Potential HC hires

[BillMedleyFan]

One positive in all this is that Northwestern will have a big head start when it comes to filling the position. They have roughly six months to prospect candidates and make a decision.

The biggest question I have is what kind of budget are they going to have to work with since they clearly are going to have to pay Fitz a big settlement.

A couple of options I have seen brought up:

Mike Kafka: He’s a hot NFL candidate right now, but if the Giants have a bad year it’s possible assuming NU opens up its checkbook. Would be the home run for me. Imagine going from what we have seen on offense to the Andy Reid playbook.

Tommy Rees: The connections are there, and he grew up right near Evanston. I think Tommy could be tempted, but is more likely to sit back and let his star rise in Tuscaloosa. I think he also might be a bit young/inexperienced to deal with this **** show.

Jim Leonhard: Available to talk right now. Another good hire as he would have a big chip on his shoulder.

David Shaw: Seems like more of a west coast guy. Could also see him going back to the NFL. That said would provide much needed stability and order to the program.

The absolute worst case scenario

Derek Mason: If nobody wants the job and Gragg decides to reach into his Vanderbilt contact list.

Other options:

How about the SIU coach who beat Fitz last year?

 

[kaTNap]

How about the SIU coach who beat Fitz last year?

Nick Hill is his name. He has an overall losing record (36-43), is an SIU alum, and has never coached (in college) anywhere except SIU. SIU was just 5-6 last year, which tells you a little bit about how bad NU was.

Not at all a good choice IMO. I would make Coach Braun my HC first and not lose a minute's sleep over it.

I live in Nashville and follow Vandy (a little bit). Derek Mason would be another big step down. Also, his energy and charisma ... if Fitz made people want to follow him and charge through a brick wall, Derek Mason makes people want to lie down and take a nap.

 

[Eurocat]

The new coach has to have no ties to the University after the hiring of Coach Walker, so no to Rees, Kafka, Randy Bates, etc.

 

[JordanTClark1]

Brian Hartline

 

[kaTNap]

Brian Hartline

Why do you think Brian Hartline would be interested? No ties to NU, no ties to Chicago (AFAIK); he bleeds scarlet and gray. I'm not even sure he'd get much of a pay raise; I'm sure tOSU compensates their coordinators very well.

And, if he were successful, he'd be on the next plane to Columbus as soon as that job opened up.

I'm sure he's a good guy, but that seems like quite a reach.

 

[corbi2961]

Sean Lewis, Jim Leonhard and Paul Chryst are far and away the best and most obvious choices. If NU wants stability, credibility and experience, Chryst in particular makes a lot of sense.

 

[kaTNap]

Sean Lewis, Jim Leonhard and Paul Chryst are far and away the best and most obvious choices. If NU wants stability, credibility and experience, Chryst in particular makes a lot of sense.

Do you think Chryst's rumored distaste for recruiting wouldn't be a problem for him at NU?

 

[corbi2961]

Do you think Chryst's rumored distaste for recruiting wouldn't be a problem for him at NU?

That’s hogwash. IF Paul Chryst is willing to take the job, NU should send their jet to pick him up ASAP. I am not sure he would take it. NU’s football program is damaged good right now.

 

[kaTNap]

That’s hogwash. IF Paul Chryst is willing to take the job, NU should send their jet to pick him up ASAP. I am not sure he would take it. NU’s football program is damaged good right now.

What's hogwash? That Chryst doesn't like to recruit? Good to know if so.

We're definitely damaged goods. And I have little confidence in Gragg to run a smart hiring process.

 

[NUChicago]

What's hogwash? That Chryst doesn't like to recruit? Good to know if so.

We're definitely damaged goods. And I have little confidence in Gragg to run a smart hiring process.

If it is up to him.

 

[corbi2961]

What's hogwash? That Chryst doesn't like to recruit? Good to know if so.

We're definitely damaged goods. And I have little confidence in Gragg to run a smart hiring process.

Yes.

 

[BillMedleyFan]

Nick Hill is his name. He has an overall losing record (36-43), is an SIU alum, and has never coached (in college) anywhere except SIU. SIU was just 5-6 last year, which tells you a little bit about how bad NU was.

