The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired

The firing of Memphis' Tommy West and Western Kentucky's Dave Elson on Monday has kicked off the silly season.

Here it comes. Look for a rash of firings, resignations, etc. in coming weeks. While this doesn't seem like a particularly active year there could be some big openings -- Notre Dame (read about it on the site today), Virginia, etc.

Memphis could be a good job for an aggressive young assistant. Look what Kevin Sumlin is doing in the same league (Conference USA) with Houston. Gary Parrish already told you that the Tigers are targeting LSU assistant Larry Porter. I've since found out that Terry Bowden, current North Alabama coach and former Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower have shown interest in the job.

Elson had been with the Hilltoppers for seven seasons but was 0-9 in Western Kentucky's first official season in Division I-A.

It had better be Al Groh; his teams have been an embarassment, even in the ACC and even for Virginia. UVa will usually accept slightly less in terms of "championship performance" in return for higher academic standards (or at least that's what they, and Duke, claim), but even in that department Al's failing. His players slide in and out of school, and his teams don't even approach mediocre any more. It's not as if he doesn't have the talent to work with, but he's started to lose more and more players not just to VaTech (almost understandable, since they're more of the "football powerhouse" prototype), but sometimes to Richmond, James Madison, and other "smaller schools" that will play for a championship.

Hawkins probably has a year left before he gets booted. I, at least, would like to see what he could do with a real QB instead of his son, and the team has made progress from the total swamp he inherited.

Kragthorpe still has a pass for a year or two in my mind because, well, it's Louisville. Unless you're Bobby Petrino and sell your soul to the devil, you don't really have much chance to build a perennial power down there in footie.

My top candidates, after Al Groh, have to be: Tom O'Brien at NC State (just a disaster this year, and not so hot last year either; definitely a program on the rocks; he can join Sidney Lowe in the unemployment line, I hope); and Mike Sherman (he's done nothing with a program that has all the potential in the world, and a legacy to match; unless he beats UT, I say he's gone).

Other guys on a short rope have to include Dennis Erikson and Mike Stoops. The Arizona teams just aren't getting it done; Stoops, in particular, has had a good run, but not produced what he promised. Not even a second-place finish in the Pac-10 or an upset of the Trojans; UA and ASU are, in fact, the only two teams in the conference to be left out of those categories this decade. Shameful.

The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired

"Kragthorpe still has a pass for a year or two in my mind because, well, it's Louisville. Unless you're Bobby Petrino and sell your soul to the devil, you don't really have much chance to build a perennial power down there in footie."

I think your mistaken on Kragthorpe. The argument of "well, it's Louisville" doesn't make much sense to me. Obviously I am very biased so take what I say with grain of salt. But we haven't been "Well its Louisville" in like 20 years.

Howard Schnellenberger had us ranked and headed for the right direction, but the next hire fell off.

John L. Smith to Petrino was about as Perennial Power as you can get, "Albeit CUSA and Big East" but still we were in a bowl every year and competing for conf championships, and were regulary regarded as the "Hottest rising program in the nation" until the current coach.

I think the AD knows he has to get rid of the coach after this season. Economics will play big because the fans in Louisville are revolting against this guy by not showing up to games. And if there aren't people at the games, its hard to make money.

The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired

It is hard not to believe that Charlie Weis, Dan Hawkins, and Al Grogh aren't looking over their shoulders. I would be interested to hear what Texas A&M fans think about Mike Sherman. It seems that program has looked extrememly inconsistent and out of sync under his reign. Anyone want coach Fran back? Also on a side note: Dodd why is this silly season? Fans want to win. If you coach and you don't you're out. Why is that silly?

