The CheckerBoard

why do people think Gruden can even coach on the college level or be willing to recruit 12 mo . a year. He hasnt coached on the college level for 20yrs .

Because he's a hugely successful individual who is as driven and competitive as anyone on this planet and he wouldn't take the job without understanding exactly what he was getting himself into?

If Gruden takes a college job he's coming to kick butt and take names. This isn't Monte at the end of his career coming to coach with his kid for a while with no clue about how to deal with the spread. Success is never guaranteed but he won't take the job if he doesn't think he can do it at a high level.

Gruden seems in a league of his own.

If he's out, then I'd take Golden or Fisher -- or I'm very tempted to say Franklin. The first two coaches have succeeded at strong or previously strong programs. Franklin's brought Vandy up out of the cellar in the nation's hardest conference. He's done more with less, and apparently done it without NCAA violations. I couldn't stand Spurrier when he was at Florida because of his comments about UT, so I can understand the animus toward Franklin -- but Franklin's more an annoyance from an upstart than an arch-enemy from a power-house, and he's been that way for a far shorter time. The UT freight train will likely be running downhill again sooner or later, and when that happens, Vandy's toast, Franklin or no Franklin.

I would have added Strong to the list, but if his key recruiter doesn't come with him, I'd be worried.

I also wonder if Roman wouldn't be a good hire. He'd need to find a good DC. I also don't know what if any background he has in college.

I'm strongly opposed to Petrino for ethics & reliability reasons, and opposed to Tressel for the same. I want a clean program simply for the sake of having high standards, and I'm glad there's many on here with the same attitude. To the "win at all costs" crowd, I'd say sooner or later the ethics/NCAA violations are almost certainly going to bite you -- with the NCAA, team discipline problems, player criminal records or something. It's taking a significant risk with a program that 1) doesn't have to take that risk and 2) is still feeling the effects of the last similar risk taken: Kiffin (see NCAA penalties & extensions).

I still think Bellotti is worth a call..

Who has Franklin beat??? Anyone got a list of SEC coaches he's beaten?

Pinkel, Chizik, Phillips, Freeze, Dooley and Nutt.

I back off of Franklin because of the simple fact of possible violations that could come up at Vandy because of him. Normally if something is too good to be true it is.. Vandy with back to back bowl games and a possible 9 win season is just too good to be true.

Mora? Do you think he would leave UCLA? Bob Stoops is a home run. Especially if he can bring Josh Heupel with him.