Minnesota offensive coordinator Mike Sanford has been named as a potential candidate for the Boise State head coaching gig.

[fmlizard]

The grass is always greener in Boise. Do it!

 

[MplsGopher]

If it were just one season then I might be more inclined to agree with you:

Tanner Morgan (Minnesota)
2019 (pre-Sanford): 178.7 RTG; 30:7 TD:INT
2020 (Sanford): 128.1 RTG; 7:5 TD:INT

Jordan Love (Utah State)
2018 (pre-Sanford): 158.3 RTG; 32:6 TD: INT
2019 (Sanford): 128.1 RTG; 20:17 TD:INT

Mike White (WKU)
2016 (pre-Sanford): 181.4 RTG; 37:7 TD:INT
2017 (Sanford): 140.8 RTG: 26:8 TD:INT
- Graduated -

2018 WKU Team QB Stats (they used 3 starters):
118.8 RTG; 15:10 TD:INT

He did okay with Kizer at Notre Dame (2014 - 2015) and has put together an awful track record since. I didn't understand this hire, and I think the results spoke for themselves.

Jebus Krause, PJ .... are you F'ing kidding me. How could you hire this man??

 

[Jordekorn]

Losing the #1 WR in program history, half of the offensive line, Douglas who was clutch in a few games last season, and only having Bateman for part the season might also have something to do with it.

Good coaches use the strengths of the players that are available. Bad coaches need players who "fit their system "

 

[mkAz]

Its going to really piss off some gopher fans when he leaves and Fleck hires outside of the current staff again

Simon might not even want an OC job

I’d be just as happy with Clay Patterson.

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Me too! But they might be reading this, so we should probably lament what a huge loss he would be....

Oh. Sanford?? I thought it said SaMford. Losing Sanford would ruin us. Boise St would be Alabama but better. The city if Boise would become an epicenter of technology, fashion and industry immediately surpassing New York City. We cannot let this happen

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Good coaches use the strengths of the players that are available. Bad coaches need players who "fit their system "

No. Coaches recruit for their system. This isn’t high school.

 

[Some guy]

Good coaches use the strengths of the players that are available. Bad coaches need players who "fit their system "

That’s true to an extent.

No. Coaches recruit for their system. This isn’t high school.

yeah that’s true too

 

[MplsGopher]

No. Coaches recruit for their system. This isn’t high school.

Three QBs that had great seasons the year before. Sanford: "GFY, you don't fit my system".

Great ....

 

[HitMeAgainIAmStillMoving]

If it were just one season then I might be more inclined to agree with you:

Tanner Morgan (Minnesota)
2019 (pre-Sanford): 178.7 RTG; 30:7 TD:INT
2020 (Sanford): 128.1 RTG; 7:5 TD:INT

Jordan Love (Utah State)
2018 (pre-Sanford): 158.3 RTG; 32:6 TD: INT
2019 (Sanford): 128.1 RTG; 20:17 TD:INT

Mike White (WKU)
2016 (pre-Sanford): 181.4 RTG; 37:7 TD:INT
2017 (Sanford): 140.8 RTG: 26:8 TD:INT
- Graduated -

2018 WKU Team QB Stats (they used 3 starters):
118.8 RTG; 15:10 TD:INT

He did okay with Kizer at Notre Dame (2014 - 2015) and has put together an awful track record since. I didn't understand this hire, and I think the results spoke for themselves.

I see a pattern, I just cannot put my finger on it.

 

[#2Gopher]

Lot of backseat coaches on this thread! LOL! Any of you guys thought about being coaches in the real world?

 

[Keyser Söze]

Lot of backseat coaches on this thread! LOL! Any of you guys thought about being coaches in the real world?

These type of responses are always hilarious. Thinking someone isn't a great coach doesn't mean that person thinks they can do better, nor does it mean they think they can coach at all. I also don't need to be a good running back to know that 2 yards per carry is bad.

 

[goldengophers]

Lot of backseat coaches on this thread! LOL! Any of you guys thought about being coaches in the real world?

Mark Coyle can't coach football but he hires a coach, how is this possible?

 

[washgopher]

I will pay his Uber

me too, plus a tip

 

[TruthSeeker]

Hire him now!

