Who Gets What, When and How?

Well, that's generally a set of questions I often leave in the class they're answered most often. However, I am going to steal the line from my Political Science courses and it is kind of fitting for the topic of the movements in the college coaching world.

It's probably far too early to make most of these speculations, but that's why they're called speculation.

First off, I'll start with the names associated with the current Marshall Football job. Butch Jones, Charlie Strong and Paul Petrino.


Paul Petrino is currently the offensive coordinator at Arkansas, on his older brother's staff. Petrino has expressed his desire in becoming a head coach one day soon. His name aside from being attached to Marshall has been linked to Virginia, Louisville and a few other places, but I believe those are the most likely.

My Prediction for Petrino: Virginia, well that's unless another guy who I mention later takes the job.



Next on the list is Charlie Strong, the Assistant Head Coach at Florida. Despite being some what of a PR nightmare, this guy has a pedigree at the top-flight schools that is impressive no matter who you ask. That's exactly why I don't think he will be the right guy for Marshall. Currently the discussion puts him at Louisville and I agree.

My Prediction for Strong:Louisville

He's the guy they've been looking for since they went to the Big East. Why raid CUSA for a head coach, when you're not at that level any more? If you want to be big time, get a big time coach.

Next up is Butch... no wait, not yet.

Next up on my list is a Conference USA head man who is going to his second straight conference title game. The Head Coach of the East Carolina Pirates, Skip Holtz.


Skip's name is currently attached to the UVA position as well as the vaccated Notre Dame job. Skip has said in the past UVA is a place he would like to be, but Notre Dame has the family connection and the prestige.

My Prediction for Skip:Notre Dame. Although I think if he wants the UVA job it will be his to have. I don't really think that Skip will stay at ECU with the loss of quite a few key players this year, but I could be wrong.

Finally... my friend and yours, Butch Jones.


Jones is the coach of the Central Michigan Chippewas. Marshall fans may remember them as the MAC Doormat for years. Jones left the Rich Rod staff at WVU to take over for CMU and has turned the program around in the last three seasons.

Of course Jones is also attached in name anyway, to the UVA and Louisville openings. CMU fans and faithful don't believe there is a chance Jones would flea to Huntington, W.Va. and well, don't take my word for it...

I think they are dreaming. Butch would not turn down WVU and then take the Marshall job when his sock(sic) is even higher than it was 2 yrs ago. --arrohead

These guys at Marshall absolutely live in a dream world. --midlandchip

There is no way he would give up what he has already built at CMU to make a lateral move to a worse team in marshall. No Chance --Dmac158

<<The Forum Topic>>

Ok, so now that's out of the way where was I? Oh right, CMU fans consider this a lateral movement for Jones, while it currently is. The truth is simple; Marshall is down and CMU is up, so if that's a lateral move now, Jones has a long way to climb with Marshall, if he takes the job.

My Prediction for Jones:Marshall, again I wouldn't be shocked to be wrong, but he could be in the Kelly Green this spring.

Then again I've been wrong in the past...

Just ask RichRod.