Here’s the latest info I’m hearing about the KU coaching search, which, without a doubt, has turned up a notch during the past several days now that the end of the 2014 season has arrived.
If you’ll recall from previous interviews we did with KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger, this week is about phone interviews and lining up the list of finalists for what figures to be a serious few days next week.
No word on exactly how many guys will be involved in this week’s phone interviews, but the safe guess is in the 12-15 range (probably no more than 20), with the ideal goal being to narrow that list down to 5 or so by the end of the week so things can get serious next week.
I’ve been told that there is a chance that new candidates could get involved at the 11th hour — many believed that’s what happened with Weis, but Zenger told me at one point after Weis was hired that the former Notre Dame coach was on the radar from the outset during the last hire — but given the fact that Zenger, the search committee and consultant Chuck Neinas have had weeks to get their ducks in a row, it would have to be a pretty amazing candidate to get involved in this process so late.
Anyway, as I mentioned on Twitter, I spent a good chunk of Sunday on the phone talking to sources and trying to find out where this whole thing is at, and here’s a few quick nuggets along with a little word association game with some of the more well-known names believed to be in the mix.
Take it with a grain of salt, because until we’re able to hear from Zenger himself, there’s no telling what’s true and what’s not, plus, as you’ve seen before, things can change in a hurry with these coaching searches.
**• I’ve been told that there are a few players who are projected returning starters** who would consider leaving KU if Clint Bowen is not hired as the head coach. Such threats pop up everywhere during almost every coaching transition and cooler heads often prevail, but this one may have legs given how passionate this roster is about playing for Bowen. It might not get to that, and even if it does, a few of these guys could change their minds. But the names I’m hearing are pretty significant players.
**• There’s so much talk out there about how much KU could and/or would pay** for its next head coach and that dollar value is a little fluid. If the right guy came along, Zenger surely would look at paying a little more than is ideal. Similarly, if the right guy could be had for a bargain price, don’t expect Zenger to overpay him just to make the job seem better than it is. That’s exactly what happened with Turner Gill and it was a big-time mistake. He should’ve never been paid $2 million with resume. He likely would’ve come for half that, since his Buffalo salary was $450,000. All that said, I think the number Zenger would like to settle on is in the $800,000-$1 million range with some hefty incentives added in. There are a lot of good coaches who could be had for that price and, perhaps more importantly, setting it there could weed out some of the guys just looking for a money grab. Remember, Zenger is one of the lowest paid AD’s in the Big 12 and that doesn’t stop him from working as hard as the others.
**• When word broke that Will Muschamp was out at Florida and Bo Pelini was out at Nebraska,** KU fans — and many others — jumped on both names as potential hires for the Jayhawks. Don’t count on it. I’ve been told that Muschamp’s ties to Florida, which is where Kansas got Weis, hurt his chances, and, as of Sunday night, there had been no contact between Pelini and KU of any kind. That could change, of course, and, if Pelini were to show interest in the job, it seems KU would gladly have a conversation with him. Think of it as Bruce Weber being hired by Kansas State in basketball. A few years ago, when Weber had Illinois rolling and before Bob Huggins and Frank Martin breathed life into the KSU program, a guy like Weber would’ve never been within reach for the Wildcats. But things happened, the timing was right and K-State landed a solid coach they may not otherwise have had a shot to get. All that said, I’d bet against Pelini coming to KU, largely because of his less-than-friendly reputation and how that might go over with the fans and big donors.
**• Along those same lines, and philosophically speaking,** I don’t think the fact that those guys were fired is what hurts their chances. Hiring a guy who recently was fired seems to be a non-issue with this search, provided it’s the right guy.
**• One last thing regarding Pelini and the Nebraska job….** The more openings like that the pop up the more the KU pool of candidates gets watered down. That’s not to say that the Cornhuskers and Jayhawks would be going after the same guys — that’s probably not the case at all — but let’s say Nebraska hired a guy like Justin Fuente from Memphis or Scott Frost out of Oregon. The replacements for those guys could be in KU’s pool and could impact the hire here. One thing KU has going for it in that regard is the timeline. I still think this thing will be wrapped up sometime next week given the fact that Zenger & Company have had the advantage of that nine-week headstart.
**• OK…. Let’s finish this update off** with a little 10-words-or-less exercise on some of the guys believed to be in the mix. *DISCLAIMER: Clearly, this is not everyone who might be involved in this process, just a few of the names who have been thrown around most often.*
**~ David Beaty -** Texas ties have him very much in the hunt
**~ Tim Beck -** Some concern about what Pelini firing does to him
**~ Clint Bowen -** Definitely still in it and a likely finalist
**~ Dana Dimel -** Can’t see it
**~ Justin Fuente -** Strong candidate. Heard there’s interest both ways
**~ Willie Fritz -** Relevant this week but doubt he survives to next week
**~ Jim Harbaugh -** NFL teams trying to trade for him?
**~ Jerry Kill -** Too many factors point to no
**~ Jim McElwain -** $7.5 million buyout & interest from bigger schools
**~ Chad Morris -** SMU bound, for those who hadn’t heard
**~ Will Muschamp -** He’ll be a DC somewhere bigger & try again later
**~ Bo Pelini -** Could get involved late, but would he?
**~ Ed Warriner -** He’ll get a chance to make his case
**~ Matt Wells -** Hot name but still a little green
**• Finally, my first percentage wheel** of the 2014 coaching search… This one’s not easy, folks.
1. Clint Bowen – 45%
2. Other – 22%
3. Justin Fuente – 13%
4. David Beaty – 12%
5. Matt Wells – 5%
6. Ed Warinner – 3%
