I admit that earlier today I had my doubts about Duke's chances with all of the other options on Paul Johnson's plate. But after speaking to a source this afternoon that said Duke was still very much in the hunt, I started to get my hopes up. And after reading Bill Wagner's most recent blog post, I'm very hopeful that Duke will have a legitimate chance to make the hire.
Wagner even admits to writing Duke off more or less by not mentioning them in some of his previous reports, but he makes some great points—including that the cost of living in the triangle is much lower than in either Dallas or Atlanta, that Johnson could bring his assistants to Duke, and that he has family ties to the area.
The next 24 hours will be very, very interesting...
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Afternoon Paul Johnson Report
Bill Wagner in Annapolis has another update—Johnson now has 4 options to choose from. He can choose from standing offers at Georgia Tech, Duke and SMU or he can stay at Navy. From the implications of Wagner's posts, it seems as if Georgia Tech is reluctant to pay big bucks for Johnson. We know that SMU AD Steve Orsini has collected $10mil from big boosters to pay for a new coach, so their offer is expected to be at least $2mil per year.
Wagner is saying that Georgia Tech will probably expect a decision no later than Friday, meaning there should be movement by the end of the week. Looking at the situation in this framework, it seems that Duke stands right in the middle both in respects to the attractiveness of their job (with GT's being more attractive and SMU's situation less) and in terms of compensation (with SMU seeming to offer the biggest pot of gold and GT hesitant to pay much as they're still on the hook for $4mil of Gailey's salary).
Again, the chatter isn't positive for Duke fans at this point, but a quick decision will benefit all parties, whether that means we'll have an introductory presser in Cameron tomorrow or we'll be able to move on to Plan B. Keep your fingers crossed and keep checking back, because I'll post whatever comes across the wire as soon as it comes up.
Wagner is saying that Georgia Tech will probably expect a decision no later than Friday, meaning there should be movement by the end of the week. Looking at the situation in this framework, it seems that Duke stands right in the middle both in respects to the attractiveness of their job (with GT's being more attractive and SMU's situation less) and in terms of compensation (with SMU seeming to offer the biggest pot of gold and GT hesitant to pay much as they're still on the hook for $4mil of Gailey's salary).
Again, the chatter isn't positive for Duke fans at this point, but a quick decision will benefit all parties, whether that means we'll have an introductory presser in Cameron tomorrow or we'll be able to move on to Plan B. Keep your fingers crossed and keep checking back, because I'll post whatever comes across the wire as soon as it comes up.
Grobe Staying at Wake
Apparently, the reports of Grobe's departure in Arkansas papers were premature, as Wake AD Ron Wellman says that his head football coach is staying.
Again, this is great news for Duke fans, as we'll have less competition for Paul Johnson and other overlapping candidates that Wake might have looked at to fill a vacancy.
Again, this is great news for Duke fans, as we'll have less competition for Paul Johnson and other overlapping candidates that Wake might have looked at to fill a vacancy.
Paul Johnson Update - 10:30 AM Thursday
Bill Wagner from the Annapolis Capital has been the go-to guy for the latest on Navy HC Paul Johnson, and he doesn't disappointed with his latest blog post.
He's reporting that Johnson is back in Annapolis today, and is scheduled to meet with Navy AD Chet Gladchuck some time today. He does note that because assistants are still out on the road recruiting and because there is no imminent word of a teem meeting (Johnson would inform his players of any move before an introductory press conference, Wagner says), he DOES NOT expect an announcement by the end of today, as many Atlanta media outlets have reported.
That said, if Johnson doesn't take the job at Georgia Tech, I'd have to imagine that he's not even coming here. Again, as I've pointed out in some other recent reports about Johnson, this blog post makes no mention of Duke at all or its existence as a school pursuing Johnson, making me skeptical that our offer is even in the running. If I had to guess at this point, I'd only give us a 25% chance of landing Johnson, particularly in light of the new opening at Wake.
He's reporting that Johnson is back in Annapolis today, and is scheduled to meet with Navy AD Chet Gladchuck some time today. He does note that because assistants are still out on the road recruiting and because there is no imminent word of a teem meeting (Johnson would inform his players of any move before an introductory press conference, Wagner says), he DOES NOT expect an announcement by the end of today, as many Atlanta media outlets have reported.
That said, if Johnson doesn't take the job at Georgia Tech, I'd have to imagine that he's not even coming here. Again, as I've pointed out in some other recent reports about Johnson, this blog post makes no mention of Duke at all or its existence as a school pursuing Johnson, making me skeptical that our offer is even in the running. If I had to guess at this point, I'd only give us a 25% chance of landing Johnson, particularly in light of the new opening at Wake.
Willingham gets reprive, stays at UW
News out of Seattle is that Washington HC Tyrone Willingham will return as head coach for the Huskies, despite a 3-9 record this season and a 11-25 mark through three seasons at the helm.