Not at all a good choice IMO. I would make Coach Braun my HC first and not lose a minute's sleep over it.

I live in Nashville and follow Vandy (a little bit). Derek Mason would be another big step down. Also, his energy and charisma ... if Fitz made people want to follow him and charge through a brick wall, Derek Mason makes people want to lie down and take a nap.

Braun is a two year FCS coordinator. Seems like a big step up to being a big ten head coach.

 

[Sheffielder]

On some of the common names we're seeing/hearing...

Kafka: Just face it, the dude has NFL pedigree and isn't coming back. Obviously I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

Leonhard: Has a bigger upside right now than landing at lowly Northwestern. Sad but true.

Rees: Nothing I've seen of Rees tells me he's ready to be the head man anywhere. Coordinator, sure.

Shaw: His reasons for leaving Stanford seemed credible and valid, I see no reason this opening gets his juices flowing.

Mason: Total loser. I followed his tenure at Vandy and was never impressed.

Chryst: For whatever reason, if we were to hire before the season started, my money is on him. And here's the thing: for whatever the head coach doesn't want to do (recruit?)...we are a WEALTHY Big Ten program and it's time we start acting like it. For whatever talent we can't put on the field, let's spend a few million and make it up on coaching. I am being absolutely dead serious, and this is something I advocated for over the past few years - drop $5M per year on coordinators.

 

[BillMedleyFan]

On some of the common names we're seeing/hearing...

Kafka: Just face it, the dude has NFL pedigree and isn't coming back. Obviously I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

Leonhard: Has a bigger upside right now than landing at lowly Northwestern. Sad but true.

Rees: Nothing I've seen of Rees tells me he's ready to be the head man anywhere. Coordinator, sure.

Shaw: His reasons for leaving Stanford seemed credible and valid, I see no reason this opening gets his juices flowing.

Mason: Total loser. I followed his tenure at Vandy and was never impressed.

Chryst: For whatever reason, if we were to hire before the season started, my money is on him. And here's the thing: for whatever the head coach doesn't want to do (recruit?)...we are a WEALTHY Big Ten program and it's time we start acting like it. For whatever talent we can't put on the field, let's spend a few million and make it up on coaching. I am being absolutely dead serious, and this is something I advocated for over the past few years - drop $5M per year on coordinators.

I’d imagine Mason would be high on Graggs list, but I think it’s 50/50 Gragg survives.

 

[BillMedleyFan]

Other options?

Randy Bates and Lou Ayeni. Although not sure if they will hire a former member of Fitz’s staff.

 

[kaTNap]

Braun is a two year FCS coordinator. Seems like a big step up to being a big ten head coach.

I'd take a two year DC at one of the strongest FCS programs over an FCS HC at a mediocre FCS program with a career losing record with no hesitation.
Our last HC was promoted directly from LB coach.

 

[kaTNap]

I’d imagine Mason would be high on Graggs list, but I think it’s 50/50 Gragg survives.

Gragg was at Vandy in the late 80's & early 90's. Mason came to Vandy in 2014, and had no association with the school before then. Not sure what besides "associated with Vandy" would make Mason especially attractive to Gragg.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Why do you think Brian Hartline would be interested? No ties to NU, no ties to Chicago (AFAIK); he bleeds scarlet and gray. I'm not even sure he'd get much of a pay raise; I'm sure tOSU compensates their coordinators very well.

And, if he were successful, he'd be on the next plane to Columbus as soon as that job opened up.

I'm sure he's a good guy, but that seems like quite a reach.

michigag fans are floating that to get him out of Columbus.

 

[Figrating]

We're definitely damaged goods. And I have little confidence in Gragg to run a smart hiring process.

How can you possibly say that after his spectacular hire to coach NU baseball?

 

[jimmyNU]

I'd take a two year DC at one of the strongest FCS programs over an FCS HC at a mediocre FCS program with a career losing record with no hesitation.
Our last HC was promoted directly from LB coach.

