Regarding Woodward and the “Big Fish”

I tend to agree with the idea that Woodward is good at getting top coaches. But for discussion purposes:

1- Sarkisian - definitely doesn’t qualify as a “Big Fish” at the time he was hired. But his career trajectory minus his personal slip-ups at USC has continued to rise. Woodward’s eye for talent gets a B+. Especially considering that UW was coming off of an 0-12 season (thanks, nvasil1), he likely didn’t have huge interest from potential candidates.

2- Peterson - Was a highly-regarded coach at BSU, and won big time bowl games, got into the top 5, etc. But he had no P5 coaching experience at that time. I have no idea who else was on the table at the time, but getting Peterson to leave BSU was a huge win as Peterson turned UW into a NC contender in the Playoff. Depends on how you define “Big Fish” whether he fits that bill at the time. Either way he ends up an A+ hire.

3- Jimbo Fisher - Definitely fits the “Big Fish” definition. He was a NC-winning coach and considered a coach who makes you good on the offensive side of the ball regardless of OC. But the conjecture has been that boosters went to Woodward and said get Fisher at any cost (maybe to one-up LSU since the rumor had been LSU wanted him and lost out last minute?!). So Woodward goes to Fisher, who needs rescue from FSU, and asks “what will it take?”. I don’t necessarily see that situation as one in which Woodward had to convince, negotiate and scrap to get “his” guy. That’s why I question the Jimbo to LSU rumors, as I’m not sure he was necessarily the coach Woodward would have pursued without a mandate.

4- Buzz Williams - Was at least a very good catch, definitely was a highly-regarded coach at a basketball sch. But I don’t consider him a “Big Fish.” Maybe that’s hindsight, since he’s been blah at aTm. But again, it was widely considered a homerunish hire at the time, so credit given.

5- Jay Johnson - In terms of national awareness he wasn’t a name. But he had skins on the wall, and was on Woodward’s radar. Not a “Big Fish” outside of CBB insiders, but all signs point to an absolutely brilliant hire. Jury is out.

Important to note here that it’s been said that Woodward shot for Sullivan and Corbin unsuccessfully. Those are “Big Fish” guys. So he may go that route, but when he doesn’t hook his top choice he’s adept at having his ducks (worms in this analogy?) in a row to catch his next-best choice.

6- Kim Mulkey - the absolute, unequivocal best coach available for the job. The very personification of the “Big Fish”. Unquestionably a home run. But how much did Mulkey’s battles with the Baylor administration and her desire to finish her career close to home and family play into it? Did she approach LSU and express her interest? I don’t know. But what effort did Woodward actually have to invest in that hire?

So my take is this: Woodward is definitely one of the most capable ADs in sealing the deal, one way or another, in bringing in talented and even some “Big Fish” coaches. But I think timing and circumstance has played into that success.

I also believe when there hasn’t been a Jimbo or Mulkey situation as I’ve outlined, he has a keen eye at finding the up and comer, and has connections within the industry to point him to those he’s less familiar with. And he’s open-minded.

My conclusion is that he will go after and reel in the “Big Fish” if he’s been so directed (Fisher) and in cases where he identifies a so-called “Big Fish” as available and the best candidate (Mulkey) who will actually succeed at the job. AND he’s willing to hire a lesser-known or less-experienced coach he believes is ready for the big time (Sarkisian, Johnson). In other words his game isn’t to win the press conference with a “name” everyone knows for PR reasons. His goal is to shoot for the best and find the guy who’ll win on Saturdays. Because ultimately THAT is his job.

We can therefore expect IMHO that the coach that steps to the podium in early December may not be a “Big Fish” due to many extenuating circumstances and unavoidable factors that prevent such a hire. But we can also trust that whoever it is, Woodward’s history DOES show there’s a very good chance his selection can and will become a “Big Fish”, especially with the resources available to him at LSU.

Thoughts? Opinions?