Why? The Coaching Question of the Weekend.

It seems the biggest questions surrounding the coaching chaos over the last week have all revolved around 'why'. Why would the SeaHawks want Pete Carroll, an already proven failure in the NFL. Why would Carroll want to leave SC, where he's the king of his city, his conference, and, arguably, all of cfb. Why would Tubs take a job that will be as uphill as the one ahead of him at Texas Tech? Why would Kirby Smart make a lateral move to UGA? Etc., etc., etc.

Well, let's take a look at these questions, shall we? In the order they were asked, my take on the answers is:

1. Why would the SeaHawks want Pete Carroll? He was 6-10 in his miserable tenure as head coach of the Jets. Sure he had charisma and youthful exuberance, but that doesn't equal X's and O's, discipline, or wins. His next stint, 3 seasons in New England, was promising, with a division title followed by a wild card, but he was winless in the playoffs and year 3 proved his undoing. He left the pro ranks for good with a 33-31 record. So, the question remains, why hire him?


Well, 2 words: Bill Belichik. Belichik compiled a less-than-stellar 36-44 record in Cleveland before resigning under duress, as the Browns were moving to Batlimore and looking for a new coach. Eventually, he was hired in New England (oddly enough replacing Carroll), where he went 5-11 in year one. Since then, well, do we really need to go into it? He has defined the word "dynasty." So, while Carroll has his doubters (me among them, kinda), it must be understood that his record ois nowhere near as bad as others who have been given second and third chances, and his style, while not good on the old-school east coast, might work back home on the Left Coast. Not only that, but Seattle needs something. And, Pete Carroll might just be the attitude adjustment the 'Hawks can take into the playoffs in years to come.

2. Why would Carroll want to leave SC? Sure he's king of the world in LA, despite a mediocre '09 run, but inside, he's always wanted more. Beating all the Pac-10 teams, Ohio State's, and Notre Dame's in the world doesn't help Pete Carroll sleep at night as far as personal challenges. He's seen as an NFL failure, and deep down, as a competitor, you know he wants another chance to address that. He wants to prove to his nay-say-ers, as well as himself, that he can do it.

Also, as LTDx so wisely pointed out, there's the problem of NCAA violations hanging over the program. They're circled like buzzards since Reggie Bush and the McKnight problems will only add roadkill to the pile. Throw in the Trojans' hardwood problems, handled heavily by the AD, and that easily spells "Get-the-Hell-out-of-Dodge."

3. Why would Tuberville take the Texas Tech job? Of all the questions out there, this one's the easiest to answer: Why wouldn't he take this job? Mike Leach, personal conduct aside, built a solid, competitive program in Lubbock. One that can be easily kept running in the same direction, and with the same velocity, with minimum adjustments. He can't bring his own staff, but would he even want to? The school wants to preserve the offense and the personnel is already place to do that; all Tubs could do is fuck that up if starts his buddy-system hiring again. Nope, it's an easy track for TT, as all he has to do is hire a DC and that's not too big a deal, as any program with Tubs at the helm will natural be good on D. It's the perfect place for him to get back into big-time coaching and begin a resurgence to relevancy again.

4. Why would Kirby Smart take the job at UGA? 3 reasons: It's a move back home, it's more money, and, goddamnit, I want him to. Seriously, though, the first two are complimentary answers. People like to go home again and you can justify it with a doubling in salary...and vice-versa. Now, I'm not saying it's the right choice, but it's definatelt not a "dumb" choice, either. That said, if 'Bama resorts to the rumored nuclear option of offering a "coach-in-waiting" deal to Smart, then I doubt Georgia could get him. Unless they upped their offer to a similar deal, similar to Muschamp at Texas, and then we're left with a whole new question to discuss: Is the Coach-in-Waiting option a good idea? And that, my friends, is a whole 'nother post.