Cyclone Coaching Carousel

Jeremy · 11-20-2006, 07:01 PM

Cyclone Coaching Carousel - Norvell Edition
CycloneFanatic.com
Jeremy Lind

Here's the latest raw intel coming through...

- Jim Harbaugh: A few people have talked about Harbaugh ultimately wanting the Head Coaching position at Michigan and that ISU would only be a temporary job. From what I've been able to gather, Lloyd Carr probably isn't as far off from retirement as people want to think. I don't see him waiting five years to retire which would be about the minimum amount of time Harbaugh could be at ISU without looking bad for "humping and running". It's sounding like Carr would be looking to retiree within the next year to three year time-span and that wouldn't spell good for Harbaugh's chances of getting the job. Not that it would be impossible but it just doesn't flow very well.

- Norvell Part I: From what I've been told by two separate sources, Jay Norvell wants the ISU job more than anything right now. A lot of the hype and pressuring is being put out by his own camp and not the other way around, according to sources. The sources said that Norvell has not moved up on the list past possibly the number two spot but he's angling and pushing for it as hard as possible. Just a little info for those that question the sudden burst of Norvell rumors. He is increasing in stature with Pollard and Harris quite a bit and is the guy I mentioned earlier today as getting an extra couple minutes worth of research. He could be the dark horse but there's also a lot of PR and spin starting to surface by interested parties.

- Norvell Part II: Norvell is one of a handful of candidates that has interviewed for the position and nothing else as of right now. Donors have a very mixed reaction to Norvell more than any of the other candidates due to his background with Iowa and Nebraska. He will be a great Head Coach wherever he goes and he will have a ton of success. The only question is; would Pollard be risky enough to try and energize the fan-base with somebody they wouldn't be easily sold on? As far as raw coaching talents, Norvell is probably as good as anybody out there but his background might be just enough to keep him from setting up office in The Jake.

Norvell's Bio:

Date and Place of Birth:
Born March 28, 1963, in Madison, Wis.
Family:
Wife, Kim; son Jaden (6)
Education:
University of Iowa, bachelors in general studies, 1986
Playing Experience:
1982-85, Iowa;
1987, Chicago Bears
Coaching Experience:
1986-87, Iowa (graduate assistant);
1988, UNI (assistant coach/receivers);
1989-94, Wisconsin (assistant coach/receivers/special teams);
1995-97, ISU (assistant head coach/quarterbacks/receivers);
1998-2001, Indianapolis Colts (assistant coach/wide receivers);
2002, Oklahoma (assistant coach/wide receivers);
2002-2003, Oakland Raiders (assistant coach/tight ends);
2004-present, Nebraska (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks)
Recruiting Emphasis: Louisiana, Texas (Central, Houston and Dallas)

- Personal OPINION regarding Norvell...

The main goal of the AD right now is to unite the fan-base and get them more energized than ever for ISU Football. Right now I don't see that happening with Norvell, not because of who he is or how he coaches but just because of his former ties to Iowa and Nebraska. While I would rather we get a coach without ties to those programs, worse things could happen. Those are two pretty darn good programs in comparison to ISU so I have to say we would be lucky to have him but not all of you or the rest of the fan-base is as forgiving to the background as I or some people may be. I really think Norvell would be a great recruiter and coach but he lacks the "pizzazz" that ISU really needs right now.

I know pundits say we need a fundamental coach, we need this or that; but the fact is that we need something special and unique here more than anything. We don't have the attractions here of tradition or name recognition, if we can get a coach with a name like Harbaugh, Kragthorpe, Price, etc, that could give us a leg up on some other schools with recruits, etc. We're past the days of only fundamental coaching, we need something unique and special to draw a crowd and recruits. We had a great guy and fundamental coach for 12 years and we aren't to where we want to be, why would it be any different with Norvell just because he may be a better overall coach and/or recruiter? He wouldn't be able to bring anything else with him in my opinion. I love him as a coach and recruiter and would be thrilled personally if he was at ISU in some capacity, I just don't know if it's what the vast majority of fans would like or what ISU needs right now. Given his current credentials and experience he would have been a great get a couple of years ago or in the future, just not this time around.

UPDATE:

Sources point to the following being possible contractual plans for the new coach if the guy warrants it...

