Husker fans might be wary because Stoops appears to be a blend of Mike Riley and Bo Pelini, but somehow hes made it work in Lexington. He recruits well and has proven himself as a head coach at a Power 5 program. Before being Michigans head coach, he was the head coach at Ball State and San Diego State, where he turned around both programs. A 54-22 record is solidly in the plus category, and he went 5-0 in bowl games as a head coach. He may have reached his ceiling. Youre going to hear a lot of names. Admittedly there would be some excitement, but now with the controversy thats attached to him, its probably just not worth it. Yes, fresh faces do seem to be chosen often over known entities, but given the state of Nebraskas program, they would probably be better suited to pursue at least a former head coach. Why It Might Not: The pressure he felt at Boise was nothing compared to Washingtonwhich is not even one of college footballs biggest blue bloodsand it clearly weighed on him. Could Nebraska lure the former Oklahoma coach out of retirement (or semi-retirement)? How they do in replacing him will Meanwhile, a once-proud program suffers. Its hard to say if hed consider Nebraska a destination. Nebraska would be an even tougher job. Thats insanely good. So stay tuned. If he were to hire a competent DC and win, the rest may be worth overlooking. After six years with the Cavaliers he unexpectedly resigned (or retired) in a similarly head-scratching departure. 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. The Wisconsin stint in particular gives him Big Ten cred. 2 Related. Not every place is going to be set up like that. Hes quietly leading one of the most competitive programs in the country, causing a ton of trouble for their opponents in the Mountain West. With little more than a single impressive season, there are reasons for skepticism. The current head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, Leipold had a stellar record at Wisconsin-Whitewater and built the Buffalo Bulls into a contender in the MAC. The head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers won the ACC in 2021 and has his team rolling toward a bright future. The former Raiders and Bucs head coach is one of the sports biggest characters, and also one of the most controversial. would be inclined to hire him. Here are some coaches who could be a fit at Nebraska, listed in alphabetical order. There may be a candidate who emerges who is not on this list, something thats very likely to happen. And hes kind of an oddball. His record as a head coach is simply too good to ignore. Is this a championship-caliber coach? Hes a Penn State grad with strong Midwest recruiting ties, and was considered for the job in State College. He's 45 and very much seems primed for a jump. Hes not wowing you unless you live in Ypsilanti. 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. Jon Hale. 122. But his most impressive feat is going an insane 83-9 (54-4 in conference) as Ohio States head coach, during which he won 3 Big Ten titles and 1 national championship. It's certainly more highly resourced than Iowa State, especially with the Big 12 moving down in the pecking order with the forthcoming departures of Texas and Oklahoma. Why It Might Work: OBriens two years at Penn State were really good given the circumstances that he walked into. Now he doesnt seem to have the ambition to go after a big job with big expectations. You may also remember him as the former OC of the New England Patriots once upon a time. Hes never even interviewed for a head coaching job in college. LINCOLN, Neb. Why It Might Not: A longtime coordinator who turned heads with a special season in year two as a head coach, including a Sugar Bowl win over an SEC opponent? Why It Might Work: Mullen was the toast of college football after what he did in Starkville, Mississippi. At 63 with not much upside he is unlikely to be in high demand. Why It Might Work: The jobs he did at Temple and Baylor were nothing short of spectacular. He also lacks significant regional ties and seems more geared for the Pacific Northwest and Utah-Colorado areas. How much support would he get? Why It Might Work: Strong was a top candidate at Texas for a reason. Then he became Houstons head coach and kicked butt in year one. He appears more ready for a jump to a mid-major. March 3, 2023 7:00 am ET. Why It Might Not: Canada clashed a bit with Ed Orgeron at LSU, leading some to believe that he was holding the offense back. Why It Might Not: Hokes failure at Michigan was widely publicized, and though he generally seemed to run a tight ship, theres been a fair amount of off-the-field controversy, which he is also dealing with now at San Diego State. It would appease all Husker fans who want to go back to that style from the Osborne