TheProdigalFrost
Walk-on
First and foremost, yes, I do feel it is unfortunate and in poor taste to already be speculating about Nebraska’s head coach position. Riley has his positives, is still our head coach, and he technically still has a chance to be our head coach going into 2018 and beyond. I for one would be glad to keep him if he were to become successful. However, everyone’s already jumping the gun by discussing the potential vacancy. In particular, there are several threads advocating for Scott Frost. So I would like to make this post in order for us to get a better scope of the potential candidates.
I’ve asked a couple people I know in my work place who the upcoming national head coaches are. These guys are more in-tuned to the national college football scene than I am, so I value their input. These are the seven candidates they’ve listed (not necessarily for the Nebraska job, but in general). And honestly, I only knew of two of these coaches prior to doing quick wiki research for this post, thus admittedly this won’t be very in-depth, so if you have anything to add about these coaches or if you have other candidates in mind, please feel free to add.
Ultimately, after reviewing the “hot candidate” list for if nothing but to do due diligence, I’m reaffirmed that Frost is the best out there, especially for us due to understanding our expectations and culture. Of these coaches, I'm only confident of Fuente's future as a great head coach.
I’ve asked a couple people I know in my work place who the upcoming national head coaches are. These guys are more in-tuned to the national college football scene than I am, so I value their input. These are the seven candidates they’ve listed (not necessarily for the Nebraska job, but in general). And honestly, I only knew of two of these coaches prior to doing quick wiki research for this post, thus admittedly this won’t be very in-depth, so if you have anything to add about these coaches or if you have other candidates in mind, please feel free to add.
Mike MacIntyre
Head coach @ Colorado
52 years old
Current salary 2.2m
Mike MacIntyre’s first head coaching job was San Jose State where he went 1-12 his first year and turned the team around to go 10-2 his third year. In 2013, he became Colorado’s HC (boo); most notable from this stint is his 2016 Big XII record of 8-1, winning the PAC 12 South. His specialty is the defensive backfield, having coached them in the NFL. Based on his previous locations, he presumably has recruiting ties to Florida and the west coast. Perhaps worse than being Colorado's HC though, is that he looks like a McDonald's version of Bill Callahan.
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Chad Morris
Head coach @ Southern Methodist
48 years old
Current salary 2m
Chad Morris’s biggest achievement is being Clemson’s OC/QB coach from 2011-2014 (Tajh Boyd was their QB for most of this time frame). He has spent the majority of his coaching career as a HC at major Texas high schools, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing (e.g. Doug Peterson for the Philadelphia Eagles has the same background). He took the SMU HC job in 2015, going 2-10. This year they are currently 4-1. Obviously has major, major recruiting ties in Texas.
Frank Wilson
Head coach @ UTSA
43 years old
Wilson has been a coach throughout the SEC (i.e. Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU; also Southern Miss). His most notable job was as LSU’s assistant HC and RB coach from 2010-2015. Last year, he took UTSA to their first ever bowl game (they were 6-7 on the season and lost the bowl game to New Mexico). They are currently 3-0. Want SEC players? He’s probably your best bet. If the rumors of us going after Ole Miss's AD ring true, the chances of this hire go up a fair bit.
Justin Fuente
Head coach @ Virginia Tech
41 years old
Current salary 3.2m
A popular name that many of us know, but also realize he’s very content where he is. His specialty is as a OC/QB/RB coach. Has coached prior at TCU and Memphis (the latter is where he coached up first round pick Paxton Lynch… though not sure that means much anymore). Won ACC coach last year as he took VT to 10-4 in his inaugural season. He currently has VT as 4-1. He has been over the map, but at smaller places (except in the state of Texas for a four year stint) so it’s hard to say what recruiting ties he has. I would assume his Texas area recruiting is solid, though, because of this and the fact that he’s born and raised in Oklahoma (and played QB at OU).
Mike Houston
Head coach @ James Madison
46 years old
Current salary: a bag of peanuts
Houston’s specialty is defense, having been a DC for the majority of his career. Beat Bo in the FCS championship last year. Has an overall record of 62-20. He has been coach of the year in his conference the following years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015; he was the national coach of the year in 2016. But a jump from the FCS to head coach at Nebraska is quite the leap.
Mike Norvell
Head coach @ Memphis
35 years old
Current salary 1.86
Norvell’s specialty is OC/QB/WR. Has been at Memphis the last two years, taking over for Fuente (he was not on staff during the Fuente/Lynch years). He has gone 8-5 and 3-1. Has been at Tulsa, Pittsburgh, and Arizona State, so his recruiting ties are unclear.
Joe Moorhead
QB/OC @ Penn State
43 years old
James Franklin has turned PSU around in a relatively short time, but many PSU fans think he’s just a great recruiter and that his assistants, particularly Moorhead, are the better coaches. It’s not unfair to say Moorhead is unproven. This is only his second year at PSU and having Barkley, the likely Heisman winner, will make any coach look good; his jobs prior to this were Georgetown, Akron, Connecticut, and Fordham (all as OC, more or less). Ultimately, he seems to have a lot of potential but has yet to cut his teeth, and as such is a boom or bust candidate.
Ultimately, after reviewing the “hot candidate” list for if nothing but to do due diligence, I’m reaffirmed that Frost is the best out there, especially for us due to understanding our expectations and culture. Of these coaches, I'm only confident of Fuente's future as a great head coach.
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