More new news today...let's get right to it...
Oregon
A report this evening has stated that USF coach Willie Taggert is a strong candidate with the Ducks. Taggert has been a builder and winner at his two head coaching stops, at Western Kentucky, and now with the USF Bulls in Tampa. Taggert is one of my favorite coaches in the game right now, and He is deserving of a big Power 5 opportunity. As I have stated many times, on another front, Chip Kelly is absolutely not going to walk through the Oregon door again. Once again today, he fully shot down any rumors of his return, as he has been doing for weeks now. Jim McElwain of Florida denied any rumors of his involvement with Oregon at this time, and has stated that he has not had contact with anyone from the Ducks. Bryan Harsin of Boise state is also a strong candidate, but many in the fan base do not want him at this time. CBS is reporting that other candidates could include Mike MacIntyre of Colorado, Larry Fedora of North Carolina, PJ Fleck of Western Michigan, Dan Mullen of Mississippi State, and others who I have already mentioned. Another name thrown in the mix by USA Today is West Virginia Coach Dana Holgorsen. SI adds Phillip Montgomery of Tulsa and Kyle Whittingham of Utah to the list. We are certain to get a lot of smoke on this job opening, but if I had a gun to my head and had to pick, I would name Willie Taggert, PJ Fleck, Dana Holgorsen, and Phillip Montgomery as my final four on this list. We should see some major movement in Eugene by the end of this coming weekend.
Colorado
Mike MacIntyre is a great coach, and a very good guy. Out of the many coaches I have met over the years, he is one of the classiest people that I have ever met in the business. His football philosophy and IQ are through the roof. That is why I pull for his success wherever he goes. For a guy who was about to be fired at Colorado early this year, he has gone all the way to the pinnacle of his profession, where every job that opens has his name attached to it. I have reached out to sources in the last 24 hours about Mac and if there is anything to be taken about any rumors that are circling him at this time. The word I received on average was that he has not been looking to leave Boulder. He is more likely to take a contract extension there, which is currently being worked out. Colorado is likely to seriously pay Mac to stay at this point, so there may be no need to worry about him leaving if you are a Buffs fan. His name is attached to almost every major job open at this time, which is a compliment to him, but right now, odds are in favor of him signing an extension, and staying with the Buffs for the foreseeable future.
Houston
The Cougar administration is looking to make a move very quickly according to Tilman Fertitta. There are 5 or 6 current candidates to select from, and the Cougars would like to pick one of them by next week sometime. My best bets are on either Todd Orlando or Major Applewhite being elevated to the position, however Dana Holgorsen, Les Miles, and even Art Briles are on the list at this time. Of course, Briles comes with some serious issues, so take that one with a grain of salt.
SMU
Chad Morris is officially out of the Baylor race, as he has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Mustangs through 2023. The buyout is lofty, although a number is not out there, so consider him to be around in Dallas for a bit. As I said the other day, Morris overshot what he was asking Baylor for, and they moved on, but his name was going to be out there again, so the Mustangs locked him up.
San Jose State
Pete Kwiatkowski is not a candidate at this time, according to sources. I had brought his name up as a possible candidate. and he was interested, but he would end up likely taking a pay cut to become the coach of the Spartans. Look for a lower level assistant or a successful FCS coach to take the reins there at this point. Former SJSU player Marcus Arroyo, the current Oklahoma State RB coach is a strong candidate.
Nevada
The Wolfpack are in the same boat as San Jose State. They do not have enough money to lure Kwiatkowski, and according to Brian Polian, who just parted ways, there is a lack of financial commitment to the football program in Reno. UCLA QB Coach Marques Tuiasosopo has reached out and shown interest in the job. Louisville OC Chris Klanakis, who was a finalist when Polian was hired, is not a candidate this time around as had been previously reported by various outlets.
Georgia State
No interviews have taken place as of yet, which is surprising given how long the post has been open. The salary range is in the mid $500,000 area, so count out anyone making more than that where they are currently.
More news as it becomes available!
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