The search for the next head coach begins

By Whitney Spencer

After three seasons without a winning record, Steve Kragthorpe was fired from his position as head coach at the University of Louisville. During the announcement on Saturday, Nov. 28, athletic director Tom Jurich said he would take his time in hiring a new coach, something he did not do in hiring Kragthorpe three seasons ago. Not wanting to intrude on another team’s season, Jurich said he will wait until the close of the regular season before aggressively pursuing any candidates, but stated that he already had some in mind.

Recruiting will be the biggest concern for fans and the new coach alike. Generally, after a coach is removed from a position, recruits examine the initial few weeks following, as a determining factor for their future with the school. All season, rumors have abounded as to who would take over after Kragthorpe left. I have compiled a list of coaches, from the various names out there, who would be interesting to see on the sidelines in Cardinal red next season.

Charlie Strong, defensive coordinator and associate head coach at the University of Florida

Info: He is in his seventh season as defensive coordinator. He has been at Florida on and off since the 1983-84 season. Strong has held his current position since 2003.

Facts: He has coached 13 All-Americans and six first-round NFL draft picks. He ran the defense for two of the last three national championship teams.

Pros: He is one of the best recruiters in the nation. He can bring with him some highly-touted players from Florida, that U of L has always wanted.

Cons: He has never been a head coach. And even with all his success, he’s never been hired for any positions that he had been considered for.

Kevin Sumlin, head coach at the University of Houston

Info: His team is ranked first in total yards and passing yards. Last season it was second in total offense and passing yards.

Record: 9-2 this season, 17-7 career

Pros: Runs high-powered, high-scoring of fense – just what the fans want. His résumé includes assistant coaching jobs at the University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M University.

Con: He has had only two years as a head coach in the Conference USA.

Tommy Tuberville, head coach at Auburn University (2008)

Info: He led Auburn to a Chick-fil-A Bowl win in 2008. In 2004, he led Auburn to a 13-0 record.

Record: 110-60 career

Pros: He has impressive credentials and is ready to immediately turn the program around.

Cons: He has been out of coaching for a year. If interested in returning, he may be looking for bigger programs.

Turner Gill, head coach at the University of Buffalo

Info: He led Buffalo to its first ever bowl game last season, where they fell to the University of Connecticut.

Record: 5-7 this season, 20-30 career

Pro: Despite the records, Gill shows that he has the ability to bring a program to life, which is something desperately needed here in Louisville.

Con: His success at Buffalo may translate just as well as Kragthorpe’s success at the University of Tulsa, and it has already begun to subside.

Phil Fulmer, head coach at the University of Tennessee (2008)

Info: He led Tennessee to a win in the 2008 Outback Bowl.

Record: 152-52

Pros: His first 13 teams at UT went to bowl games. He has a record of 16-0 against the University of Kentucky. Fulmer stays dedicated to his programs, as he was head coach or assistant coach at UT from 1980-2008, with an earlier stint in the 1972-1973 season.

Cons: He has been out of coaching for a year. He failed to win the SEC title after a national championship appearance in 1998.