THE COUNTDOWN: No. 119: Memphis

Here’s an interesting scenario: If Tom Bowen had been named R.C. Johnson’s successor in December, when Memphis was conducting a national coaching search, would he have hired former T.C.U. co-offensive coordinator Justin Fuente? Bowen, formerly of San Jose State, was named Memphis’ athletic director on Monday; while the task of finding Larry Porter’s successor has been taken out of his hands, Bowen will continue to closely monitor the football program as it looks to rebuild in advance of next year’s move to the Big East. Bowen has been here before, back in 2005 while at San Jose State. The Spartans, rolling along at a level two steps below mediocrity, needed to find a solution for its football woes. Bowen’s solution? Dick Tomey — the anti-Justin Fuente, the anti-Larry Porter. History says that Bowen, if given the chance, would have hired a veteran, experienced and accomplished college head coach. Not a Fuente. What’s done is done: moving on.

http://www.presnapread.com/no-119-memphis/