We all certainly believe Jeff Brohm is the top candidate and the first official call Vince Tyra will make once the season is over. And Brohm is the clear top choice from a Louisville standpoint.
Frankly, Brohm's standing as the clear-cut choice is the reason I deleted my original Hot Board Saturday night and scrapped it, BUT... I do think it is interesting to note who will be candidates if something goes South with the Brohm deal. (and also because Rivals.com was desperate for me to publish a Hot Board).
So here it is -
The What If It Isn't Brohm Hot Board v1.0
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.
MATT CAMPBELL - Iowa State HC
Current Spot: 17-17 so far at Iowa State, now in his third season
Why He's Hot? He won at Toledo, compiling a 35-15 record and winning the league twice and then turned Iowa State from 3-9 his first year to 8-5 last season as the Big 12 Coach of the Year. This year they 6-3 so far, but seem to have a team that fans enjoy coming to see. He's very young, taking the ISU job on his 36th birthday.
Why He's Not? Campbell signed a six-year, $22.5 million dollar extension last November and it includes a $7 million buyout. There could also be concern about whether Louisville could lure him away from a place he seems to love.
SETH LITRELL - North Texas HC
Current Spot: 21-16 overall at North Texas, now in his third season
Why He's Hot? He built North Texas into a winner last season, winning the Conference USA West title with a 9-5 overall record and 7-1 league record. He's young (40), he's fiery, he's got a ton of energy.
Why He's Not? North Texas is 3-3 in league this season. Can he build a winner at Louisville? He has lost both bowls he has coached. And he's very near home, his Dad played at Oklahoma, he played at Oklahoma and UNT is within an easy drive from Oklahoma.
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?
MIKE NORVELL - Memphis HC
Current Spot: 24-12 overall record at Memphis, now in his third season
Why He's Hot? Like many other candidates, he built a winner at his current spot including a strong season last year, going 10-3 and winning the American Athletic Conference West title. He is making less than $2 million currently and is only 37 years old.
Why He's Not? Memphis is 6-4 this season and 3-3 in the league. He has lost both bowls he has coached. There's not much else to dislike.
BILL CLARK - UAB HC
Current Spot: 23-12 overall at UAB, now in his third season
Why He's Hot? He's building, literally, from the ground up at UAB. They didn't have a program in 2015 and 2016 and since returning they have an 8-5 season with a trip to the Bahamas Bowl last season and are currently 9-1 and 7-0 in the Conference USA West this season. He's 50 but acts like a 35-year old with good energy and pep.
Why He's Not? He's not had success at a major level. He's an Alabama guy through and through, born and raised and all of his coaching has been there. He's only been at the college level for a decade.
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...)
BRENT VENABLES - Clemson DC
Current Spot: Clemson's defense is one of the best in the nation.
Why He's Hot? He has built defenses that win at the highest level. He's a strong recruiter, a brilliant tactician, a phenomenal worker and a grinder. People around him absolutely LOVE him.
Why He's Not? He's never been a head coach. Would he actually leave? Despite being a coordinator, that's a real question. Clemson is paying him $1.7 million a year and he doesn't have to deal with all the stuff a head coach has to deal with. Also, he's a bit odd, in a quirky obsessive sort of way.
CHIP LONG - OC at Notre Dame
Current Spot: Notre Dame is undefeated and a playoff contender
Why He's Hot? He's smart, a splendid play-caller in the mold of Bobby Petrino and a football lifer. He worked for Petrino at Louisville and Arkansas. He's going to be a successful coach for someone, but is he ready for a Top 25 job like Louisville? He's young (35) and has a lot of energy.
Why He's Not? He's never been a head coach. Why go after Chip Long if you could get mentor Mike Norvell instead? Both are certainly good, up-and-coming coaches. Can he recruit at the highest level?
RYAN DAY - OC and QB Coach at Ohio State
Current Spot: Ohio State is Top 10 and in playoff contention
Why He's Hot? The 39-year old Day has moved from New Hampshire to Boston College to Temple to the Eagles and 49ers and now back to college. He is a Chip Kelly disciple, having played for him at UNH.
Why He's Not? He has limited head coaching experience, only serving as a placeholder for Urban Meyer for the first three games this season (3-0), but he comes from a strong Coaching Tree working alongside Meyer, Kelly, Addazio, etc...
ROD CAREY - Northern Illinois HC
Current Spot: 51-27 overall at NIU, now in his sixth season
Why He's Hot? Carey was truly one of the hottest names out there in 2013 and 2014 when his teams went 12-2 and 11-3. He won the MAC West in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Midwestern guy (Wisconsin native), took over for Dave Doeren at NIU and a former O-Line coach. What could he do at the next level? It's an interesting question.
Why He's Not? 28-20 over the last four years so the question is whether he can sustain success. They are 7-3 so far this season. Also, can he recruit the South? He's 47 so isn't as young as other candidates.
And OK, I am adding this last one just in case after a phone conversation I just had...
CHARLIE STRONG - USF HC
Current Spot: 17-5 overall, now in his second season
Why He's Hot? We know him, we love him, we know he can recruit here. The man built Louisville from the dregs of Kragthorpe to 11-2 and 12-1 seasons and his players would run through a brick wall for him. He's fiery, passionate, lovable (hey now...) and it is easy to discount the mess at Texas for a number of reasons relating to fit (all of which all of us could have told Texas officials had they asked us) and Texas boosters acting ignorant. Strong builds fierce teams and knows talent.
Why He's Not? Unsure of whether or not he's cut like that. Also, Louisville fans have ex-syndrome courtesy of Bobby Petrino.
WHAT ABOUT VEGAS?
Well, I'm of the opinion that Vegas typically knows. Remember when the made Strong the top choice at Texas long before any of us thought it was possible. Well, here's what Odd Shark says...
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