (1) Oklahoma Texas Big Ten (4) Michigan Nebraska Ohio State Penn State Pac-12 (3) Oregon USC Washington SEC (3) Alabama Florida LSU Independents Notre Dame To me these are the jobs that are persistent "destination" jobs, meaning a coach would leave nearly any other job for one of these and isn't including jobs that are current flavor of the month kind of things due to a recent run of success (Mich St for example)
Click to expand...

I'd take Washington and Penn State off of here. Then I agree with you completely.
 



GopherWeatherGuy said:
I think this list is much better. I'd remove Washington though and add Florida St., Auburn, and probably Georgia.
Click to expand...

Oops missed Washington, definitely shouldn't be there. Fl St, Auburn, GA don't feel to me on the same level as the others I kept. Just a hair down from the rest of the programs.
 

Stupid article IMO
Michigan state wasn't a "destination job" as recently as 5 years ago.
Iowa would have been in 2005.

Washington is such a destination job that their coach just bolted last off season.



How come Kansas state isn't a destination job? It was for bill Snyder.
Louisville' coaches have bolted on multiple occasions in recent years, and the best the could do last off-season was a rehire of a disgraced petrino.



Each job is unique, as is each person.
There is no such thing as a macro "destination jobs"
That question is different for each individual.
 

I do not agree:
I believe there are few destination jobs. "Destination jobs" mean the new coach basically get any support he wants, and they are physically close to a lot of recruits. Further it is not possible to have more than 25% of the schools in a conference be destination jobs:
B1G:
Destination jobs:
1)OSU
2)Michigan
3) PSU
Really good jobs for a really good coach:
4) MSU
5) Wisconsin
6) Nebraska
Really Tough jobs for any coach
7) NW
8) Indiana
9) Purdue
Jobs that can be good for the right coach:
10) Iowa
11) Minn
12) Ill
13) Rutgers
14) Maryland

SEC:
1)Alabama
2)Florida
3) Georgia
4) LSU
Really Good jobs for a Really good coach:
5) T A&M
6) TN
Really tough jobs for anyone:
7) KY
8) Vanderbilt
Jobs that can be good with the right coach:
9) usc
10) MSU as current coach has shown
11) Ole Miss- ditto
12) Mizzou as Pinkel has shown
13) ARkansas



ACC:
Destination:
1)FSU
Really good jobs for a really good coach

2)Clemson
3) Louisville
Tough jobs for anyone
4) Virginia
5) Wake Forest
6) North Carolina State
7) BC
8) Duke - enjoy Cutcliffe while you have him
9) syracuse

Jobs that can be good for the right coach:
10) Virginia Tech -Beamer has done a great job
11) Miami
12) Unc
13) Pitt
14) GTECH




Big12
Destination jobs:
1) Texas
2) Oklahoma
Really good jobs for a really good coach:
3) Marginally KSU and OSU, maybe only OSU and that is due to t. Boone and the proximity to Texas talent
REALLY Tough jobs for anyone:
4) Kansas
5)Iowa State
6) TCU- Patterson is a miracle worker
Jobs good with the right coach:
7) Baylor
8) TT
9)WVU

PAC12
1) USC
2) marginally Oregon as long as Knight supports it
Really good jobs for really good coaches:
3) UCLA
4) Stanford
5) Washington
Really tough jobs for anyone:
6) Oregon State
7) Washington State
Jobs good for the right coach:
8) ASU
9) Arizona
10) Cal
11) Colorado- although they put themselves in a deep hole
12) Utah
 

Dear Lord. Dienhart's list is terrible. I agree mostly with Ski U Master's list above, except I would add FSU and Miami because those 3 Power 5 jobs in Florida are heavily desired by most everyone due to the wealth of in-state HS talent.
 



corcoran1 said:
I do not agree:
I believe there are few destination jobs. "Destination jobs" mean the new coach basically get any support he wants, and they are physically close to a lot of recruits. Further it is not possible to have more than 25% of the schools in a conference be destination jobs:
B1G:
Destination jobs:
1)OSU
2)Michigan
3) PSU
Really good jobs for a really good coach:
4) MSU
5) Wisconsin
6) Nebraska
Really Tough jobs for any coach
7) NW
8) Indiana
9) Purdue
Jobs that can be good for the right coach:
10) Iowa
11) Minn
12) Ill
13) Rutgers
14) Maryland

SEC:
1)Alabama
2)Florida
3) Georgia
4) LSU
Really Good jobs for a Really good coach:
5) T A&M
6) TN
Really tough jobs for anyone:
7) KY
8) Vanderbilt
Jobs that can be good with the right coach:
9) usc
10) MSU as current coach has shown
11) Ole Miss- ditto
12) Mizzou as Pinkel has shown
13) ARkansas



