Ianello G-O-N-E!?

[g-mann17]

It will be interesting to see the coaching short-list, and how quickly UA acts on the new hire.

My guess is - feelers have already been sent out, and someone is on-the-hook.

I don't see this being a long, drawn-out process.

Isn't this exactly why everyone believed TW hired his pre-school playmate 2 years ago? It wasn't drawn out and careful ... ? Why would we want a similar quick strike this time?

Maybe we've been looking at this whole thing wrong. Maybe, we have had a 2 year coaching search.

They kept referring to the program as a construction project. So maybe Ianello was the demolition man.

[zippy5]

My only problem with Winters as a potential hire, and it is a small one...He isn't really there yet in the GLIAC and it's hard for me to say how much talent you need to be a successful coach at that level.

I respectfully disagree. It doesn't take a lot of talent to win in the MAC...It takes the right talent at the right places. OU isn't dripping with talent, yet they won 9 games so far this year. They have enough talent to win a coach that helps them win. Winters can get the right talent.

I'm in this camp. The MAC stinks and a good coach can turn it around relatively quickly.

[g-mann17]

My only problem with Winters as a potential hire, and it is a small one...He isn't really there yet in the GLIAC and it's hard for me to say how much talent you need to be a successful coach at that level.

I respectfully disagree. It doesn't take a lot of talent to win in the MAC...It takes the right talent at the right places. OU isn't dripping with talent, yet they won 9 games so far this year. They have enough talent to win a coach that helps them win. Winters can get the right talent.

I'm in this camp. The MAC stinks and a good coach can turn it around relatively quickly.

But how do we know he is a good coach? That was my original question. It wasn't about player talent. It was how are his talents.

Do D-II schools play by the same rules. Scholarships, recruiting time, etc. Has he done what GV St did which is rely on D-1 and D-1AA transfers? That isn't a solid way to win at this level consistantly.

I'm not opposed, but I do have a lot of questions that need to be answered.

[Captain Kangaroo]

It will be interesting to see the coaching short-list, and how quickly UA acts on the new hire.

My guess is - feelers have already been sent out, and someone is on-the-hook.

I don't see this being a long, drawn-out process.

Isn't this exactly why everyone believed TW hired his pre-school playmate 2 years ago? It wasn't drawn out and careful ... ? Why would we want a similar quick strike this time?

Just my gut feeling -- I don't think UA would risk eating the money Ianello is due unless they really had an "impact" hire already in their back pocket.

I'm not advocating a quick hire. I'd love to be doubly-triply-sure that we leave no stone unturned in finding the next coach. Because we simply can't screw up again.

But if a former Ohio State coach is available...namely Tressel or Fickell...I think UA sees that as an impact, slam-dunk hire. Right or wrong, I believe if either of those guys wanted the job, the other interviews would be strictly ceremonial.

Winters is the wild card. If he kept his ties to UA friendly and classy despite being rejected twice for the HC position, I could see UA giving him the job. I think alum Dambrot's success can really work in Winters' favor. UA wants a good coach, and stability...a winner for the next 10 years. It is a big risk hiring Winters...especially if there are guys with BCS HC experience available (allegedly/hypothetically). But if Winters is the real deal, it could be the perfect fit.

So that's the long answer to your question. Don't expect anyone from Minnesota or Wisconsin to be hired.

[RootforRoo44]

So that's the long answer to your question. Don't expect anyone from Minnesota or Wisconsin to be hired.

Hallelujah!!!

[bobbyake]

Tom Wistrcill not only gets a mulligan if he brings in Jim Tressel, it will save his career.

[RootforRoo44]

Tom Wistrcill not only gets a mulligan if he brings in Jim Tressel, it will save his career.

If he brings in Tressel, I'll see to it that a new facebook group gets started: "build TW a statue IMMEDIATELY!"

[Jalapeño Zippy]

Tom Wistrcill not only gets a mulligan if he brings in Jim Tressel, it will save his career.

If he brings in Tressel, I'll see to it that a new facebook group gets started: "build TW a statue IMMEDIATELY!"

If Tressel were to come in I guarantee you it will have nothing to do with TW no matter how it's spun.

