CC: Fine-wine coaching era

Submitted by Baughlieve on

 

Old dudes running college football

 

Current coaches ages 58 and up piled up the most wins by a large, large margin against other demographics among the six BCS automatic qualifying conferences, Notre Dame and BYU.  
  
Nick Saban, Les Miles, Steve Spurrier, David Cutcliffe and Art Briles are among the leaders of this impressive 13-person group. And, oh yeah, Mark Dantonio turns 58 in March. He’ll be welcomed with a bottle of Chateau Lafite, 1787 in this fine-wine era of coaching. Only one coach from the 13, SMU’s June Jones (5-7), posted a losing record last year. This list doesn't include Texas' Mack Brown, who resigned after an 8-5 campaign.  

9.38 -- Average number of wins this season for the 13 oldest coaches at the BCS level.  

Five of those coaches -- George O’Leary (67), Saban (62), Gary Pinkel (61), Briles (58) and Spurrier -- recorded 11 wins or more.  

Extract 60-year-olds Jones and Oregon State’s Mike Riley (7-6) and the group averages an even 10 wins. Ten!

For those who think Les Miles shouldn't be hired because of age. 

PS-Both coaches in this year's SEC title game are over 60 and let's not forget Bill Snyder at Kansas State.

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bostonsix

November 30th, 2014 at 10:26 PM ^

In August 2008, do you ever regret choosing the username Tater? All joking aside I agree with you. Hopefully, if Les does become our coach, he will prove us wrong, win a national championship, then drive to my house and punch me right in the jibblets, for being such a "Negative Nancy" since Jim didn't become our coach! (Disclaimer) this is only a hypothetical situation, and no Miles were put on my car during this post. Never Blog and Drive.

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Wings Of Distinction

December 1st, 2014 at 12:59 AM ^

After John/Jim, Les is clearly the next best option.

You are clearly a RR revisionst. You clearly prefer a read option, spread Offense.

This is Michigan where we remember that QB play starts and ends with pocket competence first and foremost. Running ability and athletecism are "gravy" attributes...not core.

Go Blue.

 

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UofM Grad 2009

November 30th, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^

Older guys have the old school management style down, which works for college football. They don't take shit from anyone, and don't care about things like "hurt feelings".

Joined: 11/23/2014

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UofM Grad 2009

November 30th, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^

Older guys have the old school management style down, which works for college football. They don't take shit from anyone, and don't care about things like "hurt feelings".

Joined: 11/23/2014

MGoPoints: 108

UofM Grad 2009

November 30th, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^

Older guys have the old school management style down, which works for college football. They don't take shit from anyone, and don't care about things like "hurt feelings".

Joined: 11/23/2014

MGoPoints: 108

UofM Grad 2009

November 30th, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^

Older guys have the old school management style down, which works for college football. They don't take shit from anyone, and don't care about things like "hurt feelings".

Joined: 11/23/2014

MGoPoints: 108

Mr. Yost

November 30th, 2014 at 9:07 PM ^

Beilein is old. We love Beilein.

I don't think it's the fact that the coach is old that people are thinking about.

I think they want a coach who's going to be around for awhile. Someone who's not going to have to worry about retirement or health questions. Someone who becomes old WITH the program and not before he gets to the program.

I think people want the younger coach, because yes, it's cool and it's easier to recruit as well.

But a lot of people want to get that 45-50 year old guy and get 15 years of awesome football.

How old were Meyer, Dantonio and Kelly when they accepted their current jobs?

I could look it up, but I'm lazy and I'm about to smash some Thanksgiving leftovers. But I think that's what most people want...a coach that is going to have time to build a program/identity/etc.

It also helps the program because you have so many assistants come and go that you have a bigger coaching pool when that coach DOES retire. 

Think about the big name coaches who've been around for awhile (in football and basketball)...when many of those guys finally do hang it up. Those schools won't have to look far for a replacement. They have their identity and just want to keep it rolling.

Michigan is currently at square 1.

 

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Indonacious

November 30th, 2014 at 9:10 PM ^

Similar to blueinwisconsin, these older coaches have likely proven their worth and competency. If they would have been crappy coaches, they probably would not be head coaches in prominent programs anymore.

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flashOverride

November 30th, 2014 at 9:13 PM ^

I think the age angle is slightly overblown because everyone's different. One person at 58 might be what a more youthful and energetic person is at 68. Next season Les Miles will turn 62, which was Carr's age at retirement. This would not be of concern to me because I don't see a lot of signs that Miles is "slowing down", whereas I felt Carr was starting to lose the fire in his late 50s.

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UofM Grad 2009

November 30th, 2014 at 9:28 PM ^

This is a great point. Carr was 62 at retirement, but he probably had the energy of a 75 year old guy.

Les still is a bundle of energy, and I would imagine he can keep coaching at a high level until 70. Saban is 63 now, but he looks and acts much younger, and will probably be doing this til late 60s.

Joe Paterno was 86 when he finally decided to stop coaching, but at that time he had the energy of someone much younger, I'd say like 65-70.

Or for an example outside of coaching, I'd say Dave Brandon. He's 62, but I would never think he's a day over like 50. He still has the ability to connect with people because of a somewhat youthful energy. 

I guess what I'm saying with this is once you get past the age of like 25, it honestly is just a number and not much should really be determined based on age.

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24jason

November 30th, 2014 at 9:17 PM ^

his age, he's just not a great coach. I'm tired of the guy who is going to be out coached. I want the guy who is smarter and better than the other teams guy. OSU got that on there last two coaching hires Michigan needs to get this one right.

Joined: 12/03/2011

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Leonhall

November 30th, 2014 at 10:40 PM ^

Do you really think urban Meyer is that GREAT of a coach? Don't get me wrong, he's a good coach, but if hoke were average, he might be undefeated against him. All 3 times urban has CLEARLY had the better team but Hoke has out schemed him for about 3/4 of each game... Just saying, I think urban more than anything just has better players than most.



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flashOverride

November 30th, 2014 at 10:49 PM ^

Is this to me? I brought up Meyer because I was replying to someone who referred to OSU's two most recent coaching hires. And yes, I do think he's a pretty great coach, whether we like it or not. One does not register a career .842 winning percentage over 165 games via chance or external circumstances. 

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The Wolf

December 1st, 2014 at 12:02 AM ^

To chime in-

 

I think that Meyer is just like Saban in that it appears he will go to amazing depths to exploit EACH and EVERY weakness he can identify in an opponent.  Much like the poster above me said, it is all but impossible to carry the record of those two coaches and not be at the very pinnacle of their profession.

 

I think an interesting question, something pondered earlier with family members, is whether Michigan (and we as fans) want a coach who will outsmart his opponents (Briles, RR, Chip Kelly?) or a coach who simply outworks his opponents (Saban, Meyer, Dantoni...?).  Simplification, obviously, but I do think it is an interesting thought and discussion.

Joined: 02/02/2011

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Trolling

November 30th, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^

I like how the author embedded a Spurrier quote that dismantled his entire argument. The only coaches who are still coaching at that age have proven their worth as coaches because they were all mostly good to begin with. No magical wisdom switch flips in your late 50's. If you're good enough to still be coaching at 60 then you're probably a pretty good coach, period.

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