Now that Chip Kelly is the official head football coach at UCLA, we now can turn all eyes on the other jobs that are open, both major and minor, across the country. Here is the latest:
UCLA: As I had been reporting all week, Kelly is indeed the new head football coach at UCLA, and it happened in the timeline in which I projected that it would. An announcement came early this morning (Saturday) on ESPN Gameday, and ESPN later announced that Kelly would not be making his weekly gig at ESPN 2. Shortly thereafter, AD Dan Guerrero made a statement confirming the hire. A presser will be held on Monday to make the official introduction.
Tennessee: There are three major candidates for the job currently. Greg Schiano of Ohio State, Dan Mullen of Mississippi State, and Mike Leach of Tennessee are now the three seeming finalists for the job. Scott Frost is not being mentioned as a candidate here at this time.
Mullen flew to Knoxville for meetings in the last 24 hours, and they have been in touch with Schiano as well. Leach's communication level is unkonw at this hour, but it has been stated through sources that if offered, he'd likely take the job and leave Pullman.
Washington State: One major fallback plan for Washington State if Mike Leach does leave is that DC Alex Grinch could be promoted to head coach. This situation is incredibly fluid as of this hour.
Oregon State: Beau Baldwin will be officially announced on Monday or Tuesday as the next head coach of the Beavers. His season wrapped as California OC last night in a loss to UCLA. Baldwin was a highly successful coach at Eastern Washington, but that move has not worked very well in the past (see Paul Wulff, Washington State).
Florida: Scott Frost is the front runner for the Gators now that Chip Kelly has spurned their advances. That said, it is no guarantee at this hour that Frost is taking this job. If he does not want the job, the Gators need to know now, as target number two, Dan Mullen, is heavily in play at Tennessee. Charlie Strong has some support from folks inside the administration as well.
Nebraska: At this point it's Scott Frost, Matt Campbell, or bust. Due to the intrusive nature between the boosters and fans with head coaches at Nebraska, this is a tough job to sell, and it has to go to the right candidate. Chip Kelly never would have worked, and Mike Leach would have imploded that relationship very easily. This job is all about fit, and will be a tough sell moving forward if they whiff on both candidates.
Ole Miss: This job has the least amount of buzz of the Power 5 gigs because of the black cloud hanging over it with the NCAA. What Ole Miss is seeking now is a program builder. Willie Taggart has already turned them down, and is a premier program builder. Focusing on Neal Brown of Troy next may make the most sense here.
Arkansas: This job has been open for about 24 hours now, and still, there is much talk of Gus Malzahn bolting for the Hogs. Now that Auburn has beaten Alabama today, that seems less likely now, especially if Auburn beats Georgia again in the SEC East title game next week. Charlie Strong could get play here, as could Willie Taggart and Matt Campbell. Remember that Campbell was on staff when Toledo defeated Arkansas a few years back.
Georgia Southern: The Eagles really want to get a deal done shortly, and may not wish to wait for Army OC Brent Price much longer. A new name that has popped up here is James Madison head coach Mike Houston, as well as USC OC Tee Martin, who would love to return to the South.
South Alabama: There has not been a ton of buzz in Mobile around the USA job, but the top candidate here should be John Grass of Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks are currently in the FCS playoffs, so they would have to wait out that run for those talks to take place.
Kent State: Paul Haynes is finally gone. There is literally zero buzz here, so as soon as I start to hear something about this, I will report it.
UTEP: This job still seems to be centering on Phil Long of Ole Miss and KC Keeler of Sam Houston State. More as I hear it.
Rice: David Bailiff has a meeting with the AD tomorrow, and it is expected that he will not be retained with the Owls.
Charlotte: Brad Lambert will be back for the 2018 season.
Texas Tech: Kliff Kingsbury will be back at Texas Tech in 2018.
Texas A&M: The Jimbo Fisher odds are very small, as Florida State has committed to do whatever they need to retain him.
Florida State: I don't see Jimbo going anywhere, but if he does, look for a full court press on Justin Fuente of Virginia Tech.
Montana: The Griz are expected to make a major play for former head coach and current San Diego State ST coach Bobby Hauck. The interest is highly mutual, and this could get done quickly now that San Diego State will not be playing in the Mountain West title game.
Stay tuned...more as we here it!
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