Hoke is Gone and Stan's the Man at Ball State

Monday 22, December 2008

Andy Roberts

After six seasons, two bowl appearances, one MACchampionship game, and one best team ever, Ball State head coach Brady Hokejumped at the chance to go to Division I-A wasteland San Diego State for moremoney. And so Ball State has a new coach – offensive coordinator Stan Parrish.

The rumblings began with the Auburn job, which Hoke reportedly interviewed for,though he disputed the report. Then, out of nowhere came the word that he was afinalist for the San Diego State job, along with Dennis Franchione and UCLAdefensive coordinator Dewayne Walker. A couple of days later, Hoke suddenly hadthe job.

The rumored reason behind the move is not money for Hoke, although he will begetting paid twice as much at SDSU as he was in Muncie. It is money for hisassistants. The rumor is that Hoke was more than happy to stay for the modest raisethat Ball State was offering if they would give his assistants raises too. Theadministration balked at that, so Hoke bolted in a ‘screw-you’ move.

Ball State’s athletic administration really dropped the ball here. President JoAnn Gora and A.D. Tom Collins have already earned the reputation as people moreinterested in doing just about anything than building a strong athleticsprogram, and they could have quelled that reputation by ponying up to keepHoke. Instead, they once again let their egos decide it, just as they did whenthey made the hideous mistake of hiring Ronny Thompson to coach the basketballteam ahead of less risky candidates.

The silver lining is that BSU was able to keep Parrish, the playcalling wizard who recruited(Jr. QB #13) Nate Davis to Ball State. While thissmacks a little of hiring Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, Parrish knows the collegegame. He knows his personnel. And he’s a terrific recruiter and talentevaluator. The two negatives to the decision are Parrish’s age (at 62, he’s nota long-term solution) and his prior record as a Division I-A head coach (2-30-1at pre-Bill Snyder Kansas State). But he has done plenty with Ball State toearn the benefit of the doubt. He’s signed for the next four years to coach theteam, and assumedly BSU will be thinking ahead and either bring someone on orgroom an existing assistant with the idea of succeeding Parrish. Hoke will notcoach the GMAC Bowl, so his days are officially done.

I’m more than a little displeased with both parties here. I already enumeratedmy quibbles with the administration, but Hoke is slightly culpable here too.While I don’t blame him for jumping for a bigger paycheck, I question the legitimacyof his move. San Diego State has never been good at football, and it’s unlikelythat Hoke will have some sort of magic potion to change that. Even if he does,he will need time – it took him six years to build Ball State to what it isnow. SDSU fired Chuck Long after three years on the job, so one wonders if theyhave the patience to wait on Hoke while he builds the team.

Hoke could have taken Ball State’s offer and waited out another year. If Daviswere back, Ball State would be in great position for another good year in 2009 andalmost certainly a higher-tier job offer than the one he received. What Hokehas done is essentially ensure he won’t be coaching a BCS school until at least2011, and that would be if he can somehow turn the Aztecs around immediately.

But what’s done is done. Hoke is gone, and Stan’s the man. Is he capable? We’llsee. But he’s sure got the resume necessary.

Back later this week with a preview of Ball State’s GMAC Bowl matchup withTulsa.