Carroll catalyst for coaching carousel

Carroll's departure from USC is one of several high-profile coaching changes in college football this offseason.

Whew, and you thought Mike Shanahan was the biggest coaching news of this offseason? With an impending NCAA investigation, Pete Carroll has bolted the USC Trojans’ program to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, setting off a chain of events causing a huge coaching shake-up among the college ranks. As if this offseason wasn’t crazy enough, one of college football’s most successful coaches over the last decade is now gone to try his hand at the professional level.

So far this offseason, we have seen three coaches, Mark Mangino (Kansas), Mike Leach (Texas Tech) and Jim Leavitt (South Florida), fired for allegedly physically abusing their players. Now we are seeing a highly successful college coach take a huge risk by moving to the next level in hopes of being just as successful. History has shown that no matter how many national championships you have won, iconic college coaches do not usually have an easy time in the NFL, just ask Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban. Honestly, Carroll doesn’t need to ask anyone, he’s already been down this road…and failed. This will be Carroll’s third stint as a professional head coach, with losing efforts already recorded with the New York Jets and New England Patriots.

No matter what Carroll’s outcome is in Seattle, his departure left a huge wake felt across the country that has shuffled the deck in several conferences. With Carroll going pro, USC turned to the pro ranks for its next coach. After being rebuffed by Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, rumors began circulating that an offer was on the table for Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio to return to his alma mater to lead the Trojans. After he adamantly denied the reports, more rumors surfaced that USC had shifted its focus to University of Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian was the USC offensive coordinator  just two years ago with Carroll, and hey, if Carroll can go from Los Angeles to Seattle, why not try to get Sarkisian to go from Seattle back to Los Angeles? While Sarkisian did not deny having communication about the coaching vacancy, he did deny any sort of offer that came his way and is remaining with the Huskies.

After going down the pecking order of desirable candidates, USC found a familiar face who has been eager to get ahead in the business. Former Oakland Raiders head coach, and now former University of Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin agreed to a deal with the Trojans, leaving the Volunteers after just one season. Kiffin brings with him his father, Monte, one of the greatest defensive minds in history and recruiting extraordinaire Ed Orgeron. However, the offensive coordinator spot remains open, and reports are already linking former USC offensive coordinator, and current UCLA offensive coordinator, Norm Chow to possibly fill the vacancy. If not, expect to hear plenty more rumors and speculation about coaches switching allegiances and moving to new programs.

With Kiffin gone in Knoxville, Tennessee began its own search for a new coach, quickly landing on Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley. Dooley only had one winning season in three years at Louisiana Tech, but has served as an athletic director, and has come from the Nick Saban coaching tree with previous stops at LSU and the Miami Dolphins. Louisiana Tech turned around and hired University of Arizona offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes to take over their program.

It won’t be the last time we see offseason turmoil, but this year seems to be especially heated. It seems like the more the merrier on this merry-go-round.

Notable coaching changes:

USC

Out: Pete Carroll

In: Lane Kiffin

Notre Dame

Out: Charlie Weis

In: Brian Kelly

Florida State

Out: Bobby Bowden

In: Jimbo Fisher

Tennessee

Out: Lane Kiffin

In: Derek Dooley

Kansas

Out: Mark Mangino

In: Turner Gill

Texas Tech

Out: Mike Leach

In: Tommy Tuberville

South Florida

Out: Jim Leavitt

In: Skip Holtz

Kentucky

Out: Rich Brooks

In: Joker Phillips

Louisville

Out: Steve Kragthorpe

In: Charlie Strong

Virginia

Out: Al Groh

In: Mike London

Read Full Post »

Mounting injuries not the only problem for Redskins

$100 million signing Albert Haynesworth did not bring the Redskins the season they imagined.

After back-to-back losses to divisional rivals by a combined four points, the Redskins season hit a new low by blowing a 23-yard field goal to put away the undefeated New Orleans Saints. While there were other plays that could have altered the outcome, specifically Kareem Moore getting stripped of his interception and returned for a touchdown, the missed field goal is a microcosm of how the team performs. Washington cannot put a team away, play well down the stretch and has absolutely no leadership on the roster or coaching staff.

While the team could possibly be commended for playing tough opponents close with a decimated roster and no depth to speak of, that sentiment never comes to fruition because of the terrible decision making, unaccountability, and overall inability to make plays when necessary that occurs week in and week out.

To be fair, let’s call a spade, a spade. This team has a massive amount of injuries to deal with. Future Hall of Fame left tackle Chris Samuels, right guard Randy Thomas, backup right guard Chad Rinehart, backup right tackle and guard Mike Williams, starting running back Clinton Portis, backup running back Ladell Betts, tight end Chris Cooley, strong safety Chris Horton, strong safety Reed Doughty, and backup defensive end Jeremy Jarmon were all placed on season-ending injured reserve. In addition, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, right tackle Stephon Heyer and cornerback DeAngelo Hall missed significant time due to ankle and knee injuries.

Normally, a list like that would equal a death sentence for a team’s season, and it has for Washington. However, those injuries are not the reason this team plays so poorly. There is talent on both sides of the ball, sans the offensive line, and the defense plays well on a regular basis. The reason the Redskins are the way they are is because no one steps up and leads the team. No one is outspoken on the field, and Lord knows coach Jim Zorn will never get above “medium.” There are rumors that some players get preferential treatment and are excused from activities while others are not. If true, there is a lack of institutional control and respect for how an organization should be run. Quite honestly, it shows on the field.

The level of apathy in this season spread from the team to the fans, and the hatred that showered the front office and owner Daniel Snyder subsided in favor of people finding other things to do with their Sundays. Injuries or not, this season was doomed with a poorly run offensive system, a bad overall attitude, a lack of respect and a failure of any coach or executive to do anything about it. The new regime will have to address these issues before there can be any turnaround in the nation’s capital.

Read Full Post »