Coach Curt Cignetti to INDIANA

[IndyResident16 567]

2 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I think Randle El is out also. 

If for the HC opening, probably best news I've heard yet in regards to the entire search.

[JSHoosier 19,796]

3 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I think you want to check as many boxes as you can, just to make sure you're not missing anything. I think Randle El is out also. 

I wouldn't want Randle El anyway, he's only been a position coach in the NFL. I'd be thrilled with Herman, especially if we have the money for good assistants.

[Josh 12,542]

7 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

100% agree. As of right now I think Herman is my top pick

My only issue with Herman is that he spent time in the Chicago Bears organization.  Can you wash that stink off somebody?

Other than that I'm in

[reconmkd 4,326]

6 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

100% agree. As of right now I think Herman is my top pick

Lets go Herman! Sorry couldn't resist, it was the first image that popped in my head when I saw Herman. LOL..

[Chris007 43,516]

6 minutes ago, Josh said:

My only issue with Herman is that he spent time in the Chicago Bears organization.  Can you wash that stink off somebody?

Other than that I'm in

Luckily he was only there for less than a year. 

[FritzIam4IU 349]

Just now, Chris007 said:

Luckily he was only there for less than a year. 

Do you know if Herman was one of those already interviewed? I think he would be my top pick, with Candle as second choice.

[iuthruandthru 110]

10 minutes ago, Josh said:

My only issue with Herman is that he spent time in the Chicago Bears organization.  Can you wash that stink off somebody?

Other than that I'm in

As a Bears fan I agree times 1000

[Chris007 43,516]

1 minute ago, FritzIam4IU said:

Do you know if Herman was one of those already interviewed? I think he would be my top pick, with Candle as second choice.

I do not know for sure if he has yet but I don't think so. But I do believe he is one of the eight. 

[Chris007 43,516]

I hope there is a surprise on the list like Matt Campbell or Dave Doeren. 

[GnarlyTimGarl 1,425]

Just another man's opinions on some of the "realistic" candidates...

- Each candidate will have legitimate reasons why they may not be successful at IU. I think that's just the nature of IUFB right now. We're not going to attract the "top-notch" candidates. But our Big Ten membership will help us more than in the past, I think. The key will be to hire a good fit (i.e. someone with an attainable plan/blueprint/culture that the administration/school can fully support 100%). I really think the school/administration support is going to be every bit as important to the next coach.

- Jason Candle (Toledo): Kinda surprised we seem to be an option for him as he seems to be a popular name on the market who may be able to be patient to wait for what fits for him. 65-33 (43-19 in the MAC). Will be in 6 bowls out of 8 seasons as a full-time coach. Never had a losing season. Currently 11-1 (8-0) and will play for the conference championship. Already won the MAC twice (2017, 2022). Appears to recruit well at his current level. My concerns is that he kinda reminds me of Archie Miller, to be honest. A coach who took over a program that has historically been pretty good at the mid-major level and has more resources than most of their conference counterparts. He inherited a pretty good situation and has maintained it (if not raised the profile.) Not only would IU be a step-up for him in coaching, he's assuming a rebuilding situation he hasn't really encountered before. If he can't get us to a bowl in the first couple of years will anyone really think he's able to compete in the Big Ten? Can he out-coach guys like Walters, Locksley, Schiano, Fleck, Bielema, Braun, etc.? I don't know. Kinda feel this is maybe who we end up getting and I feel okay about it. It could work (i.e. make bowls.)

- Paul Chryst (ex-Wisconsin/Pitt): The first thing that stands out to me is his 86-45 record (67-26 at Wisconsin). You can talk all you want about playing in the Big Ten West but that's still an impressive record. Only losing record was 2-3 in 2022 when he was fired midseason. Went to a bowl every other year (including the Cotton, Orange and Rose Bowls). He's won in the Big Ten which I feel is very meaningful. Finished in the Top 15 three times. However, similar to Candle in way, he took over a good program from the start and didn't really have to build it up. Wisconsin hasn't been quite as good lately but still won 10 games in 2019 and 9 games in 2021 which is still very good. But is he a good fit? Smash-mouth football? Will he embrace NIL? Some folks really don't like his personality which I feel is overplayed... but who knows? If he comes in here acting like DiNardo then it will be a colossal failure. Personally feel this could be like Bielema at Illinois. It'd be pretty sweet to beef up our lines for once. Again, I think we could have some success with him (i.e. make bowls.)

- Tom Herman (ex-Texas, current FAU): 58-30 record. Helped orchestrate some pretty good offenses over the years. One of the biggest names on the list. Coached at some big-time schools like Ohio State and Texas. Once one of the hottest names in the profession but fizzled out rather quickly at Texas. Been at FAU one year with a 4-8 record. Not sure how I feel about this one. Had a lot of success quickly at Houston but is starting slow at FAU. How would he approach a rebuild at IU? Would he and the IU administration be on the same page? For some reason, I'm a little apprehensive on him. But I could be talked into it without much prodding. I guess I'm sort of surprised he is a candidate.

