40 years ago, Shalamar had a Top 10 hit, “The Second Time Around” The Odyssey believes this might work better in romantic relationships than for head coaches.
When it comes to a head coach coming back for a second time at a school, the results are quite mixed. We bring this up because Gary Andersen was hired two weeks ago at Utah State to replace the departing Matt Wells. WIll Andersen’s 2nd stint go as well as his 2009-2012 tenure for the Aggies?
We have some doubts. First, Andersen will have to defend his abrupt decision to bail on the Oregon State program mid-year. We also have the history of 3 iconic coaches to consider.
JOHN ROBINSON: From 1976-82, Robinson’s USC teams were a gaudy 67-14-2 with 3 Rose Bowl triumphs. Then the Rams came calling. Robinson resurfaced as the Trojan coach from 1993-97. The Second Time Around resulted in a 37-21-2 mark.
BILL WALSH: The architect of the West Coast offense had a brief, but successful stint in 1977-78 as the Stanford head man. A 17-7 record was good enough for him to land the 49er job where he was fantastic. His 1992-94 redo at the Farm was not so fantastic: a 17-17-1 mark.
We think recruiting and the incredible needed energy is usually a young man’s game. Perhaps this is why Robinson and Walsh’s encores were a far cry from their initial stint. Then, we come to:
BILL SNYDER: He took over the worst, historical program in Division 1-A in 1989 and brought K-State to unimagined heights over the next 17 years. The Wildcats were a game away from playing in the inaugural BCS game in 1998 until derailed by a heartbreaking loss to Texas A&M in the Big 12 championship game. Snyder retired at age 66. Ron Prince could not successfully follow up the Snyder Story during the following 3 seasons. Snyder was lured back in 2009 for another decade in the Little Apple. The Wildcats had good success until the past 2 years. Snyder’s last game, as a 79-year old, resulted in a dramatic come-from-ahead loss at Iowa State. We would grade his redo as a success but it is pretty easy to recruit against a 79-year-old. We urged his retirement early this season. Snyder clearly wanted his son, Sean, to be his replacement but this wish understandably made the K-State brass nervous. We are delighted he stepped down so as not to unduly tarnish his legend.
As for Andersen, perhaps he will prosper again in the Cache Valley. We think he may but the tales of 3 legends are sobering.