Warning: perilous jobs ahead

Sporting News, The, Dec 31, 2001 by Tom Dienhart

Wanna kill your coaching career? Take the top job at Indiana.

It has been almost impossible to thrive coaching the Hoosiers. Want proof?. Bo McMillin was the last coach to leave the post with a winning record, going 63-48-11 from 1934-47. Since then, the Indiana coaching position has been a monster, having eaten up and spit out Clyde Smith, Bernie Crimmins, Bob Hicks, Phil Dickens, John Pont, Lee Corso, Sam Wyche (who went on to a better job with the Bengals after staying in Bloomington long enough to post a 3-8 record in 1983.) and Bill Mallory. The latest casualty is Cam Cameron, who was shown the door after going 18-37 the past five years.

There have been some high points over the years. Pont took the Hoosiers to the Rose Bowl after the 1967 season. Corso led Indiana to a Holiday Bowl win in 1979, and Mallory guided Indiana to six bowls from 1984-96. But given the program's knack for not enhancing careers, it seems fitting he's Indiana's career leader in wins but has a losing record, 69-77-3.

Of course, when the next coach is introduced, smiles will abound. Goals will be set high.

"I think the IU job is going to be an attractive one to many coaches around the country," says Mallory. "I think we proved you can win on a consistent basis at Indiana. If you win and you go to bowls, you will start getting people's fannies in the stands again. And all those things are very possible at Indiana."

Still, be wary of the Hoosiers, job-seekers. And Indiana isn't alone in its reputation of being a coach-killer. There's one such job in each major league. Consider yourself warned before sending out that resume.

ACC: Duke. Steve Spurrier is the only Duke coach since 1966 to leave with a winning record (20-13-1 from 1987-89), and that might be more impressive than anything he has accomplished at Florida. The coaching casualties include Tom Harp, Mike McGee, Shirley "Red" Wilson, Steve Sloan, Barry Wilson and Fred Goldsmith. Carl Franks looks ready to add his name to the list. Since taking command in 1999, the team has gone 3-30 and has lost 23 straight, the nation's longest current streak.

Big East: Rutgers. From 1927-83, six coaches left Rutgers with winning records. It has been downhill since, with Dick Anderson, Doug Graber and Terry Shea combining for a 67-114-1 record from 1984-2000. Despite knowing this data, Greg Schiano took over the program after the 2000 season and proclaimed: "I can tell you right now, we are going to win. We're going to win big, we're going to win championships at Rutgers, and we're going to do it the right way." At this point, any way would be welcomed; Schiano debuted with a 2-9 record (0-7 in the Big East).

Big 12: Missouri. Since the 1970s, the roll call of Missouri coaches reads like a "Who's That?" of the profession. Try on these unlegendary names: Al Onofrio, Warren Powers, Woody Widenhofer, Bob Stull and Larry Smith. Powers' 46-33-3 record from 1978-84 makes him look like a oaching giant, as the others all finished under .500 and went on to do nothing of note as coaches. Good luck, Gary Pinkel.

Pac-10: Oregon State, Before Dennis Erickson arrived, and before predecessor Mike Riley parlayed a 5-6 record in 1998 into a gig with the Chargers, coaches came to Corvallis jacked up to change things and left in straitjackets. Tommy Prothro had a great run from 1955-64, going 63-37-2, but the losses and coaching failures mounted in his wake under Dee Andros, Craig Fertig, Joe Avezzano, Dave Kragthorpe and Jerry Pettibone, who pooled in for a 95-247-7 mark from 1965-96. Overall, what Erickson has accomplished is remarkable. It's also an aberration. Whenever he decides to leave, the job--given its inherent disadvantages--once again will tie up the careers of its occupants.

SEC: Kentucky. Your mind says "Vanderbilt" but your mouth should say "Kentucky." Since 1972, John Ray, Fran Curci, Jerry Claiborne, Bill Curry and Hal Mumme have left a trail of losses, and none went on to better jobs. In fact, the UK post has been a way station to retirement for guys like Claiborne and Curry. Are you listening, Guy Morriss?

RELATED ARTICLE: Inside Dish.

QB Jeff Krohn, a two-year starter at Arizona State, had two years of eligibility remaining, but he decided to transfer. Krohn was injury-prone, and his arm and playmaking ability weren't of Pac-10 caliber. There's a chance incoming JC transfer Andy Goodenough, who tossed 37 touchdown passes last year, could be No. 1 man for ASU next fall. But he'll have to battle sophomore-to-be Andrew Walter and Chad Christensen, who redshirted last year.... Speaking of JC transfers, Mississippi scored a coup when RB Ronald McClendon, considered by most to be the nation's top JC prospect, withdrew his commitment to Nebraska and signed with the Rebels.... In preparation for the Peach Bowl, Auburn LB Lemarcus Rowell has been impressive with his nose for the ball and hitting ability. But he won't play in the game. Considered by most to be the state of Alabama's top defensive prospect last year, he wasn't declared academically eligible to play early this season. The NCAA since has admitted it misplaced paperwork that would have cleared Rowell to play. But he won't play in the bowl to preserve a year of eligibility.... When Colorado ran for 380 yards and eight touchdowns against Nebraska in its 62-36 win in November, many pointed fingers of blame at Huskers Ss Willie Amos and Dion Booker. But Huskers coaches all season had told their safeties to pursue hard to the ball to the outside. With Booker and Amos out of position, the Buffaloes' running backs cut back up the middle for big gains. Nebraska coaches have been reminding the safeties of their duties as the Rose Bowl approaches. Miami also has several backs capable of breaking off long runs. --T.D.