Bielema?

Purple Pile Driver

All-Conference
May 14, 2014
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It appears that Luke fickle turned the job down
The culture must be way worse than even any of us could imagine. Otherwise, I see it as strange decision by Fickel. Must have confidence he will get offered a big boy job at some point. Didn’t Matt Campbell tell them to take a hike too?
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
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The culture must be way worse than even any of us could imagine. Otherwise, I see it as strange decision by Fickel. Must have confidence he will get offered a big boy job at some point. Didn’t Matt Campbell tell them to take a hike too?

Yes. As did Narduzzi and Mel Tucker.
 

NJCat

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2016
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The culture must be way worse than even any of us could imagine. Otherwise, I see it as strange decision by Fickel. Must have confidence he will get offered a big boy job at some point. Didn’t Matt Campbell tell them to take a hike too?
I bet MSU ends up with Tressel. That job is no picnic, at best 4th most attractive job in the division behind OSU, UM and PSU.
 

ricko6543211

Junior
Nov 15, 2006
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Yes. As did Narduzzi and Mel Tucker.
Makes one think that there is something pretty dark lingering in those recruiting violation allegations etc. That will hinder the ability to build the program going forward. If so many different guys took a look at the job and then passed...
 

Gocatsgo2003

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Mar 30, 2006
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Makes one think that there is something pretty dark lingering in those recruiting violation allegations etc. That will hinder the ability to build the program going forward. If so many different guys took a look at the job and then passed...

Also just a tough time to transition. Not much time before spring ball, right after signing day, etc. That’s a big part of the reason some folks think Dantonio times up his resignation to give Tressel the best shot at the job.
 

Jonny2TheP

Junior
Dec 11, 2007
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I think coaches are also progressively realizing that you can stay at a "lesser" program and still have success, while getting paid well, and have more job security. When you go to a "big boy" program, the expectations are very high and it doesn't take long to be on the hot seat if you don't have immediate positive results. Why not stay at Northwestern (Fitz), Iowa State (Campbell), Minnesota (Fleck), etc. and build your own thing in a situation that has less pressure to win big every year?

Additionally, even if you are a guy that eventually wants to coach in the NFL at the highest level, guys like Matt Rhule and Doug Marrone have shown that you don't have to coach at the biggest college programs to get that opportunity. Outside of the very top programs (I'm talking Alabama, Notre Dame, USC, Ohio State, Michigan) that are still jobs most guys wouldn't turn down, why go to a school that had major past success and now has a bitter fanbase that is impatient about finding the glory days? Schools like Florida State, Nebraska, and Miami (FL) have shown that is no picnic to walk into.
 
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ricko6543211

Junior
Nov 15, 2006
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Also just a tough time to transition. Not much time before spring ball, right after signing day, etc. That’s a big part of the reason some folks think Dantonio times up his resignation to give Tressel the best shot at the job.
Yeah that's a good point too.

Hadn't heard the part about Dantonio trying to position Tressel to get it - that seems a bit more speculative / unlikely, but i suppose is possible.
 
Mar 11, 2011
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Bret Bielema is a HIGHLY controversial coach with a wife who sparked a years-long twitter war by merely typing 5 letters. Getting them back in the conference would be a lot of fun.
 

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,502
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Bret Bielema is a HIGHLY controversial coach with a wife who sparked a years-long twitter war by merely typing 5 letters. Getting them back in the conference would be a lot of fun.
5 letters?

Jeez, it takes me several paragraphs to piss people off.
 

CatFanEd

Redshirt
Jun 8, 2001
1,151
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Also just a tough time to transition. Not much time before spring ball, right after signing day, etc. That’s a big part of the reason some folks think Dantonio times up his resignation to give Tressel the best shot at the job.
A new head coach, unless a proven consistent winner, would really upset the applecart at MSU. The downward spiral would continue. Tressel will at least provide some stability in 2020. Sanctions could be coming as well. Dantanio was swing for home runs and ended up striking out big time.
 

