Gophers need to name football coach soon, Tracy Claeys says

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salzie said:
The give him 1.5 years is the worst option I've heard. You're not only one, but that's telling everyone he's just a placeholder until U of M can get their **** together, and U of M isn't exactly known for being organized when it comes to athletics
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Never said they can't extend. Only that I think that's where they should start. I guess my position is that they need to continue to evaluate from here forward.
 

MRJ said:
Never said they can't extend. Only that I think that's where they should start. I guess my position is that they need to continue to evaluate from here forward.
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Doesn't matter, shows no commitment to him. Would kill us on recruiting for next 2 years and set program back. If they're going with Claeys it needs to be a longer term deal, most likely with a low buy out. But you cant just give him a one year audition
 

MRJ said:
"Blank check" means giving them an open end of anything and everything they want, which is never a good idea in a business negotiation. As for the real world, I assume that means you want to just keep heading to fringe bowl games most of the time?
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The U of M has a ceiling, now that ceiling can be raised, but you're not going to find the coach that just jumps them to Rose bowl

I believe in the vision that Kill and the staff worked out. I'd like to see process unfold over more time, as we've seen steps. Yes, we're not where we want to be, but we're getting there
 

MRJ said:
No, not winning a bowl game of any kind since they've been here is fringe. With that said, the prudent move would be to hire Claeys for the remainder of this year and one more imo. Contrary to popular opinion, this staff isn't a bunch of miracle workers and they're not football geniuses, as the Michigan game can attest. Give them a little more time, but they shouldn't be given a blank check either.
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You sound reasonable, and I agree they're not miracle workers at this time. But my question is this: who ARE the miracle workers out there in CFB? Many successful coaches move to bigger programs and fail. Charlie Strong was supposed to work miracles at Texas. Al Golden at Miami. The list is long. And many examples are PREMIER programs. Yes, MN could get lucky and hit a homerun...but the odds are against them.

When Kill came here he said it would be a long rebuild. A year or two in, many rational fans pegged 2016/2017 as years we could legitimately compete for a B1G title. Let's see if the staff can get that done. If they do, I'd argue they ARE miracle workers. If not, I'd argue they're just very, very good coaches.
 

MRJ said:
"Blank check" means giving them an open end of anything and everything they want, which is never a good idea in a business negotiation. As for the real world, I assume that means you want to just keep heading to fringe bowl games most of the time?
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Uhhh, we just went to our 1st Jan 1 bowl game in how many years?
 


Claeys will get a five year deal in the neighborhood of 1.2 Million. It will also be very incentive based and at that number a buyout friendly deal if things aren't going well n a couple seasons. Anyone with half a brain that pays attention to this stuff can see this coming. This is the best case for both sides, it brings stability to the program by showing a commitment, it will reward Claeys for doing well and he will have his chance the next two years. And if it goes tits up than the new AD will be able to bring there own guy in and not have to deal with a disastrous Mason/Monson/ Pam Borton type buyout
 

Maybe Harbaugh will be fired soon since the only reason he beat MN was because of their coaches messing up the last 19 seconds. :rolleyes:
 

bemidjigopher said:
Claeys will get a five year deal in the neighborhood of 1.2 Million. It will also be very incentive based and at that number a buyout friendly deal if things aren't going well n a couple seasons. Anyone with half a brain that pays attention to this stuff can see this coming. This is the best case for both sides, it brings stability to the program by showing a commitment, it will reward Claeys for doing well and he will have his chance the next two years. And if it goes tits up than the new AD will be able to bring there own guy in and not have to deal with a disastrous Mason/Monson/ Pam Borton type buyout
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Most rational take on it to me.
 

bemidjigopher said:
Claeys will get a five year deal in the neighborhood of 1.2 Million. It will also be very incentive based and at that number a buyout friendly deal if things aren't going well n a couple seasons. Anyone with half a brain that pays attention to this stuff can see this coming. This is the best case for both sides, it brings stability to the program by showing a commitment, it will reward Claeys for doing well and he will have his chance the next two years. And if it goes tits up than the new AD will be able to bring there own guy in and not have to deal with a disastrous Mason/Monson/ Pam Borton type buyout
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Most rational take on it to me.
 




bemidjigopher said:
Claeys will get a five year deal in the neighborhood of 1.2 Million. It will also be very incentive based and at that number a buyout friendly deal if things aren't going well n a couple seasons. Anyone with half a brain that pays attention to this stuff can see this coming. This is the best case for both sides, it brings stability to the program by showing a commitment, it will reward Claeys for doing well and he will have his chance the next two years. And if it goes tits up than the new AD will be able to bring there own guy in and not have to deal with a disastrous Mason/Monson/ Pam Borton type buyout
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This is what I expect to see at this point as well. If we truly are not going to hire a new AD until next spring at the earliest, then Claeys is the only choice that makes sense. The buyout is the key to the whole deal, needs to be low enough that if the new AD wants to make a change they can without hamstringing the department financially.

