Fleck has since elevated Minnesota to a level of competition that no one would have thought possible. How could it not? Instead he kept the team competitive when it could have easily imploded. He built USF into a serious challenger despite its perennial underdog status. There is some question whether he has the temperament to lead a program. That would not be the case at Nebraska. Arandas second season as a head coach was a surprise breakout, where the Bears won 12 games and upset Oklahoma State in the conference championship. Closing Comment: Mullen isnt coaching anywhere right now, so hed be available. A steady decline in play resulted in losses piling up and he got the boot. The Redhawks were a complete tire fire when he took over, and hes made them relatively competitive in the MAC, which always seems like auditioning grounds for Big Ten jobs. Barring a stunning breakthrough this season, hes just about reached the end of his rope and is likely to return to the field of college coaching. He has shepherded locker rooms accustomed to winning championships each season. How would he jive culturally? It would all be judged on his staff. Candles Rockets have seen no drop off and remain one of the MACs better teams every year. Anytime you nab a successful head coach from the SEC, its going to create buzz. He also would not be completely new to the Big Ten and might be more prepared in his second go-round. Native son Scott Frost was fired Sunday having gone 16-31 three games into his fifth season. The head coach of Eastern Michigan has a long tenure of getting the most out of teams and programs with very little. He severely clashed with the athletic department and school officials, who were apparently looking for a reason to get rid of him. Nebraskas top three candidates for the open coaching job are Iowa States Matt Campbell, Kansas coach Lance Leipold and Alabama offensive coordinator Texas snatched him up two years later, hoping for a return to greatness. How realistic are they? You probably have an opinion on this person. Why It Might Work: Moorhead was an outstanding offensive mind at Penn State and the job he did there was the key in elevating the Nittany Lions to the next level. Why It Might Not: Taggart was presumably given every help and benefit at Florida State and his failure there was not just the result of impatient boosters. February 26, 2023 4:11 pm ET. Would he succeed in a Midwest spot? Meanwhile, a once-proud program suffers. Frost tried everything: changing coaches, changing approaches. Kansas was willing to take a chance, and it very much felt like throwing anything at a wall to see what sticks. And even though hes now saddled with one of college footballs toughest projects at Kansas, many believe he has the Jayhawks headed in the right direction. The next hire must hit because the hamster wheel of coaches since Osborne is worn and rusted. Why It Might Not: Fit and longevity. Hes a Husker and currently serving as interim coach. But at this point he seems set on staying in Florida. Why It Might Not: Setting aside the baggage that Malzahn allegedly would bring with a reportedly outspoken wife who creates drama, this guy seems entrenched in the deep South. For this list Im mostly focusing on guys with at least some head coaching experiencemany current, some former. He knows exactly the caliber of players the NFL wants, and flashing a Super Bowl ring might be enticing to recruits, too. It took some convincing to get Kentuckys athletic dept. An Air Force grad who is coaching Air Force, Calhoun is in his 16th season there and has a record of 111-75 after 15 of them. Some argue that he was the one who built that program into what it is todaywinning 3 FCS national championships while he was there, and posting a record of 104-32. Make no mistake: if Nebraska were to pull this off, it would be utterly stunning. It would be fascinating, though. He got all that and then some at USF, and good lord, what a disaster. He is obsessed with winning and is known for relentless coaching, sometimes to unhealthy levels. Nebraska football coaching hot board: 21 candidates for the job Jimmy Watkins , Evan Bland , Sam McKewon , Luke Mullin Sep 12, 2022 Updated Sep 26, 2022 0 The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. Closing Comment: You cant deny that youd be at least a little excited by this. To no ones surprise, hes doing well as Alabama OC and can now boast having coached a Heisman-trophy winner. Five Heart Podcast 318: Nebraska Basketball, Spring Game Attendance and a new Memorial Stadium? Closing Comment: Nebraska would certainly tell everyone where they stand in the Big Ten pecking order by poaching the dynamic head coach of a division rival, who also happens to be one of the best recruiters in the conference. He hasnt interviewed for any vacancies since his retirement. An understated, under-the-radar