How does one do this thing about getting a new coach? Call someone you know? Like Mike Locksley? Or… call someone new that you want to meet, like John Harbaugh (of the Ravens right now, but not for long if the rumors are true). Maybe someone older, with experience like Les Miles. Or someone younger, with potential such as Scott Littrell (at North Texas State).
Could you keep who you have, Matt Canada? Or go with a top recruiter that is not Locks, in the name of Mel Tucker (UGA defensive coordinator and one of the top recruiters in the country).
There are more names, maybe someone new will pop onto the scene like Mike Gundy currently at Oklahoma State. At least he would be a man about it.
Who is really making the decisions around here? Is it Wally and Damon? Is it Barry Gossett and Kevin Plank? Maybe even a Gary Williams?
Maybe Colonel Mustard did it with a candle stick in the library? Who knows?
But seriously – even the followers of “As the Terrapin Turns” are a bit confused. Who needs a search firm? There is a top of the line question to all of this – do we really want Mike Locksley as the head man in College Park?
Some reasons why you would –
- Good to great recruiter of the DMV. Made Illinois into a Rose Bowl team with the DC recruits. If you can do it there, you can do it here.
- The local coaches like or love him. You need the local talent to win.
- The donors seem to be OK with this move. We already have had millions walk out the door, maybe Locks will bring some of that money back.
Some things we don’t know –
- Is he really a head coach? His record is not too good.
- How long does the bloom stay on the rose? How long does he have to make a winner here?
- How much has he learned at Alabama?
- Will Beatty and Azaar Abdul-Rahim stay with Locks? If so this becomes a recruiting colossus.
- Can Locks find position coaches that he trusts?
I believe that with all the turmoil, if Locks is the guy almost all involved will be pleased enough. I am concerned that if it is not Locks, then the whole staff will turn over and the transfers will begin.
If ML is not the guy, it is a wide open horse race. Mason likes Mel Tucker. I would grab a Les Miles. We need to start now and get this done before early signing day.