College Football: Assistant Coaches Who Could Get Head Jobs in 2012

Will Muschamp, Chip Kelly, Jimbo Fisher.

All were once highly regarded assistants, and now they all have been given the keys to some of College Football's elite programs.

Who'll be next? While the 2011 season isn't quite here yet, here are a few guys who could take the next step after the 2011 season.

Kirby Smart, DC, Alabama

Smart has learned from one of the best under Nick Saban and has produced a top-notch defense year in and year out in the Nation's most competitive conference.

If his unit produces again this year, which is highly probable, Smart's name could get thrown around once some coaches are inevitably shown the door.

Gus Malzahn, OC, Auburn

Two words come to mind when I think of Malzahn: explosiveness and consistency.

Malzahn has produced electric offenses at Arkansas, Tulsa and at Auburn, where he turned Cam Newton into a Heisman Winner and No. 1 NFL draft pick.

He was linked to multiple job openings this past offseason but stayed after getting a huge raise from Auburn. However, another offseason full of suitors and Malzahn may just take the next step.

Paul Chryst, OC, Wisconsin

Wisconsin put together a great season last year en route to the Rose Bowl, and Paul Chryst deserves a ton of credit for that.

Chryst's offenses have consistently been very good the last few seasons, and he has recruited a ton of NFL talent.

Wisconsin DC Dave Doeren parlayed his success last season into a head coaching gig, and it would seem to be only a matter of time before Chryst does the same.

Bud Foster, DC, Virginia Tech

How Bud Foster still has not gotten a head coaching position is simply baffling.

His defenses have led Virginia Tech to multiple conference championships and BCS Bowl berths and regularly rank among the Nation's best.

Foster was almost hired at Clemson a couple years back, but that job went to Dabo Swinney.

Foster's name will no doubt surface among the coaching vacancies this coming offseason, and the guy can't be someone's second choice too much longer.

Mark Stoops, DC, Florida State

Florida State was one of the most improved teams in the nation last season, and it all started on defense.

Stoops has helped Jimbo Fisher get the 'Noles back to the cusp of being elite, and a monster infusion of talent from the 2011 recruiting class should only help Stoops' unit's production.

If FSU has the type of season many are expecting, don't be surprised to hear Stoops' name a lot when the coaching carousel begins to turn.