UNIVERSITY PARK — June Jones’ hiring signaled SMU’s commitment to upgrading football. The school unveiled its “Circle of Champions,” a group of donors who ponied up big bucks to land a big-time coach.
Seven years later, the school has embarked on a search to find a replacement for Jones, who bolted after the second game this season.
Timing complications threaten to make for an epic search. Troy, Kansas and Buffalo have joined SMU in a marketplace that will populate dramatically by season’s end.
SMU athletic director Rick Hart’s most significant decision in three years on the Hilltop has been aided by the progress Jones made. The school had one winning season from 1987 until Jones’ 2009 team went 8-5. The Mustangs followed with records of 7-7, 8-5, 7-6 and 5-7.
Armed with the knowledge that winning seasons are possible at SMU, more qualified candidates are interested in the opportunity to return the program to prominence. And basketball’s quick ascension under Larry Brown seems to have galvanized the school’s football commitment.
Thus, it’s not shocking that SMU officials have already had preliminary discussions with former Texas coach Mack Brown, floating $4 million annually over eight years, sources say. Brown, 63, fits the Larry Brown model — a national championship winner who can land star prospects on name alone.
Most of the prime candidates excel in areas of Jones’ shortcomings. Qualifications include a spread passing offense — not the run and shoot — and the ability to recruit Texas, particularly Dallas-Fort Worth.
So, who should be the next SMU coach? We explore the prime candidates.
HEAD COACHES
Mack Brown
Age: 63 Salary: N/A
Résumé: He has the biggest name, highest profile and most wins (244-122-1). Given that SMU direly needs an infusion of top prospects, why not hire a guy who can sell ice to Eskimos? Brown is a proven closer in living rooms across the state. Want instant relevance and national attention? Then Mack’s your man. He will charm the school president, faculty and deep-pocket boosters, and he could position SMU for the next wave of conference realignment. What can Brown do for SMU? He could copy the Larry Brown model by bringing in a coach-in-waiting such as Major Applewhite.
Larry Coker
UT-San Antonio coach
Age: 66 Salary: $351,150
Record: 80-31 at UTSA and Miami
Résumé: Coker made his name by leading Miami to the national title in his first year as head coach in 2001. Building UTSA from the ground floor may be even more impressive. He led the first team to a 4-6 record in 2011, then followed with marks of 8-4, 7-5 and 2-5 this season. Despite Coker’s proven track record with major programs, he may not have the dynamic personality needed to overcome the age factor.
Mark Hudspeth
Louisiana-Lafayette coach
Age: 45 Salary: $750,000
Résumé: Hudspeth has experience in rebuilding a program — his current job. When he arrived, Louisiana-Lafayette had not had a winning season since 1993 and had gone 41 years without going to a bowl. In his first season, the Ragin' Cajuns went 9-4 and won the New Orleans Bowl. He followed with consecutive nine-win seasons and New Orleans Bowl wins. But he was 16 years into his career before landing his first Division I job (WR coach Mississippi State) and he has no Texas ties.
POISED TO MAKE JUMP
Tom Herman
Ohio State offensive coordinator/QBs
Age: 39 Salary: $550,000
Résumé: Few coordinators can match Herman’s experience, especially considering his he is only 39. Coaching under Urban Meyer has provided him first-hand knowledge of running a big-time program. He is known as a great communicator and strategist. After finishing third nationally in scoring last year, his Buckeyes currently rank ninth in total offense (533.8) despite the loss of injured starting quarterback Braxton Miller. He spent the first 10 years of his coaching career in Texas (Texas Lutheran, Texas, Sam Houston, Texas State and Rice).
Chad Morris
Clemson offensive coordinator
Age: 44 Salary: $1.3 million
Résumé: Morris one of the most respected and highest paid assistants in the country. He attended Texas A&M and spent 16 years coaching high schools in the state. His up-tempo offenses have played well at Clemson and attracted interest from other schools. He interviewed for the Texas Tech job in 2012, so he has shown interest in returning to Texas as a head coach. Although he has reportedly expressed interest in SMU, he has the luxury —and salary — to be patient until his dream job opens.
Kirby Smart
Alabama defensive coordinator
Age: 38 Salary: $1.3 million
Résumé: If SMU were to go after a defensive guy, Smart would probably be the top candidate. His name has been connected to multiple openings. There’s no doubting his defensive expertise. Alabama has finished in the top five every year in total defense in each of his seven years there. Smart has working knowledge of operating a top program, but is that enough to overcome SMU’s need/desire for an offensive coach?
SPECIALISTS
David Beaty
Texas A&M Assistant (WR/recruiting coordinator)
Age: 43 Salary: $359,500
Résumé: The Wylie native has strong Texas ties, including coaching high schools for 11 years. His popularity among current high school coaches could dramatically boost the Mustangs’ presence in D-FW. The Aggies have landed top-15 national classes in each of his three years. But with only two years experience as a college offensive coordinator — Rice in 2010, Kansas in 2011 — Beaty would be making a big leap.
Scott Frost
Oregon offensive coordinator
Age: 39
Résumé: Frost has a well-rounded background with experience on both sides of the ball, playing quarterback at Nebraska and Stanford and defensive back in the NFL. A Chip Kelly descendent, Frost knows how to field superior offenses and adjust schemes to fit personnel. The Ducks were second in yards per play (7.6) and tied for third in scoring (45.5) last year and are currently 11th in total offense.
Kurt Roper
Florida offensive coordinator
Age: 39 Salary: $590,000
Résumé: Most appealing to SMU is Roper’s experience at Duke, a private school that faces similar recruiting and academic challenges. He was offensive coordinator at Duke for six years, including a 10-win season in 2013, learning under David Cutcliffe, a former offensive coordinator under Phil Fulmer at Tennessee. But Roper’s first season at Florida has turned into a nightmare. The Gators are 3-3, and speculation is rampant that head coach Will Muschamp will be fired.
YOUNG GUNS
Mike Norvell
Arizona State offensive coordinator
Age: 32 Salary: $700,000
Résumé: Norvell followed Todd Graham from Pittsburgh to Arizona State, where he has piled up gaudy stats and big money. After finishing last season ranked 10th nationally in scoring and 32nd in total offense despite key injuries, his ASU unit is currently 13th in total offense and 17th in scoring. But as a rising star with a cushy salary, Norvell seems content awaiting the big opportunities that are sure to come.
Lincoln Riley
East Carolina offensive coordinator/QBs
Age: 31 Salary: $200,000
Résumé: Texas native descends from the Mike Leach coaching tree. His Q-rating rose significantly last year when his team set a school record for total offense (6,086 yards). His star is shining even brighter this season with the nation’s third-ranked offense (564.7). In his fifth year at ECU, he has the rare dual traits of being young and experienced. He has turned down coordinator jobs at bigger schools — Notre Dame QB coach, North Carolina OC last year — preferring to remain patient for a head coaching job.