Hey guys! I had an idea in my head that I can't get out and I'd like to get some thoughts from some of you intelligent folks out there. I know there are legal ramifications that may differ in different localities, but for the sake of this, let's say it's possible and able to be applied uniformly among all of FBS.

What if the NCAA mandated a coach's first contract is guaranteed, in length not dollars, a minimum of 5 years? A couple of caveats I think should be applied though. If the person before you promoted from Group of 5 to Power 5, the mandate is null and void on the institution's side.

For example, let's say Memphis' new head coach rolls a big fat turd burger for 2 years. As educated intelligent college football fans, we know their head coach from last year, Mike Norvell, just went from Memphis to Florida State. This means Memphis probably has quite a bit of talent in place and a good program rolling from the Norvell's time there. If their new coach, Ryan Silverfield, comes out and goes 6-7 then 4-8, he can be let go. But, if he comes out and goes 12-2 and 11-3, he also can't bolt for Power 5. He has to prove his success wasn't a fluke and not just living off Norvell's coat tails.

Another caveat would come if the coach prior was fired. Common sense tells us that if a coach was fired, the program is probably not in good shape. That coach could not be fired for 5 years. He gets 5 years to recruit, develop and eventually let his players play. 

For example, let's stick with Mike Norvell at Florida State. Willie Taggart came in and crapped the joint up by all accounts. So, Norvell gets 5 years to rebuild the program into what it can be. 

Programs could save a boatload of money on coaching buyouts, which we see happen every year. Universities are forced to make real, solid hires and not just a splash hire/fire just for hiring and firing's sake. Recruits might be more tempted to consider lower level programs that are really successful, because they know their coaches will be there for the long haul.

What do you think? Do I sound like I'm on drugs? I know this is totally impossible and will never happen. Could be something that could help if folks could get their heads around it. What pitfalls or possibly good outcomes am I missing here. 

Just some food for thought in their first 3 years:

Woody went 16-9-2

Frank Beamer, longtime VT coach who took them to a BCS title game, went 11-21-1

John McKay, legendary USC coach, went 19-11-1

Dabo Swinney went 19-15 (wish he would've been gone anyways)

Bill Snyder, legendary K-State coach, went 13-20

Hayden Fry went 17-17