Gopher SID: "I can't confirm or deny anything in ESPN 1500's report"

[josh087]

I knew the answer when I noticed our AD wore khaki shorts and tennis shoes to our bowl games.

I knew the answer when he tried to copy Penn State's "We are....Minnesota" chant when he arrived.

 

[Silvio]

Any coach who thinks Brew should be keeping his job with less than 5 or 6 wins is irrational or delusional. Coaches have about as much respect for national pundits' predictions as you or I. I sincerely doubt that firing Brew for winning 4 games when Phil Steele said we'd win 2 would make coaching candidates take pause. Especially not given all the other factors (late season swoons, coordinator turnover, no rivalry wins).

While that may be correct the consensus for the poor record would be the defensive play. Many people felt that there was improved talent (based on perceived athleticism) but that due to inexperience it would take it's lumps. With a majority of (hypothetical) wins coming later in the year wouldn't it show that the team is putting it together and building toward the future. Now I believe this could be explained that the lose to USD was the simple reason for the firing. I believe it shows an irrational nature and lack of support from the Admin.

 

[GoAUpher]

While that may be correct the consensus for the poor record would be the defensive play. Many people felt that there was improved talent (based on perceived athleticism) but that due to inexperience it would take it's lumps. With a majority of your wins coming later in the year wouldn't it show that the team is putting it together and building toward the future. Now I believe this could be explained that the lose to USD was the simple reason for the firing. I believe it shows an irrational nature and lack of support from the Admin.

Depends on the wins. Ohio State at full strength? Iowa? MSU? Ok, maybe things get interesting. Injury decimated Purdue? Illinois? Mediocre Penn State? Not so much.

 

[Silvio]

Depends on the wins. Ohio State at full strength? Iowa? MSU? Ok, maybe things get interesting. Injury decimated Purdue? Illinois? Mediocre Penn State? Not so much.

Wouldn't all three of those less then monumental wins indicated the program has improved over USD and NIU (which lost to Illinois). I am not saying those wins alone would be enough to suppress to outcry from fans to can Brewster, but I believe they would show improvement over the earlier part of the season.

 

[Too Long in the Wasteland]

I wouldn't be shocked if Brew's people leaked it, to be honest. Puts the U in a bind and, as has been said, makes them look idiotic if the Gophs win. It must have been clear after the alleged meeting between Brew's reps and Maturi that something was going down.

Genius little bit of ju-jitsu on Brew's part if this is the case.

I hadn't thought of that, but there's some logic to it. If Brewster's agent was contacted, then he knows Brewster has nothing to lose. Might also explain why this was leaked to a relative unknown. Brewster wouldn't want the leak to get traced back to his camp. Otherwise he'd be gone before the PU game. Maybe Brewster (or his agent) is tight with the guy at 1500AM?

 

[BeerBibleBullets]

Not sure I agree with firing him mid-season, but it would give more time to find a replacement.

 

[norman dale]

I knew the answer when I noticed our AD wore khaki shorts and tennis shoes to our bowl games.

and was willing to pose for a picture with some yahoo wearing a maroon and gold sombrero.

 

[Silvio]

Not sure I agree with firing him mid-season, but it would give more time to find a replacement.

False. You don't have to fire someone to start looking for his replacement. Firing in season doesn't change the time frame when currently employed coaches will be able to interview (after their regular season has ended).

 

[tjgopher]

In my opinion, the benefit of a mid-season firing is clear.

1) Gets the natives off the U's back to fire him. The pressure was absolutely mounting.
2) Renews some spirit with a new look (albeit interim) coach.

And most importantly:

3) Allows Joel to wash his hands of Brewster and begin a search NOW. Remember how beneficial the extra time was when Monson was let go. Joel's people were talking to Tubby's people in DECEMBER. If Joel had not pulled the plug on Monson until the end of the year, there's likely no way Tubby is our coach today. Pulling the plug allows others to know the position is open and also allows candidates to pursue the gig without feeling the guilt of "am I forcing a current guy out by accepting?" There's no one to force out. It also allows Joel to move through back channels in an honest way - the job is open. No tricky language needed. No worries that word gets back to the current coach that his AD is putting feelers out elsewhere. And, guys in other jobs can begin planning a way to pursue this job should they want it.

All of that far outweighs have to sit through six more games of meaningless games.

 

[GoAUpher]

False. You don't have to fire someone to start looking for his replacement. Firing in season doesn't change the time frame when currently employed coaches will be able to interview (after their regular season has ended).

