Job board: Names to know for the 2018 coaching carousel
Adam Rittenberg
ESPN INSIDER
When assessing the college coaching landscape for 2018, two things come to mind.
1. There's no shortage of exciting, attractive candidates to move up the jobs ladder.
2. There might not be enough jobs for them to claim.
The last coaching cycle was seismic. Twenty-one FBS schools made changes, including 13 Power 5 programs. Jimbo Fisher and Willie Taggart both voluntarily moved between Power 5 schools, which is a rarity, while Kevin Sumlin avoided the typical year off the field after being fired by Texas A&M, as he landed at Arizona. The SEC and Pac-12 both had significant turnover, and four states -- Florida, Mississippi, Arizona and Oregon -- all have new coaches at their two flagship public schools.
So this winter might be light. Or it might be wild. That depends on LSU and a few other potential hot spots. Still, there are plenty of coaches in positions to make moves.
Let's take a look at them here.
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Power 5 coaches who could make moves1. There's no shortage of exciting, attractive candidates to move up the jobs ladder.
2. There might not be enough jobs for them to claim.
The last coaching cycle was seismic. Twenty-one FBS schools made changes, including 13 Power 5 programs. Jimbo Fisher and Willie Taggart both voluntarily moved between Power 5 schools, which is a rarity, while Kevin Sumlin avoided the typical year off the field after being fired by Texas A&M, as he landed at Arizona. The SEC and Pac-12 both had significant turnover, and four states -- Florida, Mississippi, Arizona and Oregon -- all have new coaches at their two flagship public schools.
So this winter might be light. Or it might be wild. That depends on LSU and a few other potential hot spots. Still, there are plenty of coaches in positions to make moves.
Let's take a look at them here.
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Jeff Brohm, Purdue: Brohm, 47, already has the Big Ten buzzing after just one season with the Boilermakers. The former Louisville, NFL and, yes, XFL quarterback runs a fun, effective offense, and his defense last season was extremely underrated. Purdue stepped up with a nice contract extension this spring, and Brohm seems in no hurry to leave. But if Louisville somehow opens, Brohm would be the obvious choice. LSU could be another interesting spot if its quarterback woes continue.
<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>Matt Campbell, Iowa State: Campbell, 38, has quickly established himself as one of the sport's most exciting young coaches. In his second season, Iowa State beat two top-five opponents as Campbell took home Big 12 Coach of the Year honors. Campbell won't depart Ames for just any job -- there's a $7 million buyout if he leaves after the season -- but the Ohio native certainly would be in play for any top jobs in the Midwest, including Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Dave Clawson, Wake Forest: Clawson, 50, is quietly putting together a strong profile at the smallest school in the Power 5. He has guided Wake Forest to consecutive bowl appearances, which had happened before only under Jim Grobe from 2006 to 2008. Clawson doesn't fit everywhere and wouldn't leave Wake Forest for just any job, but if a higher-profile, academically oriented school needed a coach, he would be a strong candidate.
Group of 5 coaches who can move up<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>Matt Campbell, Iowa State: Campbell, 38, has quickly established himself as one of the sport's most exciting young coaches. In his second season, Iowa State beat two top-five opponents as Campbell took home Big 12 Coach of the Year honors. Campbell won't depart Ames for just any job -- there's a $7 million buyout if he leaves after the season -- but the Ohio native certainly would be in play for any top jobs in the Midwest, including Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Dave Clawson, Wake Forest: Clawson, 50, is quietly putting together a strong profile at the smallest school in the Power 5. He has guided Wake Forest to consecutive bowl appearances, which had happened before only under Jim Grobe from 2006 to 2008. Clawson doesn't fit everywhere and wouldn't leave Wake Forest for just any job, but if a higher-profile, academically oriented school needed a coach, he would be a strong candidate.
