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Stanford coach
Tyrone Willingham
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NFL insiders were asked which college coaches deserve a shot at an NFL job first.
1. Tyrone Willingham / Stanford — "Has some Dennis Green and some Tony
Dungy in him. A tough, smart coach who works at it and knows how to recruit players."
"I think he’d prefer to stay at Stanford. I know the Chargers were very
interested in him a few years ago, but he said he wanted to stay in college."
2. Nick Saban / Louisiana State — "Did a great job at Michigan State
but already turned down the Giants’ job before Jim Fassel got the job."
"He knows talent, he knows defense and he knows how to put together a staff. A lot
like Bill Belichick but may be a little more outgoing and media-savvy than Bill was when
he got his first NFL head job."
3. Jackie Sherrill / Mississippi State — "Seems to have a great eye
for talent and is a tremendous motivator."
"If he were not so hard to get along with, I would hire him."
"He could be the next Jimmy Johnson. He knows where the athletes are, and he can
get a lot of dogs to play hard."
4. Steve Spurrier / Florida — "Star has faded in recent years, but
maybe he just needs a new challenge."
"He is an S.O.B. in some ways, but his track record speaks for itself."
5. Barry Alvarez / Wisconsin — "If he would let you help him pick his
assistants, I think he could be really good. But if he wants to bring his whole Wisconsin
staff, he would struggle."
Others mentioned with regularity: Dennis Erickson / Oregon State; Butch Davis / Miami;
Mack Brown / Texas; Mike Bellotti / Oregon; Tommy Bowden / Clemson; Ron Turner / Illinois;
Walt Harris / Pittsburgh |
