Here are our coaching search updates for a Monday night...
Colorado State
Still no official word, and there likely will not be one until after the Las Vegas bowl as to who will officially replace Jim McElwain. Samrt money is on OC and interim coach David Baldwin. There are other candidates who's names have been floated.
Notre Dame RB Coach Tony Alford is a former Rams RB, and would love a shot to be the head guy back home. Same could be said for Mississippi State Co-OC Billy Gonzalez, a former Rams WR who is credited with working with Dak Prescott. Ohio State OC Tom Herman has a background in both Texas and California, and would work well in recruiting. Brady Hoke could head back to the Mountain West where he had solid success at San Diego State. Other names include Alabama OC Lane Kiffin, Auburn OC Rhett Lashlee, Oregon WR coach Matt Lubick, Arizona State OC Mike Norvell, Ed Orgeron, Seattle ST Coach Brian Schneider, Colorado mines coach Bob Stitt, and CSU-Mesa coach John Wristen.
With all of those parties interested in the job, my money stays on Baldwin for continuity.
Houston
Tony Levine was officially fired today, so the candidate lists have not come flying officially yet, but one name that has jumped early on is Baylor OC Phil Montgomery, a rising star in the assistant ranks, and a man many believe could bring Houston back to offensive prominence. Baylor coach Art Briles can tutor him on the UH culture, and he would be a solid fit from day one.
Also look at David Meacham, who just pulled his name from the Tulsa job. Many believe he did that because he knew Houston was opening, and he seems to be a better fit there. Look for both of these coaches to get long looks, and also look for Arizona State's Mike Norvell to get a look as well.
Michigan
Still no further word tonight on any major moves at Michigan. The locals must give up on the Harbaugh pipe dream at this point. He's not coming, and the hopes of luring him are gumming up the search now. It's not healthy. There is a serious breakdown at the executive level. This is what happens when you allow an interim AD to make decisions, and his staff does not have that same tag. There is a serious power play between Jim Hackett and Assistant AD Mike DeBord going on, and the process is split around them.
Oregon State
All is quiet in Corvallis tonight, with no new news available at this hour. The candidate pool remains largely the same as it has all weekend. one name that has come up that I will immediately dismiss is Oregon OC Scott Frost. He is not jumping to the other side of the Civil War. Not in this lifetime.
Eastern Washington coach Beau Baldwin is an early favorite, and is joined by Fresno State's Tim DeRuyter, Ohio State OC Tom Herman, Brady Hoke, BYU Coach Bronco Mendenhall, Arizona State OC Mike Norvell, Colorado Mines Bob Stitt, Utah state HC Matt Wells, USC DC Justin Wilcox, and PAC-12 commentator Rick Neuheisel. Jeff Tedford tossed his name in the pool today, and Cal OC Tony Franklin could still be in play.
Tulsa
As mentioned earlier, TCU OC Doug Meacham is out of the running. I expect Mike Norvell to get a long look here because of Todd Graham's history at Tulsa. Josh Heupel will also get huge consideration, as will Baylor OC Montgomery. Of course, Montgomery could be holding out for Houston. Houston Nutt could also be an option here.
UNLV
At this late hour in Las Vegas, Bishop Gorman HC Tony Sanchez is finalizing his deal to become the head Coach at UNLV. This has largely been thought to be the guy, but late candidacies came in supporting June Jones and Jim Fassel. That will not be the case, as UNLV will try the high school route, which rarely ever works (Gus Malzahn excluded).
FCS News
Columbia
Pete Mangurian is gone after three short seasons. There is virtually no news out of NYC on this job, and Columbia has a history of locking up tight when it comes to news about coaching searches. If news leaks, they leak it themselves.
Alabama State
Antonio Bradford is the interim coach after ASU fired Reggie Barlow in strange fashion. Bradford may coach the Hornets into the regular season in 2015.
Florida A&M
Corey Fuller is the interim coach for now, and no major moves have been made to replace him. Bradford took over for fired coach Earl Holmes.
Missouri State
Terry Allen was not extended, and so the Bears are looking. Once again, news on this job is scarce at this hour, with no serious candidates in public play.
Norfolk State
Pete Adrian retired, and it looks most likely that Norfolk State will promote from within the staff.
Portland State
The school let go of Nigel Burton, and is also seeking a new AD, so it was announced today that PSU will keep interim coach Bruce Barnum through the 2015 season.
Prairie View A&M
Heishman Northern has been let go, and there is little news here. Look for this to be one of the last jobs filled on the Carousel. Northern has landed at Texas Southern as OC.
Samford
Pat Sullivan resigned due to health concerns, and will chair a search committee to replace himself. One name of serious mention is Bill Clark, late of UAB fame. With UAB no longer playing football, Clark would be a perfect fit based on his success at Jacksonville State, another Alabama FCS school.
VMI
News out of Lexington today has Chattanooga OC Jeff Durden likely becoming the next head coach at VMI. Durden is still coaching the Mocs in the FCS playoffs, so look for this announcement to come once Chattanooga has won the title or has been eliminated.
Youngstown State
No changes here, but one name that has surfaced likely will not be the guy, and that is Bo Pelini. His name surfaced today, and was shot down by a number of people nationally. This could be a great bounce back gig, however.
More from "As the Carousel Turns" on Tuesday night!
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