UPDATE: (Dec. 6, 10:36 AM): Bruce Feldman is reporting that Baylor has hired Temple HC Matt Rhule.
UPDATE: A REMINDER
Just keeping you all up to date for this week: I’m going to be traveling out East starting late Tuesday afternoon and all the way through early Friday morning. My Wednesday and Thursday appear to be totally blocked out with the main walk of life.
At this point, it’s too early to say how much access I will have in order to check on things with the coaching search during the day. So when I get locked down on Wednesday, you can probably be assured that it will break that Baylor will find its coach at either 3:00 p.m. Tuesday when I’m on a plane or 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when I’m neck deep in back-to-back. Call that good fortune.
But it is what it is. Hopefully, that won’t happen and Mack Rhoads will wait for me to finish up. Anyway, I just wanted you to make you aware so if you’re wondering, “Hey, where’s the damn Publisher?”, you’ll know.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 10:15 PM): Ok, so this is where we think we're at. Based on the vibe we're getting, Oklahoma St. coach Mike Gundy has moved to the front of the line. Baylor may be trying to get something settled with him. If they can, he's the next Baylor football coach. If not, then Baylor goes back to Plan B in Arkansas St. HC Blake Anderson. That's just the way this works.
As I have said before -- Studly backed me on this -- when you're in the art of making deals, you're never out of it until you're out of it.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 9:45 PM): Hearing through channels Baylor and Anderson may have fallen through. If that's the case, that could mean Gundy is in play. Maybe he lobbies Baylor for a better situation for Oregon. Maybe he doesn't care and is ready to relocate to Waco.
They better get this solved before I get on a plane Tuesday afternoon.
UPDATE: (Dec. 8:55 PM): More on Blake Anderson. We believe that there is a $2 million buyout that Baylor has to pay. This is all tentative but it sounds like something might have -- I stress might have -- been agree to by Anderson and Baylor. By no means are we dismissing Oklahoma St. coach Mike Gundy and his interest in the BU job. But we also understand he's a candidate for the position at Oregon.
Cue the Art of Noise -- Dragnet Theme
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 8:25 PM): Contrary to what we have been putting out there, we have heard the Baylor DID MEET with Arkansas St. HC Blake Anderson on Monday. What we've also heard is that a 5-year contract has been discussed. We've also heard that the annual salary could be in excess of $2 million. Now whether this has been offered and accepted remains to be seen. But given Anderson's ties to Baylor and the proximity of his family to Waco, maybe this is the direction we're.
It's all fluid. Doing our best to keep you in the know.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 7:55 PM): More stuff on Oklahoma St. HC Mike Gundy. There's a report out there that Gundy either has or either will meet with Baylor. The timing is a little vague. But now the talk has become more than that it would seem.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 5:35 PM): From what we understand, Arkansas St. HC Blake Anderson has not been offered the position at Baylor (yet). We understand he was out on the road recruiting Monday and is expected to be in his office Tuesday.
As for one-time Baylor assistant and North Carolina HC Larry Fedora, there is interest but as we reported the potential NCAA sanctions are causing him some concern. Of course, he's been at UNC with the NCAA going down UNC's throat for as long as he's been there. We're hearing Fedora may interview for the opening at Oregon.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 4:55 PM): I've gotten word that KCEN in Waco has apparently reached out to the NBC affiliate in Little Rock regarding something. I would have to think this is tied to Blake Anderson. Yes, I saw the tweet with Oklahoma State Mike Gundy. I have heard it (that was the weird stuff I mentioned). That might be a stretch. However, Gundy has virtually no relationship with the OSU power brokers. He's had a pretty public feud with Boone Pickens that returned earlier this year. Remember, Gundy coached at Baylor for a year in 1990s. He went down this road 3 years ago when he danced with the opening at Arkansas. There seems to be more momentum toward Anderson. Go read the previous two tweets.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 2:05 PM): One thing to watch regarding Blake Anderson is that Arkansas St. typically has a press conference regarding its bowl situation the Monday after the regular season ends. That would be today. However, we're hearing that no press conference was held today. While Anderson has been active on Twitter, it would appear that no one has been to reach out to him. Also hearing his DC Joe Cauthen turned down a DC position with an ACC program recently. We'll see what this means and if you can start connecting dots.