CSCatFan1

Senior
Dec 4, 2002
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A new head coach, unless a proven consistent winner, would really upset the applecart at MSU. The downward spiral would continue. Tressel will at least provide some stability in 2020. Sanctions could be coming as well. Dantanio was swing for home runs and ended up striking out big time.

I'm thinking just the opposite...a new coach would signify change and a breathe of fresh air. Keeping Tressel would be an extension of the Dantonio regime and just more of the same ole, same ole.
 

CatFanEd

Redshirt
Jun 8, 2001
1,151
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I'm thinking just the opposite...a new coach would signify change and a breathe of fresh air. Keeping Tressel would be an extension of the Dantonio regime and just more of the same ole, same ole.
Not thinking totally opposite. I said I would be OK with a new coach as long as he has instant respect. I don't think Bret would garner that.
 

BigCatFan19

Redshirt
Oct 27, 2016
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The culture must be way worse than even any of us could imagine. Otherwise, I see it as strange decision by Fickel. Must have confidence he will get offered a big boy job at some point. Didn’t Matt Campbell tell them to take a hike too?

Luke is not going to coach against OSU - he has so many close relationships with the program and current coaches and administrators that this was an impossible ask on MSU.
 

Smolmania

Sophomore
Nov 4, 2008
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Tucker was a terrible DC when he was here with the Bears. His Buffs were 5 and 7 last year. Glad to have him in East Lansing. Wonder if his 5.7 mildo is guaranteed for all 5 years? That's enough cash to ride off into the sunset even if the program turns into the dumpster fire I'm hoping for. . .
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
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Sheesh...this guy really wants back in the club!


I would much rather be paid millions of dollars to run my own BCS-level program than be the OLB coach for the Giants. I think he was turned off of the NFL when he didn’t get a shot at the Patriots DC gig.
 

JournCat

Junior
Aug 4, 2009
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As much as Bielema is a tool, I would be more worried about MSU with him in charge than I am with Mel Tucker.

I agree with this and am not sure why he's seen as such a buffoon because he couldn't surpass mediocrity at Arkansas. When has Arkansas football been that good in recent memory outside of Petrino? Regardless of Barry Alvarez putting the program in place, he still won big at Wisconsin. My guess is he's still getting billed for his wife's "karma" tweet.
 

catsattackfor3

Freshman
Mar 2, 2011
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I agree with this and am not sure why he's seen as such a buffoon because he couldn't surpass mediocrity at Arkansas. When has Arkansas football been that good in recent memory outside of Petrino? Regardless of Barry Alvarez putting the program in place, he still won big at Wisconsin. My guess is he's still getting billed for his wife's "karma" tweet.

Right I do not get why people do not understand that sometimes a guy just isn't a "fit" at one place which doesn't make them not a great hire elsewhere. BB had zero SEC experience and looked like a fish out of water there. Very few guys can win at multiple places. When Bielema left Wisconsin many of my Badger friends were shocked and ticked off. It is not like he took stupid pills as soon as he headed down to Arkansas. He just didn't get it done for whatever reason and I am sure he has regret. I always wonder if everyone who takes a hammer to these guys have ever took a new job and realized, damn I should have stayed at my old job where I was a better fit!
 

hdhntr1

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2006
37,687
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Right I do not get why people do not understand that sometimes a guy just isn't a "fit" at one place which doesn't make them not a great hire elsewhere. BB had zero SEC experience and looked like a fish out of water there. Very few guys can win at multiple places. When Bielema left Wisconsin many of my Badger friends were shocked and ticked off. It is not like he took stupid pills as soon as he headed down to Arkansas. He just didn't get it done for whatever reason and I am sure he has regret. I always wonder if everyone who takes a hammer to these guys have ever took a new job and realized, damn I should have stayed at my old job where I was a better fit!
He apparently took them while at WIS. What else would get him to make that move?