So, you want to be the Rice football coach?
The grim reaper of men’s sports coaches, also known as athletic director Tommy McClelland, struck for the second time since his arrival at Rice in August 2023. This time, his victim was former head football coach Mike Bloomgren.
In March, McClelland fired the men’s basketball coach, and a lackluster Scott Pera was replaced less than two weeks later by the fired Southern Methodist University’s newly fired head coach Rob Lanier.
Bloomgren’s firing came eight games into the football season, meaning the replacement will not be as quick as Pera’s. While there is still plenty of time before McClelland has to replace Bloomgren, it’s time for him to start thinking about Bloomgren’s replacement, and for possible candidates to start thinking about what Rice has to offer.
Coaching football at Rice is not a regular Texas football job. This is not the University of Alabama, Louisiana State University or even the University of Houston. There are a few important things a coach should know before taking a job here.
First, Rice is currently struggling with attendance at football games. The stands are not full, nor is the student section and football does not have the same prominence at Rice as it does at most other D1 schools. The only thing our student section is known for is stacking pizza boxes, but even free pizza does not bring in enough students to fill the section. Any coach that comes to Rice either needs to accept that or have a plan to change it.
Even when there are no fans, Rice’s Marching Owl Band is a consistent presence in the stands and during halftime. There is definitely a learning curve for any new coach or even new student when watching their first MOB show. Something to keep in mind is that they are dedicated to Rice football and enjoy making fun of the opponents.
Next, Rice football’s Federal Graduation Rate was 88% for football players who matriculated in the 2016-17 academic year, which is four percentage points above the FBS average. Also, there is no general studies major at Rice like there is at other schools. There are future engineers, doctors and lawyers on the football team. A coach that understands the academic rigor of this school is important.
Bloomgren had a mantra of “Intellectual Brutality” and this mindset served Rice well. A new coach needs to bring their own academic mindset to the football team, as these players truly are student athletes.
Another point to note is that Rice is one of the few universities that has a residential college system. This system places students randomly into different colleges, where students live and participate in a fraternity-like community. This is important because this system and culture is something that a football coach also needs to buy into. Freshmen, no matter how close they are to the beginning of their season, are required to participate in Orientation Week at Rice. This week sets the students up academically and socially, as they participate in energetic activities designed to help them make a smooth transition to college alongside their peers.
All of this to say, the Rice football head coaching job is unique. There are challenges here that a coach will not have to face at other places, but the community is strong and maybe a leader who recognizes that and embraces it is just what Rice football needs to turn the program around and win a bowl game before everyone on this editorial board graduates.
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