Always know that these are things we're hearing. They may have some traction. They may be meh. I've heard some really weird other stuff today that will not make this board unless by chance it ever vets out. That's what we do here.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 1:25 PM): To piggy back on what Jake posted, I have heard something could be happening by either Tuesday or Wednesday. The candidate is probably coming Sonny Dykes, Larry Fedora or Blake Anderson. I don't see Chad Morris but I really don't know if he's signed his contract extension with SMU.
UPDATE: (Dec. 4, 12:40 PM): If you missed it, Tommy Tuberville has resigned at Cincinnati after four seasons. His resignation was expected. Where this could impact Baylor is its reported pursuit and expected meeting with Western Kentucky HC Jeff Brohm. Yahoo's Pat Forde reported Saturday that Cincinnati likely would go after Brohm. That's a non-P5 job. It's in the American Conference.
UPDATE: (Dec. 4, 10:00 AM): Arkansas St coach Blake Anderson flew home with the team after Saturday's game.
UPDATE: (Dec. 2, 11:35 AM)
Should Mike McIntyre interview or "interview" for the Baylor job, he's going to have to explain what happened earlier in the week.
From the Denver Post
Two University of Colorado football players are facing charges — one for suspected cocaine possession and the other for assault — after police say they got into a fight with each other at a downtown Boulder bar hours after playing in the Buff’s victory against the University of Utah.
Abdul Jaleel Awini, a 23-year-old who has played several positions on the football team, was arrested on an allegation of drug possession. Christopher Hill, a 21-year-old tight end, was cited with third-degree assault in the altercation. The Daily Camera in Boulder first reported about the altercation and the arrests on Monday.
Investigators say the ordeal began when Awini was was escorted out of The Walrus Saloon because of his “intoxication level.” A Boulder police filing says Awini was with Hill at the watering hole, and that he blamed Hill for being kicked out.
“I’m going to (expletive) you up,” Awini allegedly told Hill, according to the police report. “You got me kicked out.”
Hill then punched Awini in the chin, the police report says, citing a witness’ account of the fight. Awini appeared to be unconscious and landed squarely on the back of his head on the concrete sidewalk.
The witness said Hill then took off running before he was stopped by a Walrus employee and waited for police to arrive.
UPDATE: (Dec. 1, 8:55 PM)
He also reports that McIntyre will interview after the PAC 12 title game.
UPDATE: (Dec. 1, 1:30 PM): Got some info on Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson. There are indications that head coach and former Baylor player Blake Anderson is expected to meet with Baylor AD Mack Rhoads this weekend following the Red Wolves game at Texas State.
It could be as early at Saturday night after the game or perhaps Sunday. That's a little up in the air. From what I'm told, if the meeting happens and if Baylor offers....that's a big if...Anderson likely would accept it for several reasons.
1. The chance to go to a P5 job.
2. He played for Grand Teaff between 1987-89
3. His family lives in nearby Hubbard (about 30 miles north of Waco). It sounds like his father isn't doing very well lately.
Again, he's not the only candidate on the radar. However, I wanted to share with you what I've learned.
>As was stated Monday, the framework for a deal is in place. There needs to be some higher ups that would have to sign off on it.
>SMU is negotiating with Morris. At this point, it seems like it is in vein. Someone told me that when he did his coaches show on the radio Monday night, he was a little guarded when he started talking about the future.
>What helps Baylor is that Morris made a name for himself in Central Texas and appears to want to get back to a slower pace. Dallas is Dallas. That can get a little over the top.
>If this does happen with Morris, as I mentioned elsewhere DC Van Malone likely would get the interim tag. Now what that means if SMU doesn't make a bowl is another story. I think several in his inner circle who came with him to SMU from Clemson would join him in Waco, starting with OC Joe Craddock.
>I don't think it's over for Baylor to look at other candidates. But just keep in mind that Morris has pretty much been pursuing this job since Memorial Day weekend.
All I have for right now.
UPDATE (Nov. 22, 12:15 PM): As for UNC coach Larry Fedora, there was contact between Baylor and Fedora's side. The interest was there. However, we're told -- and this is not surprising -- that Fedora wanted a firm understand of where Baylor stood with the NCAA on its self reported issues.
Obviously, given the recent news of outgoing OC Kendal Briles meeting with the NCAA over impermissible contact, that's part of it. That hasn't been resolved. And that's what might have caused Fedora to drop his pursuit of the position. This is where landing Morris makes a little more sense because he's willing to ride it out as long as Baylor gives him some wiggle room regarding potential penalties..
