Why Meacham Over Littrell

HarringtonFishSmeller · November 29, 2015

I really am excited that these are our two finalists. But, here is why I currently favor Meacham:

-Recruiting

- His season is done

As to recruiting, Littrell has been at programs that lean on much out of state talent - except, obviously his stint at Texas Tech. He would be strong nationally.

Meacham, on the other hand, has been recruiting in Texas for over a decade straight among stint at OSU, Houston, and TCU. Both are great. But, as good as Littrell is, my feeling is that Meacham has been tapping the Texas prep level on a more consistent and ongoing basis.

Finally, Meacham is available now. North Carolina still has a conference championship to play. And, if they upset #1 ranked Clemson in that game, they will likely be in the CFP. That would mean Littrell unable to get here until January.

My feeling is that we need someone on the ground YESTERDAY! Meacham, he's already here and he can begin recruiting tomorrow. We need a huge influx of talent and direction. It can't begin soon enough.

Again, I think it's a push as to the talent level of these two coaches. They are outstanding choices. Right now, though, all things being equal, we need someone RIGHT NOW!

The circumstances being what they are, give me Meacham...and, preferably tonight or tomorrow.

tmjerm · November 29, 2015

All of this is true and right

mgfan · November 29, 2015

The recruiting advantage clearly makes him the better option.

Green Mean · November 29, 2015

LIttrell seems to have the higher ceiling. And we don't 'need' to have a guy that recruits this state...it's pretty obvious they'll have to recruit here. There is an abundance of talent in this state so if he is a good coach with a good game plan that can connect with HS coaches then he'll be able to recruit. It's not like he has to go to Wyoming to recruit. Now if you tell me someone has to be ready and know how to recruit players to Wyoming then yes but I think people are making knowing how to recruit Texas a bigger deal than what it really is IMO.

greenminer · November 29, 2015

I was not aware that finalists were named. Was there some sort of announcement from the AD?

KingDL1 · November 29, 2015

LIttrell seems to have the higher ceiling. And we don't 'need' to have a guy that recruits this state...it's pretty obvious they'll have to recruit here. There is an abundance of talent in this state so if he is a good coach with a good game plan that can connect with HS coaches then he'll be able to recruit. It's not like he has to go to Wyoming to recruit. Now if you tell me someone has to be ready and know how to recruit players to Wyoming then yes but I think people are making knowing how to recruit Texas a bigger deal than what it really is IMO.

I think so too, I like his age and the programs he has been at. Littrell is hands down my guy of these two. But either way I hope North Texas will get the new coach the money to bring in a staff that is top notch.

mgfan · November 29, 2015

LIttrell seems to have the higher ceiling. And we don't 'need' to have a guy that recruits this state...it's pretty obvious they'll have to recruit here. There is an abundance of talent in this state so if he is a good coach with a good game plan that can connect with HS coaches then he'll be able to recruit. It's not like he has to go to Wyoming to recruit. Now if you tell me someone has to be ready and know how to recruit players to Wyoming then yes but I think people are making knowing how to recruit Texas a bigger deal than what it really is IMO.

Meacham already has those connections! Why would you want to wait? Meacham was at Oklahoma State and UH before TCU. Littrell hasn't been in the area in years. Meacham is a NAME kids around here know! Just mention TCU and kids at the school I work at eyes light up. Mention UNC and they either say "who" or" Basketball". A name matters and Meacham has it.

KingDL1 · November 29, 2015

The recruiting advantage clearly makes him the better option.

I really think idea of being in Texas creates not much of if any advantage in recruiting, it just seems like it is not a valid argument the state is not a vacuum. Littrell is from OK and has time at Tech under leech so he has the ties, the coaching world is a small one. I doubt there are many High School Coaches that don't know who either are, and that is what is important. I am not going to really get excited until a staff is put together, but I think Littrell has more to offer at where he is for his age and he is likely hungry for more success.

Edited November 30, 2015 by KingDL1

Green Otaku · November 29, 2015

Like I said in the other thread people are acting like Texas is some special place only those with recruiting ties can recruit in. It's a state like any other state. If they are good recruiters they will be able to recruit.

