Regardless, the agents for Cignetti and Rhule are going to get their men PAID!
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2025-26 Coaching Carousel
- Thread starter Buffnik
- Start date
I know others probably disagree, but I put Penn State firmly in the tier 2 category. It's not in the blue blood, tier 1 category with Ohio State, Michigan, Bama, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, etc. but I think it's there with Clemson, Oklahoma, FSU, Auburn, Tennessee, Miami, aTm, etc.
IMO, Curt Cignetti is going to have to think long and hard about it as it's a far superior job to Indiana, other than the expectations. Cignetti could win 10 games/year at IU and they'd build a statue. If he doesn't want to (potentially) unrealistic expectations that PSU would create, then it probably doesn't make sense.
Make sure to send this to any and all nub friends. Nubs are being lumped in as a "tough job" lol
Or the nubs if they lose rhule.
ahoelsken
Well-Known Member
Why leave if you're Cignetti? He's in the Big 10 already. You have the same California pension fund revenue (Pate said something like $200M per school), and you have the same TV revenue as PSU. He's been to the playoff once, and he's 6-0 this year. They're going to be favored in every game they have remaining, so another CFP appearance might be coming. Dude's 17-2 or whatever at Indiana in a year and a half. That statue is probably being built already, and he definitely doesn't have to buy a meal anywhere in the state of Indiana as it is.
I don't see him even entertaining PSU. He's got it way too good where he is.
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Cignetti is 64, has all the leverage he could want if Indiana needs to sweeten the pot, and with the win at Oregon it looks like he's got all he needs to make the playoffs and win games in the tournament where he is.
ahoelsken
Well-Known Member
He can easily win a national title at Indiana. That's going to be Matt Rhule in my opinion, and Josh Pate's right.
That's not enough to warrant handing James Franklin $50M to go coach somewhere else.
Quite possibly. CFB at the P2 level is becoming more like the NFL where there’s not a huge difference between most jobs. I still think there’s a draw to Penn State over Indiana but maybe he doesn’t see it that way. High, borderline unrealistic, expectations can be a detriment.
unibuff
Well-Known Member
I wonder if Cignetti's overwhelming and surprising success at Indiana will change any ADs' perspective when they look for potential candidates. They might try to find the next Cignetti instead of more known commodities.
Seems like the only person that expected Cignetti to have this type of success at Indiana was Cignetti.
This may be the first time in history when a message board has used the word "attractive" is association with Matt Rhule three times in one thread.
I think it’s absolutely adorable that they feel like having “elite” facilities means jack squat these days.
At the top end this may be true.
It may also be similar to the NFL in that because of resources available the P2 with a few limited exceptions is the only place where a coach has a realistic shot at winning the national championship. With the budget differences, then tack on the added exposure and other differences just as there are only 32 NFL head jobs in college there are now far fewer head jobs with a realistic shot at finishing on top.
Also like the NFL the expectations of results are going to be higher and more immediate. It may be that the age of the Fickells who stay someplace for a career are over.
We currently at the P2 level have open:
Penn State
UCLA
Arkansas
At the P4 level
Oklahoma State
Virginia Tech
BCS Level
Oregon State
UAB
Very likely to be open this year
Wisconsin
Florida
Florida State
Nevada
UTEP
Plus a number of other G5 schools although some may be forced to keep their guy because of budget issues.
Add some retirements and it's going to be wide open again.
Nebraska is a stepping stone job
GRM
Go Buffs/93' Grad
The surge of in season firings seems to be the new norm, as teams making coaching changes want some certainty/establishment going into December. I think things like ACs, player evaluation for roster retention, portal/recruiting infrastructure, and in house media are almost important, as the one HC. I assume that head coach tampering is against the rules since they are under contract. Maybe PSU's AD can call another teams AD and get permission akin to what they do in the NFL. PSU is a different situation than other teams who fired coaches, since player retention will be probably be more important than a wholesale flipping a roster. This one will be a mix. PSU might just have the NIL funds to do whatever.
If PSU is going after an existing HC, I look more towards the B12: Campbell (already mentioned--good resume), Dillingham, and Klienman. Dillingham is hot (next Lanning??), however PSU might need to see him close out this season decently. IMO, Klienman fits PSU's mold of great defense (ex-DC) and runs somewhat a similar college O to what PSU runs or could run, albeit PSU would have more talent. Klienman has won a fair share of big games at KSU with less talent, and 4 championships at NDSU. I think Klienman would jump at it, and could bring a mix of known ACs with him. Campbell would be an excellent hire too. I would not discount Pat Fitzgerald if he has good relations to PSU, and a roladex with ACs etc... He could hit the ground early running.
