Today, ESPN analyst Bob Davie will be officially announced as the next coach of the New Mexico Lobos. Davie has been out of coaching for a decade after getting fired from Notre Dame in 2001.
New Mexico has been one of the worst college football programs over the last few years, compiling a record of 3-31 since 2009. So I guess there's nowhere to go but up, right? But hiring a guy who hasn't coached in 10 years is certainly an interesting choice, especially when you consider this bit of knowledge that the WSJ's Jared Diamond drops on us.
Historically, though, ex-Notre Dame coaches haven't made great hires. The last four who went on to take another college or pro job all compiled losing records at their next gig. This includes Tyrone Willingham (11-37 at Washington), Lou Holtz (33-37 at South Carolina), Gerry Faust (43-53-3 at Akron) and Joe Kuharich (28-41-1 with the Philadelphia Eagles).
Though this move appears to be a bit of a head-scratcher, I suppose we are all better off for it. Our ESPN college football broadcasts will be just a little less Irish homer-ish going forward. We can only hope he brings Craig James along with him as the Lobos new running backs coach.