In a BlueGold/Under the Dome thread focused on what Pat Fitzgerald has done at Northwestern, IrishFforida says: "As I said about Fitzgerald, most coaches who have success do so, because they are a good fit for the job they have. Ex: Fitzgerald at NW, Rich Rod at WVU, Willingham at Stanford or Scott Frost at UCF."
Then he says: "to keep this ND specific, the best Irish coaches over the last 55 years ALL had success at least 2 jobs before they assumed the command at ND.
Ara P (Miami of Ohio and NW)
Devine (ASU and Missouri)
Holtz (NC State, Arkansas, Minn)
Kelly (GVSU, Cent Mich, Cincinnati)"
To add to that last point about experience, Frank Leahy was young and had only 2 years as a HC before he went to ND, but he was 9-2 and then 11-0. His 2nd BC team beat undefeated SEC champ Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl and was assumed National Champ by some sportswriters and coaches.
Putting those two assessments together, you get about as good a formula for searching for a head coach as possible. You prefer someone with winning HC experience, and you rule out coaches who won because they were fits for a unique situation.
The 'unique situation of success' also works for evaluating coordinators and position coaches.
Then he says: "to keep this ND specific, the best Irish coaches over the last 55 years ALL had success at least 2 jobs before they assumed the command at ND.
Ara P (Miami of Ohio and NW)
Devine (ASU and Missouri)
Holtz (NC State, Arkansas, Minn)
Kelly (GVSU, Cent Mich, Cincinnati)"
To add to that last point about experience, Frank Leahy was young and had only 2 years as a HC before he went to ND, but he was 9-2 and then 11-0. His 2nd BC team beat undefeated SEC champ Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl and was assumed National Champ by some sportswriters and coaches.
Putting those two assessments together, you get about as good a formula for searching for a head coach as possible. You prefer someone with winning HC experience, and you rule out coaches who won because they were fits for a unique situation.
The 'unique situation of success' also works for evaluating coordinators and position coaches.