I am hoping that Braun is given the interim coaching title today. I also hope that if he manages to navigate this season in good standing, that he is seriously considered for the permanent role.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Short of Paul Chryst, Take Tommy Rees. I could care less about his lack of experience at this stage. Learn on the job, NU will take its lumps no matter what. He would infuse young enthusiasm and be great recruiting.

 

[TheC]

A top candidate being floated is Sherone Moore from Michigan. It would be a great hire, but I can't imagine this guy would come here. He will be a head coach very soon and will likely have other options if Michigan has another good year. But he is being considered as a top candidate according to the interwebs.

 

[kaTNap]

A top candidate being floated is Sherone Moore from Michigan. It would be a great hire, but I can't imagine this guy would come here. He will be a head coach very soon and will likely have other options if Michigan has another good year. But he is being considered as a top candidate according to the interwebs.

Brian Hartline, also available in maize and blue.

Yeah, great hire. Won't be happening IMO.

 

[Pulmocat]

I would try to poach Elko from Duke

 

[Figrating]

God help NU find a new HC. It's always been an obvious challenge, but with the recent stain, it's hard to say how unattractive it is. How'd you like to be doing the recruiting? "HI! This is Derrick Gragg, Northwestern University AD, and I'd like to invite you to consider... (CLICK)..."

But Kafka is the perfect candidate. He nearly instantly made the NYG O a strength and likely saved Saquon and Daniel's careers. He has the superior coaching skills that NU REQUIRES, as in the days of Hankwitz. Might be able to work some of that Harbaugh-pathway-to-the-Pros in recruiting. He knows the coaching talent in the NFL and he could recruit the best of it to coach at NU. He's one coach capable of leading NU out of this screamin' mess. As the OP wrote, NU better be prepared to pay him - or anybody else - serious compensation.

Remember the glorious days of Big Morty and Phillips?

 

[jimmyNU]

For some reason, David Braun's "full bio" on nusports.com is blank. I wonder if it's being re-written for the interim head coach position.

 

[elgatoloco_rivals308553]

The bigger question is who would want to work for this AD? The lion's share of job satisfaction is who you report to. He hung Collins out to dry in public last year, badly mishandled this situation and has another mess in the baseball program.

 

[mountaindrew]

For some reason, David Braun's "full bio" on nusports.com is blank. I wonder if it's being re-written for the interim head coach position.

Nah. Everybody in the SID office has been on vacation with Gragg all summer.

 

[corbi2961]

Short of Paul Chryst, Take Tommy Rees. I could care less about his lack of experience at this stage. Learn on the job, NU will take its lumps no matter what. He would infuse young enthusiasm and be great recruiting.

I think you guys are sleeping on Sean Lewis. From Illinois, already proven head coach overachieving at Kent State, young/offensive minded coach. Would be an inspired choice.Probably the reason it won’t happen.

 

[theProducer]

I once asked Fitz why he didnt play Kafka sooner. He did not like that question. Kafka, hometown guy, no pressure to win for awhile, can always go back to NFL. I bet he at least mulls it over.

 

[hdhntr1]

I think you guys are sleeping on Sean Lewis. From Illinois, already proven head coach overachieving at Kent State, young/offensive minded coach. Would be an inspired choice.Probably the reason it won’t happen.

Of the list we have seen, I felt he would be a great candidate and definitely should be on any short list. Have to think he would be a guy we could actually get as well

 

[BillMedleyFan]

I once asked Fitz why he didnt play Kafka sooner. He did not like that question. Kafka, hometown guy, no pressure to win for awhile, can always go back to NFL. I bet he at least mulls it over.

He played him as a RS freshman. Kafka was horrible. Definitely a player who benefited from sitting and watching CJ Bacher for a few years.

I get the sense Fitz envisioned Mike Kafka when he went all in on Hunter Johnson two years ago.

 

[ashley0623_rivals]

I once asked Fitz why he didnt play Kafka sooner. He did not like that question. Kafka, hometown guy, no pressure to win for awhile, can always go back to NFL. I bet he at least mulls it over.

