Lets have a discussion on the candidates that we know of, most message board would breakdown who their team is considering. I don't know much the individuals that I know in the AD are being very quite about it.

1. Frank Maile- Has made a strong play for the job and now seems like he may have a legit chance.
A. Has a strong desire to be the HC at USU
B. Has ties to the poly community
C. The players really like him.
D. Has had some experience as the HC twice being named IN HC.
anyone else have something to add please do.
2. Jay Hill
A. Has rebuilt a program as the HC
B. Is a very good recruiter in UT, and out.
C. Develops his (I can't express myself without swearing). coaches, many have moved on.
D. Develops his players, has sent guys to the NFL.
F. Seems like a good leader and a up and coming HC.
add any more info
These are the candidates that most are aware of if anyone knows of more candidates that they can talk about lets discuss them in this thread. I would like this to be about qualifications, how we think they'll fit at USU and if they can get and keep USU in the upper tier of the MW. Here's to hopefully a lively discussion!

Ok, I'll play.
Lance Leipold.
Name this school.... record from 2000-2014

2000 2-9
2001 3-8
2002 1-11
2003 1-11
2004 2-9
2005 1-10
2006 2-10
2007 5-7
2008 8-6
2009 5-7
2010 2-10
2011 3-9
2012 4-8
2013 8-5
2014 5-6

Total 52-126 (.292)

0 Conference championships.

That ladies and gentlemen is not USU, it's the Buffalo Bulls.
Buffalo has less money and is in a less desirable recruiting location than USU.
Less resources worse facilities, terrible city (no offense to you Buffalonians out there).

Since Leipold took over with 0 knowledge of the area, and 0 recruiting connections (Leipold is from Wisconsin)

2015 5-7
2016 2-10
2017 6-6
2018 10-4
2019 8-5
2020 4-0

Total 35- 32 (.522)

2018 -Won the East of the MAC and lost the championship game 30-29
2020 - Currently first in the East of the MAC and just defeated Kent State 70-41 who they were tied with

This guy ain't young, but he's a program builder in a tough location.
He's paid less than 400k a year, and as is witnessed by his tenure at Buffalo, he would stick around in Logan for more than a year or two.
The more I've thought about this, the more I'm sold on Leipold.

Sl7vk wrote: ↑

December 3rd, 2020, 8:06 am

Ok, I'll play.
Lance Leipold.
Name this school.... record from 2000-2014

2000 2-9
2001 3-8
2002 1-11
2003 1-11
2004 2-9
2005 1-10
2006 2-10
2007 5-7
2008 8-6
2009 5-7
2010 2-10
2011 3-9
2012 4-8
2013 8-5
2014 5-6

Total 52-126 (.292)

0 Conference championships.

That ladies and gentlemen is not USU, it's the Buffalo Bulls.
Buffalo has less money and is in a less desirable recruiting location than USU.
Less resources worse facilities, terrible city (no offense to you Buffalonians out there).

Since Leipold took over with 0 knowledge of the area, and 0 recruiting connections (Leipold is from Wisconsin)

2015 5-7
2016 2-10
2017 6-6
2018 10-4
2019 8-5
2020 4-0

Total 35- 32 (.522)

2018 -Won the East of the MAC and lost the championship game 30-29
2020 - Currently first in the East of the MAC and just defeated Kent State 70-41 who they were tied with

This guy ain't young, but he's a program builder in a tough location.
He's paid less than 400k a year, and as is witnessed by his tenure at Buffalo, he would stick around in Logan for more than a year or two.
The more I've thought about this, the more I'm sold on Leipold.

He has done a fantastic job. I would be totally on board with this hire. He seems like a winner and has truly built up Buffalo to respectable level.

Aggie84025 wrote: ↑

December 3rd, 2020, 8:47 am

Sl7vk wrote: ↑

December 3rd, 2020, 8:06 am

Ok, I'll play.
Lance Leipold.
Name this school.... record from 2000-2014

2000 2-9
2001 3-8
2002 1-11
2003 1-11
2004 2-9
2005 1-10
2006 2-10
2007 5-7
2008 8-6
2009 5-7
2010 2-10
2011 3-9
2012 4-8
2013 8-5
2014 5-6

Total 52-126 (.292)

0 Conference championships.

That ladies and gentlemen is not USU, it's the Buffalo Bulls.
Buffalo has less money and is in a less desirable recruiting location than USU.
Less resources worse facilities, terrible city (no offense to you Buffalonians out there).

Since Leipold took over with 0 knowledge of the area, and 0 recruiting connections (Leipold is from Wisconsin)

2015 5-7
2016 2-10
2017 6-6
2018 10-4
2019 8-5
2020 4-0

Total 35- 32 (.522)

2018 -Won the East of the MAC and lost the championship game 30-29
2020 - Currently first in the East of the MAC and just defeated Kent State 70-41 who they were tied with

This guy ain't young, but he's a program builder in a tough location.
He's paid less than 400k a year, and as is witnessed by his tenure at Buffalo, he would stick around in Logan for more than a year or two.
The more I've thought about this, the more I'm sold on Leipold.

He has done a fantastic job. I would be totally on board with this hire. He seems like a winner and has truly built up Buffalo to respectable level.

A couple of other things about Leipold:

He was named by ESPN a year ago as the 78th best college football coach of all time: https://buffalonews.com/sports/college/ ... ca42d.html

He has won six D-III national championships.

I don’t think you can say “actual” candidates, because we don’t know. It’s all just a big guessing game or playing our favorites. Also, there may be 2 or 3 on Hartwell’s short list, and then they decide not to take the job.....and a new short list is created. For all we know JH’s short list has 2 coaches who have not even been mentioned here. Possible, but not likely.
My guess is that our next head coach has been approached, interviewed and accepted the job, and is scrambling to assemble a staff. I am guessing that was done fairly early in the process so as to have a coach locked up before all the other schools looking for coaches don’t snap him up.
My last guess is that someone on this board knows who the new coach is, and if true, I pray that that person keeps their mouth shut until Hartwell informs the media.