 

[MplsGopher]

Lot of backseat coaches on this thread! LOL! Any of you guys thought about being coaches in the real world?

As I've said before: my hope is that Sanford changes his best and we have a great year on offense in 2021.

Based on his history, I wouldn't bet on that. But I would love to eat a big plate of crow!

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

If it were just one season then I might be more inclined to agree with you:

Tanner Morgan (Minnesota)
2019 (pre-Sanford): 178.7 RTG; 30:7 TD:INT
2020 (Sanford): 128.1 RTG; 7:5 TD:INT

Jordan Love (Utah State)
2018 (pre-Sanford): 158.3 RTG; 32:6 TD: INT
2019 (Sanford): 129.1 RTG; 20:17 TD:INT

Mike White (WKU)
2016 (pre-Sanford): 181.4 RTG; 37:7 TD:INT
2017 (Sanford): 140.8 RTG: 26:8 TD:INT
- Graduated -

2018 WKU Team QB Stats (they used 3 starters):
118.8 RTG; 15:10 TD:INT

He did okay with Kizer at Notre Dame (2014 - 2015) and has put together an awful track record since. I didn't understand this hire, and I think the results spoke for themselves.

Those are all just one season with different circumstances at each spot. I think next season will be much better.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Good coaches use the strengths of the players that are available. Bad coaches need players who "fit their system "

I guess we should have fired Ciarrocca after the first season then.

 

[60's Guy]

No. Coaches recruit for their system. This isn’t high school.

Sanford hasn’t coached anybody he recruited.
He’s not there long enough.
The comment you disputed was accurate.

 

[hello-world]

Those are all just one season with different circumstances at each spot. I think next season will be much better.

He has an extensive history of turning potential NFL draft picks into middling QBs and no history of making them better. The only way I'm going to believe that is when I see it happen.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

He has an extensive history of turning potential NFL draft picks into middling QBs and no history of making them better. The only way I'm going to believe that is when I see it happen.

Morgan and White both lost their #1 WR's to the NFL draft prior to Sanford arriving. Jordan Love lost his top 3 WRs prior to Sanford arriving. It's not like Western Kentucky, Utah St, and Minnesota have a rich history of reloading at the WR position every year.

There are far more factors at play than just hiring Sanford. Having one year with each QB is not an 'extensive history', especially with a very limited offseason with Morgan this season.

If Morgan regresses again next season, maybe I'll agree with you. For now, I am more than willing to give Sanford another chance with a more normal offseason.

 

[hello-world]

Morgan and White both lost their #1 WR's to the NFL draft prior to Sanford arriving. Jordan Love lost his top 3 WRs prior to Sanford arriving. It's not like Western Kentucky, Utah St, and Minnesota have a rich history of reloading at the WR position every year.

There are far more factors at play than just hiring Sanford. Having one year with each QB is not an 'extensive history', especially with a very limited offseason with Morgan this season.

If Morgan regresses again next season, maybe I'll agree with you. For now, I am more than willing to give Sanford another chance with a more normal offseason.

Ex. A) Every QB he has coached in the last 5 years has gotten measurably and significantly worse

Ex. B) Every QB he has coached in the last 5 years has looked super uncomfortable all season long

Ex. C) NFL scouts looked at two years of Jordan Love tape and decided that he was still a 1st round QB after he threw 17 interceptions because they realized that his OC was an idiot

Ex. D) We all had eyes and watched the Gophers offense this year

He's bad at his job, get rid of him.

Morgan was throwing to a 1st round draft pick, CAB, and 2 5th year seniors. Minnesota's receiving corp was as good as it ever will be this year. If you can't put together a competent passing attack with that group, then it's on you.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Ex. A) Every QB he has coached in the last 5 years has gotten measurably and significantly worse

Ex. B) Every QB he has coached in the last 5 years has looked super uncomfortable all season long

Ex. C) NFL scouts looked at two years of Jordan Love tape and decided that he was still a 1st round QB after he threw 17 interceptions because they realized that his OC was an idiot

Ex. D) We all had eyes and watched the Gophers offense this year

He's bad at his job, get rid of him

Here's all of Love's INTs from last year. Nearly all of them were just brutal throws. Drafting him in the 1st round was a mistake that I 'loved' by my least favorite NFL team. Merry Christmas.

