Louisville Coaching Hot Board v4.0
JEFF BROHM - Purdue HC
Current Spot: 13-12 overall at Purdue, now in his second season
Why He's Hot? Brohm has been the No. 1 candidate since Day 1 of this coaching search. In fact, he was the No. 1 candidate on Day -21 of this search because we believe he has been the target all along. A Louisville native, a Louisville alum, a Louisville legend, Brohm led Louisville as starting quarterback in 1992 and 1993. He has been a QB Coach at Louisville (2003-06) and was Associate Head Coach in 2007 and 2008. After coaching at FAU, Illinois and UAB, Brohm joined Bobby Petrino's staff in 2013 as Associate Head Coach and then took over as Head Coach in 2014. Brohm coached the Hilltoppers to an 8-5 record in 2014, a 12-2 record in 2015 and a 10-3 record in 2016, winning Conference USA in 2015 and 2016. He was hired by Purdue on Dec. 5, 2016, taking over a program that had won just nine games the previous four seasons. Purdue made a bowl in Year 1, finishing 7-6 overall after a win in the Foster Farms Bowl. This season the Boilermakers lost their first three games, but have since recovered to win 5 of the last 7.
Why He's Not? Purdue has said they are prepared to do what it takes to retain him. That means he is going to be pricey. Brohm currently has a $4.4 million buyout until Dec. 5 when it drops to $3.3 million.
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 1/3
Sunday Update: Tyra and Brohm are expected to have first "official" contact today.
Monday Update: Negotiations may continue throughout the week. Do not be discouraged at this point.
NEAL BROWN - Troy HC
Current Spot: 33-15 overall at Troy, now in his fourth season
Why He's Hot? He has a phenomenal offensive system that is fun to watch and Hell to prepare for. He's already coached two teams to 10-plus wins and this season is heading that way, too, at 8-2 already. He has won the Sun Belt (Fun Belt) and he won the 2016 Dollar General Bowl and the 2017 New Orleans Bowl. He's from Kentucky (Boyle County) and has family in the area. 2017 Sun Belt Coach of the Year. And he's only 38 and he's making less than a million per year.
Why He's Not? Can he recruit at an elite enough level to beat Clemson or FSU? I'm not sure what else there is to dislike, and don't start with the UK stuff (Schnellenberger, Tyra, etc...)
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 6/1
Howie's 11/18 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 20/1
Howie's 11/25 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 20/1
LUKE FICKELL - Cincinnati HC
Current Spot: 13-9 overall, now in his second season at Cincinnati
Why He's Hot? He took over a mess and won four games in 2017. This season Cincinnati is playing with purpose and fire, winning 9 of 10 games and currently leading the AAC East. Fickell is a hard-nosed dude, aggressive and a Coach passionate about practice. He has spent most of his career at Ohio State and would likely call that his dream job, but it isn't open right now and he's probably going to leave Cincinnati at some point. On a personal note: I also respect anyone who can manage six children.
Why He's Not? Yeah, I don't have much here. Not much experience? Maybe the Zach Smith stuff at OSU?
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 15/1
Howie's 11/18 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 20/1
Howie's 11/25 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 30/1
Sunday Update: There has been contact between the parties within the last week.
SCOTT SATTERFIELD - Appalachian State HC
Current Spot: 48-24 so far at App State, now in his sixth season
Why He's Hot? High-scoring offense, great passers, good running backs, explosive plays... he checks the boxes for an exciting new coach. He is an Appalachian State grad and, after six seasons as head coach, he may have found his career spot. He's a very good coach as a very affordable option because his base pay is just $612,500 a year.
Why He's Not? He went from Appalachian State to Toledo and FIU and then back to Appalachian State. He has never coached or recruited to a Power-5 school.
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 25/1
Howie's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 20/1
MATT WELLS - Utah State HC
Current Spot: 44-34 overall at Utah State, now in his seventh season
Why He's Hot? He's one of the sharpest young GAs or QC guys I have ever worked with. He reminds me so much of Dan McDonnell in the way he structures his program, who he recruits and how he builds things. He has won the Mountain West twice at Utah (Freaking) State. Fun offense. He actually reminds me of a hybrid of John L. (players would love him) and Bobby (schemer on offense, his brother coaches with him). Louisville could land him for less than $2 million a year.
Why He's Not? Could the fans get behind that hire? Can he recruit the South? Can he compete at the ACC level?
Howie's 11/26 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 40/1
DINO BABERS - Syracuse HC
Current Spot: 16-18 overall at Syracuse, now in his third season
Why He's Hot? The losing overall record at Syracuse isn't stellar, but we also have to remember what he took over. He's building a winner at Syracuse and that is a major accomplishment. The fact that they are 8-2 this season is fairly ridiculous. He's so easy to love. The more you interview him, the more you like being around him. The players seem to love playing for him.
Why He's Not? Would he leave an Atlantic Division team to go to another Atlantic Division team? Maybe. Also, the overall record isn't great.
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 16/1
Howie's 11/18 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 10/1
Howie's 11/25 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 40/1