You should anticipate a Morris announcement within a day or two after SMU plays its regular season finale against Navy.
UPDATE (Nov. 22, 1:00 PM): If Van Malone stayed at SMU as the next HC, one candidate to be considered for Baylor's DC would be current Lake Travis HC Hank Carter. A defensive coach by trade. If memory serves, Morris wanted to bring him to SMU but it didn't work out.
UPDATE (Nov. 22, 7:40 PM): Morris addressed his team Tuesday afternoon and assured them he wasn't leaving SMU. It sounds like there was a mixed reaction to riiiiiiiight....
I can confirm that Gerald Ford did not arise from his grave and continually proclaim there was no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.
UPDATE (Nov. 23, 8:15 AM): One of the things I'm hearing is that Morris has asked for a clause in his contract to be placed in there regarding the potential severity of NCAA sanctions. In other words, if Baylor gets hit hard, then he can be released. Again, this is all fluid. I am aware of another clause that would free him to go to Texas A&M if that job opened.
OK, I have a big project I have to finish up for the man. So I'll try to add what I can at some point.
UPDATE (Nov. 25, 5:20 PM): SMU made a last run. Offered nearly $3 and more $$ for the assistant. That went nowhere.
I know this has been out there but I wanted to be sure it was right. We're looking at 5 years about $24.5 million. There are buyout clauses if Baylor gets hit by the NCAA or is A&M opens.
I got the sense from talking to a couple of people that Chad had no intention of giving any ground. Plus, the relationship between Chad and SMU was getting tense.
It's just a matter of when Morris is the new Baylor HC. That's probably Monday.
UPDATE (Nov. 27, 3:40 PM): There's really not a lot of new for this one. However, I didn't want to let the day go without sharing something.
Right now, I think it's up in the air about SMU's Chad Morris becoming the next Baylor coach. I know he avoided the subject when asked following the game against Navy. He was he was going to recruit. That's true. It sounds like the entire SMU staff is going on the road Monday. Take from that if you will.
The chatter of Morris doing or one the other is pretty much going ways in terms of validity. I don't want to lead you on and saying that he's coming because frankly, I don't know. Things can change on an hourly basis. Just look at what happened with Tom Herman and LSU and Texas.
I did hear that Baylor AD Mack Rhoads planned on meeting with people on Monday. Now, what that means exactly is another story. Could Morris make a hard left turn down I-35E south and go about 100 miles?
But there is some thinking that Morris may wait for the situation at Texas A&M to develop. That probably won't happen this year. However, if you're Morris and you come to Baylor this year, A&M opens in 2017 or 2018 and you exercise that clause to go to it if you're the guy, you're going to get the reputation as a major job hopper. That's not a good reputation to have. Think Todd Graham who jumped from Rice to Tulsa to Pittsburgh to Arizona State.
I mentioned in a thread Saturday that UNC coach Larry Fedora's name came back into play. UNC regular season has finished. I wasn't kidding about that.
If you're going ask me for my best guess on Morris, I'll tell you that if something doesn't happen by Wednesday, then Baylor is moving forward.
Yep, this was a big round about way of saying, "Who the heck knows anymore.''
UPDATE (Nov. 28: 1:45 PM): From the Dallas Morning News.
That would fall in line of what I told you that Rhoads was people on Monday and Morris was not on the recruiting trail. Rhoads should be meeting with other candidates this week.
UPDATE (Nov. 28: 2:40 PM): A couple of things I've heard about North Carolina coach Larry Fedora (Baylor asst from 1990-96). He has a somewhat veteran roster with a host of seniors and juniors. He is saying good-bye to 16 seniors. He's 82-46 in his six seasons there. The word I keep hearing is that he's probably ready to move. That could mean that he's going to dip in 2017.
Now, I've written before that he wasn't real fond of what he could be dealing with at Baylor with possible NCAA sanctions. But if the indications are strong, he could be ready to talk to Baylor again. I would just watch this. Plus, he coached under Teaff and Chuck Reedy. Now, it's been 20 years but with Teaff still active, that could be a thing.
However, one thing I was told was in the Russell Athletic Bowl, Baylor players considered North Carolina one of the least physical teams they faced in 2015. Take that for what it's worth.
UPDATE (Nov. 28, 8:15 PM): We might know Tuesday where SMU coach Chad Morris and Baylor are. There's a scheduled SMU team meeting at 2:30 pm. It's being termed an end if the season meeting.
