Missouri AD discusses search for next football coach
Missouri is looking for a new football coach, and athletic director Mack Rhoades is focused on bringing the best coach he can to Columbia, Mo.
Longtime Tigers coach Gary Pinkel will retire after this season. Pinkel was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year.
Rhoades spoke about the coaching search on Wednesday. He indicated he wants to find a coach that can help the Tigers be competitive on a national level. He believes Missouri is an attractive job.
Rhoades: “We can even take this thing to a higher level, I believe.” Name drops winning national championship. Fans approve.
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
Two names that have popped up on multiple schools’ radars are Houston coach Tom Herman and Memphis coach Justin Fuente. Herman has led the Cougars to a 9-0 record in his first season. Fuente’s Tigers are currently 8-2. Rhoades spoke highly of both of them, but said he doesn’t have a specific coach in mind.
Rhoades says he’s “certainly partial” to Tom Herman. Says Fuente is “another terrific coach” … Cautions he’s not locked in on anyone. — Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
But although he’s interested in some of the same coaches that other schools are, Rhoades said he’s also looking for the right fit for his school.
Rhoades: “I’m not into the hottest names out there. That doesn’t mean they’ll automatically come here and be a great fit here.” — Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
Rhoades says he will be open to hiring the best guy. Says that could be an assistant.
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
One thing Rhoades says he is looking for is someone who can recruit top talent.
Rhoades wants “a relentless recruiter” with a prove track record of that. — Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
But he doesn’t necessarily care if a coach is offensive-minded or defensive-minded.
Rhoades: Not basing search on offensive/defensive background. Says HC isn’t necessarily coaching football. Coaching coaches. — Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
Rhoades believes Missouri can offer a competitive salary to lure a strong head coach.
Rhoades on $: “We will be competitive” Says it’s market driven. If it’s the right guy, MIzzou will pay what it needs to pay.
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
Some schools use search firms to find new coaches. Rhoades has used them in the past, but he’s not sure if he will rely on one to find Pinkel’s replacement.
Pinkel has several longtime assistants on his staff, and some people will want to see them retained by the new coach. But Rhoades says it will be up to the new coach to decide on his staff. However, he will encourage the new coach to meet with the current assistants and consider them for positions.
Rhoades on if he will push new HC to keep GP’s staff: Says you are never going to handcuff a new coach. Up to new coach to build staff — Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
The Missouri athletic director was also asked if the recent anti-racism protests on campus will affect the search. He didn’t think they would.
Rhoades on racial tension on campus and if it will hurt: Says he doesn’t believe it will hamper search in any way. — Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) November 18, 2015
Missouri is currently 5-5 with two games left in the regular season. The Tigers will host Tennessee (6-4) this Saturday at 7:15 p.m. The game will be shown on ESPN2.