[bobbyake]

Wouldn't it be something for Ianello to be fired and replaced by the guy he called out for poor sportsmanship? http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkv2y1_cr...port#from=embed

<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xkv2y1"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkv2y1_credit-espn-espn3-com-dave-pash-chris-spielman-urban-meyer_sport" target="_blank">CREDIT: ESPN / ESPN3.COM (DAVE PASH, CHRIS...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/sportsxbrooks" target="_blank">sportsxbrooks</a></i>

[Dr Z]

If Tressel were to come in I guarantee you it will have nothing to do with TW no matter how it's spun.

Sports Illustrated gave him one new title today.

[Captain Kangaroo]

If Calipari and Pitino can maintain college head coaching employment, why not Tressel?

[Zip Watcher]

If Calipari and Pitino can maintain college head coaching employment, why not Tressel?

The man has a point.

[Buckzip]

Although there are a couple posters here that are too hateful to want Tressel, he would save this program and bring us instant cred and respect, along with great recruiting.

However, he is probably going to get a show cause and won't be coaching in college for a while, if ever.

[GoZips]

If Calipari and Pitino can maintain college head coaching employment, why not Tressel?

Compared to these two rascals, Jim Tressel is squeaky clean.

[LZIp]

sorry guys, would love to see it, but lets be realistic here, there is no way we are going to get Tressel.

Also about the rumor.

I have a good source who works for the football program.

He's told me:

They were going to fire Ianello this week, but have delayed it until after the last game because of his mother's death.

[Future Zip]

ooooohhhhhh I hope!

ME TO!

[ZachTheZip]

He's told me:

They were going to fire Ianello this week, but have delayed it until after the last game because of his mother's death.

That tells me that Wistrcill isn't very creative.

What could have been done is that you let his mother's death become public, then you give him the final game off so he can be with his family, naming someone as the acting head coach to coach the team in his absence. Behind the scenes, he is told that he is fired. But as a PR move you wait until after the final game to announce his firing.

[tbozeglav]

He's told me:

They were going to fire Ianello this week, but have delayed it until after the last game because of his mother's death.

That tells me that Wistrcill isn't very creative.

What could have been done is that you let his mother's death become public, then you give him the final game off so he can be with his family, naming someone as the acting head coach to coach the team in his absence. Behind the scenes, he is told that he is fired. But as a PR move you wait until after the final game to announce his firing.

thats one half. the other is to be respectful of the great loss he's experienced in his life. Its a very tough time for him. if you can delay the decision, by any means, do so. he's got enough in his life to worry about right now, and canning him in the same week is adding insult to injury.

[Zip_ME87]

thats one half. the other is to be respectful of the great loss he's experienced in his life. Its a very tough time for him. if you can delay the decision, by any means, do so. he's got enough in his life to worry about right now, and canning him in the same week is adding insult to injury.

I agree with being respectful. Firing him now vs after Friday really doesn't make a difference.

[ZachTheZip]

Look, it's not like he's going to be surprised by getting fired. What's the point in putting it off, except to make it tougher to get to his mother's funeral because he has to coach a football game?

What's worse: getting fired so you can move on with your life during a difficult time, or being kept around but knowing with absolute certainty that you're going to be fired in a few days? Keep in mind that, unlike you and me, he still gets paid his full salary either way.

If I were in that situation, I would just want to get it over immediately so that I could focus on everything else. I wouldn't want to be kept around. When it's over, it's over.

[Lee Adams]

Hearing from multiple sources - iCoach is gone.

It will be interesting to see the coaching short-list, and how quickly UA acts on the new hire.

My guess is - feelers have already been sent out, and someone is on-the-hook.

Big Fish...former Ohio State Buckeye coach? Hometown Dambrot-esque hero - Paul Winters?

I don't see this being a long, drawn-out process.

UA gets my season tickets re-upped in 2012. I may even increase my Z-Fund donation? I hope so.

My only problem with Winters as a potential hire, and it is a small one...He isn't really there yet in the GLIAC and it's hard for me to say how much talent you need to be a successful coach at that level. If he was at a FCS school and he did the same turnaround, I would be a little more impressed.

