And a Resounding "Meh" Echoes Down South Main

Rice acted quickly, if not questionably, in hiring Texas State coach David Bailiff yesterday to replace the departed Todd Graham. Bailiff, whose name suggests he would be better suited for a position on Marvin Lewis' staff in Cincinnati, went 21-15 in three seasons at Texas State, including a ride on Barrick Nealy's shoulders to the 2005 I-AA semifinals. According to the Chronicle, 'Rice officials' believe that Bailiff has a 'stellar reputation as a recruiter and one with unquestionable character.' Bailiff also served as the defensive coordinator for TCU in the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

I'm not here to say whether or not Bailiff will be a good hire; color me skeptical, but uninformed. I'm just curious as to what happened to "serious candidates" Bo Pelini, Willie Martinez and Mark Stoops, all three of which, in my humble opinion, would blow the Bailiff signing out of the water.