Blake Anderson, Arkansas State: I hear a lot of positive things about Anderson, 49, who boasts a 31-20 record at Arkansas State with no losing seasons. He might have landed the Baylor job if Matt Rhule wasn't interested, and likely needs to make a move soon. The three coaches who preceded him spent only one year at ASU before landing bigger gigs. Anderson has been dominant in the Sun Belt (26-6) but likely needs a nine- or 10-win season to get serious attention in the upcoming cycle.
Mike Bobo, Colorado State: We need to see more from Bobo, who has had three identical middling seasons (7-6 overall, 5-3 in Mountain West, 0-3 in bowls) since arriving at Colorado State, and is currently dealing with health issues. But it won't take much for Bobo, 44, to generate genuine momentum for Power 5 jobs, especially in the South. He's very regarded in the industry but, like Chad Morris, must show a bit more progress before making his next move.
<strike></strike>Neal Brown, Troy: Brown, 38, could become the hottest candidate in this category if he keeps his momentum from the past two seasons. He's one of seven FBS coaches and the lone Group of 5 coach to win more than 80 percent of his games the past two seasons. Brown already has a signature win at LSU, and another against Scott Frost's Nebraska team on Sept. 15 in Lincoln would bump up his stock even more. Brown could be a strong candidate for Kansas, Texas Tech or other potential openings.
Jason Candle, Toledo: Candle, 38, seems well on his way to following predecessor Campbell to a Power 5 job. Last season, he led Toledo to its first MAC championship since 2004. Candle returns another strong team and has a signature win opportunity Sept. 15 when Miami visits the Glass Bowl. He's a Midwest guy who could certainly transition to a Big Ten program (Maryland?) but also might fit well in the Big 12 or Pac-12. Like Campbell, Candle is a sharp offensive mind who comes across older than he is (in a good way).
Troy Calhoun, Air Force: Calhoun needs a bounce-back season after Air Force went 5-7 in 2017, but his overall work at his alma mater (82-60, six seasons of eight or more wins) is respected in the industry. The 51-year-old has been considered for Power 5 jobs, including Purdue multiple times. He also isn't tied to the triple option and could rely on his NFL experience for the offense at a non-academy.
Willie Fritz, Tulane: Fritz, 58, is a unique candidate who runs the zone option offense and boasts a strong reputation among coaches, administrators and search firm folks. Robbed of a bowl appearance last season, Fritz needs a strong third season at Tulane, but has won everywhere he has been. If Kansas wanted to do something truly different, Fritz could be a wise choice. He's from the state, attended college at Pittsburg State and began his coaching career at a Kansas high school.
<strike></strike>Bryan Harsin, Boise State: Harsin, 41, has had plenty of opportunities to leave his alma mater, where he's 42-12 in four seasons. He seems more than content at Boise State, which doesn't have the national profile it once did but remains a premier Group of 5 job and better than some Power 5 gigs. It would take something really good to lure Harsin away and unless there's a surprise in the Pac-12 or possibly Big 12, he'll remain on the blue turf.
Lane Kiffin, Florida Atlantic: This is the name you wanted to see, right? Kiffin, 43, has repaired much of his rep with successful stints as Alabama's offensive coordinator and now at FAU, which won a Conference USA title in his first season. Another strong, mostly drama-free campaign could make more athletic directors comfortable with Kiffin, whose play-calling acumen is unassailable. For Kiffin, it's all about increasing the comfort level of those who might hire him.
Seth Littrell, North Texas: Kiffin gets more attention, but he's not the only offensive-minded Conference USA coach on the rise. Littrell, 40, won nine games and a division title in his second season, and returns standout quarterback Mason Fine this fall. He has worked in every Power 5 league but the SEC. Littrell might be too similar to Kliff Kingsbury if Texas Tech comes open, but should be in the mix for other potential Power 5 vacancies.
Mike Norvell, Memphis: Norvell is one of the more fascinating candidates. He's young (36), successful (18-8) and runs a dynamic offense. Norvell somewhat surprisingly didn't land any of the SEC jobs in the region last year, but another strong season should give him traction. If North Carolina ends up making a change (still unlikely), Norvell would be a good fit after working with athletic director Bubba Cunningham at Tulsa.