Sure, but if you do announce Brew's departure you can make your search committee public which makes the process somewhat easier.

 

[tjgopher]

False. You don't have to fire someone to start looking for his replacement. Firing in season doesn't change the time frame when currently employed coaches will be able to interview (after their regular season has ended).

1) A lot can be discussed before an interview is ever conducted.

2) Many coaches will never pursue a job while another coach is still coaching at a school.

3) Searching for a replacement through back channels while there's still a head coach employed at your school is low class. If you're going to fire a guy and you know it, then fire him. In addition, it frees Maturi to move forward and enter discussions on a more legitimate basis if the job is truly open.

4) You want another Tubby to "fall into Joel's lap?" Then, you best fire Brewster now, so Joel can go to work finding the next Tubby.

 

[GoAUpher]

Wouldn't all three of those less then monumental wins indicated the program has improved over USD and NIU (which lost to Illinois). I am not saying those wins alone would be enough to suppress to outcry from fans to can Brewster, but I believe they would show improvement over the earlier part of the season.

Now you're getting into huge what if territory. Ignoring the extreme unlikeliness of the scenario, what do those wins look like? Did we win because OSU turned the ball over 8 times because of bad decisions? Did we still give up 500 yards on defense and miss tackles left and right? Fact is, wins like that would make the losses more galling. Regardless of how the games looked you could argue improvement over the non-con games. But what about the Purdue loss? Or the Illinois loss?

No team that is capable of beating the #1 ranked team in the country should EVER lose to a bad 1-AA team. Period. Winning 2 "big ones" just makes the losses look even worse and doesn't do much to indicate overall progress in my mind. The only way you demonstrate progress in this far-fetched scenario is to straight up out-coach and out-play the team that is way better than you. How likely do you find that scenario to be?

 

[alphagopher]

Based on one game?? Sir, have you not watched the team play since the NU game in 2008? More recently, the past 6 weeks? The decision to cut brew lose is based on his body of work, which leaves much to be desired, to say the least...the timing of it is irrelevant-it is going to happen, we all know it, he knows it, done and done

 

[GoAUpher]

3) Allows Joel to wash his hands of Brewster and begin a search NOW. Remember how beneficial the extra time was when Monson was let go. Joel's people were talking to Tubby's people in DECEMBER. If Joel had not pulled the plug on Monson until the end of the year, there's likely no way Tubby is our coach today. Pulling the plug allows others to know the position is open and also allows candidates to pursue the gig without feeling the guilt of "am I forcing a current guy out by accepting?" There's no one to force out. It also allows Joel to move through back channels in an honest way - the job is open. No tricky language needed. No worries that word gets back to the current coach that his AD is putting feelers out elsewhere. And, guys in other jobs can begin planning a way to pursue this job should they want it.

3) Searching for a replacement through back channels while there's still a head coach employed at your school is low class. If you're going to fire a guy and you know it, then fire him. In addition, it frees Maturi to move forward and enter discussions on a more legitimate basis if the job is truly open.

4) You want another Tubby to "fall into Joel's lap?" Then, you best fire Brewster now, so Joel can go to work finding the next Tubby.

Exactly. +1000.

 

[Too Long in the Wasteland]

1) A lot can be discussed before an interview is ever conducted.

That's why you hire a search firm, or in Tubby's case, go thru 3rd parties.

2) Many coaches will never pursue a job while another coach is still coaching at a school.

The ones that do are probably aren't the kind you want long term at your school. If someone else's hot girlfriend is willing to fool around with you, just remember that if she becomes your GF history may repeat itself

3) Searching for a replacement through back channels while there's still a head coach employed at your school is low class. If you're going to fire a guy and you know it, then fire him. In addition, it frees Maturi to move forward and enter discussions on a more legitimate basis if the job is truly open.

Agreed. Considering that the U couldn't even keep a press release under wraps for 48 hours, I don't see much hope for them doing a search on the down low.

4) You want another Tubby to "fall into Joel's lap?" Then, you best fire Brewster now, so Joel can go to work finding the next Tubby.

BANG! Its better to be lucky than good. The other part of the equation is having someone to do a yeoman's job as the interim coach. Its kind of a thankless task. Molinari deserves a lot of credit for his work in between Monson and Tubby. He knew he wasn't going to get the job, and he faced several months of getting his azz kicked on a regular basis on the court. The interim guy on the football program faces a similar task, along with trying to salvage a recruiting class

 

[Silvio]

4) You want another Tubby to "fall into Joel's lap?" Then, you best fire Brewster now, so Joel can go to work finding the next Tubby.

