It’s the first of November heading into the grind of the football season. Head coaches have already been fired with 4-5 weeks remaining in the conference season and the new 12-team format playoffs is looming after the conference championship games.

High profile programs are conducting head coach searches mid season. Will Stein’s name is being mentioned and surely his agent is fielding some calls.

This puts Stein in an interesting position. As Oregon’s OC he is already at an elite football program with talent, facilities, resources, competing for a national title. Most opportunities would be a step up in title and money, but would be a step back program-wise. Coach Lanning noted that, “The grass is damn green in Eugene”. There is truth in his words.

Should the Ducks continue winning the season will continue into January. By then some of the top jobs will likely be filled. A principle reason that some teams dismissed their coaches was to get a jump start on hiring while the field is wide open.

Will Stein has a contract with Oregon containing clauses and stipulations as its terms. Coach Stein has an Offense of players to which he has responsibilities. There exists a relationship with the university, the coaches and the community of fans and supporters.

It will be interesting to see the career path of Will Stein reveal itself. Surely the speculations about it will continue..

There are many snaps ahead in the 2025 season. How will they play out?

To compete with the big boys, a HC needs recruiting chops, top notch assistants, and a big bag of NIL money. If it was me, I would probably stay with Oregon for a few more years to see if I could get a National Championship as OC.

Having a Natty on a resume guarantees a level of financial success that few people can attain. Although, it doesn’t guarantee that you will be a good HC.

I think some coaches reach for the brass ring before they are truly ready.

I saw an interview with Dan Lanning the other day. He stated that he encourages his assistants to move up if given the opportunity. He also said that many opportunities have come and been turned down already. I think his assistants realize that they are in a good situation.

I believe that this season has shown these coaches how fast they can go from being ranked in the Top 10 to unemployed. I almost feel bad for Junior Adams because he’s playing for a head coach who seems to be a place holder. However, the strongest position group for the Cowboys is WR, so I don’t think Junior will ever be unemployed for more than the time it takes to call his agent.

Apparently Penn State is looking at a name nobody was talking about two weeks ago. That name? Brian Hartline. I guess the old saying "If you can't beat them, just take as much as possible from them". Well that isn't exactly the phrase, but you know what I mean.

I would personally think Stein is the safer candidate, but the trend to hire young dudes in their thirties that recruit really well, is the new trend. Dillingham, Lanning, Freeman, Day, and Riley being the trailblazers. I will say Penn State will get awesome receivers for the first time in my lifetime, if they make that hire.

This might be good for Oregon. They get to keep Stein, and he won't be an in conference for that could take any recruits with him. I don't think Stein leaves unless it's a job with resources close to what Oregon offers. Kind of like Kirby.

Florida and LSU are looking elsewhere, and those are the only current options that fit that bill. Now if Michigan State , Auburn or Florida State came open, that might be a different story.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by GatOrlando

2 hours ago, GatOrlando said:

Florida and LSU are looking elsewhere, and those are the only current options that fit that bill. Now if Michigan State , Auburn or Florida State came open, that might be a different story.

FSU might do well to wait until after next season. It doesn’t matter who Auburn gets. They’ll try to run him off after his first losing streak. Michigan State has probably already called Brian Kelly. They’re just waiting to fire Smith until after the season.

It's a business. Like any other business decision, coaches stay or go depending on the offer. The more successful the program, the more and better offers.

Example: The Nick Saban Coaching Rehabilitation and Recovery Facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

There are 68 P4 head coaching jobs. As many as 15 of these jobs could be open at season's end; jobs will be added to the carousel as candidates take the new jobs. And several G6 jobs, as is already the situation at Oregon State, will open.

If you are a head coach currently making multi-millions in a perfectly aligned situation, President, AD, Boosters with NIL money backing you and the program, and without the bat spit political furor like we see in Baton Rouge, why move? With your name in play, your agent will see that your salary is raised with you, your family, and your assistant coaches and their families, not having to move.

Lane Kiffin is still in the mix for the Florida and Penn State jobs, but why would he leave a sweet situation at Ole Miss for the insanity in Baton Rouge? At Florida and Penn State, how many seasons will he be given to win a national championship? The expectations at so many schools are through the roof. If Cignetti can do it at Indiana ...