days, and theres no better choice for that than Monken. And even with great recruiting operations already established at Ohio State, he somehow managed to take it to another level. He knows how to recruit. Scott Frost, offensive coordinator, Oregon. How would the fan base react? Why It Might Not: Stoops is 61, an Iowa grad, and he sometimes faltered under the pressure of a big game during his time at Oklahoma. Nebraska coaching candidates Mark Stoops, Kentucky coach: Stoops has spent a decade methodically developing the Wildcats into an above-average, competent 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: Taggart was presumably given every help and benefit at Florida State and his failure there was not just the result of impatient boosters. Because Air Force is not exactly a headline-grabber in college football, some may find hiring Calhoun to be underwhelming and head-scratching. Hiring him would have the obvious potential of failing spectacularly. Maybe he could be worth considering, but rest assured there would be a lot of skeptics. The former head coach at Indiana, hes now Ohio States offensive coordinator, and doing an excellent job there. OBriens experience coaching quarterbacks both in college and the pros make him very appealing as a developer of talent. A couple years removed from college football may be enough to make everyone forget about the struggles in Austin. Instead, it's seen a far-flung outpost in a league that suddenly boasts a presence in New York, Chicago and soon Los Angeles. That means 6-6 or even 7-5 might not be good enough for Nebraska, which absolutely has to hit a home run this time around. Who should replace Scott Frost at Nebraska? Well see if that changes. A former Husker (who youve probably heard of), Bohl was the head coach at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State from 2003 to 2013. If nothing else, Kliemans teams have been solid and that would be a huge upgrade to the shoddy job Scott Frost has done. As soon as Matt Rhule was fired from the Carolina -Lance There is no healthier coaching tree from which to pick a coach: Bill Belichick and Nick Saban. WebCareer Services. Coaches have gone to different regions and have done wellNick Saban was a consummate Midwest guy before LSUbut I have a hard time seeing Muschamp and Nebraska finding their way to each other. He may be mercurial, but it doesnt change the fact that the job Fleck did at Western Michigan and with the once-hapless Goofers has been excellent. Why It Might Not: It felt incestuous when Muschamp fell into the job at South Carolina, but such things are common in the SEC. Hes Miami of Ohios head coach, where hes been since 2014. That fact is both a surprising and depressing trend. This seems like a name fairly low on the totem pole and would likely signal desperation. Closing Comment: Given all the candidates out there with head coaching experience, even the flawed retreads, it would almost seem disappointing to pick an unproven coordinator instead. The resume is admittedly solid. Hes a Husker and currently serving as interim coach. Creighton has taken his programs as far as they realistically could go, so he could be worth a look. Why It Might Not: There are so many reasons. Why It Might Work: A lot of people attribute Tom Osbornes success to his degrees in educational psychology. How committed would he be to staying at Nebraska long term if things started to work out? But that kind of long term thinking and recalibration of expectations seems very unlikely in todays trigger-happy arms race of college football. Why It Might Work: It would be something of a coup to nab one of the hottest commodities in coaching right now. Mostly known in Big Ten country for his three years at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez has actually been a head coach for a really long time and has a, shall we say, eclectic list of stops. So without further ado, lets get into it. He also greatly benefited from Texas falling off and a Big 12 in flux with Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas A&M all leaving for other conferences. Does FSU or any ACC power actually have options? For right now Ive got three basic tiers. Closing Comment: Ive heard his name mentioned a bunch, but I just dont see him leaving Kansas two years in, barring a stunning breakthrough. He seems like a guy who prefers to build a program rather than jump to a better job at the earliest chance. The head coach of Eastern Michigan has a long tenure of getting the most out of teams and programs with very little. Closing Comment: This would be intriguing but Taggarts status and resume isnt as hot as it was seven years ago. All eyes will be on his performance as the interim coach. Moving within the division to suddenly chase his old boss, Paul