I’m up in New York for meetings (and the Wolfpack) and therefore haven’t had the time to sit around and stay on top of all of the breaking news. There appeared to be some concern yesterday that the newly created Wisconsin opening could mean trouble for NC State as Dave Doeren, formerly on staff in Madison, could be a prime candidate for the Badgers opening.
I didn’t understand the concern as I couldn’t imagine that scenario playing out. (And, if that scenario did play out NC State would’ve been well compensated in a buyout of $3 million to $4 million).
So, it is nice to be able to put this concern to bed in a more formal manner with this declaration.
Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren isn’t a candidate to return as the Badgers’ next head coach, a source close to Doeren told ESPN.com on Wednesday morning.
NC State hired Doeren as its head coach Saturday, the day after he led Northern Illinois to its second consecutive Mid-American Conference championship. Doeren went 23-4 in two seasons at NIU after serving as a Badgers assistant from 2006-2010, the last three seasons as defensive coordinator.
Doeren is on the road recruiting for NC State, and has no intentions of leaving the job.
The interesting question here is whether Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez should have reached out to Doeren before Doeren accepted the NC State job. Alvarez reportedly knew about Bret Bielema’s potential departure for several weeks, although he said in a statement Tuesday night that he was “very surprised” when Bielema took the Arkansas job.
With Doeren out of the mix and Pitt coach Paul Chryst, the former Wisconsin offensive coordinator, affirming his commitment to the Panthers, it will be interesting to see where Wisconsin’s search turns next.
Elsewhere on the college football carousel it sounds as though Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy will not leave the friendship of Boone Pickens for Knoxville. That turns most of the coaching buzz around Tennessee towards Louisville’s Charlie Strong, with UNC-CHeats Larry Fedora being speculated as a back-up plan.
Let’s use this entry to share & discuss coaching news!