coach who seems to do more with less? Hes nuts. Desperation seems to find guys like Meyer whose winning percentage has to be ultimately balanced against off-field issues. Thanks to his time as an assistant at Navy and Paul Johnsons Georgia Tech, he is also one of the most well-versed coaches in the triple-optionone of the toughest schemes to prepare for. His best season was 2016 when he went 12-2 and lost to Georgia in the CFP. Curriculum development and delivery of adult education courses. Matt Campbell, Iowa State coach: Several sources have told CBS Sports that Campbell is interested in Nebraska. He also beat Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. If you wanted to replicate Wisconsin at Nebraska, you couldnt do much better than this guy. Closing Comment: Given the state of Pittsburghs and Nebraskas programs, some might consider this a lateral move. He is 1-5 in the Cy-Hawk trophy game, leading many to question his ability to handle the defense-heavy Big Ten. If Nebraska were to target him, the thinking would be that they want to get a guy before he breaks out. Coach The state of Colorado isnt that far from Nebraska. Klieman appears to lack key knowledge of the Big Ten, and the Big 12 isnt great to prepare you for that. Obviously he wasnt ready for the big job in Austin, but maybe Nebraska might be a better fit. Hes an Ohio guy who loves Ohio. He also refuses to wear red. He was a part of the Minnesota breakthrough in 2016 that set the runway for P.J. FCS coaches, even the ones with championships, are always a gamble. He retired suddenly after a disappointing 8-5 record in 2019 and hasnt sought any coaching opportunities since. And if he does, would he stick around? Why It Might Work: Stoops had a fantastic record at Oklahoma and set the program up for long term success. Why It Might Work: Hes still young at 47, and its not like his career has been a complete failure. Why It Might Work: It only took Urban Meyer two seasons to coach Utah to an undefeated season. Closing Comment: Its a risk. Why It Might Not: On the flip side, maybe hes stayed at the same place for eight years because his phone isnt exactly ringing off the hook. Closing Comment: So Im skeptical about this. Nothing worked to the point Georgia Southern sealed the deal Saturday night by gaining 642 yards in hallowed Memorial Stadium where Heisman Trophy winners and national champions used to dwell. The Huskers have added 39 new scholarship players via the transfer portal and the 2023 recruiting class. You cant find a more aggressive, out-of-his-mind competitor beyond him other than possibly Jim Harbaugh. Closing Comment: Les Miles may have been interesting as a replacement to Mike Riley or Bo Pelini, but that window has long since closed. Nebraska's coaching search entered its second week with three candidates have reportedly pushed to the front of the Huskers' crosshairs, sparking media reaction on the possibilities. (Consider this: How many guys with statues on campus are firedduring the season?) And dont forget, hes built a program from scratch. Regionally, itd be a good fit. He might be all flash. Also, reportedly, he has a bit of a temper. Aranda probably wont be coming into the Big Ten with the same level of naive arrogance, shooting off his mouth about how the conference should adjust to him. Stoops may be even better than that without the baggage. Why It Might Work: Mullen was the toast of college football after what he did in Starkville, Mississippi. He didnt, but a lot of that was because he didnt have internal support. Meyer, a three-time national championship coach at Florida and Ohio State, was responsible for hiring OSU assistantZach Smith, whose wife accused him of abuse. The guy everyone wanted once upon a time? Hes the former head coach of the Florida Gators and, before that, the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Nebraska His heyday at North Dakota State is tough to overlook, and his ties to Nebraska are very appealing. As much as his teams have over-performed, they have also under-performed. Scott Frost pulled him from LSU to coach wide receivers and almost everyone in the fan base loves him. According to one report, a former FBS head coach and long-time defensive coordinator will be joining the Tigers for the 2023 season. He modernized Penn States offense and recruited at a high level despite limitations. The meltdown in Minneapolis would be legendary. He was the DC at Wisconsin and LSU and is now coaching the Baylor Bears. Recall that he inexplicably lost to a bad Bowling Green team in 2021, in a season when Minnesota finished 9-4. How committed would he be to staying at Nebraska long term if things started to work out? Nebraska would be a decidedly new horizon. If you look deeper than his 47-42 record, you see a program builder. Second tier is "May Generate Excitement." Closing