While I am skeptical ... there are factors about the rumor that make sense.
- Norm has had health issues and Ferentz would be more than happy just to keep him on in a consultant capacity. Thus, Norm knows he's loved by the program ... and he also knows that he can back off without totally stepping away.
- Coach Wilson and particularly Coach Parker have gotten looks by other programs for DC spots ... and even looks for head-coaching gigs at smaller places. However, folks have to remember that the Ferentz Hawkeyes have something that few program have .... ABSOLUTE COACHING STABILITY. What's more ... the coaches are all very close ... and it sounds like they all really like working with one-another. In other words ... not only do they have job security ... but it's the sort of job that you love going to! The point of this statement is that I'm willing to bet that Coach Parker and Coach Wilson are very pleased with their jobs. I doubt that they're just sticking around so that they can work their way up the ladder.
- A lot of folks might think that Ferentz would only hire from within ... however, when it comes to "replacing" Norm ... there is currently ONLY 3 guys from 'within' who would really make sense ... Wilson, Parker, or Aiken. However, IF someone from the outside were to come in ... they'd also have to have connections to the program AND have a resume that trumps the aforementioned trio. I think that the resume part only comes into play in order to ensure that everybody gets along okay and so nobody's nose gets out of joint. To that end, that's where Mike's great rep on D comes into play. Furthermore, Mike has head-coaching credentials ... something that Coach Parker and Coach Wilson would possibly be willing to defer to.
But there IS a catch. Mike Stoops definitely appears to be a bit of a volatile type. Thus, there is the question as to how well that sort of personality would mesh with the rest of the coaches. One thing that I know is that Ferentz wouldn't make a move if he felt that it would damage the great chemistry that our coaching staff has. Thus, if Mike DOES get the nod .... it will be because he's perceived as a "good fit."