UPDATE (Nov. 29, 9:35 AM): These names are familiar but may be the ones in focus
PJ Fleck, Western Michigan -- If they talk to him, they may wait to talk to him because WMU plays Ohio Friday in the MAC title game
Mike McIntyre, Colorado -- If they talk to him, they may wait to talk to him because Colorado plays Washington Friday in the PAC 12 title game
Chad Morris, SMU -- Well, they've already met
Philip Montgomery, Tulsa -- I still think the Briles connection is going to be a problem here but we'll see
Larry Fedora, North Carolina -- This is who they should get
UPDATE (Nov. 29, 3:20 PM): We tweeted out that SMU HC Chad Morris told his team Tuesday afternoon that he will be staying at SMU.
UPDATE (Nov. 30, 9:45 AM): If you read the bottom of the ESPN report, you saw that Arkansas St. coach Blake Anderson might be on the list of those candidates to be considered.
A couple of things about Anderson:
>He played at Baylor from 1987-89 under Grant Teaff as a QB/WR.
>In three seasons, he's 22-15 and has taken the Red Wolves to bowls in each season. Arkansas St. won the 2015 Sun Belt Championship. ASU is 0-2 in Bowls.
>The Red Wolves are 6-5 and finish the regular season Saturday at woeful Texas State (7:30 p.m. ESPN2). With a win, they would finish in a tie for the conference title and share it. Win or lose, it sounds like they are going to be bowling.
>Hearing that the buyout for Anderson is $2 million. If this is the direction goes, it could be a good move. This wouldn't be a bad thing at all. Arkansas St. has been a great feeder program for P5 jobs, Gus Malzahn to Auburn and Brian Harsin to Boise St. just to name a couple.
>His family is from Hubbard, Texas
UPDATE (Dec. 1, 10:40 AM): If you missed it in the Chad Morris extension thread, I'm putting it up here as well. One element about this reported extension is that there isn't a release by the school regarding it. That's usually a given. The only thing that is out there is what The Dallas Morning News reported. Hart said the SMU Board of Trustees have approved this. Hart was also out of town. Morris likely was on the road recruiting. I did see where SMU got an offensive lineman who flipped from Rice.
Does this mean Morris is still in the mix with Baylor? Has he signed the extension? In this business, nothing is absolute. Nothing.
UPDATE: A REMINDER
Just keeping you all up to date for this week: I’m going to be traveling out East starting late Tuesday afternoon and all the way through early Friday morning. My Wednesday and Thursday appear to be totally blocked out with the main walk of life.
At this point, it’s too early to say how much access I will have in order to check on things with the coaching search during the day. So when I get locked down on Wednesday, you can probably be assured that it will break that Baylor will find its coach at either 3:00 p.m. Tuesday when I’m on a plane or 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when I’m neck deep in back-to-back. Call that good fortune.
But it is what it is. Hopefully, that won’t happen and Mack Rhoads will wait for me to finish up. Anyway, I just wanted you to make you aware so if you’re wondering, “Hey, where’s the damn Publisher?”, you’ll know.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 10:15 PM): Ok, so this is where we think we're at. Based on the vibe we're getting, Oklahoma St. coach Mike Gundy has moved to the front of the line. Baylor may be trying to get something settled with him. If they can, he's the next Baylor football coach. If not, then Baylor goes back to Plan B in Arkansas St. HC Blake Anderson. That's just the way this works.
As I have said before -- Studly backed me on this -- when you're in the art of making deals, you're never out of it until you're out of it.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 9:45 PM): Hearing through channels Baylor and Anderson may have fallen through. If that's the case, that could mean Gundy is in play. Maybe he lobbies Baylor for a better situation for Oregon. Maybe he doesn't care and is ready to relocate to Waco.
They better get this solved before I get on a plane Tuesday afternoon.
UPDATE: (Dec. 8:55 PM): More on Blake Anderson. We believe that there is a $2 million buyout that Baylor has to pay. This is all tentative but it sounds like something might have -- I stress might have -- been agree to by Anderson and Baylor. By no means are we dismissing Oklahoma St. coach Mike Gundy and his interest in the BU job. But we also understand he's a candidate for the position at Oregon.
Cue the Art of Noise -- Dragnet Theme
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 8:25 PM): Contrary to what we have been putting out there, we have heard the Baylor DID MEET with Arkansas St. HC Blake Anderson on Monday. What we've also heard is that a 5-year contract has been discussed. We've also heard that the annual salary could be in excess of $2 million. Now whether this has been offered and accepted remains to be seen. But given Anderson's ties to Baylor and the proximity of his family to Waco, maybe this is the direction we're.