Comment: It would be interesting to see Hoke roam the sidelines in Lincoln, and he would almost certainly do a better job than Scott Frost, but there isnt much he can provide in the long term. Why It Might Work: Muschamp, now 51, was once one of the most sought-after coaching candidates, briefly considered the head-coach-in-waiting to Mack Brown at Texas before he took the Florida job to replace Urban Meyer. NC States current head coach was formerly Wisconsins DC and crashed the BCS party in his second year as a head coach at Northern Illinois in 2012, when they went 12-2. His time in Ann Arbor was one catastrophe after another, and the mistakes he made set the program back significantly. He was reportedly Michigans second choice if they didnt land Harbaugh in 2014. Buy Colts Tickets. Maybe hes learned a lot and would want to take a crack at it again, in the Big Ten? Air Force has been up and down but theyre generally solid. Patterson knows Nebraska and its culture; he would come out of the box blazing on the recruiting trail. How would the fan base react? Lindsay Whalen, Ben Johnson and the emotional toll of coaching A week ago, Whalen was sounding optimistic about the future while Johnson was about as low as he could get. Why It Might Work: He's got an impressive record, and to have the country talking about Coastal Carolina when most people have never even heard of them is quite an accomplishment. Why It Might Not: Theres not a lot to knock, but theres not a lot to get excited about, either. Why It Might Work: At every stop, Creighton has left the place better than hes found it. He is .500 in bowl games and has an overall record of 135-81, marking a solid resume for any head coach. He's 45 and very much seems primed for a jump. This isnt a Harbaugh-and-49ers situation, where the coach and ownership are on rocky terms. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Why It Might Not: Despite the love for Mickey Joseph, which is understandable, hes light on head coaching experiencehe led Langston University, an HBCU, for two seasons from 2011-2012, with a record of 13-7. Speech Language Pathologist (2023-24) - linkedin.com Seems entrenched in Texas. Why It Might Work: The jobs he did at Temple and Baylor were nothing short of spectacular. Candidates. Nebraska football has received three crystal balls total for Raiola, but Wiltfong, the lead expert for 247 sports, still has his crystal ball on Georgia. Like many coaches of SEC blue bloods, he got run out of town when the results started to taper off. He had an outstanding first season, going 11-2 with a BCS bowl victory. Closing Comment: This is who you hire if you want championships. Why It Might Not: Urban Meyer is weird. Why It Might Work: Absolutely no one expected UTSA to go 12-2, but the fact that the Roadrunners did has to count for something. He might be better suited for a rebuild situation where he has time to work out the kinks. Hed demand a hefty price and it seems highly unlikely that this marriage would happen. Receivers coach Mickey Joseph will be the interim coach for the Huskers. Why It Might Work: Taggart did well at a place with low expectations. Previously he was a coordinator at Oklahoma, where he also did well. Could that be the recipe? Why It Might Work: Like Jeff Monken, Calhoun is 55 and is an established head coach well-versed in the triple-optionwhich, again, is the most difficult scheme to prepare for. Craig Bohl, head coach, Wyoming. Why It Might Not: Air Force is his alma mater and thats a big hurdle when hes doing well there. With the timing of the firing being almost all about recruiting -- Nebraska is swallowing $15 million to fire Frost before Oct. 1, when the buyout dropped to $7.5 million -- Joseph would be able to pick up where Frost left off on the trail. Closing Comment: This seems like the safest pick. He would be a top candidate at any program. on Sep 19, 2022, 8:38am CDT Why It Might Not: Theres no question that the shine has worn off of Tom Herman. Poaching him from the NFL would be a similar coup that would grab headlines across the country. In both cases, he made them successful by his third season. A lot can change over the course of the season. +, (Introductory note: So, I initially had this written and ready to post last week, but there was a technical glitch with the New Fanpost button which I had to contact SB Nation support about. Why It Might Work: Hes got a lot of energy for someone in his late sixties. KSU hasnt had a breakthrough season yet. His stints at Toledo (where he succeeded Tim Beckman) and Iowa State have been impressive relative to their place in the college football pecking order. And hes kind of an oddball. There are some in Ann Arbor who still feel he didnt get a fair shake, but his career following has borne out that Michigan probably made the correct decision. Creightons a lot