Scott Satterfield, Appalachian State: Satterfield, 45, probably doesn't get as much attention as he should after guiding Appalachian State to 30 wins and two Sun Belt co-championships in the past three seasons. Part of his low profile stems from a genuine happiness to be coaching at his alma mater, where he has spent all but three seasons. Satterfield likely won't leave the region, but if a job like North Carolina opened up, he would be a strong candidate.
Charlie Strong, South Florida: A 10-win season and a Top 25 final ranking didn't generate much buzz for Strong last winter, but a follow-up performance should. If he can win the American without star quarterback Quinton Flowers, Strong should generate interest for Power 5 opportunities, as long as they're the right jobs. He's 58 but looks much younger, and Strong should get one more shot at a big-time program.
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Top coordinatorsMike Bobo, Colorado State: We need to see more from Bobo, who has had three identical middling seasons (7-6 overall, 5-3 in Mountain West, 0-3 in bowls) since arriving at Colorado State, and is currently dealing with health issues. But it won't take much for Bobo, 44, to generate genuine momentum for Power 5 jobs, especially in the South. He's very regarded in the industry but, like Chad Morris, must show a bit more progress before making his next move.
<strike></strike>Neal Brown, Troy: Brown, 38, could become the hottest candidate in this category if he keeps his momentum from the past two seasons. He's one of seven FBS coaches and the lone Group of 5 coach to win more than 80 percent of his games the past two seasons. Brown already has a signature win at LSU, and another against Scott Frost's Nebraska team on Sept. 15 in Lincoln would bump up his stock even more. Brown could be a strong candidate for Kansas, Texas Tech or other potential openings.
Jason Candle, Toledo: Candle, 38, seems well on his way to following predecessor Campbell to a Power 5 job. Last season, he led Toledo to its first MAC championship since 2004. Candle returns another strong team and has a signature win opportunity Sept. 15 when Miami visits the Glass Bowl. He's a Midwest guy who could certainly transition to a Big Ten program (Maryland?) but also might fit well in the Big 12 or Pac-12. Like Campbell, Candle is a sharp offensive mind who comes across older than he is (in a good way).
Troy Calhoun, Air Force: Calhoun needs a bounce-back season after Air Force went 5-7 in 2017, but his overall work at his alma mater (82-60, six seasons of eight or more wins) is respected in the industry. The 51-year-old has been considered for Power 5 jobs, including Purdue multiple times. He also isn't tied to the triple option and could rely on his NFL experience for the offense at a non-academy.
Willie Fritz, Tulane: Fritz, 58, is a unique candidate who runs the zone option offense and boasts a strong reputation among coaches, administrators and search firm folks. Robbed of a bowl appearance last season, Fritz needs a strong third season at Tulane, but has won everywhere he has been. If Kansas wanted to do something truly different, Fritz could be a wise choice. He's from the state, attended college at Pittsburg State and began his coaching career at a Kansas high school.
<strike></strike>Bryan Harsin, Boise State: Harsin, 41, has had plenty of opportunities to leave his alma mater, where he's 42-12 in four seasons. He seems more than content at Boise State, which doesn't have the national profile it once did but remains a premier Group of 5 job and better than some Power 5 gigs. It would take something really good to lure Harsin away and unless there's a surprise in the Pac-12 or possibly Big 12, he'll remain on the blue turf.
Lane Kiffin, Florida Atlantic: This is the name you wanted to see, right? Kiffin, 43, has repaired much of his rep with successful stints as Alabama's offensive coordinator and now at FAU, which won a Conference USA title in his first season. Another strong, mostly drama-free campaign could make more athletic directors comfortable with Kiffin, whose play-calling acumen is unassailable. For Kiffin, it's all about increasing the comfort level of those who might hire him.
