Thoughts on Jack Del Rio





Could he work here?

I think he'd fit pretty well in the college game actually. I'm not sure if he'd want to work college.
He stockpiled giant athletes down there, kinda a fun identity, 6'6 WR's, 6'8 TE's, 6'7 DT's.
 


It is an interesting idea. Of course he needs to be fired first.

He could be like a Dave Wannstedt where he coached in the NFL for some time, had some success.

Then goes to the NCAA and has more success.
 



Would he want to coach here?

Doubt it.

This is going to be a problem with a lot the names people are throwing out there. At least Del-Rio has spent some time here and might have a few local connections.
 



It is an interesting idea. Of course he needs to be fired first.

He could be like a Dave Wannstedt where he coached in the NFL for some time, had some success.

Then goes to the NCAA and has more success.

Sounds like it is playoffs or bust. 1-2 start with two beat downs. Pete Carroll another NFL guy with college success.
 


I just do not like NFL guys at the college level because the game and coaching requirements are so different and many coaches have a hard time adjusting their training to part time athletes. While there have been a few guys that have transitioned successfully, it seems as if it fails more than it succeeds.
 

No. What happens if we hire him and then beat Wisconsin?
 



I just do not like NFL guys at the college level because the game and coaching requirements are so different and many coaches have a hard time adjusting their training to part time athletes. While there have been a few guys that have transitioned successfully, it seems as if it fails more than it succeeds.

My take (I know you asked for it, right?) is that it doesn't work out well with pro guys who come in and expect to take their system from their old job and install it piece by piece at a college, and if doesn't work out it's the kids' fault. The Infamous Jed Fisch, for example, had his system of coded hand signs and 5000 plays that were put ON Weber, Gray, and the offense to figure out-- or they just "weren't executing".

The ones that seem to work (forgetting for a moment the massive cheating on recruiting), like Pete Carroll, evaluate the constraints on what they CAN get done, and build their plan from there.These folks do much better at avoiding the coordinator churning, identity switching that we've seen here.

i.e. We aren't bursting at the seems with skill players in MN, but we can produce LB's, FB's, Linemen, and what have you for development. So coming in expecting to do a pass happy spread isn't going to be sustainable when you inevitably go through some lean years, as you simply don't have the assets nor the time in the college game to coach that up to bridge the skill gap. A coach willing to build a unique run-based offense that positions you slightly different than Iowa or Wisconsin (as we'll lose out on most recruits to them head to head, so I'm thinking something like the Pistol offense to differentiate MN to recruits/shake up game planning for opposing D-Cords week to week)rather than thinking we can carbon copy the real thing, is a necessity for whoever the coach is, IMHO.

My worry with Jack Del Rio, from the very limited amount I know about him, is that he would be more of the former with a rigid system, rather than the latter, willing to maximize what we can give him here.

That got a lot longer than I anticipated.
 


I like Del Rio.

I think he would be largely approved of to start. He has a good coaching resume but none on the College level. I would really love to have a good defensive minded coach here.

I think coaches going from the NFL to College is a lot easier than College to NFL.
I think the biggest thing is that in College the players don't have the same amount latitude about being divas and behavior issues. What coach says, goes, which isn't the case in the NFL. Largely you are dealing with young men who for the most part are still willing to accept a coaches role as the teams leader.

I don't have a lot of conerns about Del Rio transitioning from the NFL.

Some examples where it worked:

Nick Saban
Les Miles (LSU)
Bobby Petrino (Arkansas)
Randy Shannon (Miami)
Kirk Ferentz
Steve Spurrier (South Carolina)
Butch Davis (North Carolina)
Mike Riley (Oregon State)
 

I'll take two years of probation in exchange for 10 years of glee.

this.

probation means that you were good enough to merit investigation into why youre so good and uncover bad recruiting. honestly if the NCAA found brew with violations they probably wouldnt care, hes not very good at cheating if he is doing it
 

I'll take two years of probation in exchange for 10 years of glee.

Not me. Does anybody look back at the 1997 "Final Four Team" and feel proud of it? Really? That scandal embarrassed the University and the entire state of Minnesota. I'd much rather have a bad, honest program than a good, dirty one.
 

Not me. Does anybody look back at the 1997 "Final Four Team" and feel proud of it? Really? That scandal embarrassed the University and the entire state of Minnesota. I'd much rather have a bad, honest program than a good, dirty one.

While that was happening, if might have been the time of my life. It stinks now, but back then it was a hoot.
 

While that was happening, if might have been the time of my life. It stinks now, but back then it was a hoot.

That's true, but that makes it even more heartbreaking now to know that it was all a lie. And it wasn't just that team, but many years of history which were wiped out. And who's to say that even more shouldn't be wiped out? Were we cheating when Willie Burton led us to the Elite Eight? I have no idea, but I think it's certainly possible.
 

No college experience. Hasn't really been that successful in the pros (unless "keeping your job for a while" is considered "success"). Has never had to deal with recruiting or preparing a team operating under strict limitations on practice time.

IMO, he'd be a case of "hiring someone for non-football reasons hoping to make a splash."

Your targets are

(1) A head coach at a mid-major who's been successful; or

(2) Coordinator who's ready for the next step.

The problem for the U is "Will these guys see the situation at Minnesota as attractive?"

As nice as TCF Stadium is, prospects for the job are going to want to know the Administration is behind them, that they'll have the budget to get decent assistants, that players will get the necessary academic support, that the Alumni will be behind them, etc. And, from what they see & hear, they'll have to believe they can win enough of the recruiting battles to meet expectations going forward.

Candidates are going to evaluate the job the same way any of us would evaluate a job: Is it a step up? Are the pieces in place to succeed? Will it advance my career? What risks am I assuming if I take this job?

The more attractive the job, the better the quality of the candidates.
 

No college experience. Hasn't really been that successful in the pros (unless "keeping your job for a while" is considered "success"). Has never had to deal with recruiting or preparing a team operating under strict limitations on practice time.

IMO, he'd be a case of "hiring someone for non-football reasons hoping to make a splash."

Your targets are

(1) A head coach at a mid-major who's been successful; or

(2) Coordinator who's ready for the next step.

The problem for the U is "Will these guys see the situation at Minnesota as attractive?"

As nice as TCF Stadium is, prospects for the job are going to want to know the Administration is behind them, that they'll have the budget to get decent assistants, that players will get the necessary academic support, that the Alumni will be behind them, etc. And, from what they see & hear, they'll have to believe they can win enough of the recruiting battles to meet expectations going forward.

Candidates are going to evaluate the job the same way any of us would evaluate a job: Is it a step up? Are the pieces in place to succeed? Will it advance my career? What risks am I assuming if I take this job?

The more attractive the job, the better the quality of the candidates.

You're right on about the most likely targets but it's nice to dream of making a big splash. Del Rio seems to be a no-nonsense coach that the fans and media would love. Del Rio knows coach Dungy and gives him credit for getting into coaching. He is young, has fire and knows defense. I think I read he will get 15 million if he is fired by the Jags. So the price might not be too high. I know this is crazy talk but at least it makes more sense than Gruden, Cowher or Dungy.
 




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