Ranking Every Open College Football Head Coaching Job
College football's annual coaching carousel has secured its familiar place in the headlines, but top-tier opportunities are limited in 2016.
Behind Oregon, the available jobs might not be worth the small step on the coaching ladder to an established coach. While other positions could open, the list of most appealing remaining options is quickly shortening. But that likely means college football will have several first-time coaches next season.
To date, 13 programs have decided to make a change. Five of those vacancies are already filled, highlighted by Tom Herman heading to Texas and Ed Orgeron sticking at LSU.
While this list is largely subjective, roster outlook, tradition, conference affiliation and external factors were all considered.
8. San Jose State
1 of 8
Out: Ron Caragher (19-30)
San Jose State is a tough place to build a program, partially because Pac-12 schools Stanford and Cal are both located within 60 miles. Throughout 21 seasons in the WAC and Mountain West, the Spartans have topped the six-win mark twice.
As now-Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre showed, it's possible. But his 10-win campaign in 2012 seems like a distant memory after four less-than-inspiring seasons under Ron Caragher.
The program would benefit from a familiar face who understands the challenge, though that unquestionably narrows the search.
Nobody is expecting San Jose State to become a powerhouse, but a couple of consecutive eight-win seasons would be a welcome sight.
7. Georgia State
2 of 8
Out: Trent Miles (9-38)
During a four-year stretch at Georgia State, Trent Miles' teams compiled a 27-18-2 record against the spread, per TeamRankings.com. Unfortunately for him, outperforming Vegas doesn't mean everything.
Miles guided the Panthers to their first-ever bowl appearance last year, but a 2-8 start in 2016 resulted in the school firing Miles with two games remaining on the schedule.
Although Georgia State football has played just six total seasons, there's legitimate excitement for the future of the program. The school recently unveiled plans to redevelop Turner Field, the former home of Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves.
A new stadium should boost the game-day environment, which has been noticeably absent, as the team had no realistic chance to fill the Georgia Dome, where the NFL's Atlanta Falcons play.
Yes, San Jose State defeated the Panthers in the 2015 Cure Bowl, but at least Georgia State has something to be excited about.
6. Nevada
3 of 8
Out: Brian Polian (23-27)
Nevada seems to always be decent, but reaching and staying at the next tier of success has plagued the program.
In 2010, with Chris Ault and Colin Kaepernick, the Wolf Pack claimed 13 victories. Otherwise, Nevada has won between five and eight games every year since 2002, except for nine in 2005 and four in 2013.
And resources are limited. Polian's base salary ranked fourth-lowest in the Mountain West, according to USA Today.
The new coach must match a baseline expectation of a postseason appearance—10 in the last 12 seasons—but whether or not Nevada competes for conference championships will determine his longevity.
5. Florida Atlantic
4 of 8
Out: Charlie Partridge (9-27)
If nothing else, Charlie Partridge was consistent: Florida Atlantic finished 3-9 in all three seasons under him. But the lack of improvement in the winning department led to the change.
"It was a full analysis of 36 games," athletic director Pat Chun said, per Matthew DeFranks of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "We just weren't where we felt like we should be based on the talent we have."
The program doesn't have a terrific history, but the appeal of the opportunity is obvious. Located in Boca Raton, the right leader can focus on signing some of the abundant South Florida talent and work toward excelling in Conference USA.
Clearly, that's easier said than done. Yet until the surrounding areas stop producing Division I prospects—and that's probably not happening anytime soon—FAU can attract a coach hoping to prove himself as an ace recruiter and developer.
4. Purdue
5 of 8
Out: Darrell Hazell (9-33)
Purdue has managed one 10-win season in its 125-year program history, according to Sports-Reference. Darrell Hazell failed to reach the mark over a four-year tenure.
The good news? Purdue is a Big Ten school. The bad news? Purdue is a historically average Big Ten football program.
Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck has been linked, per WTHR's Bob Kravitz, and that connection is a fascinating case study. Couldn't Fleck do better? Yes, but there aren't many options. Can he wait a year? Sure, though Fleck risks his proverbial stock dipping as the Broncos do in 2017.
Purdue will be an attractive spot thanks to its conference affiliation, but reeling in one of the best available coaches—whether it's Fleck or somebody else—won't be easy.
3. Baylor
6 of 8
Out: Art Briles (65-37) and Jim Grobe (6-5)
Once the nauseating facts of the sexual assault investigation were released, Baylor terminated Art Briles' contract. The school brought in Jim Grobe as a temporary replacement.
According to John Werner of the Waco Tribune-Herald, Grobe said he has no plans to return as head coach.
However, finding a new leader will be difficult. Per ESPN's Mark Schlabach, Chad Morris turned down the job. When a 5-7 SMU coach passes up the chance, the distaste of the situation is clear.
With time, the program can return to relevance. But the next guy must overcome off-field problems and a negative reputation while building a team that currently has one verbal commitment for the 2017 class.
One.
2. Houston
7 of 8
Out: Tom Herman (22-4)
Ahead of Baylor? Right now, yes. The new coach in Waco must clean up a mess, while Houston's next leader inherits an enviable situation.
Give thanks to Tom Herman.
Depending on the hire, Houston might even hang on to the nation's No. 37 recruiting class. Promoting either coordinator—Major Applewhite (offense) or Todd Orlando (defense, interim coach)—would be a solid choice if the school doesn't look elsewhere.
Regardless, it's a classic stepping-stone job. Houston is trying to change that, but Briles, Kevin Sumlin and Herman each won 10-plus games before accepting a power-conference position.
"This isn't about money," Chairman of UH's System Board of Regents Tilman Fertitta said on KHOU TV of Herman's departure. "We would match Texas on the money."
Houston's new coach will have financial support, an upgraded roster and a newly recognizable national brand.
1. Oregon
8 of 8
Out: Mark Helfrich (37-16)
Power conference? Check. Winning tradition? Recent, but check. And don't worry about a thing financially.
Nike founder Phil Knight is a famous Oregon booster and might be willing to shell out many more millions. ESPN's Darren Rovell said that "there's talking heating up" that Knight would pay upwards of $10 million per year for a championship-caliber coach.
After Helfrich's dismissal, the Chip Kelly Speculation Machine cranked up to full power. While it would be an appealing move for college football, ESPN's Adam Schefter previously cited sources who said Kelly is not interested in a return.
Oregon stumbled to a 4-8 finish this year—its first losing season since 2004—but a new coach won't lack resources at the best available job in college football.
All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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