Seth Littrell, North Texas: Kiffin gets more attention, but he's not the only offensive-minded Conference USA coach on the rise. Littrell, 40, won nine games and a division title in his second season, and returns standout quarterback Mason Fine this fall. He has worked in every Power 5 league but the SEC. Littrell might be too similar to Kliff Kingsbury if Texas Tech comes open, but should be in the mix for other potential Power 5 vacancies.
Mike Norvell, Memphis: Norvell is one of the more fascinating candidates. He's young (36), successful (18-8) and runs a dynamic offense. Norvell somewhat surprisingly didn't land any of the SEC jobs in the region last year, but another strong season should give him traction. If North Carolina ends up making a change (still unlikely), Norvell would be a good fit after working with athletic director Bubba Cunningham at Tulsa.
Scott Satterfield, Appalachian State: Satterfield, 45, probably doesn't get as much attention as he should after guiding Appalachian State to 30 wins and two Sun Belt co-championships in the past three seasons. Part of his low profile stems from a genuine happiness to be coaching at his alma mater, where he has spent all but three seasons. Satterfield likely won't leave the region, but if a job like North Carolina opened up, he would be a strong candidate.
Charlie Strong, South Florida: A 10-win season and a Top 25 final ranking didn't generate much buzz for Strong last winter, but a follow-up performance should. If he can win the American without star quarterback Quinton Flowers, Strong should generate interest for Power 5 opportunities, as long as they're the right jobs. He's 58 but looks much younger, and Strong should get one more shot at a big-time program.
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Dave Aranda, LSU: Aranda, 41, became the nation's highest-paid coordinator in January when he agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract to remain at LSU. It would take something special for him to give up such financial security, but Aranda eventually wants to lead his own program. He has West Coast ties but also has worked at Wisconsin and Houston. Aranda is introverted, which could hurt him in an interview, but brings intelligence and a steady demeanor to a program.
Beau Baldwin, Cal: The former Eastern Washington and Central Washington coach likely will be leading an FBS program in the near future. Baldwin, 46, was in the mix for both the Oregon State and Arizona jobs last season. He's fairly anchored to the West, and while the Pac-12 likely won't have many openings in this cycle, the Mountain West could.
Walt Bell, Florida State: Search firms and athletic directors are aware of Bell, a young (34), dynamic personality who begins his third coordinator stint at Florida State after escaping the mess in Maryland. If Bell can update a talent-stocked Seminoles offense, he should have some opportunities in the Group of 5, especially Conference USA and the Sun Belt but possibly the American.
<strike></strike>Ryan Day, Ohio State: Day, 39, landed the acting head coach role at Ohio State after the school placed Urban Meyer on administrative leave. Whether or not Day gets to prove himself on Saturdays this fall, he'll be at the top of the lists for upper-tier Group of 5 or some Power 5 vacancies. Anything in the Northeast would be a natural fit for Day, a New Hampshire alum who twice coached at Boston College. Consider him last year's Joe Moorhead, who went from Fordham coach to Penn State OC to now leading Mississippi State.
Manny Diaz, Miami: The Miami native is in a great situation with the hometown Hurricanes, an ascending program with a defense known nationally for the turnover chain. Diaz, 44, is an ongoing personality with the characteristics to lead his own program after successful coordinator stints at Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech and now Miami. His rough stretch at Texas (2011 to 2013) feels like a long time ago.
Eliah Drinkwitz, NC State: The 35-year-old is gaining traction with search firms and seems close to either a head-coaching position or an elite coordinator post. An Arkansas native who began his career in the state's high school ranks, Drinkwitz would be a natural fit for Arkansas State if Anderson moves on. Another strong season in Raleigh with talented quarterback Ryan Finley would further increase Drinkwitz's profile.
Mike Elko, Texas A&M: If he's not the hottest assistant coach in college football, he's in the conversation. Two years ago, Elko was a well-respected but largely anonymous defensive coordinator at Wake Forest. After reviving Notre Dame's defense, Elko, 41, is trying to elevate an underachieving group in College Station. Search firms like him and while he's not a fit everywhere, he should soon have a chance to lead a program.
