WSU's New D-Coordinator: Bill Doba?

It wouldn't be the first time it's happened, and a glance at USC with Pete Carroll shows that it can actually work, but Bill Doba himself might be the leader in the clubhouse to replace Robb Akey as defensive coordinator at WSU. But is it the correct move? Can Doba handle the load as the coordinator as well as head coach? Does he still have the passion and energy to do both jobs?

DB coach Ken Greene has been mentioned, not only in the article, but also from someone I've talked to, as the one assistant on the inside that could get the job. In yesterday's Seattle Times, Larry Lewis, a WSU assistant for 10 years before coaching Idaho State for 8 years, was mentioned as a possible candidate. But to bring in an outsider, as the article above suggests, might not work as far as having a new defensive coordinator. But I also believe that Doba as the defensive coordinator and head coach, well, it's a bad idea.

I think the head coaching job is tough enough on Doba, and many will tell you the last couple of seasons have been a drain on him, on and off the field. Greene has the "coaching chops" you'd want for the position, as he's been a defensive coach since 1994 and has been in charge of some very good secondaries in his career.

In all 3 years while coaching at Purdue from 2000-2002, they were top-10 in the nation in pass efficiency, including #1 in the nation in 2001.
In 2003, his first year at WSU, the Cougars led the nation in turnovers gained with 48, and were #2 in the nation with 24 INT's while finishing #5 in pass efficiency defense and #6 in rushing defense.
That same 2003 season, they were #1 in the Pac-10 in pass efficiency, 3rd-down percentage, rushing defense AND total defense (!).

Isn't it a wise move to reward quality assistants and show them the real chance for opportunity and advancement? What kind of a message does it send a guy like Greene and the rest of the defensive coaches if they just hand the job to Doba, a guy who is already spread thin as the head coach? Greene is 50 years old, and it's likely he's not just in this thing to coach defensive backs forever. I'm not saying Greene will bolt Pullman if he doesn't get the job, but, he sure makes a lot of sense. The athletic department took a chance on Robb Akey back in 2003, who was just a 37-year old defensive coach and made him the coordinator, and that worked out OK. Why not promote Greene and continue to show assistants that the chance for career advancement exists at WSU?