Rhule rumors make sense given ties to PSU, but Rhule's record against ranked teams is not good. Nubs has not shocked a ranked team, nor did he do this at Baylor. A few wins over lower tier ranked teams at Temple. Could be a similar path to Franklin. This year, Nubs are 5-1 (home loss to MI) however the toughest part of their schedule is the next 6--@MN, USC, @UCLA, @PSU and IA, none are currently ranked (maybe SC if they beat ND). If Rhule does not largely win out, would PSU want to make that plunge? Lose a few and Nubs is better but still a rather middling 2nd/3rd tier B1G team and Rhule could decide staying at NU is a better option. Move to a school with higher expectations?
I don't think Cig or Elko will jump. Cig is king at IU. SEC is tougher conference for Elko, but they are on the upswing and he should be stable for a few years barring a late season collapse. Elko seems close to getting them over the post-Jimbo hangover, and I do not see A&M being trigger happy. Diaz is a interesting, he was a DC promotion at Miami lasting 3 seasons and only 2 seasons at Duke. Lashlee could be a name.
Another HC that could be an interesting would be a trade of sorts. Lincoln Riley at USC. Compared to OU, I have never thought the USC fit was very good and they have struggled since joining the B1G. Riley did win big games/upsets at OU. Things may look better this season, USC beat ranked MI, lost @IL however the rest of their early season opponents were walkovers. If SC loses to a combo of ND, @NU, @OR, IA and/or UCLA (this game is never a given), Riley's seat is hot again and they may lose their #1 recruiting class. SC may be ready for a switch and Riley may let SC out of his buy-out, if a PSU was interested. Riley knows the conference somewhat, he will bring a QB, and currently has the best recruiting class. I would think he and Franklin went head-to-head for a few PSU commits, so he might salvage PSU's recruiting class bringing some guys with him. Food for thought.
If PSU is going after an existing HC, I look more towards the B12: Campbell (already mentioned--good resume), Dillingham, and Klienman. Dillingham is hot (next Lanning??), however PSU might need to see him close out this season decently. IMO, Klienman fits PSU's mold of great defense (ex-DC) and runs somewhat a similar college O to what PSU runs or could run, albeit PSU would have more talent. Klienman has won a fair share of big games at KSU with less talent, and 4 championships at NDSU. I think Klienman would jump at it, and could bring a mix of known ACs with him. Campbell would be an excellent hire too. I would not discount Pat Fitzgerald if he has good relations to PSU, and a roladex with ACs etc... He could hit the ground early running.
Rhule rumors make sense given ties to PSU, but Rhule's record against ranked teams is not good. Nubs has not shocked a ranked team, nor did he do this at Baylor. A few wins over lower tier ranked teams at Temple. Could be a similar path to Franklin. This year, Nubs are 5-1 (home loss to MI) however the toughest part of their schedule is the next 6--@MN, USC, @UCLA, @PSU and IA, none are currently ranked (maybe SC if they beat ND). If Rhule does not largely win out, would PSU want to make that plunge? Lose a few and Nubs is better but still a rather middling 2nd/3rd tier B1G team and Rhule could decide staying at NU is a better option. Move to a school with higher expectations?
I don't think Cig or Elko will jump. Cig is king at IU. SEC is tougher conference for Elko, but they are on the upswing and he should be stable for a few years barring a late season collapse. Elko seems close to getting them over the post-Jimbo hangover, and I do not see A&M being trigger happy. Diaz is a interesting, he was a DC promotion at Miami lasting 3 seasons and only 2 seasons at Duke. Lashlee could be a name.
Another HC that could be an interesting would be a trade of sorts. Lincoln Riley at USC. Compared to OU, I have never thought the USC fit was very good and they have struggled since joining the B1G. Riley did win big games/upsets at OU. Things may look better this season, USC beat ranked MI, lost @IL however the rest of their early season opponents were walkovers. If SC loses to a combo of ND, @NU, @OR, IA and/or UCLA (this game is never a given), Riley's seat is hot again and they may lose their #1 recruiting class. SC may be ready for a switch and Riley may let SC out of his buy-out, if a PSU was interested. Riley knows the conference somewhat, he will bring a QB, and currently has the best recruiting class. I would think he and Franklin went head-to-head for a few PSU commits, so he might salvage PSU's recruiting class bringing some guys with him. Food for thought.
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GRM
Go Buffs/93' Grad
Next P-4 coach to go:
Tie between Fickell and Napier. Fickell may survive this weekend if Wisco beats the spread against Ohio State at home, but the rest of their schedule is just brutal. They will be on 6 straight losses after @OR and not a close underdog in there other games. For Fickell, it is when, not if....