Tony Elliott, Clemson: Elliott could be a head coach by now. The 38-year-old is smart and incredibly successful after taking over the Clemson offense with Jeff Scott following Chad Morris' departure. But it's going to take something special for Elliott to leave his alma mater. He seems a bit more open to marketing himself and exploring options. Although Elliott has spent his entire career in the Southeast, he would fit in almost any area.
<strike></strike>Pep Hamilton, Michigan: Hamilton is a name you hear a lot for jobs, both in college and the NFL. He needs to have a strong season as Michigan's primary offensive coordinator as the Wolverines try to get their quarterback position on track, likely with transfer Shea Patterson. Hamilton, 43, has worked with five NFL teams as well as Stanford. He could be a good fit at Maryland if the job opens.
Tony Gibson, West Virginia: Gibson quietly has done an excellent job at West Virginia since returning to the school in 2013. The clock is ticking if he wants to become a head coach, and he could parlay a potentially special season in Morgantown into an opportunity. Gibson would be a good choice for some potential openings in the MAC, American, Conference USA or Sun Belt.
Alex Grinch, Ohio State: The Buckeyes scored a major coup in getting Grinch, 38, to leave Washington State, where he was the sole coordinator, for a shared coordinator role in Columbus. He might need to spend a second season at Ohio State to generate head-coaching buzz, but he's extremely well regarded both as a tactician and leader. The nephew of former Missouri and Toledo coach Gary Pinkel has strong Midwest roots but also has worked in multiple regions. Justin Wilcox comparison.
Jimmy Lake, Washington: Despite the success of Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, I still believe defensive-oriented coaches need something extra to stand out over candidates who coach offense. Lake has those qualities. He boasts diverse experiences -- NFL and college, FCS, Group of 5 and Power 5 -- and last winter was elevated to be Washington's primary defensive coordinator after other schools came after him. The 41-year-old should be a head coach in the next two to three years.
Chip Lindsey, Auburn: When Jeremy Pruitt landed the Tennessee job only 11 years after coaching high school ball in Alabama, I immediately thought of Lindsey, an Alabama high school coach as recently as 2012. He has risen rapidly, earning offensive coordinator posts at Southern Miss, Arizona State and now Auburn. If he gets another strong season out of Jarrett Stidham and the Tigers' offense, Lindsey could be in the mix for some solid Group of 5 head-coaching jobs.
<strike></strike>Mike Locksley, Alabama: Locksley's first head-coaching stint didn't go well, to put it kindly (2-26 at New Mexico). But he has revived his career at Alabama, where he enters his first year as offensive coordinator. If he can navigate the Jalen Hurts-Tua Tagovailoa situation and help Alabama to another national title, he should boost his stock for head-coaching opportunities. Successful Alabama coordinators always move on, and Locksley, 48, could be an interesting candidate at a place such as Maryland. He knows the school and the area extremely well.
Todd Orlando, Texas: Orlando, 47, made an immediate impact on Texas' defense after successful coordinator runs at Houston and other programs. He's undoubtedly a top-five defensive coordinator and is compensated accordingly. The question around him always has been whether his personality projects as a head coach or a career coordinator. It will be interesting to see how much traction he gains this winter, especially at a spot such as Kansas, if Texas' defense continues to make strides.
Jeff Scott, Clemson: While Elliott is Clemson's primary play-caller, both he and Scott deserve credit for the offense's consistent success in the CFP era. Scott, 37, is among Clemson's top recruiters and understands what it takes to manage programs as the son of longtime college coach Brad Scott. He has spent his life in the Southeast and likely would be best suited for a program in the region. But, like Elliott, it would take a great opportunity for him to leave.
Mel Tucker, Georgia: Schools seeking a mix of NFL and top-level college program experience should look in Tucker's direction. The 46-year-old has worked at Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State and LSU, along with three NFL franchises in between. Tucker nearly landed the Tennessee vacancy last year and should be a top head-coaching candidate if Georgia continues its ascent. The Wisconsin product would fit in well in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic or Southeast.
