Obviously the preference is for Dabo to stay and adapt. He’s at worst a top 5 HC this century (imo) and there is no telling what a replacement would be like. However, if Dabo were to hang em up, say after Clay graduates, here are the guys I have on a list to vet. Some are more realistic than others, some are more desired than others. This is quick fire thoughts. Bolding and underlining the guys who I would want to call. Hoping this spawns constructive discussion.
P4 Head coaches:
P4 Head coaches:
- Rhett Lashlee: Has a good thing going at SMU. Just got a contract extension and their boosters are loaded. Not afraid to use the portal. Recruiting is a question. A southern guy. Has adapted from the Malzahn offense.
- Curt Cignetti: Moonshot hire. Guy is a proven winner. Former Bama recruiting coordinator. Older. New contract. Doesn’t seem like he wants to leave IU.
- Jedd Fisch: Southern guy but has eyes on the Florida job. Team commits dumb penalties. Has bounced around a lot. Lots of time in the NFL. Recruiting?
- Kenny Dillingham: Very quick turnaround at ASU. Good offenses. Very good QB developer (Bo Nix). Arizona guy, ASU grad so would be an incredibly difficult pull. Cheap contract though. Very young.
- Lance Leipold: Has won big at UWW. Did well at Buffalo. CEO type. Recruiting? Was Kansas success a mirage? Midwest guy. Older
- Chris Kleiman: CEO type. Defensive guy. Midwest guy. Recruiting? Teams play hard and physical.
- Eli Drinkwitz: I hate this because he looks like a frat bro who never grew up. Young, southern-ish. Spent time in the Carolinas. Recruiting is good. Uses portal and NIL well. Unsure on how good he is though. 11-2 in 2023 a flash in the pan?
- Brent Venables: Hasn’t been great at OU but has been dealt some rough hands in his time there. Isn’t afraid to embrace the portal. Gets Clemson. Come on it’s Brent.
- Troy Taylor: Well respected in the profession. Stanford stinks but it’s Stanford. Won at Sacramento. West Coast guy.
- Fran Brown: Northeast guy. Inexperienced. Great recruiter as a position coach. Would he be better than just giving the job to Mike Reed? Uses NIL and the portal.
- Jon Sumrall: Only been a coach for 3 years but has won. Would like to see more though. Tulane was gutted after Fritz left and they haven’t missed a beat. Southern guy.
- Jeff Traylor: Worked with Chad Morris. Has done well at UTSA but seems to be on a downward trend, may have missed his window to make the jump to P5. Eye for talent. Texas guy through and through
- Jamey Chadwell: I absolutely do no want to call him for various reasons but I think some other Clemson fans would
- Nick Eason: Clemson man through and through. Fans would love him. Players would run through a wall for him. Never been more than a position coach.
- Shannon Dawson: Experienced. Good offense
- Andy Kotelnicki: Innovative offense.
- Tim Banks: Fantastic defense at Tennessee. Can recruit. Talent developer.
- Glenn Schuman: Rising name, good DC. Is he HC material? Can recruit. Learned from some of the best