Wasn't that because CJ Bacher (a pretty good QB) was the starter in 2007-08 though? Kafka did play in 2006 (the game in Reno on ESPN2 comes to mind), and in 2008 (Minnesota) to fill in for an injured Bacher. But there wasn't a reason for a non-Bacher QB to play except the games Bacher was injured.

 

[NUCat320]

John Holocek is available.

 

[Eurocat]

I really like Sean Lewis. Here is a repost -

https://www.si.com/college/2020/11/25/kent-state-football-sean-lewis

What about the coach at Incarnate Word, you know, the tiny school that beat Southern Illinois who then beat us last year?

https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/football/schedule/2022

He is now Head Coach at Texas State and I doubt he would abandon his team now, so we would have to wait a year.

Our AD Gragg was AD at Tulsa when Kinne was the captain and QB who passed for 81 touchdowns.

https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/g-j-kinne/2626

 

[kaTNap]

I really like Sean Lewis. Here is a repost -

https://www.si.com/college/2020/11/25/kent-state-football-sean-lewis

What about the coach at Incarnate Word, you know, the tiny school that beat Southern Illinois who then beat us last year?

https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/football/schedule/2022

He is now Head Coach at Texas State and I doubt he would abandon his team now, so we would have to wait a year.

Our AD Gragg was AD at Tulsa when Kinne was the captain and QB who passed for 81 touchdowns.

https://uiwcardinals.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/g-j-kinne/2626

Guy has had _six_ jobs since 2017? Ouch ...

 

[theProducer]

Wasn't that because CJ Bacher (a pretty good QB) was the starter in 2007-08 though? Kafka did play in 2006 (the game in Reno on ESPN2 comes to mind), and in 2008 (Minnesota) to fill in for an injured Bacher. But there wasn't a reason for a non-Bacher QB to play except the games Bacher was injured.

Pretty good by NU standards but he had 43 TDs and 43 picks. In the moment I thought he wasn't good enough to go unchallenged every year. We only beat one top 25 team during his run as a starter if I recall correctly. Meanwhile Kafka wasn't utilized at all.

 

[loyolacat]

getting anyone at this point is like trying to draw to an Ace high flush with three other Aces showing.
Gonna take a true believer, a high plains drifter, or someone backed by a really big stack of chips.
Do you think this whole thing has caused Pat Ryan to leave the table ? and are there any others to ride in on a white horse to save the day? This still has me feeling like the guy whose girl was kidnapped by the banker who forced the farmers to sell their land to grab all the water rights......We need a guy on a white horse....with a fast gun.......we had a sherrif who kept the peace and he got run out of town. Im nominating Randolph Scott for Coach and Joel McCrea for AD......they'll clean up this town.....keep the rif-raf out and make everyone leave their guns in the Sherrif's office so decent folks can live a life and finish building that big two story house with the white picket fence..... man o man I see a large cloud of dust in the distance...and its heading our way. Dont know whether to load the shotgun or get everyone in the buggy and leave town....Things were clearer before Marshall Fitz left town.

 

[corbi2961]

Pretty good by NU standards but he had 43 TDs and 43 picks. In the moment I thought he wasn't good enough to go unchallenged every year. We only beat one top 25 team during his run as a starter if I recall correctly. Meanwhile Kafka wasn't utilized at all.

Kafka wasn’t ready. He had only played QB for one year in HS at Rita. He was an athlete playing QB. Credit MCCall for his development. By the time he was named the starter, he was a QB who also was a great athlete.

 

[Sheffielder]

I once asked Fitz why he didnt play Kafka sooner. He did not like that question. Kafka, hometown guy, no pressure to win for awhile, can always go back to NFL. I bet he at least mulls it over.

Kafka is one step away from being an NFL head coach, where in any given year he could win a Super Bowl.

In MOST years he would struggle to get 10 8 wins at NU in the new Big Ten, saying nothing of a championship, with not even a Division title to fall back on. No one should assume or expect his affection for NU football is such that he'd stifle his own career trajectory for this.

Again...if he is - GREAT - welcome back. But it's a pipe dream.

Also, "Mike, did you ever experience hazing as a participant or a perpetrator in the NU locker room, or did you ever witness it during your time as a player?"