I do find it interesting that Matt Ruhle's two-year extension at Nebraska keeps him at the same base salary and is loaded with incentives that, if realized, could double his base salary. I believe we'll see more of the same, instead of the insane amount of guaranteed money with huge exit fee payments.

Weeks 11 through 14 will have much to say in regards to how full Will's Stein could be. With all of the pink slips being handed out, OBD's budget for assistant coaches will be increased.

Looking back, why fire Dan Mullen, Frank Solich, Bo Pelini, Jim Mora, Mike Leach, Glenn Mason, and David Cutcliffe? Without an expanded playoff, Ryan Day was at risk of being fired. 🤪

Here's to Wishing OBD a Good Bye!

56 minutes ago, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

FSU might do well to wait until after next season. It doesn’t matter who Auburn gets. They’ll try to run him off after his first losing streak. Michigan State has probably already called Brian Kelly. They’re just waiting to fire Smith until after the season.

Norvell is a DMW, but this is a bad year to be in the coaching sweepstakes. There are clearly three better jobs open, and not enough sure fire dudes available. FSU isn't getting the sure fire guy, if there is even one of those.

The buyout will decrease by ten million next year. The issue is recruits and assistants likely know Norvell is a DMW. They run the risk of stretching out their timeline for a rebuild, just like Florida did with Napier. If Florida had fired Napier last year, they'd be wrapping up year one with whoever the next guy would be. I would prefer Fisch, but most want Kiffin, and he would've taken the job with no hesitancy last year. Now Florida is going to have to pay him a considerably higher guaranteed contract to get him.

Arkansas likely would've had Golesh finishing his first year, instead they are going to be competing with Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, UCLA, and Michigan State for whoever they want. FSU is likely going to be in that tier as well imo.

But you don't have to get the biggest name, or the biggest list of accomplishments. It won't take long either, but you need the right guy. Vanderbilt, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Houston, Indiana, and Cincy have all proven that. Get some guy who brings a culture, and give him some resources. It doesn't even have to be top ten resources, just allocate your full allotment the revenue sharing model allows you.

1 hour ago, Jon Joseph said:

It's a business. Like any other business decision, coaches stay or go depending on the offer. The more successful the program, the more and better offers.

Example: The Nick Saban Coaching Rehabilitation and Recovery Facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

There are 68 P4 head coaching jobs. As many as 15 of these jobs could be open at season's end; jobs will be added to the carousel as candidates take the new jobs. And several G6 jobs, as is already the situation at Oregon State, will open.

If you are a head coach currently making multi-millions in a perfectly aligned situation, President, AD, Boosters with NIL money backing you and the program, and without the bat spit political furor like we see in Baton Rouge, why move? With your name in play, your agent will see that your salary is raised with you, your family, and your assistant coaches and their families, not having to move.

Lane Kiffin is still in the mix for the Florida and Penn State jobs, but why would he leave a sweet situation at Ole Miss for the insanity in Baton Rouge? At Florida and Penn State, how many seasons will he be given to win a national championship? The expectations at so many schools are through the roof. If Cignetti can do it at Indiana ...

I do find it interesting that Matt Ruhle's two-year extension at Nebraska keeps him at the same base salary and is loaded with incentives that, if realized, could double his base salary. I believe we'll see more of the same, instead of the insane amount of guaranteed money with huge exit fee payments.

Weeks 11 through 14 will have much to say in regards to how full Will's Stein could be. With all of the pink slips being handed out, OBD's budget for assistant coaches will be increased.

Looking back, why fire Dan Mullen, Frank Solich, Bo Pelini, Jim Mora, Mike Leach, Glenn Mason, and David Cutcliffe? Without an expanded playoff, Ryan Day was at risk of being fired. 🤪

Here's to Wishing OBD a Good Bye!

He'd get a longer leash at Florida, it's been a minute since ten win seasons were the norm. The money also doesn't dictate to Scott Stricklin. I think if Lane or whomever gets hired, all we would want to see is progression. The one positive Napier left behind was a great collection of talent, and a more serious investment in football. He helped get the facilities up to snuff, created connections back to the high schools in State, and got Florida to pay for a large support staff.

At LSU and Penn State they will expect playoffs by year two. There's also meddling up and down their leadership.