 

[alaska]

please lord let him get this job

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Sanford hasn’t coached anybody he recruited.
He’s not there long enough.
The comment you disputed was accurate.

No. It wasn’t. He coached plenty of guys he recruited. He was a head coach for multiple seasons and failed.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

No. It wasn’t. He coached plenty of guys he recruited. He was a head coach for multiple seasons and failed.

2 seasons. Which means his recruits were either sophomores, redshirt freshman, or freshman. He’s never coached his own upperclassmen

 

[gophernut1]

I did not have a problem with Fleck hiring Sanford. I trust Fleck knows what he is going. However, I think we can all agree Fleck did not hire him based upon production over the last 4 years (including this one). I will judge much more harsher next year on Fleck and Sanford. However, as it stands now I just think it was a curious choice on a coach Fleck trusts is a cultural fit for the program. I hope he brings elite football next year. Obviously if they are even considering him for the Boise St. job there must be some knowledge that he can lead somewhere.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

2 seasons. Which means his recruits were either sophomores, redshirt freshman, or freshman. He’s never coached his own upperclassmen

And how many head coaches get fired after only two seasons? Not very many. And it's not like WKU brought in a new AD, or there was some big scandal. That's a massive red flag for me. Also it doesn't look real good that the guy who replaced him stepped right in and went 9-4 and won the conference's coach of the year award.

 

[Word]

And how many head coaches get fired after only two seasons? Not very many. And it's not like WKU brought in a new AD, or there was some big scandal. That's a massive red flag for me. Also it doesn't look real good that the guy who replaced him stepped right in and went 9-4 and won the conference's coach of the year award.

I agree there are some red flags on Sanford:
- Offenses generally have done worse once he takes over
- Stint at WKU (although I think being a head coach and coordinator are 2 different things - not sure I would judge him as our OC based off a failed head coaching gig)
- Job hopping

But I still think he should get one more "normal" year here before we decide. Funny thing is, he strikes me like if he does have success here, he'll parlay it into his next job. So, I think either way he won't be here very long.

 

[Some guy]

I agree there are some red flags on Sanford:
- Offenses generally have done worse once he takes over
- Stint at WKU (although I think being a head coach and coordinator are 2 different things - not sure I would judge him as our OC based off a failed head coaching gig)
- Job hopping

But I still think he should get one more "normal" year here before we decide. Funny thing is, he strikes me like if he does have success here, he'll parlay it into his next job. So, I think either way he won't be here very long.

I would agree on this.


here is a reason why maybe he is okay:
Brian Kelly gave him a shot
PJ Fleck gave him a shot
Western Kentucky AD gave him a shot to run the whole show




clearly the offense didn’t produce what the team wanted this year. There were some extenuating circumstances (lack of spring, lack of traditional camp, no non-conference opponents, etc). Hopefully the team is better next year regardless of who coordinates.

 

[MplsGopher]

I did not have a problem with Fleck hiring Sanford. I trust Fleck knows what he is going. However, I think we can all agree Fleck did not hire him based upon production over the last 4 years (including this one). I will judge much more harsher next year on Fleck and Sanford. However, as it stands now I just think it was a curious choice on a coach Fleck trusts is a cultural fit for the program. I hope he brings elite football next year. Obviously if they are even considering him for the Boise St. job there must be some knowledge that he can lead somewhere.

I'd be more sympathetic to this viewpoint, if Fleck had never hired Robb Smith.

It's obvious that Schiano told Fleck to hire Smith, and he did. Smith had a variety of coaching duties under Schiano, both at Rutgers and Tampa Bay.

Then he was Arkansas DC for, you guessed it, Bret Bielema, during the middle three of his total five seasons. Didn't matter to Fleck, quite apparently, that Ark had a horrible defense under Bielema and he got canned for good before the last season.

Schiano is still beholden to Smith, as he hired him to be Rutgers' DC starting this year. I guess it's nice to have someone who believes in you!


At least Smith had that. I can't possibly think of anyone who was in Fleck's ear telling him to hire Sanford as OC. Maybe there was someone ... but sheesh. Based on performance, you wouldn't think so.