On Monday, UC Davis Athletic Director Kevin Blue announced head football coach Ron Gould would not return for his fifth season. The announcement came two days after the season finale against Sacramento State in the Causeway Classic, and the day after the team banquet.

Since Blue's announcement, more details have emerged about the decisions that led to Gould being fired, Gould's buyout, and the search for his replacement.

Late Tuesday night, Blue tweeted a message announcing a group of individuals who are advising him on a "confidential basis." The list includes former Aggie quarterbacks Ken O'Brien and J.T. O'Sullivan, football alum and significant donor Bruce Edwards, former Aggie coaches Bob Biggs and Bob Foster, Associate AD Josh Flushman and Senior Associate Vice Chancellor Kelly Ratliff, among others. On Wednesday night, Enterprise reporter Bruce Gaulladet announced that Gould's buyout was $117,500, money that was secured via donations. Given these proactive measures and their timing, it is hard to imagine Blue secured donations to cover Gould's buyout and put together an advisory council that includes football alums, former Aggie coaches, donors, and administrators in less than 48 hours. It is apparent that Monday's events had been planned weeks or months ago.

Blue also wrote a lengthy post on Medium detailing why he released Gould and what he is looking for in the next football coach. In a post that reads more like a job description, Blue lays out ten characteristics candidates must have; "Upstanding character...Expertise on how to recruit highly accomplished student-athletes...Head coach or extensive coordinator experience...Strong intellect and communication skills...Expertise with program-building...Understanding of how to win at UC Davis...Track record of building 'winning habits'...Coaching for self-sufficiency rather than dependency...Embracing the importance of academics and student outcomes...Affinity for UC Davis".

Prior to Blue announcing the firing of Gould, posters on Aggie Sports Talk began to speculate on who the next coach could be. Names include former Aggie fullback and assistant coach Dan Hawkins, former Montana head coach and current San Diego State assistant Bobby Hauck, former Folsom High School head coach and current Eastern Washington passing game coordinator Troy Taylor, and Sac State football alum and UCLA recruiting coordinator/defensive line coach Angus McClure. Several posters, tongue-in-cheek, included current Washington head coach and former Aggie quarterback Chris Petersen.

One thing is certain, Blue must act quickly. With nine known verbal commitments and signing day just three months away, time is of the essence.

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