Sources close to Badgerblitz.com have confirmed that John Settle is indeed the number 1 target and UW would hire him today if they could. HOWEVER there's a major holdup in this deal in that John Settle prefers the Arkansas job opening.
The reasons that Settle prefers the Arkansas job are very simple:
1. The money is greener in Arkansas. Last year UW paid Thomas Brown $178,600 whereas Arkansas paid their RB coach $235,000 (61K more)
2. Arkansas is much closer to Settle's home in North Carolina.
3. He also has the same familiarity with Bielema that he has with Chryst.
4. This last reason is pure speculation - You have to wonder if there's any friction between Chryst and Settle? We know that Paul Chryst originally named John Settle the RB Coach (or he was rumored to be the coach) then went back on his decision and hired Thomas Brown. Throw in the negative reaction that Settle got from the fan base and you have to wonder if Wisconsin is a place he really wants to be?
Until Arkansas hires someone this will stay in a holding pattern. There's a pecking order with the open RB jobs and Wisconsin is next on that list after Arkansas.
Arkansas
Wisconsin
South Florida
Miami (Ohio)
UMASS
There are coaching candidates who have put in calls to UW but until Wisconsin gets an answer from Settle they're not speaking to anyone else. If I hear anything more about the situation I will immediately let you all know.
This post was edited on 2/22 7:54 PM by Dan Broughton
The reasons that Settle prefers the Arkansas job are very simple:
1. The money is greener in Arkansas. Last year UW paid Thomas Brown $178,600 whereas Arkansas paid their RB coach $235,000 (61K more)
2. Arkansas is much closer to Settle's home in North Carolina.
3. He also has the same familiarity with Bielema that he has with Chryst.
4. This last reason is pure speculation - You have to wonder if there's any friction between Chryst and Settle? We know that Paul Chryst originally named John Settle the RB Coach (or he was rumored to be the coach) then went back on his decision and hired Thomas Brown. Throw in the negative reaction that Settle got from the fan base and you have to wonder if Wisconsin is a place he really wants to be?
Until Arkansas hires someone this will stay in a holding pattern. There's a pecking order with the open RB jobs and Wisconsin is next on that list after Arkansas.
Arkansas
Wisconsin
South Florida
Miami (Ohio)
UMASS
There are coaching candidates who have put in calls to UW but until Wisconsin gets an answer from Settle they're not speaking to anyone else. If I hear anything more about the situation I will immediately let you all know.
This post was edited on 2/22 7:54 PM by Dan Broughton
