ChiefsPlanet - KU ***** OFFICIAL 2014 KANSAS FOOTBALL THREAD *****

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tal...tball-set-to-/
The Strong Contenders:

• DAVID BEATY, 43, Texas A&M University wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: Made $359,500 in 2013

Why it makes sense: A Texas native and former high school coach in the Lone Star State, Beaty's ties to recruiting in Texas are as good as any coach in America and he's worked under and learned from some big-time coaches, including former KU coach Mark Mangino and current A&M coach Kevin Sumlin. His previous stints at Kansas (2008-09 and 2011) made him very familiar with what it takes to succeed at Kansas and his relationships with several current members of the KU staff would present an opportunity for Kansas to maintain some stability while making a transition at the top.

Why it might not happen: Beaty's name will come up elsewhere, with the open job at SMU potentially being the biggest competitor for his services. It's possible that he'd like his first stab at being the head coach to be at a place where winning is more manageable than it is right now at Kansas in the ultra-tough Big 12 Conference.

• ED WARINNER, 53, Ohio State University co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: Made $370,800 in 2013
Why it makes sense: Warinner is ready. After working for Mark Mangino (Kansas), Brian Kelly (Notre Dame) and Urban Meyer (Ohio State) at his past three stops, the Strasburg, Ohio, native who, in 2012, was named by Rivals.com as one of the nation's 20 hottest assistants, is ready to take a stab at running his own program. In addition, a return to Kansas likely would energize a fan base that associates Warinner with KU's recent glory days led by Todd Reesing and KU's high-powered offense.

Why it might not happen: Although he's worked at some big-time programs and for some big-time head coaches, Warinner does not have head coaching experience and some believe that could hurt him given the magnitude of the rebuilding project at KU.

• JOHN REAGAN, 43, KU offensive coordinator
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: $250,000-$275,000 per year

Why it makes sense: It's only a matter of time before Reagan becomes a head coach and there are many people out there who believe part of his return to KU was with that in mind. Well versed in running the spread offense that dominates college football and mentored by a couple of incredibly successful coaches (former KU coach Mark Mangino and Rice's David Baliffe), Reagan has been around winning, knows what it takes at Kansas and has strong recruiting ties in Texas.

Why it might not happen: A lack of head coaching experience could hurt given the timing of this hire and, with KU's offense struggling so far this season — even though blame for that goes well beyond Reagan — naming Reagan the head coach could be a tougher sell than it would have been if the Jayhawks were flying high and lighting up scoreboards.

• CLINT BOWEN, 42, KU defensive coordinator
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: $200,000

Why it makes sense: There are few people on the planet who care as much about this program as Bowen, who grew up cheering for the Jayhawks, later played safety at Memorial Stadium and has coached at KU under four different head coaches. There's no question that he'd be willing to put the time, effort and energy into rebuilding the program and his familiarity with the Big 12 would be huge. The fact that he inherited the interim tag for the rest of the season could be viewed as a first step in an audition for the real thing.

Why it might not happen: No head coaching experience hurts and Bowen's still a little young for such a position. There's some belief that his turn in the head coach's office at KU might still be a hire away.

The Under-The-Radar Guys:

• TIM BECK, 48, Nebraska offensive coordinator
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: Made $700,000 in 2013

Why it makes sense: Beck’s Nebraska offense ranks fifth in the country with 594.3 yards per game. When Ed Warinner was brought back to Kansas by Mark Mangino to run a spread offense, Tim Beck, then the wide receivers coach for Mangino, played a key role in helping Warinner to install it because Beck had more experience with the offense. He worked two years as a graduate assistant under Bill Snyder, so he has known the Kansas landscape for a long time. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, a famous coaching cradle on the opposite side of the state line from Mangino. Beck knows offense, knows Kansas and knows the Big 12. He also knows how to bring a football program back from the depths. In his first assignment as a head coach, at Saguaro High in Scottsdale, Arizona, Beck inherited a program that had gone 5-43 in the previous five years. In his third year at Saguaro, the school won the state title and his record at the school was 23-4.

Why it might not happen: Beck’s only head-coaching experience has come at the high school level. He does not have high name recognition with the average KU football fan, so his teams will have to draw crowds the old-fashioned way, by steadily improving and playing competitive football, even in losses.

• ERIC KIESAU, 41, KU wide receivers coach
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: Made $400,004 in 2013 at Washington, likely makes between $150,000 and $200,000 at KU.

