[matshark]

+1 for the Dan Henderson GIF KTFO-ing Bisping.

Actually, I saw him a week after that fight and I said "bro, THANK-YOU for dropping that shot on Bisping." He goes, "no need to thank me. it was my pleasure...."

bwahahahahaha

Couldn't have happened to a nicer Brit!

[LUconn]

Well I took him out for ice cream

[20Grad07]

Hey guys, this is my first time posting here. I'm a Herd fan and an LU grad and I'm pretty informed on the situation that's going on.

1. There is interest in Rocco from Marshall. I wouldn't be too concerned about it right now though. But you have to realize that a guy that has a resume like Rocco's and a guy who's done so much at a place that's tough to recruit to like LU, it's only a matter of time before a larger program comes calling. For example, I was just meandering through the interwebs earlier and saw his name had popped up on a UNLV fanboard. So you know his name is out there.

2. Someone mentioned something about Marshall's funds. I can assure you that if Marshall wanted Coach Rocco, they could afford to bring him in - unless they were in competition with a BCS school. Marshall's new AD has been fundraising aggressively since being hired earlier this year. While they're not in the best shape financially, they are still planning to offer a competitive amount (within C-USA) to whoever they hire.

3. It's not a done deal, so whoever said that is wrong unless they were talking about Rocco going to another program. But since this thread is titled "Rocco to Marshall?", I assume Marshall is the school being referenced.

I don't mean anything in this post to be taken in a condescending tone. I love LU and I think Danny Rocco is a fantastic coach whose best days are ahead of him. Having sat through many a Karcher-coached game, I can assure you that I really appreciate what he's done for the program. LU fans should take comfort in the fact that Barber is an excellent AD and if/when Rocco moves on to a bigger gig, Barber will take care of the situation and make another well-informed hire.

[pcguy09]

just to throw a spark on the smoldering fire that was this thread a few days ago. JMU HC and Kirby Smart are not going to be candidates according to footballcoachschoop. and that Marshall is looking for an offensive minded guy. Also virginia's leading candidate is mike london.

[20Grad07]

Mike London will be the next coach at UVA. Wait until the Spiders' season is over and the announcement will be made.

I wouldn't be too concerned about Rocco leaving this year. Since there are still some more dominoes to fall in the coaching world, the possibility is still there. But the fact that he isn't gone already should be comforting. For example, if Rocco was the #1 guy on a school's list, he would already be gone because LU's season is over. There would be nothing there to keep them from negotiating and they would want to move as quickly as possible so as to keep the recruiting momentum flowing.

I don't know much about Richmond, but they could be looking at Rocco when London takes the UVA job. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[pcguy09]

NT

[LUconn]

I don't think we have to worry about him moving to another FCS team

[JK37]

LU fans should take comfort in the fact that Barber is an excellent AD and if/when Rocco moves on to a bigger gig, Barber will take care of the situation and make another well-informed hire.

Just to clarify, Barber didn't hire Rocco. His hires thus far include Ritchie McKay, Jim Toman, Jessica Celi, and Dale Layer.

[Cider Jim]

From the HD, Huntington's fishwrap, and there is NO MENTION of a certain LU coach as a candidate.

Big dollars at stake in search for MU coach

Money, money, money. At every turn, that is the key word in Marshall's search for a new head football coach. First, there's the $472,668 buyout that Marshall owes former Herd coach Mark Snyder. Then, there's the $425,000 that reportedly is the buyout to get Butch Jones out of his contract at Central Michigan. Jones is believed to be the front-runner for the Marshall vacancy.

But what if the Herd can't land Jones? Who are the other legitimate candidates? Well, first, let's start with who isn't. Veteran James Madison coach Mickey Matthews, former MU defensive coordinator; former Auburn coach Terry Bowden; Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster; and former Louisville coach John L. Smith aren't being considered.

Who is? Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino is expected to get an interview. MU interim head coach Rick Minter also is a candidate. Then, there's Wake Forest defensive coordinator Brad Lambert.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/m ... r-MU-coach

[olldflame]

Mike London will be the next coach at UVA. Wait until the Spiders' season is over and the announcement will be made.

I wouldn't be too concerned about Rocco leaving this year. Since there are still some more dominoes to fall in the coaching world, the possibility is still there. But the fact that he isn't gone already should be comforting. For example, if Rocco was the #1 guy on a school's list, he would already be gone because LU's season is over. There would be nothing there to keep them from negotiating and they would want to move as quickly as possible so as to keep the recruiting momentum flowing.

I don't know much about Richmond, but they could be looking at Rocco when London takes the UVA job. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Well, Richmond is now done after losing to App. State. If you are right, we should know something about the UVA job soon.

I really don't see any way Rocco leaves LU to take any another FCS job. While there are obviously FCS programs that have more tradition and past success, I can't think of any with more resources or better facilities and fan support.

[BJWilliams]

Taking another I-AA/FCS job (even at a good program like Richmond) would still be a lateral move at best. Danny Rocco is getting mentioned for I-A/FBS jobs. If he is going anywhere this year or next itll be to a I-A/FBS program.

[Hold My Own]

Liberty is poised to compete financially with any D-IAA (I refuse to call it anything else) job, it can even compete with some D-IA jobs....I dont foresee any "lateral" moves anytime soon, and if it is done it's not b/c the check book wasnt opened.

