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Utah State football: Baer would welcome USU job

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Observer | 8:42 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Now isn't the time for USU to hire another coordinator or lower division coach. They've been there, done that. They need to hire a proven D1 head coach. The only person mentioned as a possibility who meets that criteria is John L. Smith. If USU hires Baer over Smith, that will be the 4th bad hire in a row for the Aggies and they may as well give up their football program right now.
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Why not | 10:31 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Hiring Baer wouldnt be such a bad choice. In my opinion the only coaches that wouldnt use USU as a stepping stone are coaches that have strong ties to the valley, they people and the university. I can see him be as loyal to USU as Stew has been. You wont find those kind of individuals every day. Stew could have gone to bigger and better but he chose to stay. I can see the same happen to Baer if he finds some success here.
Go Aggies!!!
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Who Cares | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Who cares if a coach uses us as a stepping stone. I didn't hurt Utah. I'd much rather have a coach that people wanted to hire than one that nobody wanted.
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new coach | 11:00 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
can the aggies afford a coach that has head coaching experience at the FBS level?

Guy was a great coordinator before getting his first head coaching job.
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San Jose State? | 11:02 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Huh I certianly hope we would not take a d-cordinator from San Jose state over Gary Anderson merely because he played football at Sky View. Anderson is a great recruiter, with head coaching experience, whose players love him. And John L. Smith? Uh o.k are we really willing to accept those results? Or even worst hope for them?
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Logan Cheese head | 11:18 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
The name of the game is "RECRUITING." and J L along with his network of coaches will bring in the right players who will turn this program around. FORGET THE REST AND HIRE J L SMITH NOW!
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Baer sounds better than | 11:27 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
John L. Smith. I doubt Smith really cares about USU - he didn't thatgreat the first time, and jumped ship at first opportunity.
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Anderson | 11:50 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Gary Anderson of Utah is twice the coach that either of those two are. Don't be stupid hire Gary Anderson. He has strong ties with Utah high school players as well as around the country. Put people back in the seats now. They have 14 local players on their roster. Utah has 38, BYU 39. That is why their seats are filled and they are successful on the field.
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Whoever | 11:51 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008
can just win, baby!

Go Aggies!
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Anonymous | 12:20 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
people do not come to games because local kids are or are not on the field. people come to games if the team is winning and the product is fun to watch.

Boise State has about 10 Idaho kids on the roster. They fill the stadium every week.

Just win. I don't care if the coach comes in and goes 24-24 over the next four years and then leaves. That's 16 more wins than Brent Guy has given us in the same time period.
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One thing you can't do... | 1:23 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Is hire the long-time loyal assistant. What does that say about his motivation/aspirations. If he was head-coach material he would NOT have spent 30+ years as an assistant coach. Don't kid yourself!
If he was good enough he would have already taken a head job. The last reason you should ever hire someone is because they "want to come home"

Since it seems like the last thing USU should do, it is obviously the one decision they will make.
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Hey!!! | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
What to look for in a head coach to turn around a program:

1. Previous head coaching experience (or "HOT" coordinator)
2. Momentum from the last program (winning seasons, etc.)
3. Good media/public relations
4. Proven ability to recruit athletes and put them in the right place to make plays.

Now tell me if you think anyone with these credentials would want to take a job in Logan.
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Number 9 | 2:07 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
What USU needs to turn program around is a YOUNG, ARTICULATE, fired-up coach who can RECRUIT!!! Talent is the name of the game in college football.
No more old, stuffy "football guys" who talk like farmers or leather helmet-wearing geezers.
You need someone who can sell talented athletes on coming to USU.
End of story. A lifetime assistant like Baer is the WORST idea in history. There is a reason he's never been a head coach. Think about it.
If you're good enough, you get a head coaching gig somewhere.
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Kyle | 5:23 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Yeah little brother should hire Baer. He didn't want the job 4 years ago because the facilities were a mess. Now all of a sudden Willingham dumps him at Washington and he is at San Jose and the facilities are among the best in the country. Yeah ok, I believe that! USU has remodeled the end zone and now they are state of the country! If you think Weis really wanted him to stay at Notre Dame you should buy some stock now, it is going up like crazy! Make some mad money and buy Baer now!
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Recruiting | 6:21 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Recruiting is about Facilities and Money To Build Facilities! A coach can sit in the living room and use smoke and mirrors but the kids have to come to Logan and "Buy IN." A stepping stone coach wont have the base to raise the money! Winning is all that matters! USU needs a "PROGRAM". John L Smith is not here to build a Program. We all know what he will do if he wins here. He will go after the $$$$. Cant blame him. USU is not UTAH, BYU, or Boise State (Soon to be in the MWC) We need a Stew Morrill. We need a guy who uderstands Cache Valley! Kent Baer is the logical and sensible choice. Every Head coach was an Assistant before they were a head coach.
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I nominate... | 6:29 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Either Steve Coburn from Snow
or Steve Clark from SUU.

Steve Coburn has done a great job at snow and has improved upon an already great program.

Steve Clark, just because he already made the jump from GA at BYU to OC at SUU, why not make the jump to HC at USU?
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Full House | 6:37 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
If you think Andersen in leaving Utah for Utah St. you need to think again... That would be akin to trading in your Lexus for a Kia.
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Utes by 5 | 6:56 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
Coburn leaving Snow to go to USU would be a step down - it would be career suicide.
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Re: Recruiting | 8:05 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
If Baer is your logical and sensible choice for a head coach, then you deserve to win 1 or 2 games a year.

You are right on one point, every head coach was an assistant at one point, but no coach should get their first chance after 30 years. If you can't make that step in 30 years, you don't deserve it!
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USU FOOTBALL | 8:25 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008
USU FOOTBALL is pointless.

Put field turf in the stadium.

Let the local high schools play their games at the stadium including soccer and football.

It's time for the Aggie Faithful to put the football program out of its misery.
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