I don't think Claeys should have been the one to say it because it sounds completely self serving, but he is right that the least disruptive effect on recruiting would be to get a coach in ASAP. The problem with Claeys making that statement is that he knows just like everyone else that if we hire a coach quickly he really is the only realistic choice given the state of the athletic department right now.
 





I want the team to make the best decision for the program going forward. We have changed coaches a lot that is why I don't want the blue print completely destroyed and a complete tear down and rebuild start over right now not with no permanent athletic director in place.
If things go south that will be pretty apparent to the newly hired athletic director, that is why you can not have an onerous buyout.

I wouldn't mind giving Claey's a chance to the be the Gophers head football coach, but that is with one huge caveat, if we agree to an extension one that is in the five year range with a buyout, we need a new offensive coordinator.

There is no reason most of the current staff cannot be kept on board, but there should be tweaks and this should be Tracey's ship to make those choices.
I would like a new offensive philosophy one that is more pro set, more vertical passing and aggressive than the one we have in place now. Our O-lineman in this part of the country especially the home grown one's are more geared to playing pro set style offense than the spread.
 

MGGopher said:
You sound reasonable, and I agree they're not miracle workers at this time. But my question is this: who ARE the miracle workers out there in CFB? Many successful coaches move to bigger programs and fail. Charlie Strong was supposed to work miracles at Texas. Al Golden at Miami. The list is long. And many examples are PREMIER programs. Yes, MN could get lucky and hit a homerun...but the odds are against them.

When Kill came here he said it would be a long rebuild. A year or two in, many rational fans pegged 2016/2017 as years we could legitimately compete for a B1G title. Let's see if the staff can get that done. If they do, I'd argue they ARE miracle workers. If not, I'd argue they're just very, very good coaches.
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There aren't any miracle workers, despite the media's insistence on using the term for certain coaches. When it clicks, it clicks. We haven't had a coach truly click around here in more than 50 years. A lot of that is on the administration and some is on the coaches themselves. What we need is progression and I'm skeptical about how much progression we can make from here on with this staff. If folks think a four or five year deal is the best way to go, I can understand it. I actually think that's probably the way it come down considering the amount of uncertainty within the department at the administrative level. It comes down to how far you want to go and how fast. We're now in a spot of glorifying coaches who go 8-5 and get blasted in the Citrus Bowl as saviors of the program. The fact remains this group has never won a bowl game, the team has taken a step back after our first Jan. 1st bowl in 50 years, and just outright blew a trophy game against Michigan. Everything isn't roses. But for stability's sake alone, Claeys might be the best bet, at least for now.
 


Claeys and the staff can go a long way's in convincing everyone they should stay, that one major thing is keeping Floyd at home in Minneapolis. Sounds like a stacked deck I know, but if they can beat Iowa next week at Kinnick satdium they can go a long way's in to proving this program is not going to be turning backwards. Nobody expects the Gophers to have a shot against Iowa, everything is going to be going against them, but if they can some how rally the guy's to play for each other, and have belief that they can beat Iowa in Iowa city when that place is going to be a powder keg of emotions and noise then you will know these guys can handle having their feet to the fire.

It is a tall task to ask, I know they Iowa will likely be undefeated playing for a defining win, and chomping at the bit to redeem themselves from last years game and throw up numbers to say last years game was a fluke. If Minnesota can some how survive the initial onslaught of emotion by the Hawks, not get buried in the opening couple series, stay composed and methodical about moving the ball, and play a good defensive game than they may have a chance to steal that game. It's not fools gold to believe it can happen either but it will be a tough game. Hopefully the Gopher players and coaches will be up to the challenge.
 

Somebody at the U has to have the nads to "act as if they are willing to give TC and his STAFFERS every bit as much support, faith and confidence in this damn good STAFF of damn good men that Coach Kill totally depended on to carry on for him when ever his situation forced him to be absent from the program. Damn it, people, TC and his STAFFERS have already been given the awesome responsibility to hold this train wreck of a situation together for the final 5 games of the 2015 Big Ten Schedule when the prexy and the administration is being investigated for God only knows what. Treat TC and his STAFFERS with the utmost respect and treat them decently right now because the near term future of the Gopher Football program has been placed entirely in their trust. And, I sure as hell trust TC and his STAFFERS a lot more than I trust Prexy K and his good buddies in the administration and the Board of Regents right now based upon the mess the administration is in right now. TC & his STAFFERS are the BEST of what Coach Kill has done in making sure that life WILL go in the University of Minnesota Football Program now that Coach Kill can NOT continue with the Program. The future lies with TC and his STAFFERS. Sign them NOW!

And fans: don't act as if this would be a big favor to TC and his STAFFERS. We fans need to beg them to stay on...and demand that they be treated every bit as decently as Coach Kill would if he had the choice and the chance to carry on. These good coaches are ALL we fans and are ALL the great kids on the Gopher Team have right now. Be humble fans...and be THANKFUL that we have TC and his STAFFERS to carry on!
 

