It won't be Coker at Tulsa after all
Graham accepts Tulsa coaching job (John Helsley and George Schroeder, Daily Oklahoman)
Tulsa’s coaching search has come to an end — right where it started.
Rice coach Todd Graham accepted the job Thursday evening, according to two sources close to the search.
[snip]
Before taking the Rice job, Graham, 42, spent three years as Tulsa’s defensive coordinator. He played and coached at East Central University and has also been a high school coach in Oklahoma.
One season with Owls produces historic bowl bid (Moisekapenda Bower, Houston Chronicle)
Twelve months ago, Todd Graham stood before a roomful of players, administrators and supporters, and spoke of initiating a Rice renaissance. He presented a plan to revitalize the football program and then steadfastly set out to put that plan in motion.
And after spearheading fundraising efforts that produced massive renovations to Rice Stadium and its adjoining facilities, Graham led the Owls on a magic-carpet ride that concluded with them earning a bowl berth for the first time in 45 seasons.
On Thursday, that renaissance came to an abrupt end when Graham decided to return to the University of Tulsa, where he will succeed Steve Kragthorpe, his former boss, as head coach.
I thought Larry Coker was a slam dunk for that job, but I never thought Graham was a real candidate. It's not completely a lateral move, as Tulsa seems more willing to make a financial commitment to its athletic programs and Tulsa commands more attention in its athletic market than Rice does here (given the pro teams in Houston as well as countless other entertainment options). Then again, it may not be the greatest move in terms of career building. If Graham wins at Tulsa, he's building on Kragthorpe's success and may not draw as much attention as he did winning at moribund Rice. If he loses, his career goes into the toilet.
In any case, the Rice folks have to be scrambling about now. I wonder if Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator would be interested in the Rice gig (as he was the Tulsa job)?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 01/12/07 07:46 | Sports | Technorati
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Comments
How about promoting Major Applewhite?
Posted by another precinct chair @ 08:40 on 01/12/07
I think he's lined up to be the QB coach on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama.
I don't know how Rice would feel about turning over the program to a twentysomething coach, and I'm not sure if even Applewhite would jump at that. It probably wouldn't hurt him to learn the ropes and work with a few more coaches before heading up a program.
I have no idea, though. Rice has to be reeling after just extending Graham's contract.
Posted by Kevin @ 09:02 on 01/12/07
I remember thinking last week that it's a shame that Graham wasn't still at Tulsa so that he could take Kragthorpe's place. Guess it didn't matter. This is disastrous for Rice, which really got lucky with Graham. It's not a job that's going to excite a whole lot of people. Then again, Tulsa isn't, either. Both schools are among the smallest in Div I-A.
Posted by R. Alex @ 09:03 on 01/12/07
Why exactly would Coker be a slam dunk? I think a very reasonable case can be made that he's the worst coach in d-I. Who has done less with more? Trust me -- Coker is a classy guy (though he made some decidedly unclassy statements before he left), very likable, would be a good program guy, but he's a disaster as a coach.
Posted by TP @ 10:49 on 01/12/07
TP: He apparently had supporters among Tulsa boosters, and I think he's still decently regarded in Oklahoma among their college and HS coaches (which might allow Tulsa to pick up some talent passed over by the big boys). And there's some indication he wanted the job (which can't be said about too many people).
I just thought that combination (and not any assessment of his coaching abilities, because I don't dispute your assessment) made it a slam dunk as of a couple of days ago. But I wasn't even considering Todd Graham.
Posted by Kevin @ 11:15 on 01/12/07
Fair enough. Aside from Rich Kotite, I have no hesitation in saying he's the worst coach I've ever seen.
Posted by TP @ 13:14 on 01/12/07
Ugh, Rich Kotite!
Posted by Kevin @ 12:59 on 01/13/07
Rich Kotite! I remember when he won coach of the year. Forever, I shall consider that award a travesty.
Posted by Evan_ @ 13:55 on 01/15/07
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