This is not about tradition. This is just how the world works. Even if we were to entertain the possibility of making up new ways of contracting coaches, who would you want Stricklin to hire? Even if an AD could hire any OC, the HC needs to have chemistry with his assistants, and what kind of Head Coach is willing to let an Athletic Director micromanage his team?
OK. I certainly see the realistic, practical problems with forcing THOSE particular confrontations. But are they the only "alternatives"? Are we really restricted to choices that automatically, inevitably lead there? ALL that which is defined by current "accepted norms"?--Are these truly all that's available, "allowed", out in that "real world"?
I don't claim to know the absolute answer--in fact, my questions here are honest, open ones--and rather than an opening to recommending a particular course, I am merely proposing that we consider for a moment ANY CONTRARIAN ONES!
I would like to see us at least consider ways to BREAK OUT of the mold, the "real world rules" that have, after all, brought us here and seem to limit us now.
Now, when I say "us", I DO mean US, the dedicated and thinking fans, Pop Warner-and small town prep participants, up'n'coming young coaches out here, and all the rest who we may never "KNOW"--but DO know that nonetheless we, all together, SHAPE the shared-worldview that comprises "reality", whatever we come to think of as "normal and accepted". In this way, I propose that a change in focus, a RE-framing of a WORLDview that NEEDS changing: The "normal" way hasn't served us well of late, and appears to be hampering us now.
I'm "only" talking about GATOR change here, of course; NOT "revolution" but rather our own need to forge a new identity and future--no more, no less. If ANY such EVOLUTIONARY change is to come, it TOO has to begin with a clean sheet, I think--a fresh approach to what the challenges are, and what we can really DO about them.
Real change comes from the bottom up, begins with new possibilities that are seen, tried by someone--whether out of vision and/or desperation--and the ones that WORK are copied, adapted, eventually become part of that "normal world".
All I am suggestimg at this point is, in the absence so far of an individual who in effect embodies such change (in some decades, longer, out of dozens of tries, we have had TWO of those--one by fate, one by temporary "good fortune"), we can for now at least contribute in small fashion to our future: To somehow spur open dialogue and flexibility this time among those charged with the practical moves that will shape our immediate AND long term future. Yes, our AD, plus the less-public but nonetheless realistically powerful individuals who will participate in and have to sign off on any decision regarding the Coach AND the limits to his power and leeway.
I don't know to what extent (or even IF) these people are ready to consider, let alone acknowledge and are by now even discussing what "new ideas and directions" should be considered, incorporated in identifying and embarking on the time and course ahead. But I am sure it is required--am sincerely hoping, even counting on their already BEING there in their thinking.
Regardless, it is time we "out here" were unbound by restrictions in OUR thinking. Let's put ANYTHING on the table, throw it out there, pick it apart. It'll be interesting, fun--and you never know where it all eventually leads, the last domino falls or the pulled thread finally last unravels.
Let's at the very least do our small part to tear some holes in the walls and windows, let in a little light and fresh air.