It's all fluid. Doing our best to keep you in the know.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 7:55 PM): More stuff on Oklahoma St. HC Mike Gundy. There's a report out there that Gundy either has or either will meet with Baylor. The timing is a little vague. But now the talk has become more than that it would seem.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 5:35 PM): From what we understand, Arkansas St. HC Blake Anderson has not been offered the position at Baylor (yet). We understand he was out on the road recruiting Monday and is expected to be in his office Tuesday.
As for one-time Baylor assistant and North Carolina HC Larry Fedora, there is interest but as we reported the potential NCAA sanctions are causing him some concern. Of course, he's been at UNC with the NCAA going down UNC's throat for as long as he's been there. We're hearing Fedora may interview for the opening at Oregon.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 4:55 PM): I've gotten word that KCEN in Waco has apparently reached out to the NBC affiliate in Little Rock regarding something. I would have to think this is tied to Blake Anderson. Yes, I saw the tweet with Oklahoma State Mike Gundy. I have heard it (that was the weird stuff I mentioned). That might be a stretch. However, Gundy has virtually no relationship with the OSU power brokers. He's had a pretty public feud with Boone Pickens that returned earlier this year. Remember, Gundy coached at Baylor for a year in 1990s. He went down this road 3 years ago when he danced with the opening at Arkansas. There seems to be more momentum toward Anderson. Go read the previous two tweets.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 2:05 PM): One thing to watch regarding Blake Anderson is that Arkansas St. typically has a press conference regarding its bowl situation the Monday after the regular season ends. That would be today. However, we're hearing that no press conference was held today. While Anderson has been active on Twitter, it would appear that no one has been to reach out to him. Also hearing his DC Joe Cauthen turned down a DC position with an ACC program recently. We'll see what this means and if you can start connecting dots.
Always know that these are things we're hearing. They may have some traction. They may be meh. I've heard some really weird other stuff today that will not make this board unless by chance it ever vets out. That's what we do here.
UPDATE: (Dec. 5, 1:25 PM): To piggy back on what Jake posted, I have heard something could be happening by either Tuesday or Wednesday. The candidate is probably coming Sonny Dykes, Larry Fedora or Blake Anderson. I don't see Chad Morris but I really don't know if he's signed his contract extension with SMU.
UPDATE: (Dec. 4, 12:40 PM): If you missed it, Tommy Tuberville has resigned at Cincinnati after four seasons. His resignation was expected. Where this could impact Baylor is its reported pursuit and expected meeting with Western Kentucky HC Jeff Brohm. Yahoo's Pat Forde reported Saturday that Cincinnati likely would go after Brohm. That's a non-P5 job. It's in the American Conference.
UPDATE: (Dec. 4, 10:00 AM): Arkansas St coach Blake Anderson flew home with the team after Saturday's game.
UPDATE: (Dec. 2, 11:35 AM)
Should Mike McIntyre interview or "interview" for the Baylor job, he's going to have to explain what happened earlier in the week.
From the Denver Post
Two University of Colorado football players are facing charges — one for suspected cocaine possession and the other for assault — after police say they got into a fight with each other at a downtown Boulder bar hours after playing in the Buff’s victory against the University of Utah.
Abdul Jaleel Awini, a 23-year-old who has played several positions on the football team, was arrested on an allegation of drug possession. Christopher Hill, a 21-year-old tight end, was cited with third-degree assault in the altercation. The Daily Camera in Boulder first reported about the altercation and the arrests on Monday.
Investigators say the ordeal began when Awini was was escorted out of The Walrus Saloon because of his “intoxication level.” A Boulder police filing says Awini was with Hill at the watering hole, and that he blamed Hill for being kicked out.
“I’m going to (expletive) you up,” Awini allegedly told Hill, according to the police report. “You got me kicked out.”
Hill then punched Awini in the chin, the police report says, citing a witness’ account of the fight. Awini appeared to be unconscious and landed squarely on the back of his head on the concrete sidewalk.
The witness said Hill then took off running before he was stopped by a Walrus employee and waited for police to arrive.
UPDATE: (Dec. 1, 8:55 PM)
He also reports that McIntyre will interview after the PAC 12 title game.
