We've entered into the silly portion of the search process where every day there is a new report or tweet about a coaching candidate. May I respectfully suggest that 99% of these reports are pure silliness. Unless Maturi is blowing a smoke screen, here's what we know from what the leader of the search has just said:
(1). Two new candidates were just added to the list. Does that sound like he's already scheduled an interview with the Navy coach or anyone else?
(2). He's trying hard not to "fall in love" with any one candidate just yet. Does that sound like Tubby and Dungy are out there trying to get Fulmer to commit to the Gophs?
(3). Maturi does have some favorites on the list. Note that "favorites" is plural. Does that sound like they've zeroed in on any one candidate? He also said that they have yet to determine if some candidates have as much interest in the Gophers as the Gophers have in them. Sounds to me like they are just getting to the point where they start weeding down the list.
(4). If there is a potential Tubby hire out there, will they really be lining up interviews with second tier candidates? Is there any indication from Maturi that they are ready for interviews?
Some reports are about the search firm digging around certain names. Gee, I think they are doing that with every single possible candidate - even someone like Harbaugh. Other reports make little sense, such as Sumlin is investigating how much he could pay his coordinators. If he was already a serious candidate, wouldn't he just ask or look on the web to see the current salaries?
Reporters want to look like they have some kind of insight or connections that others don't. Web sites want to increase their traffic any way possible. Coaches or their agents want to get their names out there for various reasons. Hence, there is probably little truth to anything we are hearing right now.
When we hear a report that the Gophers have asked permission to speak to a candidate, that kind of report will merit attention. Until then, when you read the next report or tweet view it with skepticism unless you see at least some attribution to the story. So far, none of these reports have even bothered to claim "according to a reliable source at ..." or "mutiple sources have confirmed..." They're just throwing stuff out there. Anyone on GH could do the same. So, don't get your undies in a bundle when you read the next rumor because that's all it is.
(1). Two new candidates were just added to the list. Does that sound like he's already scheduled an interview with the Navy coach or anyone else?
(2). He's trying hard not to "fall in love" with any one candidate just yet. Does that sound like Tubby and Dungy are out there trying to get Fulmer to commit to the Gophs?
(3). Maturi does have some favorites on the list. Note that "favorites" is plural. Does that sound like they've zeroed in on any one candidate? He also said that they have yet to determine if some candidates have as much interest in the Gophers as the Gophers have in them. Sounds to me like they are just getting to the point where they start weeding down the list.
(4). If there is a potential Tubby hire out there, will they really be lining up interviews with second tier candidates? Is there any indication from Maturi that they are ready for interviews?
Some reports are about the search firm digging around certain names. Gee, I think they are doing that with every single possible candidate - even someone like Harbaugh. Other reports make little sense, such as Sumlin is investigating how much he could pay his coordinators. If he was already a serious candidate, wouldn't he just ask or look on the web to see the current salaries?
Reporters want to look like they have some kind of insight or connections that others don't. Web sites want to increase their traffic any way possible. Coaches or their agents want to get their names out there for various reasons. Hence, there is probably little truth to anything we are hearing right now.
When we hear a report that the Gophers have asked permission to speak to a candidate, that kind of report will merit attention. Until then, when you read the next report or tweet view it with skepticism unless you see at least some attribution to the story. So far, none of these reports have even bothered to claim "according to a reliable source at ..." or "mutiple sources have confirmed..." They're just throwing stuff out there. Anyone on GH could do the same. So, don't get your undies in a bundle when you read the next rumor because that's all it is.