Why it makes sense: Although he is in just his first season with the Jayhawks, Kiesau's past experience make him a viable candidate for just about any opening in the country. His time at offensive coordinator at Colorado and Washington make him familiar with two very important regions — Big 12 and Pac-12 country — and his track record of developing top-notch wide receivers everywhere he's been speaks for itself. Kiesau, who by all accounts is as humble as they come, is highly intelligent, loves to study the game and knows how to motivate his athletes to perform at their peak ability.

Why it might not happen: One season at Kansas — under Weis, no less — might not have enough juice behind it to get him the job. Had he still been the offensive coordinator at Washington or Colorado, Kiesau would likely be a sought-after commodity for several openings. But does his handful of months in Kansas as a position coach position him well enough for a jump to the top of the ladder?

The Forget-Me-Not Guys:

• DAVE DOEREN, 42, North Carolina State University head coach
Record at school: 3-9 in first season, 3-0 this season
Current salary: $2.55 million

Why it makes sense: Doeren spent time at KU under Mangino and grew up in Kansas City. He knows what it takes to win at Kansas and he understands the culture. Was a huge player in recruiting a good chunk of KU’s 2007 Orange Bowl team and also has been praised by many as one of the bright, young defensive minds in the game based on his highly successful stint as Wisconsin’s co-defensive coordinator.

Why it might not happen: Because it won't.

• JIM LEAVITT, 57, Linebackers coach San Francisco 49ers
Record at school: 13-12 in 2 seasons at South Florida
Current salary: Not available

Why it makes sense: Leavitt and Zenger are close, having spent time at Kansas State and South Florida together and Zenger has long been a fan of Leavitt's toughness and ability to build a program. With the future of 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh on unstable ground, Leavitt could be looking to make a move sooner rather than later.

Why it might not happen: Dismissed from USF for improper treatment of players, Leavitt's past may be too closely tied to Mangino's for the KU administration to pull the trigger.

The What-If-They-Look-Somewhere-Else guys:

• JIM HARBAUGH, 50, Head coach San Francisco 49ers
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: $5 million per season

Why it makes sense: Depending upon what you believe, Harbaugh was this close to becoming KU's coach before the Jayhawks hired Turner Gill. Things fell apart at the last minute and he moved on to San Francisco, where, despite making an appearance in the 2013 Super Bowl, Harbaugh and the 49ers are no longer in such bliss. Disagreements exist between the head coach and front office over Harbaugh's decisions and the way the team is being run and there are plenty who believe that Harbaugh will not return to the Bay Area after this season. Beyond that, a big selling point last team was the ability to return his wife and family to the Kansas City area, where his wife grew up. Maybe the timing is right this time?

Why it might not happen: All of the rumors and speculation out there surrounding how close Harbaugh came to being hired the last time could be a major distraction and it's possible that even if he were interested the fit just would not seem right. In addition, there's always the Michigan angle and there are web sites out there that already are tracking Harbaugh Watch and the former Wolverine quarterback's potential return to his alma mater.

• CHAD MORRIS, 46, Clemson University offensive coordinator
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: Made $1.3 million in 2013

Why it makes sense: Clemson's offenses have been one of the most explosive attacks in the country under Morris, who took over in 2011 after one season as the offensive coordinator at Tulsa. Before that, Morris coached high school football in Texas for 15 seasons, including a stint at Lake Travis High, which produced former Jayhawk great Todd Reesing. The ties to Texas and his college success make him as good a candidate as there for just about any job in the country. The pluses beyond that include his age, energy and huger to prove himself as a head coach.

Why it might not happen: Morris entered 2013 as the highest paid college football assistant in the country and there is talk that the Jayhawks are not looking to pay nearly as much as they have with the past two guys this time around. Would Morris take the same money he makes now to take over the risky position of being the KU head coach or would he wait for a better, higher-paying opportunity?
• BUTCH DAVIS, 62, Former NFL and college football coach
Record at school: N/A
Current salary: Not available

Why it makes sense: With strong ties to important KU recruiting territories of Oklahoma and Texas, Davis would bring instant credibility and a big name to the position. His track record — college head coach at Miami (Florida) and North Carolina and NFL head coach with Cleveland — gives him more experience than anybody on this list and his time prior to becoming a head coach was spent at the high school and college ranks in Big 12 country. Davis' name surfaced briefly during each of the past two searches at Kansas, so maybe the third time would be the charm?

Why it might not happen: It's possible that the Oklahoma native just might not be interested. He's been out of the coaching spotlight since 2010 and, at 62, may be on the older side for what KU needs and is looking for.

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