"THE ENTREPRENEUR ALWAYS SEARCHES FOR CHANGE, RESPONDS TO IT, AND EXPLOITS IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY. " -PETER DRUCKER
I hear Notre Dame has genuine interest in Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. He's a young talented young coach who fits the Notre Dame image pretty well. His teams also lose 4-5 games a year in a crappy conference, which also fits with ND's recent image. But I digress. There is no question that Fitzgerald should be on the list of coaches for Notre Dame to interview. This should be a very long drawn out process in my opinion. You have to interview a lot of coaches, and make sure that the guy you hire is going to put the whole football operations on a solid foundation for years to come.
My hierarchy would look something like this. Bob Stoops is not interested in the job. I don't know why people keep perpetuating that he's interested. He hasn't been from the second they asked him. And he's vulernable now in my opinion anyway.
1. Urban Meyer-- Bottom line, the interviewing and selection process doesn't start until he has time for an interview. Nothing matters until he agrees to spend a day in South Bend and sit in a room with the important people at the University to discuss what he is going to need. This is the guy. Until he is on the campus, and after long night of thought and consideration says "thanks I really appreciate you thinking of me, but I will not be accepting the job position at Notre Dame at this time" you owe it to the fans of Notre Dame to wait on him.
The space represents the difference between Urban and everyone else.
2. Jim Harbaugh-- This is another special guy, an Urban Meyer like presence who I would immediately try to reach the moment Urban decides not to take it. He's close to an extension with Stanford, and his alma mater Michigan is going to need a football coach perhaps as early as this summer. But this guy is charasmatic. He hates USC. He hates what Michigan has become over the last 5-10 years. He's sharp. He recruits his butt off. He's the total package. His academic standards are harder than Notre Dame's standards. And he's still getting better players in, and it has shown on the field. And they are only getting better. He's an offensive technician who is able to evaluate and procure the right kind of talent that builds a football team. This is the guy if Urban doesn't have interest. THIS IS MY GUY.
separation
3. Brian Kelly-- I wrote in September, after Cincy beat up on Rutgers so bad that I thought Rutgers might have to cancel the season, that Cincy was going to go undefeated and win their BCS game by 2 touchdowns. I also wrote how right about this time, BK would be wearing a navy Notre Dame sweater at a presser. Still could happen. I loved Kelly, and I thought he would be a slam dunk for the Irish. I have kind of cooled off on him a little. Frankly, I am getting too much Chaz Weis outta him lately. Arrogant. Fat. His team's can't play defense. Boom boom boom. But I also realize that this guy has built an empire of talent in a very short time. Very Urban Meyer like. He's great with alumni. He's great with boosters. He's a catholic guy, who WANTS the job. It's his dream job and he wants it. So I think you have to slot him very high on the list.
4. Bo Pelini
5. Pat Fitzgerald
6. Kirk Ferentz
7. Randy Etzall
Jon Gruden, obviously would be tough to pass on and would be a lot of fun to watch. Kind of a long shot though, so I am not really figuring him into my look.
I don't really root for a ton of teams or games. But I'll tell you this much: I am really rooting for the Titans today. I want this streak to stay alive. I saw the post game when Chris Johnson said "we're gonna win 10 in a row," and I left that moment thinking he might be serious. But how sweet would it be if they get by today? After today, it really becomes possible. Huge challenge today, and I wish them luck. God forbid it would fucking be on TV. If you're in Cleveland, you are going to have to suffer through Bengals-Lions instead.
Chargers -13.5
Chiefs +6
Steelers -14.5
Jags +2
Titans +6.5
Eagles -5
Bengals -13
Saints -9
Panthers -5.5
Rams +9
49ers -1
Cards +3.5
Cowboys -2.5
Fins +4.5
Packers -3
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