College Football Predictions: 10 Assistants Who Should Get Head Coaching Jobs

Behind all great head coaches, there is a quality coaching staff whose main job is to make him look good.

And in many cases, these assistants perform so well as coordinators or position coaches that it becomes only a matter of time before they'll move up the coaching latter.

That'll be true once again in 2011, as college football is filled with bright minds who are just waiting for their chance to transition from offensive or defensive coordinator to head coach.

Though we likely won't see any changes prior to this season, plenty of assistants will use 2011 as a resume builder and their golden ticket to a head coaching job.

So, which assistant coaches are most likely to be head coaches come this time next year?

Let's take a look at the top 10.

10. Jeff Casteel, Defensive Coordinator, West Virginia

In 2002, Jeff Casteel was elevated from defensive line coach to co-defensive coordinator before eventually taking over as the lone defensive coordinator at West Virginia.

And during his tenure at the school, the Mountaineers have consistently had one of the nation's top defenses.

In 2005, they ranked 15th in total defense and 13th in scoring. In 2007, they ranked in the top 30 in eight major categories, including seventh in total D and eighth in scoring D.

In 2008, they ranked first in red zone defense and 11th in scoring defense. And in 2010, they ranked third in scoring defense, allowing just 13.5 points per game.

In other words, Casteel's defenses shut their opponents down.

Who wouldn't want to give this guy a shot at being a head coach?

9. Mike Bobo, Offensive Coordinator, Georgia

Not everyone's thrilled about Georgia football coaches right now—like you, Mark Richt—but offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo has performed well in his role at the school.

He's helped the Bulldogs send multiple quarterbacks to the NFL, such as D.J. Shockley, David Greene and Matthew Stafford, and is in the process of leading another one there (Aaron Murray) as well.

Since Bobo has taken over as OC at Georgia, the Bulldogs have gone 44-21, including a 4-1 mark in bowl games.

I know what you're thinking, but even though Bobo may sound like a child's term for a brush burn, he has a ton of coaching experience, has shown he can win and is only 36 years old.

8. Nick Aliotti, Defensive Coordinator, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti of the Oregon Ducks warms up with his players before the game against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

How can you leave Oregon's entertaining defensive coordinator off this list?

Nick Aliotti, who was had several stints with the Ducks, has been stellar throughout his career at the school.

But his defense really shined in 2010, when Oregon ranked 26th in the nation in total defense and 12th in scoring defense.

Aliotti has the charisma, the personality and the resume that will entice schools who are looking for a culture change in 2012.

7. Bud Foster, Defensive Coordinator, Virginia Tech

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BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 18: Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster watches from the sidelines against the East Carolina Pirates at Lane Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

Bud Foster has been at Virginia Tech since 1987 and has been the school's defensive coordinator since 1995.

The 51-year-old defensive guru has turned the Hokies' defense into one of the nation's most consistent units, as Virginia Tech has ranked in the top 10 in total defense seven times and the top 10 in scoring defense six times since 1999.

And that's largely because of Foster, who has shown a strong allegiance to the Hokies football program but also expressed interest in the West Virginia opening (after Rich Rodriguez was fired in 2007) and the Clemson opening (in 2008).

It remains to be seen how long Foster will stay at Virginia Tech, but another solid defensive showing from the Hokies in 2011 could open the door for him to jump ship and take a shot at being the top dog elsewhere.

6. Justin Wilcox, Defensive Coordinator, Tennessee

From 2006-2009, Justin Wilcox served as the defensive coordinator at Boise State, helping develop a stellar defensive unit that went an astounding 49-4 in his four years there.

Wilcox's success with the Broncos has made him a highly sought-after coach in recent years, as he bolted Boise State for Tennessee prior to last season and was a leading candidate to replace Will Muschamp at Texas before deciding to stay with the Volunteers.

Though Tennessee's defense wasn't great in 2010, Wilcox did an excellent job with a team that was filled with freshmen and inexperienced players in general.

As he has been since 2009, I'd expect Wilcox's name to come up among teams who are looking for a young, defensive-minded coach.

5. Norm Chow, Offensive Coordinator, Utah

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Offensive Coordinatorm Norm Chow of the UCLA Bruins watches warm ups before the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl on September 13, 2008 in Pasadena, California. The Wildcats defeated the Brui

Why has Norm Chow never been a head coach?

I mean, have we ever really figured that out, or do we just assume that he doesn't want to be one?

Either way, Chow has a phenomenal resume, having been an offensive coordinator since 1973, with a 26-year stint at BYU and notable college coaching stints at USC and UCLA.

He's coached so much college football that it seems like he could have any job he wanted.

And though Chow just took over as Utah's offensive coordinator less than two months ago, you never know when the right opportunity will present itself. 

4. Paul Chryst, Offensive Coordinator, Wisconsin

Paul Chryst was a finalist for the 2010 Frank Broyles Award, which recognizes the nation's best assistant coach, and diving into the statistics will tell you why.

In the last five seasons under Chryst, the Wisconsin offense has been stellar, averaging 30.5 points and 399 yards per game.

In fact, since he became Wisconsin's OC, the Badgers have gone an incredible 59-18.

Oh yeah, in case you haven't noticed, Chryst's offense can straight-up ram the ball down their opponents' throats and put up points, too.

Remember, this is a team that scored 201 points in a three-game span at the end of 2010.

And if Chryst's offenses keep that up, his phone will be ringing off the hook next offseason.

3. Bryan Harsin, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Texas

Yep, that's right—another former Boise State assistant.

Bryan Harsin served as a Broncos assistant for 10 years, spending the last five (2006-10) as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

And during that span, Boise State went an eye-popping 61-5, including two undefeated seasons capped off by BCS bowl wins.

While Harsin has since moved to Texas as the co-offensive coordinator, his success won't be overlooked just because he's got a brand new home.

He developed a potent offense at Boise State, and he'll be a head coach sooner than we might think.

2. Brent Venables, Offensive Coordinator, Oklahoma

Currently the associate head coach, linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for Oklahoma, Brent Venables has been around major college football since 1991.

After graduating from Kansas State in 1992, he stayed on there as the school's linebackers coach until 1998 before following Bob Stoops to Oklahoma in 1999.

And, in case you couldn't tell, Venables has had the opportunity to work with a ton of future NFL stars there, taking on an active role in their development as both football players and young men.

In fact, in 2006, Venables was actually one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, which recognizes the nation's top assistant coaches.

He was a finalist for a reason, too.

Since Venables became Oklahoma's defensive coordinator in 2004, the Sooners are 74-20. 

1. Gus Malzahn, Offensive Coordinator, Auburn

Known for his no-huddle offense and his abilities as a top-notch recruiter, Guz Malzahn played a pivotal role in Auburn's national championship run last season and was awarded the 2010 Broyles Award as a result.

Under Malzahn (who served as OC/QB coach) in 2010, the Tigers led the SEC in rushing, total and scoring offense, as well as pass efficiency.

Malzahn is widely considered to be one of the nation's premier offensive coordinators, which is why he was pursued by schools like Vanderbilt after the 2010 season.

But after snubbing the Commodores and deciding to remain at Auburn, Malzahn will once again be a hot commodity on the coaching market next season.

And if he can keep Auburn at the top of the SEC without Cam Newton at the helm, then he might have the longest list of suitors of any coach out there.