[givemethemic]

Rocco isn't going to Marshall..its not a good job and the fact that Bud Foster is even mentioned on that list made me laugh.

[20Grad07]

LU fans should take comfort in the fact that Barber is an excellent AD and if/when Rocco moves on to a bigger gig, Barber will take care of the situation and make another well-informed hire.

Just to clarify, Barber didn't hire Rocco. His hires thus far include Ritchie McKay, Jim Toman, Jessica Celi, and Dale Layer.

Yes, you're right. Barber didn't hire Rocco. I should have left out the "another" part. Barber will make a well-informed hire.

[20Grad07]

Rocco isn't going to Marshall..its not a good job and the fact that Bud Foster is even mentioned on that list made me laugh.

To say the Marshall job isn't a good one is just untrue. Marshall has an excellent following, rich tradition, and though we have struggled the past 5 years (largely due to an incompetant head coach), we do have a lot of talent. Not to mention we are an FBS program in a weak conference. It won't take the next guy long to see success. The job is a good one and certain SEC coordinators seem to agree.

[20Grad07]

Taking another I-AA/FCS job (even at a good program like Richmond) would still be a lateral move at best. Danny Rocco is getting mentioned for I-A/FBS jobs. If he is going anywhere this year or next itll be to a I-A/FBS program.

You are probably right about that. I know that if I were Danny Rocco, I wouldn't mess with my current situation until an FBS school came calling.

[Sly Fox]

Marshall has a ways to go to catch up with ECU & UH. But you are correct that it wouldn't take much to do that and then be battling for Liberty Bowl berths.

Frankly it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Liberty & Marshall were in the same conference 5 years from now. Yeah, I know. More crazy talk from the Texan.

[20Grad07]

Marshall has a ways to go to catch up with ECU & UH. But you are correct that it wouldn't take much to do that and then be battling for Liberty Bowl berths.

Frankly it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Liberty & Marshall were in the same conference 5 years from now. Yeah, I know. More crazy talk from the Texan.

Marshall may have a ways to go to catch those programs, but not as far as some might think. We lost to ECU by 4 this year and if we had someone on the sidelines with half a brain, we probably would have beaten them. Where we lag behind those programs is mostly in facilities. However, the new AD is big on facilities and I think that is going to be a major focus of his very soon. Hamrick was actually responsible for a lot of the facilities upgrades while he was at ECU.

It wasn't that long ago that MU and Boise State were on the same level and competing against each other for 1-AA National Titles. Most Marshall fans see Boise and think "that is where we should be" and they're right. MU's goal always will be and always should be a BCS game. And with the way the landscape of college football is changing (ie TCU and Boise in the Fiesta Bowl), that isn't such a far-fetched dream.

About MU and LU in the same conference: definitely not crazy talk. It's no secret that LU wants to make the move to FBS in the future and I've heard rumors that they would like to move to C-USA. It would fit geographically (at least in the East Division) and competitively (they wouldn't want to be in the MAC or the Sun Belt). When the Big East expands and takes UCF and ECU (jmo), I foresee Liberty as being an enticing program for C-USA to bring in.

[Cider Jim]

Frankly it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Liberty & Marshall were in the same conference 5 years from now.

That would be a dream come true for some of us.

[Sly Fox]

Come on, you know you would be so conflicted you couldn't enjoy the games.

[hurricane fan]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/n ... &type=lgns

[20Grad07]

Come on, you know you would be so conflicted you couldn't enjoy the games.

You're probably right. I wouldn't know what to do. You would probably find me wearing a Marshall jersey and a Liberty hat or something of that nature. I guess I'll just worry about that conflict of interests when it comes.

I see LU as a potentially scary FBS program. We all know what kind of money is thrown around the mountain.. imagine them channelling more of that cash into football. They also already have top-notch facilities and, again, no shortage of donors who would give towards better/more facilities. Virginia is not Florida or Texas, but there is a lot of talent within the state and in the Carolinas. Granted, they will probably never outmatch UVA or VT, but a move to FBS certainly wouldn't hurt in the recruiting department.

I always remember Jerry saying how he wanted LU athletics to become the "Notre Dame of fundamental Christian colleges" and I always laughed. But as time goes on, that dream seems less and less crazy. Of course it won't be any time soon that LU gets to where Notre Dame used to be (or even is today), but anything is possible.

[soccer7]

It just shows with the right people doing it the right way it can be done. Boise and UConn are great examples.

[Cider Jim]

Marshall was doing it right--up until Bobby Pruett retired. He took them to a number of bowl games as soon as they moved up from IAA to IA. But once Synder was hired, the wheels fell off, and they crashed and burned. But they're still going to a bowl game this year, with no head coach.

[20Grad07]

Marshall was doing it right--up until Bobby Pruett retired. He took them to a number of bowl games as soon as they moved up from IAA to IA. But once Synder was hired, the wheels fell off, and they crashed and burned. But they're still going to a bowl game this year, with no head coach.

There's a lot of debate as to why Pruett left. Some say after having a mediocre year in '04 and the NCAA sanctions starting to rear their ugly head he could read the writing on the wall, so he left. Others say he left over disagreements with the university administration over facilities (he wanted an indoor practice facility). Whatever the case, he left just before spring practice, so his timing really sucked. The wheels were falling off just as Pruett left and Snydes came in.

Sorry about all the MU info I've been throwing around the past few days. I'm sure most of you could care less!