Gilbert Search Firm: Replacing Jim McElwain

After a six year “Goldilocks” run by Jim McElwain, Central Michigan is looking for a new football coach. I shouldn’t have to explain the quotes. However if you are literary challenged or your parents just didn’t read to you. The character of Goldilocks frequently referenced items as being “not too hot” or “not too cold”. We’ll conveniently leave out the “just right” portion of the story for others to analyze. But going 33-35 overall and 23-22 is pretty much the definition of— bland.

Which begs the question the Gilbert Search Firm always starts with. Is this a good job? This answer might not win a Pulitzer…. but honestly in the new college football word, who really knows? It’s a directional state school that is not located in or near a metropolitan area. On the surface it isn’t. However what if Dan Majerle and Chris Kaman wake up one morning and decide to make it rain on the NIL front?

The point being the school has a rich athletic history. It’s produced a #1 overall pick and borderline Hall of Famers in this century. It has been a destination for up and coming coaches such as Brian Kelly among others. So yes, in the right hands this is still a good job.

Fans in Mount Pleasant might not like the categories I have chosen, but we are going to put the candidates into three groups.

1. The Michigan Adjacent Category

Love them or hate them. The program in Ann Arbor are reigning national champions. They are recruiting at high clip right now and are one of the biggest brands in the sport. It would be foolish to not at least kick the tires to see if anyone is interested.

Tony Alford: Running Game Coordinator/Running Backs The resume is long and unassailable. Experience at multiple big time programs and the throughout Midwest (Ohio St, Notre Dame etc) However not much coordinator experience. His hand in coordinating this year hasn’t been what one would term encouraging. That being said, does it matter? I’m not sure it does. Alford has long history of getting big names on campus and coaching them up. I think he’s a bit of a disruptor. If he was content with the status quo. He would have stayed in Columbus. He instead crossed the rubicon and headed to the school up North. That type of mindset might work in Mount Pleasant.

Ron Bellamy: Offensive Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers The opposite of Alford. Not nearly as much major college experience. However if the goal is to recruit the Mitten. Few might be better connected than Bellamy. Built West Bloomfield into a state championship talent churning power in a 11 year tenure. Is he ready for a head coaching position after only an Olympic cycle in the college ranks? The Deion Sanders and Trent Dilfer experiments would say yes with varying levels of success. Before you point to their NFL bona fides. Bellamy hung around the NFL for five years after playing wide receiver in Ann Arbor. That experience resonates with recruits as well. He is young (42) and should bring an immediate energy jolt to the job.

Connor Stallions: Belleville “Special” Assistant I guess….. he does have experience coaching on the CMU sideline doesn’t he?

Now that I have angered every college fanbase let’s keep it moving.

2. the Chris Creighton Category

Eastern Michigan was arguably the worst job in America before Creighton took over. How did a small college coach from Iowa do it? Just a no fills, no drama, small school winning football approach.

Tony Annese: Ferris St Head Coach Fits the Creighton prototype as a highly successful small college head coach. Has the added bonus of being a lifer in the state. Has won championships at nearly every level. Has interviewed for the job before. There isn’t much not to like. Yes, he is a completely different personality that Creighton. He’s probably going to ruffle some feathers. Name me a successful coach that doesn’t. Full disclosure— I’m a Brian Kelly era Grand Valley St alum. Meaning I remember when Grand Valley owned the Ferris football rivalry. The fact that he has turned Ferris into a two time national champion is a testament to his program building ability. The rural campus dynamic of Big Rapids are similar to Mount Pleasant. Like Bellamy will bring energy and excitement early.

Mike Uremovich: Butler Head Coach Perhaps a better facsimile to Creighton. Hasn’t won big, but hasn’t won consistently at Butler. If you ever been on the urban Indianapolis campus you know there is this little thing called Hinkle Fieldhouse in the center. It’s a cathedral to primacy of basketball in the state of Indiana. Uremovich has posted a winning record all three years (18-8 overall) at place where football is a distant second in priority (perhaps more) He has experience all over the Midwest and won’t be daunted by any impediment Central’s location or budget might present.

3. The PJ Fleck Category

Chippewa fans REALLY are not going to like the name on this grouping. However stick with me as this group might be the most exciting. Fleck was an unknown young assistant with no head coaching experience before winning big at the “yellow and brown” school. That’s the direction we are heading here,

Zach Azzanni: Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Coach A relative unknown commodity if you follow coaching searches. A known commodity in Mount Pleasant because he played there. The Johnny Cash candidate of this list. He has been everywhere. Stops in the MAC, the Big Ten, and SEC included. Has coached in the NFL at various stops since 2017. He is relatively young at 48 and knows the lay of the land. Once again this list is about energy and new blood. If he wants the job there will not be many alumnae with this type of diverse resume.

Nick Sheridan: Offensive Coordinator Alabama At only 36 years old, Sheridan has already been on a roller coaster ride to one the highest profile coordinator positions in the sport. What you think of that ride will cloud your thoughts on this candidacy. The former Michigan walk on quarterback was fired as Indiana’s offensive coordinator just three short years ago. However he has bounced back quickly on the rocket ship that is Kalen Deboer to his current lofty perch. The Saline resident knows the state well and has already built up some coaching callouses. This isn’t your normal 36 year old green assistant. Grew up in the business as his Dad was a longtime respected assistant.

The Verdict— Tony Annese

With the Bryce Underwood commitment. You can cross the Ann Arbor guys off the list. I don’t think they want to leave. Coaches wait their whole lives to coach a prospect like this on that stage. Maybe circle back to Ron Bellamy in a few years if needed.

Go with Tony Annese. The big demerits are his age (63) and a style that might rub some people the wrong way. You know who else is 63 and whose brashness has raised some eyebrows— Curt Cignetti. I see a lot similarities between the two. It’s working out pretty well in Bloomington.

If you feel like you can’t wait for Annese, he’s a little busy right now competing for another national championship. Or if he is content to retire at Ferris. Move on to the kids in Azzanni and Sheridan. But if the goal is to win, NOBODY has done more of it than Annese.