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Hey all, things are really picking up with UC's search process on this Wednesday. I updated our coaching hot board, though I also need to add Gino Guidugli's name in there. I'll explain why in a moment.
*First off, Sam and I have both heard through multiple sources that Kent State coach Sean Lewis has emerged as the front-runner in this job search. He's already interviewed with John Cunningham for the position and as I explained on the hot board, he has a connection with Cunningham. They were both at Syracuse in 20015 and 2016, Lewis as co-offensive coordinator and Cunningham as associate AD. So there's familiarity, which ADs often time like. Lewis has also had some success at Kent State, which is a tough place to coach. Not the greatest resources there and not exactly a destination school for recruits. Again, I'm not going as far to say he's the guy because that hasn't been confirmed yet. But it's safe to say Lewis is in the top couple of candidates for the job.
**We've also confirmed that Gino Guidugli has been formally interviewed for the position by Cunningham. As I've said multiple times, including the hot board, I was told from the beginning that the UC coordinators would get some type of interview, just wasn't sure if that would be formal or not. And from the get-go, it didn't sound like Gino was a legit candidate, so I didn't add him on our first hot board. I'm still not sure how legit of a candidate Cunningham sees him. But I do know Cunningham has a lot of respect for Guidugli, Kerry Coombs and Mike Tressel. And I think he felt he owed them at least the opportunity to sit down and talk. I'll let Sam add here as well, but don't be surprised to see Gino on the Wisconsin staff with Fickell.
***It's weird, I haven't gotten any type of confirmation that he's even gotten an interview, but I continue to hear Alex Golesh's name brought up. The offensive coordinator at Tennessee, that makes perfect sense. Our friend Tim Adams mentioned in another post, that Cunningham is valuing offense in this search. Which would make perfect sense with Golesh. His Vols offense has the top offense at the FBS level and had a Heisman candidate in Hendon Hooker until Hooker tore his ACL a few weeks ago.
****At the same time, it's gone pretty cold on Jesse Minter at Michigan. That's a defense-minded guy, so if offense is the top priority, it stands to reason why Minter hasn't gained a lot of traction. Still, I haven't heard enough to remove him from the hot board, so he's on there for now.
*****I noted on the hot board, but I did remove Urban Meyer and Mike Denbrock. It sounds like Meyer has no interest and I don't think Denbrock was ever contacted. I had thought that might be a possibility, but it seems like Cunningham had no interest.
That's all from me. Sam and I will post more updates here throughout the day if and when available.
Hey all, things are really picking up with UC's search process on this Wednesday. I updated our coaching hot board, though I also need to add Gino Guidugli's name in there. I'll explain why in a moment.
*First off, Sam and I have both heard through multiple sources that Kent State coach Sean Lewis has emerged as the front-runner in this job search. He's already interviewed with John Cunningham for the position and as I explained on the hot board, he has a connection with Cunningham. They were both at Syracuse in 20015 and 2016, Lewis as co-offensive coordinator and Cunningham as associate AD. So there's familiarity, which ADs often time like. Lewis has also had some success at Kent State, which is a tough place to coach. Not the greatest resources there and not exactly a destination school for recruits. Again, I'm not going as far to say he's the guy because that hasn't been confirmed yet. But it's safe to say Lewis is in the top couple of candidates for the job.
**We've also confirmed that Gino Guidugli has been formally interviewed for the position by Cunningham. As I've said multiple times, including the hot board, I was told from the beginning that the UC coordinators would get some type of interview, just wasn't sure if that would be formal or not. And from the get-go, it didn't sound like Gino was a legit candidate, so I didn't add him on our first hot board. I'm still not sure how legit of a candidate Cunningham sees him. But I do know Cunningham has a lot of respect for Guidugli, Kerry Coombs and Mike Tressel. And I think he felt he owed them at least the opportunity to sit down and talk. I'll let Sam add here as well, but don't be surprised to see Gino on the Wisconsin staff with Fickell.
***It's weird, I haven't gotten any type of confirmation that he's even gotten an interview, but I continue to hear Alex Golesh's name brought up. The offensive coordinator at Tennessee, that makes perfect sense. Our friend Tim Adams mentioned in another post, that Cunningham is valuing offense in this search. Which would make perfect sense with Golesh. His Vols offense has the top offense at the FBS level and had a Heisman candidate in Hendon Hooker until Hooker tore his ACL a few weeks ago.
****At the same time, it's gone pretty cold on Jesse Minter at Michigan. That's a defense-minded guy, so if offense is the top priority, it stands to reason why Minter hasn't gained a lot of traction. Still, I haven't heard enough to remove him from the hot board, so he's on there for now.
*****I noted on the hot board, but I did remove Urban Meyer and Mike Denbrock. It sounds like Meyer has no interest and I don't think Denbrock was ever contacted. I had thought that might be a possibility, but it seems like Cunningham had no interest.
That's all from me. Sam and I will post more updates here throughout the day if and when available.
