East Carolina coach Skip Holtz turned down Cincinnati in 2007 and Pirate fans hope history repeats itself.
Cincinnati is the latest school to eye Holtz, it was Kansas last week, and the ECU football coach could have another list of pros and cons to weigh.
Holtz elected to stay at ECU in '07, by-passing of a jump to the Big East and a BCS conference. The Bearcats ended up with Brian Kelly, from Central Michigan, instead of Holtz.
The Bearcats won two straight conference titles under Kelly but still the program has more liabilities than assets, even though promising quarterback Zack Colloras, a redshirt sophomore, threw for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns while starting four times in relief of senior star Tony Pike.
Along with Kelly, who left last week to take the Notre Dame job, some 16 seniors are moving out of a program that has won 16 straight regular-season games and went 34-6 in three seasons under Kelly.
Against Florida in the Sugar Bowl, the Bearcats are expected to start 11 seniors and five juniors. Kelly won big despite playing home games in the Big East’s smallest facility — 35,000-seat Nippert Stadium.
Another factor will be future non-conference schedules. In 2010, the Bearcats are set for N.C. State (in Raleigh), Oklahoma (in Cleveland), Miami of Ohio (home) and at Fresno State.
The 2011 lineup is N.C. State (home), at Tennessee, Albany (home) at Miami of Ohio. So far, the 2012 card includes Ohio State and Virginia Tech.
In addition to Holtz, the Bearcats are interested in Central Michigan’s Butch Jones, interim coach Jeff Quinn, Temple's Al Golden, Cincinnati Bengals assistant Mike Zimmer and former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan would be a long-shot dream
Jones, who met with Cincinnati athletics director Mike Thomas on Monday, has much fan support, due in part to the fact that Kelly previously coached Central Michigan. In three seasons at the school, the 41-year-old Jones is 22-12 overall but 20-3 against Mid-American Conference opponents.
Holtz, 45, is 76-49 overall and 38-26 at ECU. His teams have won two straight Conference USA championships and will face Arkansas in the Jan. 2 Liberty Bowl.
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Comments
Ridiculous
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 22:06 — BiggumsI would seriously, seriously like to think that Holtz has more self esteem than to go to Cincinnati. That would be such a bad decision, it's unfathomable.
lateral move
Tue, 12/15/2009 - 12:45 — gvillegatrUNLESS Skip gets it on great authority Cinncy is a shoe in to be the 12th team in the Little 12 (Big 10).
However
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 10:22 — heelsno1ECU might go to the BIG EAST if Cincinnati goes to the Dirty Dozen (Big 10). This would address one of Skip's goals, namely to coach in a BCS conference.
It is my understanding that Skip has a pretty sweet deal at ECU. I do not see him leaving Greenville unless it is to take a major step forward (e.g. any SEC school, Texas A&M or UCLA).
indeed
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 11:19 — gvillegatrall great points.
I wonder how much longer Les Miles will be at LSU? Doesn't he remind you of Larry Coker?
I'd hush on that
Wed, 12/16/2009 - 12:25 — YAR8packI'd be quiet about comparing Les Miles to Larry Coker till after the ACC/SEC Kickoff next September. But go ahead and get that fire stoked. You aren't gonna like what the Tigers bring. Also. Les presents and demands a bit more of an on-hand approach instead of just letting things be, a la Mr Coker.
The Big Ten isn't going to add another team until at least 2012, maybe. Cincy won't be that team....perhaps if Notre Dame continues their downward spiral they could be added to the Big Ten, but I highly doubt that'll happen. Kelly will have them going in a much better direction. It'd be nice if the ACC would send BC packing to the Big Ten for someone else and Miami to the SEC for South Carolina and somehow ECU got in the Big East. We all know BC and Miami aren't going anywhere. Damnit.