Cr1028 · November 29, 2015

Meacham already has those connections! Why would you want to wait? Meacham was at Oklahoma State and UH before TCU. Littrell hasn't been in the area in years. Meacham is a NAME kids around here know! Just mention TCU and kids at the school I work at eyes light up. Mention UNC and they either say "who" or" Basketball". A name matters and Meacham has it.

Be honest with yourself. Kids don't know who the OC is at any given school unless they are recruited by him or it is someone who makes the news a lot like Kiffin or like Morris used to. If we weren't trying to hire a P5 OC, I wouldn't know the OC at Tech, Baylor, TCU, or OU, but I do. Outside of Gary Patterson, no HS player is going to recognize Doug Meacham as the OC at TCU.

The relationships that matter are the relationships with the HS coaches. Most of the HS coaches will know both of these guys but I'd almost be willing to bet that more metroplex area coaches would know Littrell from his OU days than his Tech days. Also, Littrell was recruiting the hell out of Texas and Oklahoma until he went to Indiana in 2012. Look at his Rivals page. One of his Texas tight ends even transferred from Arizona to Indiana to stay with Littrell.

To me Littrell is the one with the most to lose and for that reason will work the hardest. He is 37 years old and knows that his future is riding on his performance at NT. Meacham is already 51, he has his Briles nomination and record setting offenses at the sub-FBS level. For as long as he has been coaching, he doesn't seem like he is as hungry to be a head coach as Littrell. L

ittrell is labeled as assistant head coach for offense, while Meacham is listed as Co-OC. I don't know if added responsibility comes with that assistant head coach title but it just seems to me that Littrell is farther advanced in the ascent of his career than Meacham. Therefore, I'm for Littrell, unless of course LIncoln Riley changes his mind and wants to come here.

mgfan · November 29, 2015

Like I said in the other thread people are acting like Texas is some special place only those with recruiting ties can recruit in. It's a state like any other state. If they are good recruiters they will be able to recruit.

it is a not some special place it's about reationships. I work under an athletic coordinator who would not send any kids to Dan because dan pulled a scholarship from one of his kids at the last second when he was at Iowa state. Like it or not that is how it is.

KingDL1 · November 29, 2015

it is a not some special place it's about reationships. I work under an athletic coordinator who would not send any kids to Dan because dan pulled a scholarship from one of his kids at the last second when he was at Iowa state. Like it or not that is how it is.

Not sure I see the relation

HarringtonFishSmeller · November 29, 2015

I just think the timing for us is better with Meacham. He can hit the ground running now as opposed to January or two weeks from now.

Littrell is probably better nationally. Meacham, to me, is not a national guy. His been in this region so long, I doubt he has the national ties Littrell does.

Littrell, to me, makes more sense at a more national school. Meacham's experience is in this region, extensively.

I understand the importance of grabbing guys out of state. Meacham, I think, has enough ties in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana and more in Texas.

Again, both would be great hires; but, for this time and place, I hope it's Meacham for the sake of getting this thing off the ground as soon as possible.

greenminer · November 30, 2015

I imagine there are a lot of kids who don't know who the assistants are at every Texas school. Things like family ties, personal aspirations, geography, etc play a lot into what they know about the staff at specific schools. USC, when Carroll was winning there, was one of the top college destinations in the country. But I did not care who the assistants were...ever. If a kid has no intention of going to USC, they may or may not share my interest. Likewise, a kid who is born into an A&M family, with Aggie aspirations from day 1, may or may not give a flip about who is on the TCU staff.

Basically, I think some of you assume too much about what HS kids know/don't know.

Edited November 30, 2015 by greenminer

HoustonEagle · November 30, 2015

I am shocked that the two finalist are both coaches I would love to have here. Someone or several someone's are stepping up donation wise to make this happen.

I do think it will be Meacham as his kids are of the age that he just does not want to put them through another move.

Edited November 30, 2015 by HoustonEagle

mgfan · November 30, 2015

Not sure I see the relation

It's all about relationship and tie ins that you have built or haven't built over the years. Meacham will have more.

