It's certainly the most moral and right thing to do. I just don't think the current college football landscape makes that a very reasonable option for a coach in Smith's position. If MSU moved on, Smith would likely be going down with the ship by remaining with OSU or taking a job that he wasn't as comfortable with. It's just really hard for me to hold this against him. It's a really tough situation. But I totally get and completely agree with your position as well. It's just a really tough and shitty situation. I feel terrible for The Beavs, and all of Oregon. They were finally relevant again, and with Smith they would have been relevant pretty much every season. And I really believe he would have stayed there if there was a path into a Power 4/5 conference. Hopefully they can get it figured out and he can come back some day.
Can you name a single coach — that was coming from another job — that didn’t interview AT ALL during the season? Edit - Or start the “hiring process” which I assume includes expressing interest in the opening
Yep. Pretty much the way I’m looking at it. Not sure there will be any suitors for that AD job? Who would jump into this mess? They’d have to pay me way more than what they will have available to pay the person taking that job.
There are a ton of ADs or assistant ADs who would love the challenge of creating a new conference. OSU and WSU are pretty much the commissioners of the Pac-2. That's a blank slate most ADs will never get.
I am not familiar enough with the interview and hiring processes for coaches to be able to accurately answer that question. However, I also find the question irrelevant to my opinion on what I believe to be right.
there is no slack time for college football coaches Smith knew he was going to accept the MSU offer. The pressure was on and it was mounting. The first transfer portal window for college football opens on Dec 4 and lasts for 30 days, so that was the first order of normal business. He had a week before that window opened. And 2 weeks after, and concurrent with that window, national signing day(s) run from Dec 20-Dec 22. So yeah, the pressure was mounting and it's certain MSU wanted to get Smith in place as soon as they could. Every day counted. There was not going to be any way to finesse the break-up, IMO.
Great hire - now go win the bowl game and win the recruiting battles (including over our current players).
If he went with the triumvirate of Ducks, Lakers and Yankees he'd be insufferable. But at least the Lakers and Yankees have world titles.
