The three coaches at Utah, Cincinnati and Boise State respectively all show some great promise as coaches. Each coach has led their team to a 10+ win season, has had their team in a BCS Bowl Game, Petersen and Whittingham have both won BCS Games against teams that were heavily favored-Kelly looks to win a BCS game in the next two or three years-and Petersen and Whittingham have both taken their teams wire to wire, completing an undefeated season.

 

My question to BGP is this: of these three coaches-Whittingham, Kelly and Petersen-which one will win a National title first and why? Or if you think none of the three coaches will ever win a national championship, please explain why.

 

I am going to go with Petersen, he is a staggering 35-4 in his 4 seasons as a head coach at Boise and it's only a matter of time IMO that he becomes the head coach at a big time program and I think he won't miss a beat.

 

Here are some stats for all three coaches:

 

Petersen-Accepted Boise State job in 2005. Record-35-4, 23-1 in Western Athletic Conference play, 2 Western Athletic Conference Titles. 1-2 in Bowl Games.

 

Kelly-Accepted Cincinnati job in 2006. Record-21-6, 10-4 in Big East Conference play, 1 Big East Title, 2-1 in Bowl Games.

 

Whittingham-Accepted Utah job in 2005. Record-37-14, 22-10 in Mountain West Conference play, 1 Mountain West Conference title, 4-0 in bowl games.

I don't see any of them ever winning one at this time. If they change jobs my attitude my change, but in their current locations I can't see any of the three winning one.

Kelly is in the best position of the 3, right at the moment. He's already in a BCS conference, though UC would have to go undefeated to have a chance at a National Championship game. However, with the improvements to their OOC schedule, they'll get more exposure, too, and with that, more recognition. Kelly could win one right where he is.

 

As already shown, the Mountain West and WAC have no shot at the National Championship game, undefeated or not.

 

Dan Hawkins was successful at Boise State, too (53-11 in 5 years). His record since taking over a big time program, Colorado? 13–24. Maybe that's why the line for Petersen's services is not overwhelming.

I think that Chris Peterson is in the top 7 or 8 coaches in the country. Hawkins had success at Boise no doubt, but not at a Peterson level, IMO. Boise has really stepped up it's schedule and can really no longer be seen as a mid major.

 

And obviously Spikes meant that these 3 coaches would get better jobs, I really cannot see Utah or Boise getting in a title game, after all Utah was undefeated (the only team to do so) last year and didn't get in, and I just can't see Cincy having the team to win.

 

I think that all three get really good jobs in the future. As for them not having already taken one, which job has came open in the last two years that you would want to take? Tennessee is one, but they wanted Kiffin all along. Auburn? That is a mess, why go there? Washington? Why?

 

They will get jobs in the future. I see Peterson as a possible successor at USC, if they decide to not go with a coach from the inside. He runs a pro style offense (well as much as you can in college football these days), or possibly another team in the Pac 10 or maybe a SEC or ACC team.

 

Kelly looks like the natural successor for whenever Notre Dame give Charlie Weiss the boot. He could either go to Notre Dame, or if Urban Meyer decides to take his dream job, would be an excellent choice at UF. He would fit well in the Big 12, but what job would he take there? Some school will need his services and he will take the chance and have success.

 

Whittingham will continue to be a hot name if the Utes continue to win. I think they will. He could eventually be the man at UF, or I think a Big 12 school, and it wouldn't even have to be a OU or Texas.

 

Either way I think that eventually these guys will land in really good jobs, I think Peterson is set up the best because of his track record and I think that he is the best coach of the three.

Petersen will, cause he won't be in Boise much longer.

Can I go off the board?

 

I don't think any of the coaches mentioned can win at their current locales (even though Kelly is in the Big East and has a track to the title game because of his conference).

 

I think each of those coaches will have to win it at their next job. Where are these openings going to come from? Peterson and Whittingham are out west. Is there a sleeping giant waiting for the right guy to come in in the next couple of years? Kelly may end up at Notre Dame if Weis can't turn it around. He would have a shot there. I just think that one coach has a better opportunity in his potential next job.

 

Following this logic, I would look for a coach at a mid-major that has had success and can be linked to a "sleeping giant" type program in a major conference. Hence, my pick for under the radar coach that will be the next to win a title is Gary Patterson. He is 72-27 at TCU since 2000. He has won 5 bowl games and been to 8. I also think that he has an inside shot at getting the Texas A&M job when Mike Sherman is sent packing. If he can get recruits into mid-major TCU, he will get kids to fit his system at College Station. There is enough talent in Texas to win national titles and Patterson's defensive mindset and success will translate in a place like A&M, IMO.

 

This is all complete conjecture on my part, but I think Gary Patterson just may be set up better if we are looking for that under the radar, mid-major guy that has had success and can use that momontum to swing a turn-around at a major school.

 

JMO

I thought everyone knew I meant when they get an opportunity to coach at a premier school.

I would look for Kelly to go to ND if Charlie Weis gets the axe this year

I would look for Kelly to go to ND if Charlie Weis gets the axe this year

 

If Meyer doesn't want it, then yeah I'd say it will be Kelly. I think Peterson is a better fit there though. His type of offense will fit the players Weiss has recruited, plus I think Peterson is the next big coach in College football.

 

As pointed out before Patterson could get another job. I think Texas A&M could be a fit for Patterson, or any of the other coaches mentioned. It would fit the sleeping giant mold, IMO.

 

As for being out West it didn't hurt Meyer.

If Meyer doesn't want it, then yeah I'd say it will be Kelly. I think Peterson is a better fit there though. His type of offense will fit the players Weiss has recruited, plus I think Peterson is the next big coach in College football.

 

As pointed out before Patterson could get another job. I think Texas A&M could be a fit for Patterson, or any of the other coaches mentioned. It would fit the sleeping giant mold, IMO.

 

As for being out West it didn't hurt Meyer.

 

As much as it pains me to say it I bet he won't want it

As much as it pains me to say it I bet he won't want it

 

You really never know. He could win another title and decide that it is time to take the job that he has always wanted. It's going to be tough to walk away from UF because of how much success the Meyer camp has had on the recruiting trail, but you really can't tell. If I were a betting man I would say that atleast after next season: Meyer is at UF, Weiss is at ND.

You really never know. He could win another title and decide that it is time to take the job that he has always wanted. It's going to be tough to walk away from UF because of how much success the Meyer camp has had on the recruiting trail, but you really can't tell. If I were a betting man I would say that atleast after next season: Meyer is at UF, Weiss is at ND.

 

Agreed. Notre Dame has too much firepower and too weak of a schedule for Weis to loose his job this year.

His type of offense will fit the players Weiss has recruited

 

BK has made his mark at UC with mostly players D'Antionio recruited for a 2 yards and a cloud of dust system at UC. And what he inherited at CMU was pretty much the bottom of D1 talent in the Mid West. That part of what he has done is very often overlooked...

I would look for Kelly to go to ND if Charlie Weis gets the axe this year

 

What about Jon Gruden?

What about Jon Gruden?

 

IF Charlie Weis is gone I don't think they will go to another pro coach.