Chryst, and alma mater doesn't seem like an ideal move. Campbell (10-7 in his last 17 games) may have simply hit his ceiling at Iowa State. Georgias current defensive coordinator has been a head coach at two different SEC teams, Florida and South Carolina. Why It Might Not: Was Fickells rejection of MSU a signal he wants to stay put long term, or is he leery of Big Ten competition and high expectations which he knows all too well? They'd be back. Even if there are some benefits, the hire would reek of nepotism. All Rights Reserved. He is 1-5 in the Cy-Hawk trophy game, leading many to question his ability to handle the defense-heavy Big Ten. Closing Comment: So Im skeptical about this. How would he jive culturally? For this list Im mostly focusing on guys with at least some head coaching experiencemany current, some former. As a former Husker, he should receive the slack Mike Riley wasnt given. Jerry Kill: If Nebraska wants to poach a head coach from another school, Jerry Kill seems like a logical direction to go. Finally, aside from Bowling Green and Utah, hes mostly been at places with an advantage for success thats practically built-in. Closing Comment: I didnt even want to include him on this list because he seems set at Kansas State, but the frequency of his name being mentioned forced the issue. Experience in training, coaching, and/or mentoring experience. Absolutely. So putting him in that position as the full-time Nebraska head coach, barring an Ed Orgeron-like interim season, would be a total crapshoot. It took the Raiders committing $100 million to lure him away from Monday Night Football. Just imagine the press conferences. No, we need more. Some might find this hire head-scratching since these days the option is only run by service academies. But similarly I try to look at how each one might work. Well, it may surprise you to learn that Matt Entz has a Masters Degree in Education from Wayne State College in Nebraska. He flamed out of the NFLtwice. It typically doesnt go that way, but Entzs ties to the state of Nebraska, if nothing else, make him mildly interesting. 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. If you don't want to call him the new Bo Pelini, fine, but don't forget Pelini's legacy (67-27 in seven seasons) looks damn good right now. -- Urban Meyer has been contacted by Nebraska as the team continues its process of determining candidates for its head coaching vacancy, sources told CBS Sports on Saturday. It might be worth going after him before another program can. He already knows the Big Ten and will likely be more prepared on what to expect given his time at Wisconsin. Dont sleep on his football knowledge, either. Anytime you nab a successful head coach from the SEC, its going to create buzz. FCS coaches, even the ones with championships, are always a gamble. Why It Might Work: Hes still young at 47, and its not like his career has been a complete failure. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell Campbell has built Iowa State into a consistent winner. He tried his hand in the NFL with Jacksonville and face-planted so hardexacerbated by a truly staggering amount of off-the-field dramathat the owner fired him before he could even complete his first season. Hell soon be looking for another chance to lead a program. Native son Scott Frost was fired Sunday having gone 16-31 three games into his fifth season. He modernized Penn States offense and recruited at a high level despite limitations. If Nebraska is facing rejection from experienced candidateswhich itself would be alarmingthis is a solid emergency option, assuming he takes the call. That kind of price tag in hindsight is laughable. Seems entrenched in Texas. 1. Why It Might Work: At every stop, Creighton has left the place better than hes found it. 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. Quite the opposite, actually. While he wasnt spectacular in the SEC, he might find an easier time in the Big Ten. A solid resume for a Big Ten coaching candidate. He knows exactly the caliber of players the NFL wants, and flashing a Super Bowl ring might be enticing to recruits, too. Why It Might Not: Well, for starters, hes in his late sixties. His return to San Diego State has seen the program maintain its play at a high level in the Mountain West. Why It Might Not: It looks a lot like Mike Riley, doesnt it? Why It Might Not: Kentucky demonstrated tremendous patience through his early years developing the program, when his record was 12-24 (4-20 in conference) after 3 seasons. Known for building Temple and Baylor into double-digit win teams despite difficult circumstances, Rhule is now trying to do it in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers. After 15 seasons, Calhoun has yet to win the Mountain West. He built USF into a