Other than that I would hope that if he was hired, he would go get Lee Owens to be his OC.

I'm still pulling more for the miracle Big Fish hire...

The GLIAC as is the Penna State Athletic Conference a pretty strong football conference. If you can take the talent in those types of coferences and be successful you probably deserve a look at a level like the MAC or even the Big East. The thing is to be experienced at being the head coach and having to do all the things that go along with that.

[skip-zip]

Hearing from multiple sources - iCoach is gone.

It will be interesting to see the coaching short-list, and how quickly UA acts on the new hire.

My guess is - feelers have already been sent out, and someone is on-the-hook.

Big Fish...former Ohio State Buckeye coach? Hometown Dambrot-esque hero - Paul Winters?

I don't see this being a long, drawn-out process.

UA gets my season tickets re-upped in 2012. I may even increase my Z-Fund donation? I hope so.

My only problem with Winters as a potential hire, and it is a small one...He isn't really there yet in the GLIAC and it's hard for me to say how much talent you need to be a successful coach at that level. If he was at a FCS school and he did the same turnaround, I would be a little more impressed.

Other than that I would hope that if he was hired, he would go get Lee Owens to be his OC.

I'm still pulling more for the miracle Big Fish hire...

So, we could just reverse their roles, and bring back the two guys who previously took our program nowhere with a winning percentage 20+ games under the .500 mark, for a second chance?

Great idea.

[Zip_ME87]

Look, it's not like he's going to be surprised by getting fired. What's the point in putting it off, except to make it tougher to get to his mother's funeral because he has to coach a football game?

What's worse: getting fired so you can move on with your life during a difficult time, or being kept around but knowing with absolute certainty that you're going to be fired in a few days? Keep in mind that, unlike you and me, he still gets paid his full salary either way.

If I were in that situation, I would just want to get it over immediately so that I could focus on everything else. I wouldn't want to be kept around. When it's over, it's over.

Look, TW is RI's friend; that's the reason we're in this mess in the first place. Therefore, I would believe that RI was likely consulted as to what he would prefer. You just don't crap on someone when they're already down. A week makes no difference to us, but it might to RI.

[bobbyake]

Look, it's not like he's going to be surprised by getting fired. What's the point in putting it off, except to make it tougher to get to his mother's funeral because he has to coach a football game?

What's worse: getting fired so you can move on with your life during a difficult time, or being kept around but knowing with absolute certainty that you're going to be fired in a few days? Keep in mind that, unlike you and me, he still gets paid his full salary either way.

If I were in that situation, I would just want to get it over immediately so that I could focus on everything else. I wouldn't want to be kept around. When it's over, it's over.

going to a funeral as a fired coach vs going to one still a coach. A lot less embarrassing for him to keep him as the coach for a week more.

[InTheZone]

Hearing from multiple sources that RI has already been informed that he will be relieved of his duties after Friday and he has told his staff as well.

To RI, I want to thank you for the hard work and countless hours you put into the program. Even though you were wildly unsuccessful, I know it wasn't for a lack of work, but rather the fact that you weren't even close to being ready to be a head coach and had no idea how to run a program. That's more the fault of the guy that hired you, not your own.

I hope that you learned a lot of valuable lessons in your time here, not the least of which being that the way you treat the "little people" around you is a lot more important than you think. A coach who wins 2 games in his first 2 years can sometimes survive, but not when you've alienated 90% of the department you work in, not to mention all of the alumni and close supporters of the program. I can say with little doubt that there are very few people that you have come into contact with while running this program that will be sad to see you go on a personal level, including your players. My condolences on the passing of your mother, I know this will probably be the worst week of your life. Use the experience to reevaluate yourself personally and professionally and prepare yourself to learn from your mistakes and do a lot better job in your next opportunity.

Now on to TW. If he is the one who made the decision to fire RI, then I've regained a little respect for him. Not much, as he's the one who got us into this mess in the first place by hiring a buddy who wasn't even CLOSE to being ready to run a program, but some. If he was forced to fire Rob by his higher ups, then he needs to get his ass out of town as well.