4-5 year deal
$$$ removed due to respect for the situation

Jeremy · 11-20-2006, 07:12 PM

FYI, I updated and revised my post a bit. - JL

ketelmeister · 11-20-2006, 07:26 PM

I completely agree with your analysis. Bottom line..JP has to sell season tickets and in his words "we're in the business of selling hope." Reactions of players, contributors and fans to something "new" like Harbaugh has been super. I think as fans we all share the frustration at the lack of respect ISU gets in football. From bowl game selections, to officials calls, to national media, ISU plays second fiddle to Iowa and to other programs. Mac did a super job raising the program, but we never seem to get the respect we all feel the Cyclones deserve. With the stature and notariety of Jim Harbaugh, Cyclone fans see hope of that changing. Even with an above average record, Harbaugh may be well-known enough to command more attention for the program than we have had. Status quo won't do it. We need more than an x's and o's coach. We need to be noticed. That is what JP is looking for.

JokersWild · 11-20-2006, 07:29 PM

I think Harbaugh would has lots of mistakes yet to make as a head coach. That would be my only fear. I still think I would go for it.

Or Kragthorpe. I wonder if JP already knows who he's going for?

HardcoreClone · 11-20-2006, 07:36 PM

So Jeremy, please tell us what is going to happen. You had enough confidence a week ago to come out and give us a timeline for what was going to happen with Harbaugh, and now it doesn't sound like you really know. What are your 15 sources across the country telling you about the situation now?

nickborton · 11-20-2006, 07:37 PM

Yeah i think the fans have a sour taste in their mouth after Barney Cotton came to town...considering how much he helped out this year

Jeremy · 11-20-2006, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by HardcoreClone

So Jeremy, please tell us what is going to happen. You had enough confidence a week ago to come out and give us a timeline for what was going to happen with Harbaugh, and now it doesn't sound like you really know. What are your 15 sources across the country telling you about the situation now?

I said late last week that I jumped the gun on being overly outwardly confident in exactly how and when things would progress. I also said in every single one of those posts that things were based only on sources and assumptions and anything could happen. I know I should have been softer on wording things for people that would either blow it out of proportion or for those that can't read the disclaimers.

With that said, I still believe that Harbaugh is the guy but others have shown a ton of interest in ISU that those close to the situation didn't think would. Harbaugh was the early and constant favorite from donors and a lot of people in the AD, he also really likes the idea of taking the job. He isn't and never has been the only possibility though. You can re-read my posts however you want but I personally have and continue to think that Harbaugh will be named the new coach, it's just not the only possibility.

chuckd4735 · 11-20-2006, 08:02 PM

1.75 million??? Thats ALOT of money for your first contract. If that is true, it could be a bigger name then we think......

michaelrr1 · 11-20-2006, 08:07 PM

I really don't know that I am confident in what Harbaugh could do here. It's a big step to make from his coaching position to a BCS conference, especially without much experience or background or connections at other places. I don't want to see a guy come here to learn on the job. And if he has a good year, how long will he stay? It seems like ISU would be a stepping stone job for him - if he is successful.

I could handle Krag or Norvell. Sounds like Norvell wants to be here. He has a widespread background, both college and pro. He's local to the area so he will have an insider's understanding of what ISU is up against and what we need. The only knock I would have against him is a lack of head coaching experience. Anybody that would rule him out because of his ties to Iowa or Nebraska would be making a big mistake.

HardcoreClone · 11-20-2006, 08:08 PM

Can you specifically say names of those "others who have shown a ton of interest in ISU that those close to the situation didn't think would?" Are you talking just about Norvell, or are they guys who have already been mentioned as candidates, but may have said they haven't been contacted? Or do you know if there are still candidates out there whose names haven't necessarily been mentioned?

Nedrick · 11-20-2006, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

1.75 million??? Thats ALOT of money for your first contract. If that is true, it could be a bigger name then we think......

I'm assuming that would be the absolute ceiling reserved for only the most deserving of coaches. I'd be shocked it Harbaugh commanded even 1/2 that. I imagine that figure is reserved for the cream of the crop...

loboclone · 11-20-2006, 08:12 PM

Mike Price???

SafetyClone · 11-20-2006, 08:14 PM

In three years at Nebraska he has recruited a total of 5 kids! He isn't in their top 4 recruiters so why would he be such a good recruiter at ISU?

Jeremy · 11-20-2006, 08:17 PM

FYI, I voluntarily removed the $ amount just because the situation is ongoing. Obviously we don't want that to be the going rate unless need-be.

LutherBlue · 11-20-2006, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by HardcoreClone

Can you specifically say names of those "others who have shown a ton of interest in ISU that those close to the situation didn't think would?" Are you talking just about Norvell, or are they guys who have already been mentioned as candidates, but may have said they haven't been contacted? Or do you know if there are still candidates out there whose names haven't necessarily been mentioned?

I am also curious about the other contenders as the Register is reporting that Price and Kragthorpe are denying they have had ANY contact with ISU about the job. I guess that still leaves Brewster and Kelly from some earlier lists?