serious challenger despite its perennial underdog status. That guy was Scott Frost. Why It Might Work: Narduzzi seems tailor-made for the Big Ten. Why It Might Not: Fit and longevity. An understated, under-the-radar coach who seems to do more with less? Heres a look at some potential candidates to take over the Cornhuskers: Matt Rhule, Carolina Panthers head coach Rhule has several years left on his deal and Theres some question as to whether hed leave as hes turned down previous job offers from better college programs. Closing Comment: As far as fall-back options go, this isnt bad. He might not have the same passion for Nebraska, and that could affect his performance. He was a part of the Minnesota breakthrough in 2016 that set the runway for P.J. Why It Might Work: Hes 42 and is clearly seen as one of college football up-and-comers, as Campbell was before him. Even when they made modest improvements in other areas, the Cornhuskers were consistently bad at a couple things: special teams and losing close games. He losta lot. So it seems like hes got the head coaching chops, and his coordinator experience at LSU and Wisconsin make him very familiar with how big programs operate. Nebraska Coaching Candidates -Matt Rhule Former Carolina Panthers and Baylor Bears Head Coach. 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. ET on March 15. Can the Huskers rebound? These are guys who might be a bit of a longshot fit-wise, or who have some issues, or would take a bit more convincing to get people on board. He was doing well at Arizona until off-the-field allegations made them show him the door. His best season was 2016 when he went 12-2 and lost to Georgia in the CFP. Then he got booted for off-the-field allegations from his time at LSU. Nebraska football has a new head coach and heading into the 2023 season, here are three breakout candidates for the Huskers. (859) 414-6776. He has also seen what it takes to win, thanks to being inside Ohio States program. But they also end there. GP has plenty left in the tank at age 62 after a bitter departure from TCU. As much as his teams have over-performed, they have also under-performed. He regularly punches above his weight and has out-schemed and out-coached Nebraska on multiple occasions. Chadwell followed it up by posting another 11-win season in 2021. The question is whether Nebraska wants to face the price tag and stomach the baggage. After seven years, Candle hasnt taken over the MAC or done the things you would typically like to see from a young head coach ready for a big opportunity. The 58-year-old coach has deep roots in the state of Nebraska as a former analyst at Nebraska-Omaha and assistant under Frank Solich with the Huskers. Closing Comment: Okay, full disclosure: Jeff Monken is my favorite of this whole bunch. There is no doubt in his ability as a head coach. That would not be the case at Nebraska. While things can and will almost certainly change before the end of the regular season, these are five realistic names for the Nebraska opening among current Rodriguez is notoriously stubborn and has been in the business long enough that theres a fair amount of baggage coming with him, which is why a small program like JSU was the only option he had as a head coach. Some argue that he left BYU for Virginia to prove he could coach and win outside the Mormon comfort of Provo, but even at the time it felt odd. Previously he was a coordinator at Oklahoma, where he also did well. Ideal candidates will have a Master's degree in Social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, or a closely related field. Why It Might Not: NC State still hasnt had the type of special season you would expect from someone who could be a great head coach. By the time it got resolved, it was Thursday before the Oklahoma game. He retired suddenly after a disappointing 8-5 record in 2019 and hasnt sought any coaching opportunities since. Another guy who had a surprising breakout 12-win season in year two as a head coach, Traylor and UTSA had a magical year in 2021. The state of Colorado isnt that far from Nebraska. Meyer didn't even make it through a full season in 2021 with the Jags. At this point his work at Louisville may be seen as the outlier. This is probably the name every sports writer and your mom is going to mention for Nebraska or any major head coaching vacancy, because Matt Campbell seems to be the up-and-coming head coach du jour. From Ottawa (KS) to Wabash (IN) to Drake (IA) and now EMU, Creighton has literally been around the Midwest. He was a tough, hard-nosed coach who got his teams at Louisville to punch well above their weight and made them think they could be champions. He would be a top candidate at any program. Closing Comment: Bringing Rich Rod back to the Big Ten would certainly