- Justin Frye (Ohio State OC): A few months ago this is where I figured we would end up. He's worked his way up the coaching ladder rather nicely. Some big-time coaching experience at UCLA and Ohio State. We could do a lot worse. But the fact he has never been a head coach is a big negative in my book. I really think we need someone who has the top-level leadership experience to guide the program. Plus, OSU fans aren't exactly huge fans of him and the OSU offense has seemingly taken a bit of a step back this year. My confidence in him having success at IU right now is low. Maybe a few years down the road?

I am probably higher on Pat Fitzgerald than most because of his extensive success in the Big Ten at a school where it's hard to win. But it appears the tea leaves are saying he's no longer a candidate so it's a moot point. Kane Wommack has had some initial success at South Alabama but nothing that makes me say that I have more confidence in him than guys like Candle, Chryst or Herman. Curt Cignetti has had a lot of success at James Madison and has guided them into immediate success in FBS football. He's a guy who reminds me of someone like Jerry Kill who could really get the most out of IU regularly. I like him but unsure of how much mutual interest there is. Similarly, I also like Willie Fritz at Tulane. His resume is a little more scattered but kinda reminds me of a college football version of Jim Larranaga. He could do good things at IU. But again... is there mutual interest? I love Antwaan Randle El as much as any IU player in history... but his coaching pedigree is so limited right now. That would be such a huge gamble. Also wouldn't be surprised if we're in the running for a Matt Campbell or Dave Doeren or Dave Clawson. That would be where our Big Ten membership helps. I think IU was actually an option for Doeren and Clawson at some point in the past anyway.

[iuthruandthru 110]

43 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

Yes quoting myself. All interviews by Zoom. 8 people total should get interviews. No reason to track planes till the end of the week. Not saying people will be coming to Bloomington but finalist will be in-person interviews somewhere. 

The more I think about it the more I like this.  Let them sell their vision and get a robust pool to do so and see who really brings it.  IU needs someone that gets where college football is going.  On the flip what IU says about the commitment to NIL, facilities, and coaches pay will in turn inform the candidates if IU understands what they need to do to survive the BIG in 2024 and beyond.

[Chris007 43,516]

9 minutes ago, iuthruandthru said:

The more I think about it the more I like this.  Let them sell their vision and get a robust pool to do so and see who really brings it.  IU needs someone that gets where college football is going.  On the flip what IU says about the commitment to NIL, facilities, and coaches pay will in turn inform the candidates if IU understands what they need to do to survive the BIG in 2024 and beyond.

It also looks like a lot of the same guys we want are all on the list of Duke and a few with Oregon St. Hopefully are timetable is better than theirs. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 8,858]

14 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

I hope there is a surprise on the list like Matt Campbell or Dave Doeren. 

I don't think you understand what kind of deals with the devil I'd be willing to make to get Campbell. I would do unruly things. 

[Chris007 43,516]

1 minute ago, btownqb said:

I don't think you understand what kind of deals with the devil I'd be willing to make to get Campbell. I would do unruly things. 

With Iowa St being left out of the two big conferences maybe he wants to make a jump. I think we would have to up his pay a little but I would at least make him say no. 

[AKHoosier 6,737]

Wow Matt Campbell would 100% be a take.

His star has dimmed a little, but he's a very good coach.

[Josh 12,542]

57 minutes ago, iuthruandthru said:

The more I think about it the more I like this.  Let them sell their vision and get a robust pool to do so and see who really brings it.  IU needs someone that gets where college football is going.  On the flip what IU says about the commitment to NIL, facilities, and coaches pay will in turn inform the candidates if IU understands what they need to do to survive the BIG in 2024 and beyond.

Absolutely the way to go.  I interview candidates for an opening I have almost every day.  The more candidates the better for a few reasons.  Sometimes I think I found a great candidate until I find somebody that's just significantly better.  Sometimes I think I have my pick until they take another job instead.  Sometimes I find out an issue later that I didn't know after an interview.

The more the better

[IU_FanClub 1,643]

7 minutes ago, Chris007 said:

With Iowa St being left out of the two big conferences maybe he wants to make a jump. I think we would have to up his pay a little but I would at least make him say no. 

Any idea if we have any big upgrade plans to roll out once we announce the new hire?

[cbp4iu 1,377]

1 hour ago, Chris007 said:

Yes quoting myself. All interviews by Zoom. 8 people total should get interviews. No reason to track planes till the end of the week. Not saying people will be coming to Bloomington but finalist will be in-person interviews somewhere. 

I think this is ++ news for IU. I feel like way more interest in this job now than in the past. At least more quality. 

[Chris007 43,516]

1 minute ago, IU_FanClub said:

Any idea if we have any big upgrade plans to roll out once we announce the new hire?

It's definitely been discussed behind the scenes. Eric Shanks Fox Sports CEO and IU grad was on campus not too long ago to talk to Dolson and Whitten. Some talk has that other BT universities are taking the TV money and putting it back into facilities. That he was letting IU know that they should do the exact same thing. I've heard 80-100 million project but we'll just have to see. 

[8bucks 6,340]

8 minutes ago, Josh said:

Absolutely the way to go.  I interview candidates for an opening I have almost every day.  The more candidates the better for a few reasons.  Sometimes I think I found a great candidate until I find somebody that's just significantly better.  Sometimes I think I have my pick until they take another job instead.  Sometimes I find out an issue later that I didn't know after an interview.

The mire the better

IU is down but we may not be a mire yet lol