Brent Venables, Clemson: I hesitated to even include Venables. He's a tremendous coach but seems so set at Clemson, especially after receiving a historic five-year, $11.6 million contract extension. It's unlikely the 47-year-old returns to Kansas State, his alma mater. His first head-coaching job likely would have to be a top-20 program, but if there are some surprise vacancies, especially in the Big 12 or ACC, Venables could pursue them.
Mike Yurcich, Oklahoma State: The coordinator Mike Gundy found on the internet could soon be leading his own program. Yurcich, 41, was in the mix for Kent State's coaching vacancy last winter but can aim a bit higher. Now making $800,000 annually, Yurcich can be selective but would be a good choice for upper-level Group of 5 jobs, especially in the MAC, American or Conference USA.
Others to watchBeau Baldwin, Cal: The former Eastern Washington and Central Washington coach likely will be leading an FBS program in the near future. Baldwin, 46, was in the mix for both the Oregon State and Arizona jobs last season. He's fairly anchored to the West, and while the Pac-12 likely won't have many openings in this cycle, the Mountain West could.
Walt Bell, Florida State: Search firms and athletic directors are aware of Bell, a young (34), dynamic personality who begins his third coordinator stint at Florida State after escaping the mess in Maryland. If Bell can update a talent-stocked Seminoles offense, he should have some opportunities in the Group of 5, especially Conference USA and the Sun Belt but possibly the American.
<strike></strike>Ryan Day, Ohio State: Day, 39, landed the acting head coach role at Ohio State after the school placed Urban Meyer on administrative leave. Whether or not Day gets to prove himself on Saturdays this fall, he'll be at the top of the lists for upper-tier Group of 5 or some Power 5 vacancies. Anything in the Northeast would be a natural fit for Day, a New Hampshire alum who twice coached at Boston College. Consider him last year's Joe Moorhead, who went from Fordham coach to Penn State OC to now leading Mississippi State.
Manny Diaz, Miami: The Miami native is in a great situation with the hometown Hurricanes, an ascending program with a defense known nationally for the turnover chain. Diaz, 44, is an ongoing personality with the characteristics to lead his own program after successful coordinator stints at Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech and now Miami. His rough stretch at Texas (2011 to 2013) feels like a long time ago.
Eliah Drinkwitz, NC State: The 35-year-old is gaining traction with search firms and seems close to either a head-coaching position or an elite coordinator post. An Arkansas native who began his career in the state's high school ranks, Drinkwitz would be a natural fit for Arkansas State if Anderson moves on. Another strong season in Raleigh with talented quarterback Ryan Finley would further increase Drinkwitz's profile.
Mike Elko, Texas A&M: If he's not the hottest assistant coach in college football, he's in the conversation. Two years ago, Elko was a well-respected but largely anonymous defensive coordinator at Wake Forest. After reviving Notre Dame's defense, Elko, 41, is trying to elevate an underachieving group in College Station. Search firms like him and while he's not a fit everywhere, he should soon have a chance to lead a program.
Tony Elliott, Clemson: Elliott could be a head coach by now. The 38-year-old is smart and incredibly successful after taking over the Clemson offense with Jeff Scott following Chad Morris' departure. But it's going to take something special for Elliott to leave his alma mater. He seems a bit more open to marketing himself and exploring options. Although Elliott has spent his entire career in the Southeast, he would fit in almost any area.
<strike></strike>Pep Hamilton, Michigan: Hamilton is a name you hear a lot for jobs, both in college and the NFL. He needs to have a strong season as Michigan's primary offensive coordinator as the Wolverines try to get their quarterback position on track, likely with transfer Shea Patterson. Hamilton, 43, has worked with five NFL teams as well as Stanford. He could be a good fit at Maryland if the job opens.