create serious buzz. Closing Comment: Despite some Husker fans pounding the table for Chadwell, I think he more than likely ends up in the SEC or ACC. Closing Comment: Jason Candles not a big name and maybe feels content flying under the radar in college football. Hes now at Wyoming, where his record is more mediocre. Hes now being talked about for bigger jobs, but was he a one-hit wonder? But isnt that what Nebraska tried with Mike Riley? A program at the level of Nebraska seems above his competency, and at his age hed be seen as nothing more than a bridge coach. Instead he kept the team competitive when it could have easily imploded. Despite some down years, hes done exceptionally well at Air Force and they have no desire to see him leave. Obviously he wasnt ready for the big job in Austin, but maybe Nebraska might be a better fit. Candidates who do this well for this longand who dont have a record to count as a negativeusually get a chance to make it as a head coach. Its highly unlikely anyone else was considered. Why It Might Not: No Nebraska or Big Ten ties. The coaching carousel is always fun. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Aside from 2021, hes had an impressive coaching career and Nebraska should definitely consider him. Matt Campbell, Iowa State coach: Several sources have told CBS Sports that Campbell is interested in Nebraska. He will have many suitors. If Im being honest I cant see Calhoun leaving his alma mater, but if Nebraska wants to do something different and go for a triple-option head coach, hes the next best choice after Jeff Monken. 225 Nebraska Union Lincoln, NE 68588-0451 402-472-3145 careerservices@unl.edu Craig Bohl, head coach, Wyoming. Why It Might Work: Its Jon Gruden. It could be possible for him to employ a similar turnaround at Nebraska. He proved capable beyond that when he made the University of Buffalo more than just a scrappy program. For many, the shine has certainly worn off. His time in Ann Arbor was one catastrophe after another, and the mistakes he made set the program back significantly. Buy Colts Tickets. And would he stick around, even if things go well? Why It Might Work: Its not easy to beat Nick Saban, but Malzahn is one of the few people to do itmultiple times. Would he succeed in a Midwest spot? Maybe he could pull it off and be great, but thats a tall order. He was reportedly Michigans second choice if they didnt land Harbaugh in 2014. Plus, he discovered Josh Allen. As one of the SECs historical have-nots, the Bulldogs were a bottom feeder who Mullen steadily transformed into a team that came close to beating Alabama. He fell behind at LSU and seemed to coast on his championship laurels. So Ive compiled an exhaustive list below of virtually every coaching candidate I think Nebraska could pursue. Closing Comment: A perhaps-soon-to-be-former NFL coach whos done very well in college seems like a good choice on paper. Although Mullen may have gotten fired in a profession with brutal expectations, there may have been problems underneath the surface. His time at Arizona wasnt perfect either. By Chris Vannini. Hes never been a head coach but Johnsons acumen as an assistant makes him someone likely to get an offer soon. The most obligatory of all candidates to be discussed. Bill O'Brien, Alabama offensive coordinator: "Obie" already has Big Ten experience as the first Penn State coach in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Would he be up to it? The Gophers have no business being this good, and it is still mind-boggling how Fleck fell into their lap. Hed demand a hefty price and it seems highly unlikely that this marriage would happen. Im sure youve heard of him. Curriculum development and delivery of adult education courses. 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. Is he waiting for Ryan Day to leave Ohio State? Is he more cut out to be a coordinator? This guy has been around. The former Auburn head coach known for taking them to the last ever BCS championship game, Malzahn got run out of town after a few mediocre seasons by their standards and is now at UCF. But lets be honest, Gruden was really overrated. Were less than two weeks away from the start of NFL free agency, which begins at 4 p.m. In moving from the Big 12 to the Big Ten, the program lost its identity. These are the coaches with far more pros than cons, generally speaking, who the majority of fans would probably be on board with, and other than that its exactly what it says on the tinmay generate excitement. His next gig has to be the absolute right fit. Closing Comment: This is a classic swing-for-the-fences, boom-or-bust type. And hes still young at 47. This isnt a Harbaugh-and-49ers situation, where the coach and ownership are on rocky terms. Why It Might Work: Hoke knows the Big Ten and the Midwest very well. 