oleballfan Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 19, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 12:43 pm Score: 77 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired Terry Bowden, of Auburn fame, is the current North Alabama coach. Tommy Tuberville, of Auburn fame is workingas a CFB analyst on ESPNU. He is looking for a much more high profile program, say Texas A&M. [ Reply to Comment ]
JohnLWilliams Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 8, 2007	Posted on: November 9, 2009 1:01 pm Score: 88 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired I guess losing to a team as bad as Tennessee was the last straw for West. Sorry UT fans, couldn't resist. On another note, as much as I would hate lose him, Charlie Strong, Florida's d-coordinator, is past due for a chance to be a head coach. [ Reply to Comment ]
hawkins3403 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 24, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 1:28 pm Score: 57 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Who's next? Who's next? Steve Kragthorpe? Al Grogh? Dan Hawkins? someone else? Any thoughts? [ Reply to Comment ]
ihateterrell Reputation: 80 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 30, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 1:44 pm Score: -27 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired WHAT ABOUT RALPH FREIDGEN ITS TIME FOR HIM TO GO!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
Schildkrotte Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 22, 2006	Posted on: November 9, 2009 1:56 pm Score: 111 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired It had better be Al Groh; his teams have been an embarassment, even in the ACC and even for Virginia. UVa will usually accept slightly less in terms of "championship performance" in return for higher academic standards (or at least that's what they, and Duke, claim), but even in that department Al's failing. His players slide in and out of school, and his teams don't even approach mediocre any more. It's not as if he doesn't have the talent to work with, but he's started to lose more and more players not just to VaTech (almost understandable, since they're more of the "football powerhouse" prototype), but sometimes to Richmond, James Madison, and other "smaller schools" that will play for a championship. Hawkins probably has a year left before he gets booted. I, at least, would like to see what he could do with a real QB instead of his son, and the team has made progress from the total swamp he inherited. Kragthorpe still has a pass for a year or two in my mind because, well, it's Louisville. Unless you're Bobby Petrino and sell your soul to the devil, you don't really have much chance to build a perennial power down there in footie. My top candidates, after Al Groh, have to be: Tom O'Brien at NC State (just a disaster this year, and not so hot last year either; definitely a program on the rocks; he can join Sidney Lowe in the unemployment line, I hope); and Mike Sherman (he's done nothing with a program that has all the potential in the world, and a legacy to match; unless he beats UT, I say he's gone). Other guys on a short rope have to include Dennis Erikson and Mike Stoops. The Arizona teams just aren't getting it done; Stoops, in particular, has had a good run, but not produced what he promised. Not even a second-place finish in the Pac-10 or an upset of the Trojans; UA and ASU are, in fact, the only two teams in the conference to be left out of those categories this decade. Shameful. [ Reply to Comment ]
Chi2Az81 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 11, 2007	Posted on: November 9, 2009 2:54 pm Score: 96 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired Charlie Weis will soon be on the list. I am not ashamed of losing to Navy. I am ashamed that the offensive genius failed to get any points in the first half. Please get Brian Kelly ND. [ Reply to Comment ]
sandybrook Reputation: 86 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 3, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 3:22 pm Score: 59 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired Tommy Bowden lives in Orlando and UCF is probably firing George O'Leary. Guess who would love to take his place? [ Reply to Comment ]
CardsFan2929 Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 22, 2007	Posted on: November 9, 2009 3:48 pm Score: 142 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired "Kragthorpe still has a pass for a year or two in my mind because, well, it's Louisville. Unless you're Bobby Petrino and sell your soul to the devil, you don't really have much chance to build a perennial power down there in footie." I think your mistaken on Kragthorpe. The argument of "well, it's Louisville" doesn't make much sense to me. Obviously I am very biased so take what I say with grain of salt. But we haven't been "Well its Louisville" in like 20 years. Howard Schnellenberger had us ranked and headed for the right direction, but the next hire fell off. John L. Smith to Petrino was about as Perennial Power as you can get, "Albeit CUSA and Big East" but still we were in a bowl every year and competing for conf championships, and were regulary regarded as the "Hottest rising program in the nation" until the current coach. I think the AD knows he has to get rid of the coach after this season. Economics will play big because the fans in Louisville are revolting against this guy by not showing up to games. And if there aren't people at the games, its hard to make money. [ Reply to Comment ]
Chi2Az81 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 11, 2007	Posted on: November 9, 2009 3:59 pm Score: 72 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired Schildkrotte: ASU finished as PAC 10 co-champion in 2007 which is better than second place. [ Reply to Comment ]
HotelCowboy Reputation: 82 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 14, 2008	Posted on: November 9, 2009 4:02 pm Score: 121 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: The silly season has begun; West and Elson fired It is hard not to believe that Charlie Weis, Dan Hawkins, and Al Grogh aren't looking over their shoulders. I would be interested to hear what Texas A&M fans think about Mike Sherman. It seems that program has looked extrememly inconsistent and out of sync under his reign. Anyone want coach Fran back? Also on a side note: Dodd why is this silly season? Fans want to win. If you coach and you don't you're out. Why is that silly? [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

Dodds and Ends