UPDATE: (Dec. 1, 1:30 PM): Got some info on Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson. There are indications that head coach and former Baylor player Blake Anderson is expected to meet with Baylor AD Mack Rhoads this weekend following the Red Wolves game at Texas State.
It could be as early at Saturday night after the game or perhaps Sunday. That's a little up in the air. From what I'm told, if the meeting happens and if Baylor offers....that's a big if...Anderson likely would accept it for several reasons.
1. The chance to go to a P5 job.
2. He played for Grand Teaff between 1987-89
3. His family lives in nearby Hubbard (about 30 miles north of Waco). It sounds like his father isn't doing very well lately.
Again, he's not the only candidate on the radar. However, I wanted to share with you what I've learned.
>As was stated Monday, the framework for a deal is in place. There needs to be some higher ups that would have to sign off on it.
>SMU is negotiating with Morris. At this point, it seems like it is in vein. Someone told me that when he did his coaches show on the radio Monday night, he was a little guarded when he started talking about the future.
>What helps Baylor is that Morris made a name for himself in Central Texas and appears to want to get back to a slower pace. Dallas is Dallas. That can get a little over the top.
>If this does happen with Morris, as I mentioned elsewhere DC Van Malone likely would get the interim tag. Now what that means if SMU doesn't make a bowl is another story. I think several in his inner circle who came with him to SMU from Clemson would join him in Waco, starting with OC Joe Craddock.
>I don't think it's over for Baylor to look at other candidates. But just keep in mind that Morris has pretty much been pursuing this job since Memorial Day weekend.
All I have for right now.
UPDATE (Nov. 22, 12:15 PM): As for UNC coach Larry Fedora, there was contact between Baylor and Fedora's side. The interest was there. However, we're told -- and this is not surprising -- that Fedora wanted a firm understand of where Baylor stood with the NCAA on its self reported issues.
Obviously, given the recent news of outgoing OC Kendal Briles meeting with the NCAA over impermissible contact, that's part of it. That hasn't been resolved. And that's what might have caused Fedora to drop his pursuit of the position. This is where landing Morris makes a little more sense because he's willing to ride it out as long as Baylor gives him some wiggle room regarding potential penalties..
You should anticipate a Morris announcement within a day or two after SMU plays its regular season finale against Navy.
UPDATE (Nov. 22, 1:00 PM): If Van Malone stayed at SMU as the next HC, one candidate to be considered for Baylor's DC would be current Lake Travis HC Hank Carter. A defensive coach by trade. If memory serves, Morris wanted to bring him to SMU but it didn't work out.
UPDATE (Nov. 22, 7:40 PM): Morris addressed his team Tuesday afternoon and assured them he wasn't leaving SMU. It sounds like there was a mixed reaction to riiiiiiiight....
I can confirm that Gerald Ford did not arise from his grave and continually proclaim there was no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.
UPDATE (Nov. 23, 8:15 AM): One of the things I'm hearing is that Morris has asked for a clause in his contract to be placed in there regarding the potential severity of NCAA sanctions. In other words, if Baylor gets hit hard, then he can be released. Again, this is all fluid. I am aware of another clause that would free him to go to Texas A&M if that job opened.
OK, I have a big project I have to finish up for the man. So I'll try to add what I can at some point.
UPDATE (Nov. 25, 5:20 PM): SMU made a last run. Offered nearly $3 and more $$ for the assistant. That went nowhere.
I know this has been out there but I wanted to be sure it was right. We're looking at 5 years about $24.5 million. There are buyout clauses if Baylor gets hit by the NCAA or is A&M opens.
I got the sense from talking to a couple of people that Chad had no intention of giving any ground. Plus, the relationship between Chad and SMU was getting tense.
It's just a matter of when Morris is the new Baylor HC. That's probably Monday.
UPDATE (Nov. 27, 3:40 PM): There's really not a lot of new for this one. However, I didn't want to let the day go without sharing something.
Right now, I think it's up in the air about SMU's Chad Morris becoming the next Baylor coach. I know he avoided the subject when asked following the game against Navy. He was he was going to recruit. That's true. It sounds like the entire SMU staff is going on the road Monday. Take from that if you will.
The chatter of Morris doing or one the other is pretty much going ways in terms of validity. I don't want to lead you on and saying that he's coming because frankly, I don't know. Things can change on an hourly basis. Just look at what happened with Tom Herman and LSU and Texas.
