Wow. Just wow. Tommy Tuberville leaves Texas Tech. I'm not really surprised at that. I'm actually kind of glad the stiff is gone. He fit Texas Tech like high-heels on Shaquille O'neal. But where did he go??? Backwards that's where. Cincinnati is in the crumbling Big East Conference that is losing it's BCS bowl bid. From a career stand point it just does not seem like a smart move for him. I guess I would not have wanted him to leave if he made lots of smart moves though. I suppose it could be a stepping stone job where he hopes to do well there and then go back to a high profile school in the SEC or Big Ten. The last 2 coaches Cincy had went to Notre Dame and Tennessee respectively. So this of course leaves Tech in the position of having to fill his vacancy. Here are some candidates
George O'Leary
This name is interesting. He had huge success at Georgia Tech and then fell off the coaching map after a debacle at Notre Dame. He is now the Central Florida Head Coach and has made that program consistently near the top of Conference USA. CFU won the CUSA title again this year. He might be ready for the big time again.
Kliff Kingsberry
The phenomenal play of Johnny "Football" Manziel has people looking at Kingsberry as a potential candidate in the years to come. If Tech really wants him, this is their chance. He was Leach's first QB but also played for Spike Dykes and had some experience with Bill Belicheck in the NFL. He would bring the true Air Raid back to the Red Raiders and would generally please the fickle Red Raider fan base in the short term. He is still green for a head coach however.
Ruffin McNeal/Lincoln Riley-offensive coordinator
Ruffin and Riley have enjoyed success at East Carolina early and often. Ruffin and Riley led the Raiders to victory in the Alamo Bowl following the Leach debacle. He would be a sure bet to unite the fan base and heal some of the post-tuberville/leach blues.
David Cutcliffe
This hire would be dicey. Cutcliffe is not flashy or polished but he does consistently have good offenses. He has had success at Duke. Duke which is widely considered the toughest football job in the BCS conference system. If he can win there then he can win in Lubbock. He also was made famous for working out with his protege Payton Manning prior to his return to the NFL this season.
Todd Berry
I will make no secret that I strongly believe this is the best fit for Texas Tech at the moment. Berry got his Louisiana Monroe Warhawks to upset Arkansas and nearly beat Baylor and Auburn. He is a gunslinger in the truest sense of the word.
June Jones
Jones builds up programs. He did it at Hawaii and SMU. Neither of these had nearly the resources of Texas Tech. He can recruit young talent to play in his system and score points. His defenses are usually suspect but that could be said for many of the coaches on this list.
Chris Petersen
Hands down the best candidate. The question is; would he leave Boise State? Many have sought him. If Tech was to get him, he would begin with higher expectations than any coach in Tech history. With Boise State moving to the Big East and losing its chance at the BCS, maybe this is the time.
I wish Mike Stoops and Sonny Dykes had not already taken jobs. Dykes would have been an outstanding fit and Stoops would have brought a defensive presence that few in college football can match.
Guns up and hope for the best!
