It's that time of year once again when coaches are fired and hired, and openings at colleges all around the country are in need of new blood and direction to right their football programs. Let's take a look at which jobs are open, which are likely to open, and who the candidates may be moving forward...
Tulsa
This job is not yet open, so there has not been a ton of chatter about who may replace Bill Blankenship just yet. Of course anyone being mentioned is pure conjecture, and I can tell you that one name on this list not likely to be the next coach is Chad Morris. He likely will hold out for a better job than this. Josh Heupel is a name that is being bandied about, so stay tuned.
SMU
Speaking of Heupel, his name has been attached to this job as well. Of course we all heard the Mack Brown speculation, but that is all pure crap. do not expect that to happen. Texas A&M OC Jake Spavital has also been mentioned as a replacement here, but don't count out current A&M DC Mark Snyder, a former head coach at Marshall.
Indiana
This job is not yet open, but is largely thought to be opening at any time. Kevin Wilson has largely flopped in Bloomington after much hype. It is not thought that IU will go with another coordinator type hire as they did with Wilson. Look for Bowling Green's Dino Babers, Northern Illinois' Rod Carey, Toledo's Matt Campbell, and Western Michigan's PJ Fleck to all head the list.
Hawaii
June jones is the only name mentioned at UH if Norm Chow is shown the door, which appears likely. UH is need of a major buzz inducing splash, and bringing back Jones is likely the move that would make sense. With Hawaii in trouble, and dropping football on the table, it would be highly impossible to attract another quality coach.
UNLV
Hauck is still in charge, but for how much longer? It looks dire for Hauck in Vegas, and the media has been dumping all over the program. This job, like Hawaii, is another low return job that is likely a stepping stone at best. Fan apathy, community apathy, and not so great facilities are all issues that plague UNLV football. UCLA OC Noel Mazzone and Colorado Mines Coach Bob Stitt should top the list, however, if Air Force loses Troy Calhoun to, say Virginia, they would likely target Stitt as well, even though his offensive philosophy doesn't necessarily match up.
Florida
The list is endless and ridiculous at times in Gainesville. Every day that you roll out of bed, five more candidates present themselves by way of the rumor storm. Here's what I can tell you from experience speaking. Dan Mullen is out. Spurrier is out. Bob Stoops is highly unlikely. Now we can get down to business as to what reality is for the Gators. First of all, money isn't really a problem. That does not mean that the Gators have to spend a ton to get a great coach.
I feel that the best candidate here is Marshall Coach Doc Holliday. He has won ten or more games in two consecutive seasons with the Herd, and has Marshall undefeated this season. He has an offensive acumen (what they are looking for), and a connection to the Gators (worked under Urban Meyer).
There are several strong candidates for this job, but you can throw defensive specialists out the window, because that is not what Florida needs, so no Kirby Smart references here. If Florida goes the assistant route, look for Chad Morris to get a call, but I think that the Gators want a proven head coach and winner. UL-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth should get a look, but is he big enough? Same goes for Georgia Southern's Willie Fritz. Both are solid coaches who can win anywhere.
My money is still on Holliday.
Troy
This is a very good mid major job that many candidates will look into. I feel the best guy for the job right now is in state, and is working in the face of impossible obstacles, and that is UAB's Bill Clark. It is only a matter of time before UAB drops football. That is abundantly clear. Clark will not be able to recruit in the face of that, so now is the time to jump, even if he has only been at UAB for a season. Clark is a proven winner, and had success at Jacksonville State before getting UAB inexplicably close to a bowl this season. Troy will have endless names line dup here, but Clark is the only name that they should seriously consider.
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