The Proven Winner Level Four – Mid-Major Champion Archives

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Lane Kiffin

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Lane Kiffin. Really? Yes, really. (Well, kind of.)

Lane Kiffin coaching experience (42 years old)

He’s been a head coach for the Oakland Raiders and then — as we all know — in 2009 with the Tennessee Vols before bolting like a thief in the night to go to USC where he failed. He resurrected his career as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa, and he’s tearing it up in his first season as Florida Atlantic’s head coach. Prior to taking over at Oakland, he was an assistant (including offensive coordinator) at USC, and also coached at Fresno State, Colorado State and with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Son of legendary defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

GRT taxonomy of college football coaches: Great Coordinator; Guru (offense); The Proven Winner, Level Four – Mid-Major Champion

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Lane Kiffin

He’s family, and you always forgive family, right? Haha. In all seriousness, though, Kiffin is an offensive genius who is good with Xs and Os, knows how to develop quarterbacks and score points. He was an immature mess the first time around with the Vols, but if he plays by the rules [huge if] and has some kind of maturity exit clause in his contract, there would be much, much worse hires. Still, there would be a lot of people — A LOT — who’d find it difficult to forgive and forget. One thing to remember is John Currie helped bring him in, though.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Lane Kiffin

Honestly, when it comes to Tennessee, Kiffin carries more baggage than Petrino. He left UT saddled and scrambling to avoid NCAA sanctions. He ran his mouth, recruited players who didn’t have staying power, replaced UT traditions with pictures of USC players and did a lot of immature things. Has he grown up? Can he follow the rules? Is he worth the gamble?

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate P.J. Fleck

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate P.J. Fleck.

P.J. Fleck’s coaching experience (36 years old)

This is just his first year of experience at a Power 5 school as he tries to rebuild Minnesota after turning Western Michigan into the mid-major standard, a team that took Wisconsin to the brink in 2016 before a close loss in the Cotton Bowl. Before that, Fleck was an assistant at Ohio State, Northern Illinois, Rutgers and with Tampa Bay in the NFL. He enjoyed a standout career at Northern Illinois before moving onto the 49ers in the NFL.

GRT taxonomy of college football coaches: The Proven Winner, Level Four – Mid-Major Champion (but just once, and is currently 5-5 at his first shot at Level Three (as of November 13))

Why the Tennessee Vols might want P.J. Fleck

He’s a young offensive mastermind and motivator that has consistently proven he can recruit, develop and build winners. What is his ceiling? He’s still too young to know, but he led the Broncos to some big-time football games a year ago, and if you can lock him in, Fleck’s best years are likely in front of him. He’s young and aggressive, and he’d probably do well in Knoxville.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want P.J. Fleck

So … about those slogans… If you’re sick of Jones and his brick-by-brick/life champions rhetoric, Fleck isn’t going to be a change of pace. He does “row the boat” after all. That stuff has worn thin in Knoxville, and there are people who’d check out at the first sign of blabber, especially when it has nothing behind it. But Fleck has proven his accountability, and he wouldn’t make excuses. Still, has he been at a big program long enough?

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Willie Taggart

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Willie Taggart.

Willie Taggart’s coaching experience (41 years old)

Assistant coach at Western Kentucky spent on the offensive side from 1999-2006, including a Co-OC role. Then, he moved to Stanford to be running backs coach from 2007-09 under Jim Harbaugh. He took over at WKU as head coach, ushering the Hilltoppers into FBS play, where he went 2-10, 7-5, 7-5 in those rocky years of the transition, building the recruiting base for the success the school had under Bobby Petrino and Jeff Brohm. Taggart took over at South Florida, going 2-10 and 4-8 before turning the Bulls around and going 8-5 and 10-2, thanks largely in part to strong recruiting, including grabbing elite athlete Quenton Flowers, who was coveted by plenty of marquee schools as an athlete. Taggart sold him on playing quarterback, and the program was off. This is his first year at Oregon, and the Ducks started 4-1 before Justin Herbert was injured. They’re now 5-5 (as of November 13).

