Rodney McKissic Stole My Argument

Dear readers, LWN is a bit peeved this morning because it seems Buffalo News columnist Rodney McKissic stole my coaching domino effect I have been discussing and passed it off as his own. No disrespect is meant, without McKissic almost no one would follow UB sports but come on I expect more from an AP poll voter. Here is an e-mail LWN sent McKissic on November 2, 2007.

Rodney-

I know that Callahan has not “officially” been fired, but I like the odds that he is gone. Obviously Turner Gill and Tom Osbourne have a ton of history together, but below is the only scenario I see for Gill to leave UB.

1. Callahan fired

2. Lloyd Carr retires

3. Les Miles leaves LSU (he has an opt out clause for Michigan only)

4. Bo Pellini becomes head man at LSU because the Nebraska is losing commitments, and there is not much talent.

5. Gill is offered the spot, even though he only has 1 non-MAC win at UB.

I know this is simply speculation, but don’t you think it is conceivable that Lloyd Carr holds the key to UB’s not too distant future?

His response did not agree nor disagree. Received November 2, 2007.

I wouldn’t rule out Gill going to SMU.

My retort. Sent November 2, 2007.

Really? I understand the location is what he might want and he loves Texas players, but why make the almost lateral jump from the MAC to Conference USA? Especially when you are building momentum at a program like UB.

When Gill was hired at UB it worked out well for UB, Warde Manuel and especially Gill. A guy who wanted to be a head coach but never thought he was going to get the shot at Nebraska. It was a perfect move for Gill because if he wins he is the Messiah, if he loses no one cares because it is Buffalo. Now with momentum, wouldn’t you wait until an established team (one not destroyed by the NCAA death penalty) comes calling? Expectations can be a real salty mistress.

Thanks for the response.

His final response, November 2, 2007.

The thing is, SMU has a better football presence than UB and always will. We’re talking about the state of Texas where football is king compared to Western New York where, unfortunately, there’s so much fan apathy for college athletes.So, SMU wouldn’t be a lateral jump for Gill. It’s a better job.

Let’s not debate the SMU, UB positions for a second. Hot Rod may end up being correct. At this time though he mentioned nothing about Nebraska, nor did he give me credit for my incredible foresight. AND THEN THIS! An article written on November 23, 2007. From that article-

“Now that Lloyd Carr has officially retired from Michigan a popular scenario is: LSU’s Les Miles goes to Michigan, the Tigers turn around and promote defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and, with Pelini out of the way, Nebraska is clear to hire Gill away from UB.”

Readers, please no longer call me “Love Without Nagel”, I shall now be called “A Popular Scenario.”