Arizona State Sun Devils
After the free fall that the Sun Devils took, it was no surprise that Dennis Erickson is gone. But who will they get to lead them? That's a good question. Their top target is Kevin Sumlin. ASU was actually rumored to have Sumlin negotiating a contract, but then the A&M job came available. Sumlin would go to A&M before ASU, so they may have to wait if they really want him. But if they don't, they could go up to Oregon and try and get OC Mark Helfrich or go to Eastern Michigan and get former ASU assistant Ron English. Bears OC Mike Martz is another former ASU assistant.
Prediction: Kevin Sumlin (Current Houston HC)
Akron Zips
Rob Ianello was let go after only 2 seasons, but those two season were pretty bad. But only winning one game in the MAC doesn't help your cause. Without much talent or recent history of success you would think that Akron wouldn't be too ideal of a place. However the Zips do have arguably the best facilities in the conference. This looked like a perfect spot for Ohio State interim HC Luke Fickell, but with him staying at Ohio State with Urban Meyer, this opens this up for anybody. There was also some talk that Jim Tressel could be the guy. But we all know that won't happen. Look for a Big 10 position coach, FCS, Division II, or MAC coordinator to take this job.
Prediction: Paul Winters (Current Wayne State (Division II) HC)
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois was looking like a Big 10 sleeper after six games, but then they just fell flat on their face. This collapse and the lack of success the previous couple of years it was no surprise that Ron Zook was fired. However Zook was able to bring a lot of talent to Illinois and leaves them better off than when he got there. It will be interesting to see where the Illini go with this hire. They went with a flashy recruiter in Zook last time around. This time they might be better off going with an X's and O's guy with some ties to the Midwest or Big 10.
Prediction: Paul Chyrst (Current Wisconsin OC)
Kansas Jayhawks
It is unfortunate that Tuner Gill was fired because what he did at Buffalo was nothing short of amazing. But when you struggle as bad as Kansas has the past two years, you can't blame them more making a change. Where Kansas goes is up in the air. Mike Leach was thought to be a candidate, but he is now at Washington State. Jim Levitt the former South Florida HC is a guy to watch. Yes he got fired at South Florida because he allegedly struck a player and Kansas had their own issues with coaches mistreating players. But Kansas' AD was an assistant at South Florida under Levitt at one point. Former Arizona HC Mike Stoops wouldn't be a bad choice either, but he'll hold out for a better job.
Prediction: Dave Christensen (Current Wyoming HC)
Memphis Tigers
Yet another coach who was fired after only 2 years on the job. Larry Porter came to Memphis and looked like a great hire. The former start recruiter for LSU, had ties to the area, and was a Memphis Alum. However his time at Memphis was a disaster going 3-21. Now they look to move forward. I don't see them going after another assistant. They'll more than likely go after somebody with HC experience. I really think that Hugh Freeze would be a great fit. He really did wonders at Arkansas Sate this past year and has coaching contacts in Memphis. Or will they go with a Tommy Bowden who has a bigger name?
Prediction: Hugh Freeze (Current Arkansas State HC)
Mississippi Rebels
The Ole Miss job is very interesting. It is an SEC job with a lot of talent with close proximity. However they are in the same division as Alabama, LSU, Arkansas, and Auburn. I don't care who you hire. That would be tough to win that division on a regular basis. So don't look for any big names to get this job. This job will come down to either Kirby Smart, Gus Malzahn, or Larry Fedora. Malzahn or Smart are more than likely their top choices. But Fedora would be a good fallback choice.
Prediction: Larry Fedora (Current Southern Miss HC)
North Carolina Tar Heels
Under normal circumstances this would be a top place for a lot of coaches. North Carolina has good facilities, fertile recruiting grounds, high level talent on the roster and a winnable conference. However with possible NCAA sanctions on the way, there is a level on uncertainty. Gus Malzhan is the popular name, but he could have about any job he wants. A name to consider is Skip Holtz who has ties to their AD and North Carolina.
Prediction: Gus Malzahn (Current Auburn OC)
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State job is one of the most difficult job to predict. People like Al Golden and Greg Schiano would normally be high on the list, but with the whole Sandusky situation look for Penn State to bring somebody in who has no ties to the program. But who is out there that would take this job and be a great fit? There isn't too many people. But one makes a ton of sense to me and has been rumored to be a target. Dan Mullen. The current Miss State HC has had success in the SEC and would bring a lot to the Nittany Lions. Mullen is a good leader, strong recruiter, and has ties to the Northeast. Mullen was born in Philly and grew up in the Northeast.
Prediction: Dan Mullen (Current Mississippi State HC)
Texas A&M Aggies
This is the most recent job that is available and should now be the most desirable. Not only is A&M in the fertile recruiting grounds of Texas, but also moving to the elite conference in college football in the SEC. Add in the huge fan support and tons of money within the program and they should be able to get who they want. But we thought that last time when they ended up hiring Mike Sherman. Kirby Smart might be a good fit with their need for a defensive presence. But the hot name is Kevin Sumlin. However a name that not a lot of people are talking about is Art Briles. The current Baylor coach would love to move up to a better job and he has won every where he has gone. It makes too much sense, so it probably won't happen. But I'll take a risk.
Prediction: Art Briles (Current Baylor HC)
Tulane Green Wave
The Green Wave haven't been much of a contender in Conference USA lately, but they are a team that has the potential to be a Conference USA power. The state of Louisiana has too much talent and them being in New Orleans only helps. There was a thought that they could get their former OC Rich Rodriguez to run the program, but he went to a much better job at Arizona. So with Rich Rod out of the picture where do they go? Mike Haywood (former Miami OH HC) has interviewed and would be good. But do they want to deal with his baggage? Jeff Jagodzinski wouldn't be bad either. But Mark Hudspeth would be better than both. Hudspeth is a former Miss State assistant and is the current Louisiana Lafayette HC and has really turned that morib program around. His experience in the state would be help out too.
Prediction: Mark Hudspeth (Current Louisiana Laffayette HC)
UAB Blazers
the UAB job has to be the least desirable job that is open. Not only has UAB not has any success lately, but their facilities are awful. So don't look for anybody worth while to be wanting this job. You'll more than likely see a BCS position coach or a lower level coach taking this job. There are a few names being rumored for this job. But look for a name out of nowhere to get hired.
Prediction: Jeff Monkin (Current Georgia Southern HC)
UCLA Bruins
UCLA should be a good college football program. They sit in the middle of one of the best recruiting areas. But former HC Rick Neuhisel was unable to take advantage of USC's NCAA sanctions and is now gone. UCLA fans think that Chris Peterson is coming, but he isn't. Kevin Sumlin is a rumored name, but look for him to stay as close to Texas as he can. Look for them to have to settle. One player to really watch out for is June Jones. Jones has won at every stop and has done so without much resources. Put him in LA and he could turn the Bruins into a contender.
Prediction: June Jones (Current SMU HC)
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