Louisville Coaching Hot Board v2.0
JEFF BROHM - Purdue HC
Current Spot: 12-11 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? Brohm currently has a $4.4 million buyout until Dec. 5 when it drops to $3.3 million. Purdue has said they are prepared to do what it takes to retain him.
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 1/3
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 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 10/1
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...
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 6/1
Howie's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 20/1
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 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 Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 20/1
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.
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 16/1
Howie's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 30/1
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.
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 16/1
Howie's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 50/1
JASON CANDLE - Toledo HC
Current Spot: 26-12 so far at Toledo, now in his fourth season
Why He's Hot? He took over Toledo when Matt Campbell left for Iowa State and they both have a Mount Union coaching heredity. He has been coaching at Toledo since 2009, rising up through the ranks as Toledo's success brought new jobs for several head coaches.
Why He's Not? While I don't believe he'll be at Louisville, some team is going to get a very good coach. For Louisville? It would be a risk given his lack of experience anywhere other than Toledo. He also just signed an extension through 2021.
Bovada's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 25/1
Howie's Odds to be Louisville's Next Coach: 50/1
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.
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: 50/1
