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Two questions (and answers) regarding TU
Published: 1/10/2011 8:38 PM
Last Modified: 1/10/2011 9:12 PM

Two questions: How should University of Tulsa fans feel about Todd Graham’s departure? And who will becomes TU’s next head coach?

Answer No. 1: TU fans have become accustomed to their coaches (Nolan Richardson, Tubby Smith, Steve Robinson, Bill Self, Buzz Peterson, Steve Kragthorpe) being poached by bigger schools, but that doesn’t make it any less of a sore spot.

Should Golden Hurricane fans be mad at Graham for leaving? No, and they shouldn’t have been mad at Kragthorpe. Both coaches -- one regime led to another -- combined to leave the program in light-years-better shape than it was when they arrived prior to the 2003 season. If elevating the program elevates them to an alleged better job, more power to ‘em. And, speaking of Kragthorpe....

Answer No. 2: Would the guy that used to work at TU go back if given an opportunity?

Yes. Kragthorpe, who chose to live in Tulsa after parting company with Louisville, would reportedly love to return to campus.

Another ex-TU coach whose name is being tossed about is former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who, while Graham was saying goodbye Monday night, was calling Auburn’s plays in the BCS title game.

Would Malzahn take the TU head coaching job? Malzahn flirted with Vanderbilt (and Maryland) and didn’t go, so why would he go to TU? If it's as simple as comparting the TU and Vanderbilt situations, this is why: Vandy is going to get bashed by SEC competition regardless of who is the head coach. It’s easier to accumulate W’s at TU.

There also is a report that former TU offensive coordinator Chad Morris, who just left to take a job at Clemson, could be the next head coach. Another ex with a resume is Washington Redskins linebacker coach and former TU offensive lineman Lou Spanos, who won two Super Bowls during a 15-year stay on the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive staff.

Will athletic director Bubba Cunningham be content to pick among exes? Or will the search be wider than that? I’m betting on the exes.


Reader Comments 4 Total
Blue&Gold (2 years ago)
I thought Morris and Malzahn for sure to be looked at and then Kragthorpe is an awkward but realistic choice. I had completely forgotten about Lou Spanos. I'd be on board for that for no other reason than I would be able to say that the TU head football coach used to be my roommate in college.
KYCane (2 years ago)
Let's go with Spanos!
Bart78 (2 years ago)
The alumni route with Spanos has a high level of curb appeal. It would give the OSU - TU game have another hook for sportswriters with two alums as coaches.
tiny tim (2 years ago)
I hope it's Kragthorpe. He's a proven winner here, a class act and would be reluctant to leave after his bad Louisville experience. Morris has coached in college for only one year. Plus, hiring him after he left us so quickly leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
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Tulsa World sports writer Jimmie Tramel is a former class president at Locust Grove High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University with a journalism degree and, while attending college, was sports editor of the Pryor Daily Times. He joined the Tulsa World on Oct. 17, 1989, the same day an earthquake struck the World Series. He is the OSU basketball beat writer and a columnist and feature writer during football season. In 2007, he wrote a book about Oklahoma State football with former Cowboy coach Pat Jones.

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