Who Will Take Tommy Bowden's "other" Throne

While the Tiger Nation searches for someone to take Bowden's seat atop the Rock Rubbingest Mountain of Cheat and Tractor Porn, the rest of the country wonders who will take his other throne -- Longest Tenured Coach without a BCS Bowl Bid.

For the past several years, I’ve put together a list of coaches at BCS schools that haven’t guided their current program to a BCS bowl game.

(Image: Mission Accomplished - Via the Wiz)

When Houston Nutt left Arkansas at the end of last season, Tommy Bowden took over first place in our 2008 rankings based on seniority.

1. Tommy Bowden (Clemson) - 1999
2.(T) Mike Leach (Texas Tech) - 2001
2.(T) Al Groh (UVA) - 2001
2.(T) Greg Schiano (Rutgers) - 2001
2.(T) Gary Pinkel (Missouri) - 2001
6.(T) Jeff Tedford (Cal) - 2002
6.(T) Bobby Johnson (Vandy) - 2002
8.(T) Rich Brooks (Kentucky) - 2003
8.(T) Mike Riley (Oregon State) - 2003
10.(T) Sly Croom (Miss State) - 2004
10.(T) Mike Stoops (Arizona) - 2004

With Bowden out at Clemson, the four leading candidates for the top spot are Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Greg Schiano of Rutgers, and Gary Pinkel at Missouri. All four were hired before the 2001 season, and none of them have seen the biggest bowls in college football.

Their Chances:

• Pinkel – Despite losing to Ok State this weekend, Missouri is still projected to land a BCS bid by several sites.
  
  
• Leach – It seems unlikely that Texas Tech will make a BCS bid due to the brutal nature of the Big 12 South schedule. Leach could also be a candidate for any number of the jobs opening up around the country.
  
  
• Groh – UVA is 3-3 on the season with games remaining against UNC, GT, Miami, Wake, Clemson and Virginia Tech. Groh is hardly on the surest of footing.
  
  
• Schiano – His team is struggling, and his resume looks like it’s seen its better days. He is most certainly the new front runner to replace Bowden atop the list.

Overall, I could see 2-3 coaches in the Top 10 departing due to termination, retirement, job hopping or long awaited success. Their departures would leave room for new faces like:

• Randy Edsall (UConn) Started with the Huskies in ’99. However, they only joined the Big East in ’04. I didn’t add him to the list last year due to extenuating circumstances.
  
  
• Mike Gundy (Ok State) He’s a man. He’s probably on the list next year.
  
  
• Jim Leavitt (USF) Started at USF in ’96. However, they only joined the Big East in ’05.
  
  
• Dave Wannstedt (Pitt) Strong candidate for a BCS bid in ’08 because the Big East is so very, very bad.
  
  
• Steve Spurrier (South Carolina) Please let it be him.

Greg Robinson and Ty Willingham would also be candidates with the 2005 Pledge Class, but both are dead men walking.

Sources:
-- Coaching Changes for 2005
-- College Football Data Warehouse

What coach do you think will make the top of the list?

Paul Westerdawg
Georgia Sports Blog

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