I did hear that Baylor AD Mack Rhoads planned on meeting with people on Monday. Now, what that means exactly is another story. Could Morris make a hard left turn down I-35E south and go about 100 miles?
But there is some thinking that Morris may wait for the situation at Texas A&M to develop. That probably won't happen this year. However, if you're Morris and you come to Baylor this year, A&M opens in 2017 or 2018 and you exercise that clause to go to it if you're the guy, you're going to get the reputation as a major job hopper. That's not a good reputation to have. Think Todd Graham who jumped from Rice to Tulsa to Pittsburgh to Arizona State.
I mentioned in a thread Saturday that UNC coach Larry Fedora's name came back into play. UNC regular season has finished. I wasn't kidding about that.
If you're going ask me for my best guess on Morris, I'll tell you that if something doesn't happen by Wednesday, then Baylor is moving forward.
Yep, this was a big round about way of saying, "Who the heck knows anymore.''
UPDATE (Nov. 28: 1:45 PM): From the Dallas Morning News.
That would fall in line of what I told you that Rhoads was people on Monday and Morris was not on the recruiting trail. Rhoads should be meeting with other candidates this week.
UPDATE (Nov. 28: 2:40 PM): A couple of things I've heard about North Carolina coach Larry Fedora (Baylor asst from 1990-96). He has a somewhat veteran roster with a host of seniors and juniors. He is saying good-bye to 16 seniors. He's 82-46 in his six seasons there. The word I keep hearing is that he's probably ready to move. That could mean that he's going to dip in 2017.
Now, I've written before that he wasn't real fond of what he could be dealing with at Baylor with possible NCAA sanctions. But if the indications are strong, he could be ready to talk to Baylor again. I would just watch this. Plus, he coached under Teaff and Chuck Reedy. Now, it's been 20 years but with Teaff still active, that could be a thing.
However, one thing I was told was in the Russell Athletic Bowl, Baylor players considered North Carolina one of the least physical teams they faced in 2015. Take that for what it's worth.
UPDATE (Nov. 28, 8:15 PM): We might know Tuesday where SMU coach Chad Morris and Baylor are. There's a scheduled SMU team meeting at 2:30 pm. It's being termed an end if the season meeting.
UPDATE (Nov. 29, 9:35 AM): These names are familiar but may be the ones in focus
PJ Fleck, Western Michigan -- If they talk to him, they may wait to talk to him because WMU plays Ohio Friday in the MAC title game
Mike McIntyre, Colorado -- If they talk to him, they may wait to talk to him because Colorado plays Washington Friday in the PAC 12 title game
Chad Morris, SMU -- Well, they've already met
Philip Montgomery, Tulsa -- I still think the Briles connection is going to be a problem here but we'll see
Larry Fedora, North Carolina -- This is who they should get
UPDATE (Nov. 29, 3:20 PM): We tweeted out that SMU HC Chad Morris told his team Tuesday afternoon that he will be staying at SMU.
UPDATE (Nov. 30, 9:45 AM): If you read the bottom of the ESPN report, you saw that Arkansas St. coach Blake Anderson might be on the list of those candidates to be considered.
A couple of things about Anderson:
>He played at Baylor from 1987-89 under Grant Teaff as a QB/WR.
>In three seasons, he's 22-15 and has taken the Red Wolves to bowls in each season. Arkansas St. won the 2015 Sun Belt Championship. ASU is 0-2 in Bowls.
>The Red Wolves are 6-5 and finish the regular season Saturday at woeful Texas State (7:30 p.m. ESPN2). With a win, they would finish in a tie for the conference title and share it. Win or lose, it sounds like they are going to be bowling.
>Hearing that the buyout for Anderson is $2 million. If this is the direction goes, it could be a good move. This wouldn't be a bad thing at all. Arkansas St. has been a great feeder program for P5 jobs, Gus Malzahn to Auburn and Brian Harsin to Boise St. just to name a couple.
>His family is from Hubbard, Texas
UPDATE (Dec. 1, 10:40 AM): If you missed it in the Chad Morris extension thread, I'm putting it up here as well. One element about this reported extension is that there isn't a release by the school regarding it. That's usually a given. The only thing that is out there is what The Dallas Morning News reported. Hart said the SMU Board of Trustees have approved this. Hart was also out of town. Morris likely was on the road recruiting. I did see where SMU got an offensive lineman who flipped from Rice.
Does this mean Morris is still in the mix with Baylor? Has he signed the extension? In this business, nothing is absolute. Nothing.
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