Should Head Coaches Decide Who takes their place once retired?

EstronHawkKing

EstronHawkKing

Well-Known Member
IT's been a topic with Iowa fans in regards to Kirk and Brian. Not sure if I would want Brian as ours when the time comes, maybe need a fresh face. But, if Brian kicks butt with our offense, maybe then. The talkies on KGYM were talking about the situation with K-State. They said Bill Synder wants his son to replace him as head coach, but it sounds like their AD (former Iowa guy) isn't thrilled about this. Mostly because Bill's son has never been a Offensive or Defensive Coordinator before and lacks experience. My feelings are that a head coach can give their 2 cents, but it's why athletic depts. have AD's, to make the head coaching hires. Plus,, these are father sons situations which doesn't seem right and fair as well to someone who may be a better fit as a head coach somewhere.
 
Maybe, but only if the head coach becomes the AD after the person who was the AD leaves or is fired at or near the end of HC's tenure.
 
I am trying to think of a situation where it actually worked . I am not opposed to it, but there are clearly more failures than success stories.

*****sidenote***** I mean in terms of father/son.
 
No, they shouldn't decide, but in a situation that the HC is retiring and on good terms, I would think they are part of the process in evaluation and decision, at least in ideal situations where continuity is important. Clearly, if a coach is fired or pushed out, they wouldn't have a say.

If there is success in Iowa football(definitions of success will vary, clearly) over the next 3-5 years, KF will be part of the process most likely. I would say a couple 9+ win seasons, 1-2 shots at the West or better, and no major stinkers (less than 6 wins), and above avg or better offensive production(by historical Iowa standards, which isn't saying a lot) the decision will have already been made. If Iowa struggles on Offense in the next two-three years, and are sputtering around 5-7 wins with no great seasons, it'll be an open search. I'm guessing by 2021, their will be a new head Hawkeye.
 
It's circumstantial. If the kid can coach and do the job and has earned some stripes along the way I'm down with it. If it's just that the kid was under Daddies wing his whole career and has no resume to speak of then absolutely not. Brian grew up in IC, went to school 5 yrs there. Left to coach for NE some and really earned others respect in the profession. Although the timing of him getting the OC job may seem a bit silver spoonish he's earned it more than some others out there. With Iowa's offensive personal in the current situation he'll have his work cut out for him. To me the ball is in his court if he and Iowa do well the next few years sure he should be considered for it. If not we better be keeping the options open and not just 'settling/rewarding'
 
Unless the outgoing coach has a statue being made by the university and a farewell parade, No. Most of the time when coaches leave, it is for non performance.
 
When I was hiring new administrative staff in my job, I would certainly take into consideration the perceptions I had about the strengths and weaknesses of the outgoing administrator (read, coach). I would also spend considerable time with the outgoing employee, probably more time with people I considered to be highly successful. I would also talk to the people who worked directly for the outgoing employee and consider their views. Then I would document what I heard from that variety of sources and plug it into the resume's of applicants, right through the screening and interview process. Typically, I would involve current/returning employees of the organization in the interview process, making it abundantly clear that the final decision was mine alone, since I would be held responsible for the success and/or failure of the new administrator. Usually worked well, but not always. As Kurt Vonnegut would write, "So, it goes."
 
if I remember right, Solich was groomed and appointed by Osborne. That did work for a few seasons. That's about all I can think of though.
 
Didn't Bobby Bowden have Jimbo Fisher as coach in waiting? I can see where power programs do it to try and stem negative recruiting.
 
Denverhawk1 said:
if I remember right, Solich was groomed and appointed by Osborne. That did work for a few seasons. That's about all I can think of though.
Click to expand...

You are right re Solich. But they made him keep the Osborne coaching stafff in place, or at least most of it. And then they fired him when he didn't win the national championship game and his recruiting fell off.

A friend of mine that is a big Nebraska fan said they weren't recruiting for Solich the way they did for Osborne. He even mentioned how Iowa was beating them for recruits at the time. He wished Nebraska had Iowa's coaches recruiting for Solich.
 
I'm a Kirk supporter but if he's able to pretty much name his son as head coach then that strikes me as a little arrogant and entitled.
 
IF Kirk had multiple conference titles and a national title or more then I'd be more inclined to give him a benefit of a doubt. But since he has neither I'd say he has almost zero say, other than a q/a perhaps, when times comes to move on.
However, if any OC (or DC) has done a nice job and the university feels the trajectory is upward then a promotion isn't out of line. But... it can't be KIRK'S decision. Thats not right.
 
I don't think a head coach should have that much power, so.. NO.

I don't mind the head coach having input in the process, but in the end, I feel it's the AD's job to make the hire. If our AD has been neutered where he isn't the one making the call, then time for a new AD, IMO.
 
As long as he is leaving on good terms, I wouldn't object to getting his input. But the decision should still belong to the AD and the school.
 
Most coaches that follow a legend don't work out, whether the outgoing coach picks his successor or not.

Notable exceptions include
Kirk Ferentz following Fry
Tom Osborne following Devaney

But more often you get a Zook inbetween a Spurrier and a Meyer like at Florida.

Or a Prince inbetween Bill Snyder and Bill Synder again at KSU.
 
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