I don't believe this can happen for football. If you recall Tubby was quite hesitant to fall into Brew's lap until Clem gave him a big push of the ledge. Do you think Mase will have high Praise for the U.

I would like to know who Tubby fell into Joel's lap exactly, wasn't he still the coach of Kentucky, surely some low brow activity took place before Joel has UK's permission to speak to him.

 

[Governor Sibley]

Amateur hour continues in this thread.

 

[Khaliq]

I don't believe this can happen for football. If you recall Tubby was quite hesitant to fall into Brew's lap until Clem gave him a big push of the ledge. Do you think Mase will have high Praise for the U.

There are other people willing to go to bat for the university apart from Mason. Loathe though I am to invoke his name I'm sure Dungy would be willing to put in a good word for the program and he does carry some weight on all levels of football.

 

[Silvio]

That's why you hire a search firm, or in Tubby's case, go thru 3rd parties.


BANG! Its better to be lucky than good. The other part of the equation is having someone to do a yeoman's job as the interim coach. Its kind of a thankless task. Molinari deserves a lot of credit for his work in between Monson and Tubby. He knew he wasn't going to get the job, and he faced several months of getting his azz kicked on a regular basis on the court. The interim guy on the football program faces a similar task, along with trying to salvage a recruiting class

I thought we used a search firm to get Brew?

Yes, I am so grateful that Molinari used his time as interim head coach to polish up his resume and Audition his skills in meaningful coaching situations as to what he could do as a head coach/ assistant coach. We should be grateful he even showed up to games.

 

[Khaliq]

I thought we used a search firm to get Brew?

I don't think the methodology was the problem with Brewster as much as the budget. They need to make a bigger financial commitment this time to broaden the field. The budget they set hamstrung the search and necessitated rolling the dice on a guy who ended up being all hat and no cattle.

 

[Silvio]

There are other people willing to go to bat for the university apart from Mason. Loathe though I am to invoke his name I'm sure Dungy would be willing to put in a good word for the program and he does carry some weight on all levels of football.

This is totally different. Dungy is a booster for the program pure and simple. He can offer no firm evidence about support a coach would receive from the Administration. Their is going to bat for a school (interested party) and their is giving a sound opinion with no real stake in the outcome other than giving good advice to a friend.

 

[tjgopher]

I don't believe this can happen for football. If you recall Tubby was quite hesitant to fall into Brew's lap until Clem gave him a big push of the ledge. Do you think Mase will have high Praise for the U.

I would like to know who Tubby fell into Joel's lap exactly, wasn't he still the coach of Kentucky, surely some low brow activity took place before Joel has UK's permission to speak to him.

The MN job opened in November. Tubby knew he wanted out of KY, so he had his people contact MN. If the job wasn't open in November, Tubby's people would never have known to contact MN. The back channel discussions that followed were based solely on the fact that the job was available. Had Monson still been coach, then Tubby's people never put out the feelers.

And, while Clem was helpful, it was hardly the end-all. Someone accepting the football coaching job at MN isn't going to need an endorsement from Glen Freaking Mason before he accepts it.

It is absolutely possible to do this again in football. If they do choose to fire Brewster mid-season, then Joel would be an idiot to not have Mark Richt's agent on the horn, Les Miles' agent on the horn, and others who have been discussed here frequently. With the job open, Joel can openly discuss potential options and get a feel for the situation months before any other jobs come open.

Look, Joel knows Brewster is gone. So, why wait? Get the future started ASAP.

 

[Khaliq]

This is totally different. Dungy is a booster for the program pure and simple. He can offer no firm evidence about support a coach would receive from the Administration. Their is going to bat for a school (interested party) and their is giving a sound opinion with no real stake in the outcome other than giving good advice to a friend.

Well if that's the case I don't know if there are any of Mason's pals I'd want in charge of the program.

The administration is going to have to make the case for the program on its own merits, and really it's not a bad case. They've got a brand new stadium, they're not totally bereft of talent, they're in a prestigious BCS conference that's a bit down and has upward mobility. It's just down to the school to make the financial commitment necessary to draw in the right class of candidate. That's the long and short of it.

 

[tjgopher]

I don't think the methodology was the problem with Brewster as much as the budget. They need to make a bigger financial commitment this time to broaden the field. The budget they set hamstrung the search and necessitated rolling the dice on a guy who ended up being all hat and no cattle.

