One thing we can probably agree on is Jimmy Sexton is working all angles really hard right now.

Exactly. Also, they need to leak through a backchannel like Hubbs what the timeline and potential hang-ups are if things are iffy. If it's a done deal there's no need to do so, but as a friend likes to say a lot of life is about managing expectations.

The timeline is expecially key. Simply saying it may take another two weeks would be a start.

Pair Gundy with Ellis Johnson and that could be pretty good. He (Gundy) has seen the ceiling at OSU. Even with T. Boone's money they're not going further.

I'd put him even with Jimbo on my wish list.

I'm good with no Butch Davis. He shouldn't be a target this time around. The other guys sound like the Plan B or C list. If there's no Gruden or Petrino Patterson is a must-have. Jimbo Fisher would also work.  Arkansas may be thinking the same way, but the Peterson rumors are strong there.

The Maryville kids who ran the counterfeiting "operation" did better work than that.

You don't give away ownership stakes in an NFL franchise. Rich people don't get rich by doing dumb things. Well, they at least don't stay rich.

Well done. Stay safe.

Whew. Glad you're o.k. Better to deal with a troll than a medical emergency.

Whoa. I hope that's not the case. He seems like a really good dude - not that I'd wish anyone to be rushed to the hospital. Any of you Facebooky types please keep us posted.

Which is why winning the press conference is waaay overrated

Well said Jedi

I live in Charlotte and haven't even thought about going. I won't even watch.

This hire should not be made to win the press conference. Tom Osborne, Gene Stallings and Nick Saban hardly qualify as Mr. Exciting. Gary Patterson may be boring, but he wins big. Those who interview well may or may not produce.

Just to clarify Lyn's first choice is Petrino.

In 2010 he beat LSU and lost to Bama by 4. Those were in his third year. He did lose to LSU last year and in his second year (by 3), but beat the Tigers in his first season.

It's probably also worth noting he fired his DC after last season so he was aware of the need to upgrade defense.

http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/sec/arkansas/yearly_results.php?year=2010

Do mods have a say in the hiring process?

Lyn, I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me.  It should be noted I was castigated by my family over Thanksgiving for espousing Petrino. They were not as charitable as you.

Here's a more succinct view of my take.

The new coach has to
1) Be really good at the coaching football thing
2) Stay clear of the NCAA

I'd like the coach to
1) Be a really good man

This may be bad, but I probably have drastically different views of right and wrong from a number of individuals at UT. If the new football coach is another one that doesn't change my life much. I'd love for us to get Tony Dungy, but that's not happening and Gene Stallings isn't coming out of retirement.

1) I don't think he's coming. That being the case we should get Patterson.

2) If we hire Petrino I don't worry about him leaving. Here's why. If other teams want to hire him away that's great. It means he's killing it. I want a coach other teams want to have. Quite frankly UT needs to remind people how big you can win here. Petrino would do that.

Nothing in Petrino's college coaching history says he does things in an abnormal fashion. He left Louisville after being there several years for a better job. He didn't like the Falcons so he left for a position in Fayetteville where he would be finishing year #5 were it not for the incident. That's not the resume of a crazed job hopper.

I think Derek Dooley is a good guy, BUT chances are he would spend less time with recruits in their college careers than Petrino would. He is a good man, but just spent three years here.

Yeah, I don't think Petrino's actions are in any way comparable to what transpired at PSU. Here's an analogy I heard. If you're choosing a heart surgeon do you select one based on his morals? I wouldn't even though I'd hope he (and everyone) has high character. I want a guy who is really stinking good at cutting around the heart.

When it comes to a football coach I select a coach like I would a heart surgeon.

I will name all my future children TRO if this is true*.

*Some conditions may apply.

Presumably Holler shared some of the finer points of egg stomping with Gruden as well.

I'll buy Stoops being more proven, but not neccessarily hungrier.

-Mora is less proven in college and he's a west coast guy. If you go after him make a run at Shaw (also a west coast guy who wouldn't come) first.

- Jimbo Fisher has been playing against the JV with the varsity and done well, but not been a world beater yet.
 
- Charlie Strong is 3rd on my list (behind Petrino and Patterson), but he certainly isn't as proven as Patterson as a head coach.

Droner may be crazy (as opposed to the rest of us who are super sane), but I'm guessing he probably isn't advocating an 86 year-old taking the helm. Gagliardi is awesome.

My guess is if Patterson was able to formulate a plan for recruiting and carry it out for a number of years he'll be able to do that again. Obviously that's conjecture. My theory is based entirely on Patterson's lengthy record seeming to indicate he can organize a successful program. He doesn't seem to be Larry Coker.

Any yeah, I think most potential season ticket holders are probably less likely to be hyper reactionary folks looking for a sugar rush. You don't need giant blue inflatable gorillas to sell UT season tickets.