Re: Let's speculate on what Dabo will do after the season.

bretfsu® · 2025-10-21T03:59:36.672Z

I've heard some speculation as to what changes he might make. Here is one I think he should (and probably will) do. Give Tom Allen to hire and fire any coaches on the defensive staff he desires. (Of course, Dabo should meet with the coach and approve him, but he should not be involved in the search or make any suggestions at all. "Tom, who do you want to hire. Bring him in and let me talk to him for 30 minutes and unless something egregious comes up, he's hired.") Note: That is essentially what Bobby Bowden did after he hired Mickey Andrews. (And, I suspect that is what Dabo did when he hired BV.) Whenever Bobby was asked about the defense he would say something like, "I ain't worried about the defense, Mickey will have them ready." Or words to that effect. One I'm not as sure about but it might happen. Change the OC. For whatever reason, it ain't working as good as it should. Lotta folks will blame Dabo, others will blame the position coaches, others will blame Riley, others will blame lack of talent of the players. Me? I have no idea. But, that's not my job. That job (identify the problem and correct it) is Dabo's. That's why he gets the big bucks.

but I think it goes one of two ways, depending on the results the rest of the year.

IF we somehow make a bowl I think he'll tinker around the edges... maybe change out a position coach or two, and more or less keep things the way they are now. Some portal play, but more of the same and hope the team next year gels with another year of development.

If we DON'T make a bowl I think he'll be forced (more by ego than anything external) to make more sweeping changes. I would expect a lot of position coach turnover, with letting Riley/Allen suggest guys they know, or picking up known commodities given the coaching carousel this year will be an EF5 going through a trailer park. Even if it's a guy who you think can just come in for a year or two before he's off again there may be some gems out there for the picking. And at 5 wins on the year Dabo would have every reason to go shopping.

Furthermore, much more portal play. And that also includes, and Dabo will absolutely hate this, but trimming the fat that's on this roster. A lot of the guys here either were mis-evals or they are not playing anywhere near what we were told their potential was. Some of these guys need to be told to hit the portal so we have room to bring in better guys. I wouldn't expect a TON of that, but you'll only need to do it a few places and hopefully it will shake up the rest of the team and send the message 'If you don't perform, you're outta here.'.

*shrugs*
That's my guess, but that and $1.20 will get you a cup of coffee.

bretfsu®

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Great question.

Oct 21, 2025, 11:05 AM

I have no idea. Some folks are saying that we should be the leader (or one of them) in going to an NFL model. (Stanford is essentially doing this.)

1. Hire a general manager. The HC answers to the GM.
2. The GM has a staff that is in charge of the roster - scouting, evaluation, retention, salaries (including the NIL portion that collectives pay).
3. The HC can have as much or as little input as the GM allows, but it is the GMs job to make the decisions on all things roster.
4. The HC builds his staff.
5. The coaches coach. They take the roster given to them (with some input) develop them and go out and win games.
6. Pay a coach an incentive laden contract. Something along the lines of 2M base pay plus 400K for each win, 500K for winning the conference, 500K for making the playoffs, 500K for each playoff win.

All that sounds great. In the NFL head coaches don't make 10 times as much money as the starting QB. NFL head coaches don't have 8 year contracts with guaranteed buyouts. But, the problem is, unless every school adopts this model it won't work. As long as two schools are willing to get into a bidding war to hire a coach, then huge contracts with huge buyouts will continue. (Cignetti just got one, Kiffin will soon get one. Lea, Vandy, will probably get one either from Vandy or someone else.)

So, you asked what I think they should do.

1. They should have held a press conference on Sunday firing Norvell.
2. They should have been talking to agents of several candidates for the past month asking, "Just in case we have to make a change, who might be interested and what would it cost..."

The problem is, I know nothing. The decision is all dependent on money. How much money will it coat if we fire him? Can we afford it? How much money will it cost if we don't fire him? Can we afford not to fire him? How much money in season ticket sales, booster contributions, etc. will we lose if we don't fire him? We're trying to get out of ACC and into P2. If we stink for another year or two, how will that affect our chances? If we stink for another year or two how will that affect our TV ratings, and hence the money we get from ACC.

Given they could work the money out and decide to go full bore my short list of candiates would include Franklin, Lea, Brohm, Lashlee. I would at least call them to see if any would be interested.

The fans will go beserk, but we may end up going the G5 route - Golesh (USF), Sumrall (Tulane) or someone else like that.

Other names I've heard (besdies Kiffin who I don't think is realistic) are Dillingham (AZ ST) and Jedd Fisch (Washington).

Sorry, I rambled and never really answered your question.

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Let's speculate on what Dabo will do after the season.