This effectively eliminates Willingham, a Kinston native, as a candidate for Duke's opening. It's a shame too, because he would have been a groundbreaking hire for Duke in many respects. There have been concerns mentioned about his ability to recruit and that it was Willingham's fault that the cupboard was bare at ND when he left (leading to this year's debacle season). Still, I dissagree—Willingham's high-profile stint under Touchdown Jesus gave him some name cache that still should be able to impress recruits, and his experience at Stanford indicates that he can find good players under academic recruiting constraints.
All that said, he's probably a free agent after next year if UW doesn't make a bowl.
This effectively eliminates Willingham, a Kinston native, as a candidate for Duke's opening. It's a shame too, because he would have been a groundbreaking hire for Duke in many respects. There have been concerns mentioned about his ability to recruit and that it was Willingham's fault that the cupboard was bare at ND when he left (leading to this year's debacle season). Still, I dissagree—Willingham's high-profile stint under Touchdown Jesus gave him some name cache that still should be able to impress recruits, and his experience at Stanford indicates that he can find good players under academic recruiting constraints.
All that said, he's probably a free agent after next year if UW doesn't make a bowl.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Late Evening Update (12/5)
Here are some quick hitters...
-Report in the Monroe, LA paper discusses Grambling HC Rod Broadway's interview with Duke from his players' perspective.
-Frank Dascenzo's column in the Herald-Sun gives some nice personal perspective on how bad Duke's football hires have been in the past 30+ years.
-An absolutely ridiculous guest column in the Herald-Sun saying that Duke should model its football program after USC, and that we should make a big offer and try to lure Pete Carroll.
Sure thing, we can do that AFTER we win our own 11 National Titles and 7 Heismans. I can't even believe that a self-respecting newspaper would run this, mainly due to the ridiculous assertion that we should (or even could) go after Carroll.
-Report in the Monroe, LA paper discusses Grambling HC Rod Broadway's interview with Duke from his players' perspective.
-Frank Dascenzo's column in the Herald-Sun gives some nice personal perspective on how bad Duke's football hires have been in the past 30+ years.
-An absolutely ridiculous guest column in the Herald-Sun saying that Duke should model its football program after USC, and that we should make a big offer and try to lure Pete Carroll.
Sure thing, we can do that AFTER we win our own 11 National Titles and 7 Heismans. I can't even believe that a self-respecting newspaper would run this, mainly due to the ridiculous assertion that we should (or even could) go after Carroll.
Grobe Going to the Hogs
Huge hire out of the ACC today, as Wake Forest HC Jim Grobe is headed to Arkansas. The Razorbacks had targeted Grobe and Clemson HC Tommy Bowden as their top two choices, with the first offer going to Bowden. He turned down the Hogs (extracting a raise from Clemson in the process), leaving Arkansas with Grobe as Plan B.
Of course, as his track record at Wake suggests, Grobe would be about any other school's Plan A. The entire college football world knows about his incredible job last season taking Wake to an ACC title and winning numerous coaching awards in the process, but Grobe has long been respected as an excellent coach that knows how to win.
Of course, this hire means that there is yet another ACC opening available that is more attractive than Duke's. I don't know if Wake would promote someone from within (Duke fans are certainly hoping so), but it's very conceivable that there would be overlap between the type of candidates that both Duke and Wake are looking for. This move certainly will make the coaching rumor mill churn in the coming days and weeks...
Of course, as his track record at Wake suggests, Grobe would be about any other school's Plan A. The entire college football world knows about his incredible job last season taking Wake to an ACC title and winning numerous coaching awards in the process, but Grobe has long been respected as an excellent coach that knows how to win.
Of course, this hire means that there is yet another ACC opening available that is more attractive than Duke's. I don't know if Wake would promote someone from within (Duke fans are certainly hoping so), but it's very conceivable that there would be overlap between the type of candidates that both Duke and Wake are looking for. This move certainly will make the coaching rumor mill churn in the coming days and weeks...
Early Rumblings - Johnson to Tech
Although theres been nothing as of this time that I've seen official or reported, a sports radio station in Atlanta is apparently reporting that Navy HC Paul Johnson has accepted Georgia Tech's offer and will soon become their next head coach.
If this is true, it can't come as a shock to Duke fans. The Georgia Tech job is lightyears ahead of Duke in terms of pre-existing resources and talent. The job would give Johnson a much easier, quicker chance to win and challenge for a league title than Duke would. If the money is anywhere close to what Duke is offering, then there's little doubt why Johnson would choose GT over Duke.
UPDATE (10:35 p.m.) - Nothing official yet as of this hour...lets hope that Joe Alleva is driving up to Annapolis right now in a Brinks truck.
If this is true, it can't come as a shock to Duke fans. The Georgia Tech job is lightyears ahead of Duke in terms of pre-existing resources and talent. The job would give Johnson a much easier, quicker chance to win and challenge for a league title than Duke would. If the money is anywhere close to what Duke is offering, then there's little doubt why Johnson would choose GT over Duke.
UPDATE (10:35 p.m.) - Nothing official yet as of this hour...lets hope that Joe Alleva is driving up to Annapolis right now in a Brinks truck.