ACC:
Destination:
1)FSU
Really good jobs for a really good coach

2)Clemson
3) Louisville
Tough jobs for anyone
4) Virginia
5) Wake Forest
6) North Carolina State
7) BC
8) Duke - enjoy Cutcliffe while you have him
9) syracuse

Jobs that can be good for the right coach:
10) Virginia Tech -Beamer has done a great job
11) Miami
12) Unc
13) Pitt
14) GTECH




Big12
Destination jobs:
1) Texas
2) Oklahoma
Really good jobs for a really good coach:
3) Marginally KSU and OSU, maybe only OSU and that is due to t. Boone and the proximity to Texas talent
REALLY Tough jobs for anyone:
4) Kansas
5)Iowa State
6) TCU- Patterson is a miracle worker
Jobs good with the right coach:
7) Baylor
8) TT
9)WVU

PAC12
1) USC
2) marginally Oregon as long as Knight supports it
Really good jobs for really good coaches:
3) UCLA
4) Stanford
5) Washington
Really tough jobs for anyone:
6) Oregon State
7) Washington State
Jobs good for the right coach:
8) ASU
9) Arizona
10) Cal
11) Colorado- although they put themselves in a deep hole
12) Utah
Click to expand...

I really like your breakdown. On the surface the only one I would move for sure would be TCU taking it from tough job for anyone to good job for the right coach (as I think this is what Patterson has proved). It would seem to me that any job in the state of Texas has a chance to be a good one for the right coach given the extremely high level of talent located right in their backyard.
 

Ski U Master said:
Oops missed Washington, definitely shouldn't be there. Fl St, Auburn, GA don't feel to me on the same level as the others I kept. Just a hair down from the rest of the programs.
Click to expand...

Good list. I would also add to my criteria of a Destination Job, is a school where there is so much tradition, facilities, fan support, money, and recruiting available, that everything you need to win big is right there waiting for you. The only way a head coach leaves this position for another college job is if they get fired, or get in legal/ncaa trouble.
 

My question would be this as a qualifier.

Would you or has anyone recently left a coaching job for somewhere else within NCAA football?

I'm not a good enough of a historian to say if that job exists, but that pretty much is the definition of a "Destination Job" to me. Extenuating circumstances (leaving one destination for another due to Alma-matter or hometown affiliation) could make make this

The ones that jump out to me as possibilities.

OSU
Michigan
Florida
USC
FSU
Nebraska
Texas
Alabama
OU
 

Winasota Gopher said:
My question would be this as a qualifier.

Would you or has anyone recently left a coaching job for somewhere else within NCAA football?

I'm not a good enough of a historian to say if that job exists, but that pretty much is the definition of a "Destination Job" to me. Extenuating circumstances (leaving one destination for another due to Alma-matter or hometown affiliation) could make make this

The ones that jump out to me as possibilities.

OSU
Michigan
Florida
USC
FSU
Nebraska
Texas
Alabama
OU
Click to expand...
I'm sure it's out there, but it would be interesting to see which schools have gone the longest without a coach voluntarily leaving for another program.
 

Ski U Master said:
I'm sure it's out there, but it would be interesting to see which schools have gone the longest without a coach voluntarily leaving for another program.
Click to expand...

It's been nearly forever since a coach voluntarily left Minnesota.
 

ACC (1)
Florida State

Big 12 (2)
Oklahoma
Texas

Big Ten (3)
Michigan
Ohio State
Penn State

Pac-12 (2)
Oregon
USC

SEC (4)
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
LSU

Independents
Notre Dame


There's your updated list.

Auburn is a stretch and is only getting hyped because of the Cam/Natty year.
UCLA is not a destination job, you are playing second fiddle to basketball inside your own athletic department and to the Trojans in your own city.
Miami hasn't been since the demolition of the OB and won't be until the administration decides it wants to emphasize football again.
Anyone calling Louisville a destination job has a laughable opinion on the matter.
 

I'm not sure what the definition of a destination school is anymore. Ten to fifteen years ago, Michigan could have hired anyone off the street and had a decent chance at winning. It was a self-sustaining thing - people wanted to go to Michigan and Michigan could choose who it wanted. All you had to do was not screw it up.

I don't know that any school is in that situation any more. People are exposed to so many more schools now via TV, internet, etc. It's a completely different situation. Also, one down year at a power is enough to get you canned, where years past guys like Schembechler and Hayes and Osbourne etc. could have down seasons and people were patient enough to let them ride them out.

