Mackovic Hire

[azhoops]

Who were the other candidates when UA hired Mackovic?

[TakiCat]

No one, Livengood had him in mind probably before he dismissed Tomey.

[jAZ]

The reported candidates included Pat Hill and then Pitt HC Walt Harris (now recently fired from Stanford).

[azpenguin]

Ricky Hunley and Steve Axman were listed as top candidates at the time, and they interviewed. Mackovic came out of nowhere, which indicates that he most likely was indeed what Livengood had in mind from the get-go.

[HermosaCat]

PAT HILL? Ok, not sure who has been the loudest against Livengood, but I now have complete respect for you! Wacko over Pat Hill? Jesus, can you imagine where we might have been w/ him??? I'm going to guess that he would have no losing seasons and a real shot at the rose Bowl. Thank the Lord the players revolted and Stoops is in the house.
I was just in Palm Desert and that A-Hole has a column in the paper out there as we have all discussed. I sent him an e-mail shortly after we beat Cal and he did not respond. A-HOLE!

[catgrad97]

I believe Joe Tiller was also a (courtesy?) interview.

[ratacatcat]

He couldnt hire Hill because he was a former co ordinator for Tomey, and JL wanted to bring in fresh blood. Hill wanted that job sooooo bad. He still has family in Tucson and loves the community. EJ

[jmcclain19]

I think Hunley an Axeman were more serious candidates during the Stoops hire - along with Norm Chow & Johnnie Lynn.

I do remember that Tomey resigned around Thanksgiving, and Mackovic was hired more than a week later, so I really doubt there were any other serious candidates.

But I distinctly remember only two names popping up before Mackovic was hired.

John L. Smith -When he was at Louisville - Probably one of those agent floating his name in hopes of getting a raise - later went to MSU and that worked out well.
Pat Hill - looking back, I think Hill would have been the smartest hire. I've always liked Hill and like to see Fresno do well.

[bhanson]

I don't remember Hunley being seriously considered. He just had the right history at the UA, and interviewing a minority candidate always looks good. However, he just needs to get some DC experience behind him before anyone will hire him as a HC.

[jmcclain19]

I don't remember Hunley being seriously considered. He just had the right history at the UA, and interviewing a minority candidate always looks good. However, he just needs to get some DC experience behind him before anyone will hire him as a HC.

I agree - although when the day comes that Stoops jumps for greener pastures, I still want Hunley on that short list.

Hunley is only 45 right now - so he's got lots of coaching years ahead of him.

[RCWildcat]

In heard Marvin Lewis the Cincinasty head coast applied for a phone interview however was turned down, However i have not been able to secure any reasonable proof to this (rumor?)

[stewbacka]

You guys interviewed Chow

[Irish27]

If I remember Mackovic was the only person interviewed. Livengood has his mind made up amd at the time Wake Forest was seriously looking at him. Livengood interviewed Mackovic at the Phoenix airport and a deal was worked out. I may be wrong but that is what I remember. That is why when they were looking for Mackovic's replacement, they did a 180 as the interviews went.

[dc4azcats]

If I remember Mackovic was the only person interviewed. Livengood has his mind made up amd at the time Wake Forest was seriously looking at him. Livengood interviewed Mackovic at the Phoenix airport and a deal was worked out. I may be wrong but that is what I remember. That is why when they were looking for Mackovic's replacement, they did a 180 as the interviews went.

I believe you are correct. People at Mckale will tell you that to this day, JL regrets who he hired and how he hired him. I seriously doubt that he will make a major hire like that again. If the process had been the same for Wacko as it was for Stoops, (by committee) then I would say no way that Wacko ever gets hired. The hiring committee did their due diligence and by doing so came up with the best candidate and the right candidate.

[BibbysTowelDude]

Mackovic had already coached at Wake.. Arizona was the only team dumb enough to hire him... I remember I was excited in that Arizona Homer kind of way but many fans from the teams he coached all warned us...

Seems like Steve Axman, Ricky Hunley and Pat Hill are always in contention when the job is open...


I have no doubt that Ricky Hunley will be the next head coach here if the position is open, not that the hire would make me jump for joy.. Chuck Cecil would probably be Hunley's DC..

[dc4azcats]

Mackovic had already coached at Wake.. Arizona was the only team dumb enough to hire him... I remember I was excited in that Arizona Homer kind of way but many fans from the teams he coached all warned us...

Seems like Steve Axman, Ricky Hunley and Pat Hill are always in contention when the job is open...


I have no doubt that Ricky Hunley will be the next head coach here if the position is open, not that the hire would make me jump for joy.. Chuck Cecil would probably be Hunley's DC..

Until Ricky Hunley becomes a defensive coordinator he will not be our next coach. That is what I have heard from people who know. JL will not hand over his football program to somebody who has never been a coordinator at the pro or major college level. The fact that it is Ricky Hunley does not mean he gets a free pass either. Way to much at stake to give the keys to sombody who has never driven.

[HermosaCat]

He had Al Bundy on the short list, but he could not give up the shoe job!

[at the beach]

Rickey Hunley does he have a college degree??????
For those thinking ahead 3 years Rciky with a defensive mind set would be a great hire, but does he have a college degree. I think one of the job requirements is a college degree.

You may check as I do not know and always wondered why he was never given serious consideration. I think the degree question eliminates him.

Please let me know as it could get interesting in 3 years. The AD must have an emergency short list.