With the completion of Sunday night's senior dinner at the Carolina Inn, Mack Brown has completed his final obligation as head coach and the interim phase is fully underway.
* What is UNC looking for in its next head coach? Someone who provides discipline and player development. The majority of candidates so far are defense-oriented, and a proven entity (though that term seems subjective) in the sense of overachievement. Glenn Schumann seems to be the only candidate that's an exception so far to these guidelines with his lack of HC experience.
* The majority of the chatter surrounding the process right now is excitement about the amount of interest in the job as Bubba Cunningham pursues P4 head coaches whose representatives have reached out. How legitimate and viable these avenues are depends on the source we talk to, and Cunningham is working through the process of determining if the interest by some is legitimate or potentially efforts to boost standing at their current spots. We've covered enough coaching searches to know that "excitement about the interest in the job" at the outset of a coaching search can be akin to news that a recruit leaving campus "enjoyed his visit," so we have some admitted skepticism. With that said, that's what sources are saying right now. In addition, there is extreme caution being taken about leaking the names of candidates in this group, because the back channel conversations are happening without the employer's knowledge, and thus sources aren't clearing us to release those names. So, for now, we'll just note that we've confirmed at least one in all four P4 conferences. We'll be sure to name if/when any become more viable and serious.
* Yet we should add that some of the sources we spoke to today predicted that the process will still end with Jon Sumrall because, in their view, ultimately the best and most logical fit will win out.
* As for the candidate pool outside of the college ranks. Arthur Smith removed himself from the mix earlier today. His career focus is on the NFL. Dan Mullen has shown interest but our sources say they don't see UNC being receptive. And, yes, there are some in UNC circles advocating for Bill Belichick, who apparently has been initially receptive, but there is a lot of opposition at UNC to that path.
* The above process, and the overall number of candidates that have conference championship games to coach next weekend, is expected to push the timeline out further and likely through next weekend, we're told.
* Yes, that timeline would mean the coaching situation would be unresolved on Signing Day this Wednesday. According to sources, Cunningham has empowered general manager Pat Suddes with personnel control during this interim process and UNC has told its 10 commitments that it will honor the offers and accept signing a scholarship agreement if the recruits choose to do so on Wednesday.
* What is UNC looking for in its next head coach? Someone who provides discipline and player development. The majority of candidates so far are defense-oriented, and a proven entity (though that term seems subjective) in the sense of overachievement. Glenn Schumann seems to be the only candidate that's an exception so far to these guidelines with his lack of HC experience.
* The majority of the chatter surrounding the process right now is excitement about the amount of interest in the job as Bubba Cunningham pursues P4 head coaches whose representatives have reached out. How legitimate and viable these avenues are depends on the source we talk to, and Cunningham is working through the process of determining if the interest by some is legitimate or potentially efforts to boost standing at their current spots. We've covered enough coaching searches to know that "excitement about the interest in the job" at the outset of a coaching search can be akin to news that a recruit leaving campus "enjoyed his visit," so we have some admitted skepticism. With that said, that's what sources are saying right now. In addition, there is extreme caution being taken about leaking the names of candidates in this group, because the back channel conversations are happening without the employer's knowledge, and thus sources aren't clearing us to release those names. So, for now, we'll just note that we've confirmed at least one in all four P4 conferences. We'll be sure to name if/when any become more viable and serious.
* Yet we should add that some of the sources we spoke to today predicted that the process will still end with Jon Sumrall because, in their view, ultimately the best and most logical fit will win out.
* As for the candidate pool outside of the college ranks. Arthur Smith removed himself from the mix earlier today. His career focus is on the NFL. Dan Mullen has shown interest but our sources say they don't see UNC being receptive. And, yes, there are some in UNC circles advocating for Bill Belichick, who apparently has been initially receptive, but there is a lot of opposition at UNC to that path.
* The above process, and the overall number of candidates that have conference championship games to coach next weekend, is expected to push the timeline out further and likely through next weekend, we're told.
* Yes, that timeline would mean the coaching situation would be unresolved on Signing Day this Wednesday. According to sources, Cunningham has empowered general manager Pat Suddes with personnel control during this interim process and UNC has told its 10 commitments that it will honor the offers and accept signing a scholarship agreement if the recruits choose to do so on Wednesday.