Napier loses to Miss St. at home, then I think he is gone. Except for South Florida (currently #19), the other three losses were to teams in the Top-5 and they beat then #9 Texas. Napier's W/L record is bad and FL has a tough road ahead, but a couple wins v. ranked teams and they may reconsider. Napier's buyout is not horrible, however FL would be on their 6th coach (not counting interims) since Urban left in 2010. The admin may appear trigger-happy and foolish after firing Dan Mullen, who is doing well at UNLV. Mullen's 4 years they had a 10, 11 and 8 win season ranked Top 13 or better in three years, then fired in year 4. With the 12 team playoff, they are probably in the CFP in 2019. The FL job may not be as appealing as some others.
I throw in Norvell and Freeze, but they face decent schedules even in SEC to get bowl eligible and maybe snag an upset. FSU not happy with home loss v. Pitt but they beat Bama, and loses #18 UVA in OT and #1 Miami are not bad losses. FSU has good closing stretch, 4 games heavily favored and winnable games against Clemson and FL. Freeze would be fired in year 3 coming after the Harsin disaster. Question here is whether those teams want to fire coaches late in the season, which does not seem to be the trend.
The SEC is very tough to win in, whereas the B1G black and blue is not nearly as difficult.
Tie between Fickell and Napier. Fickell may survive this weekend if Wisco beats the spread against Ohio State at home, but the rest of their schedule is just brutal. They will be on 6 straight losses after @OR and not a close underdog in there other games. For Fickell, it is when, not if....
Napier loses to Miss St. at home, then I think he is gone. Except for South Florida (currently #19), the other three losses were to teams in the Top-5 and they beat then #9 Texas. Napier's W/L record is bad and FL has a tough road ahead, but a couple wins v. ranked teams and they may reconsider. Napier's buyout is not horrible, however FL would be on their 6th coach (not counting interims) since Urban left in 2010. The admin may appear trigger-happy and foolish after firing Dan Mullen, who is doing well at UNLV. Mullen's 4 years they had a 10, 11 and 8 win season ranked Top 13 or better in three years, then fired in year 4. With the 12 team playoff, they are probably in the CFP in 2019. The FL job may not be as appealing as some others.
I throw in Norvell and Freeze, but they face decent schedules even in SEC to get bowl eligible and maybe snag an upset. FSU not happy with home loss v. Pitt but they beat Bama, and loses #18 UVA in OT and #1 Miami are not bad losses. FSU has good closing stretch, 4 games heavily favored and winnable games against Clemson and FL. Freeze would be fired in year 3 coming after the Harsin disaster. Question here is whether those teams want to fire coaches late in the season, which does not seem to be the trend.
The SEC is very tough to win in, whereas the B1G black and blue is not nearly as difficult.
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GRM
Go Buffs/93' Grad
I think CK would do very well at Wisco. They would not lose games they are not supposed to, and would probably pull off some B1G top tier upsets at home.
Leipold at KU is another name Badger fans are interested in. He was at UW Whitewater before Buffalo
Medford M.
Well-Known Member
Oregon has unlimited resources for NIL and will be a playoff team every year for the foreseeable future
In my travels, I recently met a guy who works for one of the “search firms” that are basically the intermediary backchannelers between agents and schools. He said that Hartline is “almost certainly” not leaving tOSU “even for a major HC opportunity” because Hartline loves the school so much. Apparently they’ve tried to talk to him about all sorts of jobs and Hartline has flatly refused…
Indiana is fundraising at a massive clip for football. Cignetti has a blank check.
Leipold seemed to be tied to every opening a few years ago. You have to wonder if he sees the ceiling has hit at Kansas.
That showed to be the right call. They got the ball back with a shot to tie.
Not going for it on 4th and 8 from midfield after a run on 3rd and 10 was more suspect.
Prime to Penn State confirmed
That is a good call
Iowa State and Kansas State are teams that might be in the PAC12 in the next 3-4 years, so those two coaches should try to get into P2 as soon as possible.
Nubs have squeaked out close wins against the middling teams on their schedule so far.
They probably finish like 7-5 or 8-4, possibly losing to Penn State along the way.
I think the Rhule mystique takes a hit the second half of this season. I keep hearing how year 3 = 10 wins under Rhule.
Winning at Indiana is legendary, winning at the bigger school is old hat. When I see Luka in a Lakers uniform next to Lebron, I laugh and feel pity. Cignetti is great for CFB at Indiana