Re: Plain Trouble on "Da Plains" (all AU posts here)
It's hard to see Freeze coming. OM is getting SEC money too, thus, the playing field has become more level. Yes, AU is a better program historically, but Freeze has proven (whether gross violations or not, idk) that OM can compete at a high level. Assuming this year goes as it looks, AU will have had 2 winning SEC records in the last 9 years. The two exceptional seasons, are just that, an exception, an aberration. AU has never been a consistent high-level winner. The closest was the mid-late 50s and 83-89. If they fire CGM, they will have their 4th coach in Saban's 10 years - coaches' that were fired within 3 or 4 years of having a big season. (Saban has cost AU $10s of mil.) That has to be a very serious drawback to any prospective coach.
Why would AU want to hire Kiffin at this time ? They will be firing a hot "offensive mind" and replacing him with essentially the same. In fact, an argument could be made that CGM had a better HC tenure than Kiffin who was hated at all 3 stops, though for different reasons. They would be rolling the dice big time.
If Petrino is really a "changed man", how could he leave UL, who gave him another chance ? Also why leave a much easier conf ? Why take on Bama/Saban ? He couldn't beat them at Ark; AU is better but not that much. I don't know if they can match AU's money, but they can pay a lot.
I think Herman is a pipe dream with so many better options. AU is a good job, very good without Saban, but it is not great. But who knows ? He would be a HR hire, IMO. Bama fans with any sense would pause with that one.
I think Fedora or Brohm, like Dub said, or Sonny Dykes, but no D, might be where they go. Maybe Dan Mullen, though he would not be exciting nor seemingly much of a threat to Bama. But he is a good coach. I don't believe AU can get Freeze, but they would have a good shot at Mullen, IMO. They might could get Mike Gundy - that would be a good hire for them, though not terrifying to Bama. Maybe Fisher, IMO, very overrated, but a good hire. Does he want to take on Saban ? Their last 2 hires were not inspiring, though both had their meteoric season.
