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End Zone: UT Rockets

Campbell must be judicious weighing big-school overtures

11/14/2013
BY RYAN AUTULLO
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
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  • There are four reasons Rockets coach Matt Campbell should get comfy at UT. In alphabetical order they are: Darrell Hazell, Dave Doeren, Tim Beckman, and Turner Gill.

    As his profile enhances with what appears to be another eight-plus win season, Campbell must be judicious weighing big-school overtures or else risk career suicide.

    Former MAC coaches are learning their new job is better than their old job just one day a week — pay day. Beckman, Campbell's former boss, is about to be pink-slipped at Illinois. Gill already has been unable to make a successful transition to Kansas from Buffalo. He's now coaching FCS Liberty. He and Beckman will find it difficult to get another FBS head job.

    Hazell and Doeren, whose teams squared off in last year's MAC title game, are a combined 0-11 in league contests with their new clubs — Hazell at Purdue, Doeren at North Carolina State.

    Campbell will be in demand. He's young, offensive oriented, and a powerful recruiter.

    All three qualities jump off the resume. He also has perhaps the best job in the MAC. Hazell had to leave Kent State, a lousy gig. Ditto for Gill.

    Campbell can be selective, knowing UT is engineered to win for the next three or four seasons.

    Contact Ryan Autullo at: rautullo@theblade.com, 419-724-6160 or on Twitter @AutulloBlade.