Today brought a great deal of sudden news, so let's get to what happened...
Oregon State
OSU brought a hire out of the blue when they managed to grab Wisconsin's Gary Anderson, the second coach that Wisconsin has lost in the last three years. Anderson's hire also came with a new commitment to the program in which the Beavers will build a new $42 million football facility, and will also upgrade Reser Stadium, all issues that drove Mike Riley away.
Anderson was a surprise hire for certain. OSU also interviewed Beau Baldwin of Eastern Washington, Norm Chow, Matt Wells, and San Diego State DL Coach Osia Lewis. I can understand Baldwin, Anderson, and Wells, but Chow and Lewis are real head scratchers. Obviously, Anderson was an amazingly solid choice, and was a better grab than I ever thought OSU could get.
Tulsa
Phil Montgomery was hired as head coach today. The now former Baylor OC was destined for a head coaching job and this is a good one for him. Montgomery was largely thought to be one of the best offensive minds in the nation, and once again, I give Tulsa solid grades for making this hire. Montgomery beat out Houston Nutt and Jake Spavital for the job.
Wisconsin
The Badgers will be looking for their third coach in the last three seasons, and they can likely thank Captain Ego himself, Barry Alvarez. The former coach and current AD is a constant meddler in the program, and often attempts to steal all of the glory for any success that this program has. With departures of Bret Bielema and Gary Anderson, the hierarchy at Wisconsin now has to do some soul searching and see if Alvarez needs a muzzle, a leash, or needs to be asked to go away. Of course, Alvarez says that he will coach the team in their bowl game, instead of an interim coach that is a current assistant on the staff. That's Barry Ego for you.
UNLV
The Rebels made it official and hired the only candidate that was ever really considered after a sham search led folks to believe that Jim Fassel and June Jones were ever really candidates. Bishop Gorman Coach Tony Sanchez has signed a deal that will pay him $500,000 per season. There is no official word about Fertitta money coming on, but that will happen, and will likely be done as quietly as possible.
Michigan
According to several sources, Utah's Kyle Whittingham looks to be the primary focus in the search for a new head coach. Whittingham has been on campus for a couple of days now, and it seems that negotiations are ongoing, but there has been no word of any offer just yet. It looks like Greg Schiano won't be the guy after all, and Michigan fans should be thankful for that.
Despite reports that UM reached out to Duke's David Cutliffe, don't expect that to happen. Cutliffe has a good thing going at Duke, and will be staying in Durham.
Hawaii
AD Ben Jay will be out in June, but it looks like Norm Chow will stay another season. How Chow keeps surviving is simple. UH cannot afford to pay him to go away. Jay likely felt that the situation is untenable, and chose to walk away.
FCS NEWS
Samford
Samford went in a direction that was off the grid when they hired Murray State coach Chris Hatcher. This doesn't seem like a great fit to me, but Samford fell for the label, and Hatcher is moving on again.
Murray State
With Hatcher gone, OC Mitch Stewart will be moved up to the head job according to footballscoop.com and other sources.
Montana
The job appears to be down to former UNLV and Griz coach Bobby Hauck and Colorado Mines Coach Bob Stitt. As of this evening, no hire has been made, but rather than Hauck being a lock, it appears Stitt may have an edge at this time.
Florida A&M
There are a slew of coaches who want this job, and two of them are former FBS coaches in Joker Phillips and Tony Samuel. The administration is whittling the list from eight to three by the weekend.
More news as it happens this weekend!
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