Del Rio Staying
Jack Del Rio is staying in Jacksonville according to Peter King of Sports Illustrated. Del Rio told people last night to sit tight today and see what happens. I consider this a good development for USC because I did not think it was a good fit with his lack of college experience and personality quirks.
I'm guessing Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin's names will surface as the search continues.
Wrong again Wolf...
Pete Carroll's departure from USC to become the Seattle Seahawks' head coach is continuing to make waves in the NFL coaching community.
The latest news involves former Lions and 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci, who may be a candidate to replace Carroll at USC.
Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that USC has been in contact with Mariucci, and that Mariucci would welcome the opportunity to return to coaching. Although Schefter says USC's contact with Mariucci has been informal so far, the news that Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio plans to stay in Jacksonville could cause Mariucci's contact with USC to heat up.
Mariucci has one year of experience as a college head coach, leading Cal to a 6-6 record in 1996.
Of course I could have called this at the beginning. Why would Del Rio leave when he has the privlege of coaching a UCLA running back?
Del Rio said you "manufactured" the report, Scott. You just got called out nationally.
KillaKick: privlege? Just what I would expect from UCLA.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/12/del-rio-plays-poker-with-the-jacksonville-media/
ProFootballTalk still says that this is just a negotiation with Del Rio and the Jags. USC will need to negotiate a contract buyout.
I wonder if Wolf's premature posting of JDR receiving a contract screwed things up with the Jags. Without that, Wayne Weaver may have been content to buy JDR out of his contract at half price - but now, after knowing that JDR was looking elsewhere, Weaver can play hardball with JDR and try to get him to resign.
With nobody corroborating the JDR contract story, I'm wondering if Wolf didn't get this wrong, a la CJ Spiller.
Hmmm
Damn, Scott. That was a giant, national limb you went out on with this one. This is a huge "L" in your loss column.
I'm with DFWTrojan... This will happen. But it will be a disaster if it doesn't happen soon. JDR does not have a very good poker face.
@sureshot... Initially, I thought the same thing. But Weaver can't possibly be that stupid. When you have a valuable employee who is essentially a free agent, you have to always be aware of what could be on that employee's radar and the implications for your business. Especially when you might be considering letting him go for $15 million. My bet is that Scott's source on this story is a lot closer to Weaver than to HH.
I will also say that if USC does hire Del Rio, I will post a glowing apology to you Scott. Not that you care, I guess . . .
Constantine, you are really correcting spelling on this. Sorry I missed the I in privilege, but I would still bet that more student athletes graduate from UCLA then USC.
ESPN just reported that JDR is staying at least one more season in Jacksonville. What does that mean?:
¡¡¡DAMNIFINO!!!
Like momo said(per ESPN) USC is now in touch with Steve Mariucci, NEXT...
Stay tuned!
The Del Rio issue makes perfect sense. He wants to get fired so he can have the SC job AND his $15M. Who wouldn't. So, if the Jags (he really want him gone) blink first AND SC hasn't yet hired someone, Jack gets to have his cake and eat it, too. Who wouldn't do the same thing?
If he is going to do that, Mike, he is going to lose. USC needs a coach now. The Jags can EASILY out-wait USC here. The Jags can hold him for the next 2 months and not have it damage them at all.
If he is going to do that, Mike, he is going to lose. USC needs a coach now. The Jags can EASILY out-wait USC here. The Jags can hold him for the next 2 months and not have it damage them at all.
Del Rio isn't going to happen.
Wayne Weaver is no fool. He doesn't want to pay JDR to coach USC, but he might have been willing to let him go at a discount. Since they didn't settle on a mutually accpetible severence package, I doubt they ever will. Weaver has the money, and his leverage grows stronger every passing day. Sounds like Del Rio has made his decision.