younger but it might be tough to shake off the similarities. Closing Comment: Its odd that Campbell didnt make a jump to a better job after last season. Nebraska coaching candidates www.sportsgrid.com At 63 with not much upside he is unlikely to be in high demand. Its odd that hes never been a head coach beyond the interim run with Maryland, which makes me think hes not really interested in it. Nebraska coaching Hes coached as an assistant at Louisville, Minnesota, Georgia, Colorado, and is now Michigan States OC, where hes done well. Oh, look, another former North Dakota State head coach. Were less than two weeks away from the start of NFL free agency, which begins at 4 p.m. After 15 seasons, Calhoun has yet to win the Mountain West. The 2023 salary cap has already been could be open soon, and in my opinion Chadwell would probably prefer to wait for one of those to come calling than any Big Ten offer. It didnt happen. That changed when he brought in Tom Allen, who took over after Wilson was oustedpartly from clashing with the community, among other things. Why It Might Not: Nebraska would be a bigger job than anywhere hes been. Monken is the current head coach at Army, a notoriously difficult place to recruit D-1 competitive athletes. He struggled (to put it mildly) to develop a quarterback. The resume is admittedly solid. But now, Frost is done, and we have no idea what direction Nebraskas going to go. He might not have the same passion for Nebraska, and that could affect his performance. Maybe he could pull it off and be great, but thats a tall order. to get more serious about football, but now that they have, the results are showing. Why It Might Work: Theres no doubt in Bohls ability to coach and win. Matt Campbell (Iowa State) Dave Clawson (Wake Forest) Chris Kliemen (Kansas State) Jonathan Smith (Oregon State) Lance Liepold (Kansas) PJ Fleck Moving within the division to suddenly chase his old boss, Paul Chryst, and alma mater doesn't seem like an ideal move. Why It Might Not: Moorhead might be wary of leading a big-time college football program after what happened at Mississippi State. Who? Why It Might Not: OBrien bolted for the NFL at the earliest opportunity. Closing Comment: Ive heard his name mentioned a bunch, but I just dont see him leaving Kansas two years in, barring a stunning breakthrough. Overall the body work from Martin appears only slightly above average. Herman could be primed for a redemption. Johnsons lack of experience in that area means every aspect of how hed run the program would be unknown until we see it. A longer track record of head coaching success would make him a slam dunk. His turnaround of Eastern Michigan in particular was stunning, but that might be more attributable to the consistent failures of their previous hires. It also begs the question: how much of Taylors recent NFL success is linked to Joe Burrow? That would give him a serious advantage in recruits living rooms, if he can also win games. He got national attention in 2020 when he led Iowa State to its first division crown, including an upset of Oklahoma in the regular season (although they later lost the rematch in the Big 12 championship). He would also bring continuity to the program. Nebraska WBB Loses to Michigan State 67-64, Nebraska Baseball Weekend Preview: Cambria College Classic, Nebraska WBB vs Michgan State Big Ten Tournament Preview and Game Thread. 4 potential Nebraska coaching candidates to replace Scott Frost His record as a head coach is simply too good to ignore. This could be the best time in his career to go after him. Why It Might Not: It would be a serious gamble. The Black Knights havent been this good since the 1940s. Being a true triple-option team in the Big Ten would be fascinating. He might be the defensive version of Scott Frost. Aside from 2021, hes had an impressive coaching career and Nebraska should definitely consider him. Nebraska They'd be back. Sep 11, 2022. Why It Might Work: Hes a Husker who happens to be an NFL head coach, almost won a Super Bowl, and hes only 39. Would he be able to get the talent needed to win at a high level? Some might find this hire head-scratching since these days the option is only run by service academies. Why It Might Not: No Nebraska or Big Ten ties. Meyer didn't even make it through a full season in 2021 with the Jags. The headlines would be juicy. ), but its unclear if he could be great in the long term. The former Raiders and Bucs head coach is one of the sports biggest characters, and also one of the most controversial. coaching search that changed Nebraska Nebraska Cornhuskers coaching candidates Jeff Monken, Army Black Knights head coach Jeff Lebby, Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, He might not want to take the risk himself. You may know him as the former OC who helped Penn State to their Big Ten championship in 2016.