Because of that, taking the Michigan job or tOSU or whatever is fraught with risk. You know if you win 9 games a year at MN you will probably get a building named after you. At Nebraska? You get canned.

I think because of that, jobs that used to be "destination" jobs aren't, and some of the mid-tier jobs are. Think about it - would Bill Snyder leave K-State if he was offered Michigan (pretending he wasn't 100 years old)? Would Patterson leave TCU for Nebraska? They know they can write their own ticket. Whereas if they aren't in the B1G title game in 4 years at MI or NE they are likely on the way out or close.
 

JoeDirt said:
It's been nearly forever since a coach voluntarily left Minnesota.
Click to expand...

Forever may be stretching a little but it has been nearly 30 years since anyone left Minnesota voluntarily.
 

A destination job is one you leave in only 3 ways:

Die
Get Fired
Retire
 


To me what makes a destination job is two things winning and/or fan support. Some here say Washington and Penn St are not destination jobs but boy do they have a lot of fan support. The Huskies despite competing with a Super Bowl Champ here in Seattle play in a packed stadium and the pre game party is second to none in my opinion. Tennessee plays in a giant stadium full of dedicated fans. What kills me about this list is Louisville. They play in a tiny stadium and have one good season in their entire history. Sure it came two years ago, but damn is that an exaggeration. It almost smacks of complete fabrication in an effort to artificially build them up. Their one big win is against a reeling Notre Dame. Last year they beat no one of consequence on their way to the classic low level success story season of surprising a better team in a bowl game.
 

Here's what Dienhart said was his definition of a destination job:
"To me, to be a “destination,” a job must afford a coach the ability to win at a high level on a consistent basis. You have to be able to compete for and win championships at the school year in and year out. - See more at: http://btn.com/2014/12/12/dienhart-what-are-college-footballs-destination-jobs/#sthash.oqqXAk6L.dpuf"

Now, I think his list is fair and accurate based on his definition, but I also think his definition is grossly inaccurate. I'd have a much higher definition for what constitutes a "destination" job.

First off, "destination" implies that it's a place a coach would want to go to, and stay at, for the rest of his career, never to be lured away by any other NCAA program. What constitutes a "destination" job for any individual coach can vary widely. Northwestern (IIRC) is a destination job for Fitzgerald. Wisconsin probably is for Chryst. I'm sure there are many other examples, mostly based on affinity for a given school based on alumni status, etc.

But if you want to make a general definition, I'd assert you have to say that a "destination" job is a job that a coach would not leave to go to another NCAA job because of perceived increased status/ability to win. In other words, if your school has a coach who is 3-5 years into his tenure (therefore still young enough to consider switching and not there so long as to be overly attached to your school), would he leave if offered a job at another school just based on increased prestige/ability to win?

Based on that criteria/definition, my list would be, basically westcoastgopher's list, but I'd probably add Nebraska and I might drop Georgia. I think Wisconsin is/was getting towards destination status, but not there yet.
 

Mason made it pretty clear that MN was not his destination school. He did not seem to be thoroughly engaged post the tOSU rejection.

I often wonder if MN had been able to hire a coach after Mason went to OSU rather than releasing him following a bowl collapse, if a Kill type would have been hired over Brewster, and that part of history could have been avoided.

With the knowledge that those hiring would not have changed - it is just as fair to assume that they would have made a similar hire as they did post firing.
JoeDirt said:
It's been nearly forever since a coach voluntarily left Minnesota.
Click to expand...
 

I think your notation on each coach having their own definition, and thus answer, for what schools are destination jobs. I respect that, and those coaches with strong personal destination definitions may not see the "Helmet" schools as any more of a destination than that one special dream job. I certainly hope there are more of those coaches out there as opposed to the gold digging fame seeking sorts who will leave rebuilding projects built on wizardry and other frail foundations for golden domes of a prefabricated, born-on-third-base, meccas of college football.
 

McGopherFan said:
I often wonder if MN had been able to hire a coach after Mason went to OSU rather than releasing him following a bowl collapse, if a Kill type would have been hired over Brewster, and that part of history could have been avoided.
Click to expand...

If Mason had gone to OSU, we would have hired the runner up Sweater Vest, who would've Lou Holtzed us the first chance he got.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Forever may be stretching a little but it has been nearly 30 years since anyone left Minnesota voluntarily.
Click to expand...

While that is true, Mason tried so very hard, and publicly too, to get tOSU job in 2001 that it seems much more recent. Saying "if that phone rings I'm gonna answer it" didn't help matters either.
 

How could he leave north dakota off the list?

Or is that just a destination for talent missed only by The "U" and their coaching staff?
 

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