The U offered Gary Patterson $2 million/year and he turned it down. Money was not necessarily an issue. TIME was the issue. They had to hire a coach FAST. Mason was fired on Dec. 31st. Brew was hired on Jan. 18. They were on a fast track and after Patterson turned it down, they went with Brewster who talked a big game in the interview. They didn't have enough time to fully vet all the candidates and had to rely too much on a guy talking his way into the job and less on the actual qualifications and background of a coach. If they let Brewster go NOW, then that gives Joel ample time to fully vet interested candidates. And, let's face it, Joel works better when given time to mull things!

 

[Khaliq]

If that's the case then what are we stressing about? We're going to cut bait with a good man who can't get the job done and we'll have plenty of time, budget and positives to bring in a much better candidate.

It's sad on a personal level because Brew is a good dude but this is the first step to the renewal of the program.

 

[Silvio]

Well if that's the case I don't know if there are any of Mason's pals I'd want in charge of the program.

The administration is going to have to make the case for the program on its own merits, and really it's not a bad case. They've got a brand new stadium, they're not totally bereft of talent, they're in a prestigious BCS conference that's a bit down and has upward mobility. It's just down to the school to make the financial commitment necessary to draw in the right class of candidate. That's the long and short of it.

I don't know who Mason pals around with, but if they are like him I dont' want them. I think the new big ten conference will be a tough draw to get a coach. I would guess that next year we will have two teams in serious national title conversation right out of the gate (OSU and Nebraska). And I think (although I hate to say it) that Wisconsin will only be better. Couldn't agree more about making the financial commitment necessary, but they couldn't do it four years ago so how knows if they will be able to do it again. The anti sports crowd at the U will be much tougher this time around. How hard will Bruinnicks (Sp) fight (I believe he is seen as quite pro sports) to get additional dollars from central admin for the Athletic Department as he is on his way out the door? Unfortunately, I have a guess what the answer is.

 

[Sparlimb]

Am I the only one that thinks this is a terrible idea? Any hope of salvaging the recruiting class is gone if this happens. Brew deserves to get fired but I don't know why they just don't do it at the end of the season or right before the Iowa game. Bad move.

You generally lose most of the current recruiting class anyway. Many will just de-commit and go elsewhere. Granted the sooner you can get teh new coach in and the sooner he can talk to the current commits, the better. But as we saw with Brewster when he came, there isn't much any coach can do in the first class he's thrust into the middle of.

 

[Silvio]

The U offered Gary Patterson $2 million/year and he turned it down. Money was not necessarily an issue. TIME was the issue. They had to hire a coach FAST. Mason was fired on Dec. 31st. Brew was hired on Jan. 18. They were on a fast track and after Patterson turned it down, they went with Brewster who talked a big game in the interview. They didn't have enough time to fully vet all the candidates and had to rely too much on a guy talking his way into the job and less on the actual qualifications and background of a coach. If they let Brewster go NOW, then that gives Joel ample time to fully vet interested candidates. And, let's face it, Joel works better when given time to mull things!

I find it hard to believe that they paid a professional firm to assist in this process and couldn't vet candidates in a timely manner. I would have to guess that this search firm focuses on college/pro football and probably had a good start on vetting many candidates before they were hired at the U. I know most recruiting places don't recommend people they know nothing about.

 

[GoAUpher]

I think the new big ten conference will be a tough draw to get a coach.

Disagree completely. Coaches are competitive folks. Are you actually worried that all the worthwhile hires will pick up their skirts and run away because of the new Big Ten? C'mon...

Couldn't agree more about making the financial commitment necessary, but they couldn't do it four years ago so how knows if they will be able to do it again. The anti sports crowd at the U will be much tougher this time around. How hard will Bruinnicks (Sp) fight (I believe he is seen as quite pro sports) to get additional dollars from central admin for the Athletic Department as he is on his way out the door? Unfortunately, I have a guess what the answer is.

Financials will be the big ??? but don't mistake not needing to pay Brew more for not being willing to commit more money. Unless you have another source, the scuttlebutt (that tj noted above) actually points to the U being willing to pay more to Patterson before getting turned down.

 

[minngg]

Those on here that like this mid-season timing are wrong IMO. Any potential candidate will look at how the last coach as treated before accepting the job. It reflects on the school when something as absurd as a one game ultimatum comes up. I mean you can't make this up. A one game ultimatum? If I am a prospective coach I look at this situation and politely say "not interested".