GoMeanGreen1999 · November 30, 2015

Be honest with yourself. Kids don't know who the OC is at any given school unless they are recruited by him or it is someone who makes the news a lot like Kiffin or like Morris used to. If we weren't trying to hire a P5 OC, I wouldn't know the OC at Tech, Baylor, TCU, or OU, but I do. Outside of Gary Patterson, no HS player is going to recognize Doug Meacham as the OC at TCU.
The relationships that matter are the relationships with the HS coaches. Most of the HS coaches will know both of these guys but I'd almost be willing to bet that more metroplex area coaches would know Littrell from his OU days than his Tech days. Also, Littrell was recruiting the hell out of Texas and Oklahoma until he went to Indiana in 2012. Look at his Rivals page. One of his Texas tight ends even transferred from Arizona to Indiana to stay with Littrell.
To me Littrell is the one with the most to lose and for that reason will work the hardest. He is 37 years old and knows that his future is riding on his performance at NT. Meacham is already 51, he has his Briles nomination and record setting offenses at the sub-FBS level. For as long as he has been coaching, he doesn't seem like he is as hungry to be a head coach as Littrell. L
ittrell is labeled as assistant head coach for offense, while Meacham is listed as Co-OC. I don't know if added responsibility comes with that assistant head coach title but it just seems to me that Littrell is farther advanced in the ascent of his career than Meacham. Therefore, I'm for Littrell, unless of course LIncoln Riley changes his mind and wants to come here.

You have hit it out of the park with this on why I think Littrell is the best choice. Tired of the recruiting angle because Meacham is known in these parts - so was Todd Dodge and he got us 5 wins?

KingDL1 · November 30, 2015

It's all about relationship and tie ins that you have built or haven't built over the years. Meacham will have more.

Yeah not what I was referring too, you described a pissed off Athletic Coordinator over a pulled scholarship, but it happens. Not sure what in state or an out of state coach has to do with a pulled scholarship or how it is relevant in this situation. Are you saying he would not have been pissed if it was an in state coach?

It seems like you are making wild assumptions about Seth and his ties to this state, I can't find it logical that a coach born in OK, played at OU, all his coaching experience is at the FBS level and coaching for 5 years under Leech at Tech would ever let any recruiting relationships die in the last 7 years especially in Texas. If anything I would think he would try to build them up.

Mike Jackson · November 30, 2015

LIttrell seems to have the higher ceiling. And we don't 'need' to have a guy that recruits this state...it's pretty obvious they'll have to recruit here. There is an abundance of talent in this state so if he is a good coach with a good game plan that can connect with HS coaches then he'll be able to recruit. It's not like he has to go to Wyoming to recruit. Now if you tell me someone has to be ready and know how to recruit players to Wyoming then yes but I think people are making knowing how to recruit Texas a bigger deal than what it really is IMO.

I agree with higher ceiling part and being "hungry". However, I don't recall seeing FCS or G5 experience. If hired he is going to he is going to have many "WTH" moments while on the job here and they won't be on Saturdays or on the practice field. Also if defies the odds and has early success here despite the "WTH" moments he leaves the first opportunity he gets. I think it will be some the issue here will be very frustrating to him. So I prefer the stability that Meachum might give us.

Cr1028 · November 30, 2015

It's all about relationship and tie ins that you have built or haven't built over the years. Meacham will have more.

Here is Meacham's rivals page and Littrell's rivals page from the year 2011 when Meacham was still a position coach and Littrell was already in his second year as OC at Arizona. They both recruited Texas.

Cerebus · November 30, 2015

Here is Meacham's rivals page and Littrell's rivals page from the year 2011 when Meacham was still a position coach and Littrell was already in his second year as OC at Arizona. They both recruited Texas.

I would welcome Meach with open arms if he is the new coach, but I still have to give the slight edge to Littrell because 1) he is considered by many to be a superior recruiter, and 2) he is a Leach disciple who has repeatedly tailored his offense to fit whoever happens to be on the roster that year.