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. The Black Knights havent been this good since the 1940s. But now, Frost is done, and we have no idea what direction Nebraskas going to go. (Consider this: How many guys with statues on campus are firedduring the season?) But the legal tampering window opens two days before that on March 13, where teams will be able to negotiate with free agents before the official start of the 2023 season. Desperation seems to find guys like Meyer whose winning percentage has to be ultimately balanced against off-field issues. Bringing that energy to Lincoln could make the Huskers a very dangerous program. He knows how to coach up players, and most importantly, he knows how to run the damn ball, damn it. Toledos head coach, he took over when Matt Campbell left for Iowa State. This seems like a Southern-oriented guy. These are the head-explode, spit-take hires that the college football world would probably lose its mind over if Nebraska pulled it off. He also occasionally does TV analyst work for Fox Sports, and he stepped in to coach the Sooners for a bowl game when Lincoln Riley bolted for USC. He was the DC at Wisconsin and LSU and is now coaching the Baylor Bears. Why It Might Work: He has head coaching experience from his time at Indiana and is at least familiar with the challenges of running a Big Ten program. Johnsons lack of experience in that area means every aspect of how hed run the program would be unknown until we see it. Monken has no Big Ten or Nebraska ties. He would also bring continuity to the program. He produced Dak Prescott for the Dallas Cowboys and his first three seasons at Florida were very good. With likely more than two head-coaching jobs opening up, here are some of the very best coordinators in the NFL who could be up for leading a team of the Kellen Moore, Dallas Cowboys. Nebraska Book Co. in Lincoln shutting down; 114 to lose jobs; In a van outside OUs Lloyd Noble Center, Doc Sadler lives out another season in 45 years of Hes certainly a good coach, but is he elite? He has steadily turned NC State, one of the ACCs most lowly also-rans, into an ascending program. He is .500 in bowl games and has an overall record of 135-81, marking a solid resume for any head coach. Plus does he really want to leave the comfort of San Diego for a Big Ten job, again? Many believe he was one of the original architects of the spread offense. He also has a fiery disposition like a certain former coach and Husker fans find that generally off-putting. Frost studied under coaching legends, knew the Nebraska program inside and out, had two years of head coaching experience, and still failed. His final year at Texas saw a massive recruiting drop, including reports that his own players were actively sabotaging visits. He was BYU's head coach from 2005 to 2015, going 99-43, and so it was a surprise when he left that job for a flailing Virginia program, which he promptly turned around and had them going to bowl games. Hes now in his fourth year, and the Wildcats are firmly looking like a bowl team, which theyve been in at least two of Kliemans seasons thus far. Fine, lets talk about it. He also has head coaching experience from FCS Fordham and Mississippi State. When he was there, he managed to recruit some NFL talentnot easy to do, given the football programs history and Indianas reputation as a basketball school. He knows the Midwest and the Big Ten well. +, (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. Could he be a Husker version of Jim Harbaugh? That changed when he brought in Tom Allen, who took over after Wilson was oustedpartly from clashing with the community, among other things. It would all but confirm that Nebraska is interested primarily in giving the reins to former Huskers. He orchestrated Cam Newtons Heisman season when serving as Auburns OC in 2010. Strong was quickly given a chance to redeem himself after Texas, and it could not have gone worse. Now hes Miami of Floridas DC. Regionally, itd be a good fit. Both are filled at the moment. Some people are pounding the table for this guy, but to me, this is a fairly un-sexy pick. We know who he is. Why It Might Work: Stoops had a fantastic record at Oklahoma and set the program up for long term success. On the other hand, theres a case to be made that maybe Nebraska should go that way. (Tom Brady). A competent athletic dept. Okay, okay, in all seriousness, Grudens name gets floated only because hes so damn fun to watch. Why It Might Not: Air Force is his alma mater and thats a big hurdle when hes doing well there. But at this point he seems set on staying in Florida. A coach could conceivably come in and use the opportunity to take a step up the coaching rung toward a head coaching job in the near future.