Tony Gibson, West Virginia: Gibson quietly has done an excellent job at West Virginia since returning to the school in 2013. The clock is ticking if he wants to become a head coach, and he could parlay a potentially special season in Morgantown into an opportunity. Gibson would be a good choice for some potential openings in the MAC, American, Conference USA or Sun Belt.
Alex Grinch, Ohio State: The Buckeyes scored a major coup in getting Grinch, 38, to leave Washington State, where he was the sole coordinator, for a shared coordinator role in Columbus. He might need to spend a second season at Ohio State to generate head-coaching buzz, but he's extremely well regarded both as a tactician and leader. The nephew of former Missouri and Toledo coach Gary Pinkel has strong Midwest roots but also has worked in multiple regions. Justin Wilcox comparison.
Jimmy Lake, Washington: Despite the success of Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, I still believe defensive-oriented coaches need something extra to stand out over candidates who coach offense. Lake has those qualities. He boasts diverse experiences -- NFL and college, FCS, Group of 5 and Power 5 -- and last winter was elevated to be Washington's primary defensive coordinator after other schools came after him. The 41-year-old should be a head coach in the next two to three years.
Chip Lindsey, Auburn: When Jeremy Pruitt landed the Tennessee job only 11 years after coaching high school ball in Alabama, I immediately thought of Lindsey, an Alabama high school coach as recently as 2012. He has risen rapidly, earning offensive coordinator posts at Southern Miss, Arizona State and now Auburn. If he gets another strong season out of Jarrett Stidham and the Tigers' offense, Lindsey could be in the mix for some solid Group of 5 head-coaching jobs.
<strike></strike>Mike Locksley, Alabama: Locksley's first head-coaching stint didn't go well, to put it kindly (2-26 at New Mexico). But he has revived his career at Alabama, where he enters his first year as offensive coordinator. If he can navigate the Jalen Hurts-Tua Tagovailoa situation and help Alabama to another national title, he should boost his stock for head-coaching opportunities. Successful Alabama coordinators always move on, and Locksley, 48, could be an interesting candidate at a place such as Maryland. He knows the school and the area extremely well.
Todd Orlando, Texas: Orlando, 47, made an immediate impact on Texas' defense after successful coordinator runs at Houston and other programs. He's undoubtedly a top-five defensive coordinator and is compensated accordingly. The question around him always has been whether his personality projects as a head coach or a career coordinator. It will be interesting to see how much traction he gains this winter, especially at a spot such as Kansas, if Texas' defense continues to make strides.
Jeff Scott, Clemson: While Elliott is Clemson's primary play-caller, both he and Scott deserve credit for the offense's consistent success in the CFP era. Scott, 37, is among Clemson's top recruiters and understands what it takes to manage programs as the son of longtime college coach Brad Scott. He has spent his life in the Southeast and likely would be best suited for a program in the region. But, like Elliott, it would take a great opportunity for him to leave.
Mel Tucker, Georgia: Schools seeking a mix of NFL and top-level college program experience should look in Tucker's direction. The 46-year-old has worked at Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State and LSU, along with three NFL franchises in between. Tucker nearly landed the Tennessee vacancy last year and should be a top head-coaching candidate if Georgia continues its ascent. The Wisconsin product would fit in well in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic or Southeast.
Brent Venables, Clemson: I hesitated to even include Venables. He's a tremendous coach but seems so set at Clemson, especially after receiving a historic five-year, $11.6 million contract extension. It's unlikely the 47-year-old returns to Kansas State, his alma mater. His first head-coaching job likely would have to be a top-20 program, but if there are some surprise vacancies, especially in the Big 12 or ACC, Venables could pursue them.
Mike Yurcich, Oklahoma State: The coordinator Mike Gundy found on the internet could soon be leading his own program. Yurcich, 41, was in the mix for Kent State's coaching vacancy last winter but can aim a bit higher. Now making $800,000 annually, Yurcich can be selective but would be a good choice for upper-level Group of 5 jobs, especially in the MAC, American or Conference USA.