GRT’s taxonomy of college football coaches: The Proven Winner, Level Four – Mid-Major Champion (currently in his first year at a shot at Level Three)

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Willie Taggart

Taggart is an intense competitor and dynamic recruiter, who has spent time in the Southeast, convincing players to play for USF. He is an innovative, run-first offensive mind who blends spread concepts very well into a power offense. He’s a great developer of running backs and has enjoyed a slew of good players under him. He could bring defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt to Knoxville along with a powerful staff that could step right in and be just the kind of staff UT needs to get it away from its soft mentality, a belief perpetuated by NFL scouts that has played out on the field this season.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Willie Taggart

Both of his head coaching stops have been characterized by difficult transitional years, partially from inheriting “down” programs but also because of instilling the Taggart mentality into the program. That has been the case this year in Oregon too, thanks to the injury to starting quarterback Herbert. Would UT be willing to wait if there was an overhaul? Plus, his 45-49 head coaching record — on its surface — doesn’t look great. For those wanting a “sexy” hire, Taggart may not fit the bill, but some won’t look deep enough to be happy. Also, this is his first year at Oregon. Would he leave after only one season? What would it take to get him?

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Jeff Brohm

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Jeff Brohm.

Jeff Brohm’s coaching experience (46 years old)

Star quarterback at Louisville and then played in the NFL. Assistant at Louisville, Florida Atlantic, Illinois, UAB and Western Kentucky, including offensive coordinator experience at three schools. Followed Willie Taggart as WKU head coach, 2014-16. This is his first year as HC trying to turn around Purdue.

GRT’s taxonomy of college football coaches: The Proven Winner, Level Four – Mid-Major Champion (currently in his first year at a shot at Level Three)

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Jeff Brohm

If you want a prolific, dynamic offense, Brohm proved he could produce one at Western Kentucky. He’s also off to a good start at Purdue with the pieces already in place. He’s got a lot of experience at multiple places as offensive coordinator, and he is young with a high upside. He’s proven he can take a program that’s already built and win, and it’s looking like he is a quality program builder in West Lafayette, too, though the jury’s still out.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Jeff Brohm

Brohm has a lot of experience, but he doesn’t have a lot in the Power 5. This is his first year with his program, and the Boilermakers are 4-6 (as of November 13). They’ve had high moments and low spots, too. There’s little doubt he’d be able to produce points in Knoxville, but what kind of defense could he bring? Would he recruit well enough to be successful in the SEC? That’s a major concern, and it would be a crap shoot.

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Matt Campbell

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Matt Campbell.

Matt Campbell’s coaching experience (37 years old)

Player at Pittsburgh and Mount Union. Assistant at Bowling Green and Toledo before becoming the Rockets head coach, 2011-15. Iowa State head coach the past two years.

GRT college football coaching taxonomy: The Proven Winner, Level Four – Mid-Major Champion

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Matt Campbell

When you talk about coaches who have skyrocketed through the ranks, Campbell’s game is at the top of the list. I mean, this dude is younger than me! He’s already in Year 2 at a Power 5 team and owns two big-time wins over Oklahoma and TCU this year, and he almost had another one against Oklahoma State. He built Toledo into a MAC powerhouse, and though he may not be a sexy name, he certainly would be a good one. He runs a spread that isn’t afraid to get vertical, and he’s developed running backs like Kareem Hunt and also proven he can build quarterbacks.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Matt Campbell

Unlike some Tennessee AD moves in recent years, Iowa State was shrewd when it locked up Campbell. He’s saddled with a $9.4 million buyout, so unless you’re absolutely sure he’s the home-run hire, you absolutely cannot go in that direction. Other than that, there’s no reason not to like Campbell. He’s developed offenses and defenses and is young enough to be relatable to players. But can he win a championship?