Johnson to Interview with Georgia Tech Today
Respected college football writer Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting on his blog that Navy HC Paul Johnson is meeting with Georgia Tech AD Dan Radakovich in Atlanta.
Barnhart does add though, that he's unsure if Johnson would take the job if offered, citing the "red carpet" treatment that SMU has given him. There is no mention of Duke's involvement with Johnson in this article, making me think that it's imperative for Duke to step up their pursuit of the Navy coach to ensure they remain on his radar screen.
UPDATE (1:55) - Bill Wagner in Annapolis thinks that the possibility of Johnson signing with the Yellow Jackets by the end of the day is real, judging that second interviews usually result in job offers and his gut feeling is that Johnson would accept such an offer. We'll keep watching the wires and post as soon as we hear anything.
Barnhart does add though, that he's unsure if Johnson would take the job if offered, citing the "red carpet" treatment that SMU has given him. There is no mention of Duke's involvement with Johnson in this article, making me think that it's imperative for Duke to step up their pursuit of the Navy coach to ensure they remain on his radar screen.
UPDATE (1:55) - Bill Wagner in Annapolis thinks that the possibility of Johnson signing with the Yellow Jackets by the end of the day is real, judging that second interviews usually result in job offers and his gut feeling is that Johnson would accept such an offer. We'll keep watching the wires and post as soon as we hear anything.
New News in The Chronicle
Two articles in this morning's Chronicle have some new stuff that's really of interest...
1) Joe Alleva wasn't the only person to go talk with Navy HC Paul Johnson on Monday. President Richard Brodhead and another top school executive also hopped on a chartered private jet to the Washington area to meet with the Navy coach. If Duke is sending bigwigs to visit Johnson at home (compared to just bringing in Broadway to Duke), I think we can see where their priorities are at this point and who is at the top of their list.
2) We've confirmed that Duke has hired renowned football headhunter Chuck Neinas to help them in their search. Neinas is a former Big Eight commissioner that has schools identify and hire coaches like Mack Brown, Bob Stoops and Urban Meyer, so the guy has an excellent track record. He also doesn't come cheap—his standard fee is $35-40,000.
1) Joe Alleva wasn't the only person to go talk with Navy HC Paul Johnson on Monday. President Richard Brodhead and another top school executive also hopped on a chartered private jet to the Washington area to meet with the Navy coach. If Duke is sending bigwigs to visit Johnson at home (compared to just bringing in Broadway to Duke), I think we can see where their priorities are at this point and who is at the top of their list.
2) We've confirmed that Duke has hired renowned football headhunter Chuck Neinas to help them in their search. Neinas is a former Big Eight commissioner that has schools identify and hire coaches like Mack Brown, Bob Stoops and Urban Meyer, so the guy has an excellent track record. He also doesn't come cheap—his standard fee is $35-40,000.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Tuesday Evening Update
Emphasis on volume with this post, so here it goes...
1) Navy HC Paul Johnson did go to Dallas last night, according to this report in the Dallas Morning News. This probably confirms the speculation of the SMU fans on this forum, who I mentioned last night went as far as going to the airport to stake out the arrival of a booster's plane from Baltimore.
2) Bill Wagner, the writer from the Annapolis Capital who has done some great reporting on Johnson, has a lengthy blog post with some new details on his movements over the past three days. Definetly a good read.
3) Grambling State's AD granted permission for Rod Broadway to speak with Duke about their vacancy, so now we know what sort of "business" Broadway was attending to when he landed at RDU this morning. Sources have indicated to me that Alleva met with Broadway in Durham today, so he's a definite candidate at this point.
1) Navy HC Paul Johnson did go to Dallas last night, according to this report in the Dallas Morning News. This probably confirms the speculation of the SMU fans on this forum, who I mentioned last night went as far as going to the airport to stake out the arrival of a booster's plane from Baltimore.
2) Bill Wagner, the writer from the Annapolis Capital who has done some great reporting on Johnson, has a lengthy blog post with some new details on his movements over the past three days. Definetly a good read.
3) Grambling State's AD granted permission for Rod Broadway to speak with Duke about their vacancy, so now we know what sort of "business" Broadway was attending to when he landed at RDU this morning. Sources have indicated to me that Alleva met with Broadway in Durham today, so he's a definite candidate at this point.
Holtz Can't Talk to Duke
Even if East Carolina HC Skip Holtz thinks that Duke is his dream job, he wouldn't be able to speak with Duke AD Joe Alleva about the job until late December. That's because his current AD, Terry Holland, said in a statement that he won't grant permission for any of his coaches to interview for other jobs until their regular season and postseason obligations are complete.
With the Pirates playing in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 23, Holland's ban means that Holtz likely couldnt interview with Duke until after Christmas—the target date that Alleva announced for making a new hire.
That said, I'm now doubting that Holtz remains a major candidate, unless the search process drags on into January.
With the Pirates playing in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 23, Holland's ban means that Holtz likely couldnt interview with Duke until after Christmas—the target date that Alleva announced for making a new hire.
That said, I'm now doubting that Holtz remains a major candidate, unless the search process drags on into January.
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