College Football Coaches

There’s still almost a month to go in the season, and already we’ve seen the first coaching casualties for the 2006 campaign. However, it was no surprise that either North Carolina’s John Bunting or Michigan State’s John L. Smith was told he'd have to walk the plank at the end of the regular season. We have to assume they’re going to be the first of many coaches who will be receiving their pink slips before the end of the calendar year.

Instead of re-producing another list of coaches on the proverbial “hot seat,” we’ve decided to list some names of coaches (including a few definite up-and-comers) and assistants, in both the college and NFL ranks, who figure to be in the mix to land one of the upcoming openings.

Butch Davis (ex-Cleveland Browns and Miami Hurricanes HC)...Davis’ name is being prominently mentioned for the opening at North Carolina, and less prominently for the expected opening at his old Miami haunt. Although some in south Florida believe Davis (left) burned a few bridges when he abruptly left the Hurricanes for the NFL Browns right before the recruiting signing deadline in 2001, sources say new Miami school president Donna Shalala (who hadn’t arrived at Coral Gables when Davis left) is unaffected by those developments, and might have some interest in Davis after he admirably “cleaned up” the program in the late ‘90s. But sources believe Davis is a heavy favorite for Chapel Hill (if a deal hasn't already been struck with AD Dick Baddour). And he’s not too busy these days, only doing a bit of work for NFL Network.

:Steve Mariucci (ex-Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Cal HC)...Mariucci’s name is surfacing mostly in relation to the Michigan State opening. It would seem a good fit, as “Mooch” (left) is from the region and is best friends with Spartan hoops coach Tom Izzo, who will undoubtedly lobby for his buddy. But some Big Ten sources consider Mariucci a longshot, given that he has been away from the college game for so long. By the way, he’s still owed $6 million by the Lions.

Jon Tenuta, Georgia Tech d.c....Tenuta is well-respected within the industry and is reportedly chomping at the bit for a top-level assignment. His Yellow Jacket defense is performing impressively, and past successes at North Carolina and Ohio State make him a natural fit for either of the first two openings.

Ron English, Michigan d.c....The new “hot” assistant name, English has presided over the Wolverines’ defensive renaissance this season after accepting, then declining, a position on Lovie Smith’s Bears staff in the offseason. But some midwestern sources believe English is already being lined up as the heir apparent to Lloyd Carr in Ann Arbor, and might just bide his time until then.

Gene Chizik, Texas d.c....Chizik has received a lot of praise for his work as Mack Brown’s d.c. in Austin the past few years. Like English at Michigan, some believe Chizik could be lining himself up to take over for Mack whenever he retires, but he’s reportedly got the “itch” to take over his own program...soon.

Todd Granthan, Cleveland Browns d.c....A former MSU Spartan, Grantham is reportedly interested in the East Lansing opening. He’s been in the NFL the last 8 season after serving as Nick Saban’s assistant at MSU between 1996-98, and could also be in the mix for a diferent college head coaching assignment.

Pat Shurmur, Philadelphia Eagles QB coach...Another ex-Spartan player and coach, Shurmur’s candidacy for the MSU job figures to be enhanced if his old coach, George Perles, wins election to the school’s board of trustees. Whether Shurmur might be interested in any other upcoming openings remains to be seen.

Norm Chow, Tennessee Titans o.c...Highly-respected in the college ranks for his creative offensive work at BYU, NC State, and Southern Cal, Chow reportedly has interest in finally landing an elusive college head coaching job, preferably in the midwest. Chow was a finalist for the Stanford job that went to Walt Harris two years ago, and reportedly was in the mix for both the Utah and Kentucky jobs in 2003 before SC sweetened his assistsnt’s package.

Greg Schiano, Rutgers HC...The Rutgers position has become en vogue thanks to Schiano, who might want to think twice about leaving this new potential “Beast of the East” for, say, Miami, should Larry Coker get the axe. Schiano-to-Miami chatter is almost unavoidable, however, as he went to the Scarlet Knights from Butch Davis Hurricane staff and used his recruting connections in Florida to immediately begin rebuilding the Rutgers program. Aside from Miami, however, we’re not sure another potential opening could lure Schiano away.

Brian Kelly, Central Michigan HC...Kelly (left)is due for bigger and better assignments than Dick Enberg’s alma mater after leading the Chippewas to prominence in the MAC after a stellar, championship career at Division II Grand Valley State. Definite candidate for any major midwest openings.

Mark Dantonio, Cincinnati HC...A prime candidate for any Big Ten opening, Dantonio’s stock is being strengthened by a recent resurgence by his Bearcats, who appear headed to a bowl. Well-known and respected in the midwest after also serving on Jim Tressel’s Ohio State staff earlier in the decade.

Steve Kragthorpe, Tulsa HC...Young, creative, and with background in the NFL (Buffalo Bills assistant), Kragthorpe would seem destined for somewhere bigger than Tulsa, where he has authored a dramatic turnaround after replacing Keith Burns in 2003. Has been mentioned for North Carolina, but would seem a natural for any opening west of the Mississippi, especially since his dad Dave was a respected longtime assistant at BYU and also Oregon State’s HC from 1985-90.

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