Bret Bielema, New England Patriots: Selfishly, college football would be better with Bielema back, but we'll see what his future holds. The 48-year-old former Wisconsin and Arkansas coach landed a consulting role with the New England Patriots. Bielema always has had interest in the NFL and may prefer the lifestyle of the pro ranks. But his success at Wisconsin (68-24, three Big Ten titles) cannot be ignored for Power 5 programs looking for an experienced coach.
Jedd Fisch, Los Angeles Rams: Fisch is a coaching journeyman -- the Rams are his eighth college or pro team in the past decade -- but he remains well regarded in the industry. His schematic profile and work with different quarterbacks and coaches make him an intriguing candidate. Fisch, 42, also has worked just about everywhere so he wouldn't be tied to a certain league or region.
<strike></strike>Todd Graham:
<strike></strike><strike></strike><strike></strike><strike></strike><strike></strike><strike></strike><strike></strike><strike></strike><strike></strike>Jedd Fisch, Los Angeles Rams: Fisch is a coaching journeyman -- the Rams are his eighth college or pro team in the past decade -- but he remains well regarded in the industry. His schematic profile and work with different quarterbacks and coaches make him an intriguing candidate. Fisch, 42, also has worked just about everywhere so he wouldn't be tied to a certain league or region.
<strike></strike>Todd Graham:
Graham may never win popularity contests, but he wins games. The 53-year-old is 95-61 overall at four FBS programs with just two losing regular seasons out of 12. He also has a strong track record of hiring assistants. Graham is looking for work and might not be a fit everywhere, but if Texas Tech makes a change, he would make sense. He has strong Texas ties, and while he has a defensive background, he's open to exciting offenses that could resonate with Red Raiders fans.
Will Healy, Austin Peay: Healy's work in turning around FCS Austin Peay is getting noticed at the higher levels of college football. He was in the mix for South Alabama's vacancy last year. If he delivers another strong season with the Governors, his profile will continue to grow. The 33-year-old could be a bold choice for a Conference USA or Sun Belt team looking for a jolt in energy.
Chris Klieman, North Dakota State: We've seen Group of 5 teams hire successful head coaches from lower levels. Wyoming hired Craig Bohl, Klieman's predecessor with North Dakota State. Buffalo picked Lance Leipold, who went 109-6 at Wisconsin-Whitewater with six Division III national titles. Klieman is 54-6 with three FCS national titles. The 50-year-old could be a smart choice, especially for programs in the Midwest.
Danny Rocco, Delaware: Rocco is an intriguing name in the industry after successful runs at both Liberty and Richmond. He may need a big year at Delaware to get on the radar for FBS coaching vacancies, but a 97-46 record as a head coach, combined with NFL and Power 5 assistant experience, makes him a worthy candidate. Rocco is older at 58 but could provide stability for a reeling program.
Will Healy, Austin Peay: Healy's work in turning around FCS Austin Peay is getting noticed at the higher levels of college football. He was in the mix for South Alabama's vacancy last year. If he delivers another strong season with the Governors, his profile will continue to grow. The 33-year-old could be a bold choice for a Conference USA or Sun Belt team looking for a jolt in energy.
Chris Klieman, North Dakota State: We've seen Group of 5 teams hire successful head coaches from lower levels. Wyoming hired Craig Bohl, Klieman's predecessor with North Dakota State. Buffalo picked Lance Leipold, who went 109-6 at Wisconsin-Whitewater with six Division III national titles. Klieman is 54-6 with three FCS national titles. The 50-year-old could be a smart choice, especially for programs in the Midwest.
Danny Rocco, Delaware: Rocco is an intriguing name in the industry after successful runs at both Liberty and Richmond. He may need a big year at Delaware to get on the radar for FBS coaching vacancies, but a 97-46 record as a head coach, combined with NFL and Power 5 assistant experience, makes him a worthy candidate. Rocco is older at 58 but could provide stability for a reeling program.