Wren,
My thinking is that if the UM doesn't make an offer to Claeys/staffers by mid-November, he and his staff will start looking. That is what I took from his statement. I think he put the UM on notice in a subtle way.

So what are you going to do Mr. Kaler?
 

Well said Bayfield. Travel safely when you head down to Iowa City. Be safe and have fun and make sure the Gopher doesn't forget the PIG down there. I trust that you will help provide secure cover as the Gopher drives Floyd back to Minneapolis. I can't make the trip this year...but...will be thinking of you as I watch that evening!
 

TC should keep his mouth shut. This bunch needs to go. Need young coach and AD. Get minn grads this time !!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DocfromDarwin said:
TC should keep his mouth shut. This bunch needs to go. Need young coach and AD. Get minn grads this time !!!!
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Still pulling for Cory Sauter?

Kill and his bunch need to go. Need a young guy. Cory Sauter at SWMS has my vote!

:rolleyes:
 

DocfromDarwin said:
TC should keep his mouth shut. This bunch needs to go. Need young coach and AD. Get minn grads this time !!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I know Claeys isn't super young but if he were hired right now he'd be the fourth youngest head coach in the Big Ten. Only Pat Fitzgerald (40), James Franklin (43), and Kyle Flood (44) are younger.
 

My take: until the U hires a new AD, a "name" coach will not touch this job with a 10-foot pole (or a 10-foot swede....).

So - assuming they need to make a decision on a coach before hiring the new AD - the U has two choices. 1. Keep Claeys and staff in place. 2. Hire some young, up-and-coming type coach who is willing to take the job without a permanent AD in place.

Of those choices, #1 is far less risky. Keeping Claeys provides continuity, and hopefully salvages most of the current recruiting season. going to door #2 runs the risk of losing a big chunk of the recruiting class, while taking a chance that a young coach can come in, hit the ground running and be successful in the B1G.

Of course, being the cluster that is the U of M, they could announce that they're going to wait on the FB coaching decision until they hire a new AD next year, which is essentially like telling the recruits, "so long, it's been nice to not know you."
 

John Galt said:
Nothing could be further from the truth than saying that Claeys is a desperation hire. I want to win the West in the next year few years - Claeys gives us the best chance to do that.

Is everyone really ready for re-building mode again? You want a new offense/defense, a whole new staff, and statements about how it will take 4 years to get said Coach's players into the program? Really? Were you alive during the Brewster years to see how bad things can get? How many home run hires have you seen us make in the last 40 years that gives you confidence the next hire will be better than who we have right now?

This year has been disappointing, no doubt, but the schedule has been ridiculously tough and we've had a myriad of injuries. Giving Claeys a few years to see if he can build off of what's been done is the only smart move.
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+1

I would think there is a group of major players working behind the scenes to push for TC to make the HC. What's the real holdup? Legal contracts taking that long?
 

DocfromDarwin said:
TC should keep his mouth shut. This bunch needs to go. Need young coach and AD. Get minn grads this time !!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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And when your young Minn Grads don't pan out, what is next for you?

I am in John Galt's corner. These team of coaches with Claeys is the best shot we have to complete the turn around.
 

DocfromDarwin said:
TC should keep his mouth shut. This bunch needs to go. Need young coach and AD. Get minn grads this time !!!!
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Whether someone is a U alum or not has no bearing on their qualifications to be the head football coach here. It's a "nice to have" at best. This is all aside from the fact that the only U grad qualified to coach here is Tony Dungy, and he's never ever coming. Your boy Sauter is so thoroughly unqualified that your agenda pushing is laughably absurd. He needs to figure out how to not suck at DII before he worries about jumping two steps up the ladder.
 

Choice A) Keep nearly the entire staff of coaches, recruiters, talent evaluators, who's ability and philosophy
have a proven to work.

Choice B) Entrust the same administration who hired Norwood Teague to battle with USC/Va Tech/Miami/S.Carolina, etc. to hire a head coach and start from scratch.

I fully admit that this season has been a disappointment. That happens at nearly every school. Look at our history of hiring coaches and think if that is scarier than the potential of staying on the path we're on.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
My take: until the U hires a new AD, a "name" coach will not touch this job with a 10-foot pole (or a 10-foot swede....).

So - assuming they need to make a decision on a coach before hiring the new AD - the U has two choices. 1. Keep Claeys and staff in place. 2. Hire some young, up-and-coming type coach who is willing to take the job without a permanent AD in place.

Of those choices, #1 is far less risky. Keeping Claeys provides continuity, and hopefully salvages most of the current recruiting season. going to door #2 runs the risk of losing a big chunk of the recruiting class, while taking a chance that a young coach can come in, hit the ground running and be successful in the B1G.

Of course, being the cluster that is the U of M, they could announce that they're going to wait on the FB coaching decision until they hire a new AD next year, which is essentially like telling the recruits, "so long, it's been nice to not know you."
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And I would wager that Coach Claeys and his staff would say the same and that the new HC, and I hope its TC, will be hired before the AD, unless its Beth.

No way could anyone expect an interim coach to go beyond the season.
 


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