Lead Candidates?

It looks to me (just me, no sources) that we have two leading candidates for our head coaching vacancy. Butch Jones and John “Doc” Holliday have been mentioned consistently through out the search process by multiple sources. Both coaches would bring there own strengths and weaknesses to Marshall.

Butch Jones is the head coach at Central Michigan University. Prior to arriving at CMU Jones spent two years at WVU as wide receivers coach. Since coming to CMU Jones has compiled a record 25 – 13 with a MAC championship in 2007. This year Central Michigan has gone 9 – 2 and earned a spot in the MAC Championship game.

Concerns about Jones coaching ability center on his lack of success against BCS opponents and sustainability. While at CMU Jones has lost to Boston College 31 – 10 (2009), Georgia 56 – 17 (2008), and Kansas 52 – 7 (2007). Although, this season Central did beat Michigan State 29 – 27. Some people will argue that Jones is succeeding at CMU with Brain Kelly’s (current Cincinnati coach) recruits including star quarterback Dan LeFevor. This might be true Jones’s overall record at CMU is 25 – 13 while Kelly was only three games above .500 (19 – 16).

Doc Holliday was born in Hurricane WV and currently serves as associate head coach / recruiting coordinator at West Virginia University. During his coaching career Holliday has instructed many star athletes including Reggie Nelson (Florida), Koren Robinson (NC State) and Jerricho Cotchery (NC State). He is also know for being a great recruiter, especially in the state of Florida. Athletic Director Mike Hamrick is a good friend of Holiday’s and reportedly wanted to hire him at ECU instead of John Thompson.

Obviously hiring a WVU coach at MU would cause a strong reaction from many in Herd Nation. Concerns have also risen over Holliday’s coaching ability. Although he has coached on both sides on the ball Holliday has never been a coordinator.

In my eyes Jones is the prom queen in this chase. The only issue being he might be perused by BCS programs for there vacancies. Holliday would be a tough pick. Many could see his connection with Hamrick as a inside job. There is no denying Holliday would bring great recruits to Marshall but could he coach them once on campus?

I might be completely wrong about Holliday but I dare any one to say Jones is not Marshall’s top candidate. It will be interesting to see how things break down as we move forward.