SDSU FOOTBALL ANALYSIS: Coaching search a game of cloak and dagger

By SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer | Sunday, November 30, 2008 4:08 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- People love a good coaching search. That goes double for a long suffering fanbase in search of optimism, which can get high on the excitement of the unknown. The firing of Chuck Long allows San Diego State supporters to abandon the harsh reality of a 2-10 football season for a fantasy world where the possibilities are endless.

It's a place where Herm Edwards will abandon NFL fortune and fame to save San Diego State's once proud program. It's a place where Dennis Green will gladly come out of retirement, every young coordinator could be the second coming of Don Coryell and, if you wish upon the right star, Marshall Faulk will happily take a job as running backs coach.

Name dropping increases Internet traffic and message-board fodder, but offers little insight into what athletic director Jeff Schemmel and the Aztecs will actually do. San Diego State won't comment on who's being considered, who's being interviewed or the private search firm involved in the process.

Prospective candidates are flown in on private jets, escorted on back roads and interviewed behind closed doors.

Schemmel has discussed what he's looking for in a head coach, but his comments are intentionally vague and designed to leave all options open.

He was asked on Wednesday whether a candidate must have previous head coaching experience.

"I think that would certainly enter in, but it's not critical," Schemmel said.

Would he increase head coaching salary for a high-profile candidate?

"Depends on the person," he said.

Was anything learned from the Long experiment that could help him this time around?

"I think it reminds us that we need to be as thorough as we can be, that we do all of our due diligence and cover all of our bases. We'll definitely do that," Schemmel said.

Thanks, Jeff, for the clearing that up.

In Schemmel's defense, possible candidates aren't offering much in return. Most will answer a phone call from San Diego State, some are admittedly interested and none are admittedly unhappy in their current position.

When there is little fact to follow, speculation reigns supreme. Rumors and estimations grow wings and take flight. Names are constantly thrown against the wall in hope that one might actually stick.

In terms of actual facts, we do know a few things. Former Auburn coach and current college football analyst Terry Bowden is interested. UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker and Montana head coach Bobby Hauck are, too. After reportedly coming to terms with Tennessee, Lane Kiffin is not. Neither is Dirk Koetter, who laid the foundation for success at Boise State, spent six years at Arizona State and is now offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars; he said so in an e-mail on Thursday.

Green's life is pretty good right now, and he loves being a San Diegan. Edwards is a fantastic quote. Former Minnesota head coach Glen Mason has a history of success and a solid working relationship with Schemmel, but he'd have a tough time gaining the approval of prominent alumni.

Most key elements in this all-important hire, however, remain in the strict confidence of a select few.

If a coaching search is akin to a mystery novel, then we're all detectives sifting through a steady stream of coachspeak for that small nugget of truth.

Hot leads will grow cold, and prime suspects may only serve as decoys. There's a race to reach the ending, but one can't flip to the last page if it hasn't been written.

Contact staff writer Scott Bair at (760) 739-6642 or sbair@nctimes.com.