25 assistants deserving strong head coach consideration

In this newest installment of the On3 rising star coaches sequence, we sought to determine coaches who’re rising as potentialities to guide FBS applications sooner or later within the close to future.

We determined to do that somewhat totally different than the usual “head coach candidate” checklist. Instead of wanting on the anticipated candidates for the upcoming cycle, we thought it worthwhile to survey coaches to see who they view as prepared and deserving of head coach consideration.

Here are 25 assistants whose names got here up ceaselessly.

A notice: We restricted the checklist to coaches who might be beneath 55 this subsequent cycle, and we didn’t embrace guys who have already got been FBS head coaches.

The coaches are listed alphabetically.

Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk

Recent jobs: Houston (2019-present), West Virginia cornerbacks coach (2017-18), Alabama graduate assistant (2014-16)
+ Entering his second season as Houston’s DC after two years as co-DC/safeties coach for the Cougars.
+ Was a Broyles Award semifinalist final season. The award goes to the nation’s prime assistant.
+ Led the best way because the Cougars improved from fifty fifth nationally in whole protection in 2020 to sixth final season.
+ Has been affiliate head coach for Houston since 2020.
+ Was a goal for a number of Power 5 defensive coordinator jobs through the offseason however signed a contract extension with the Cougars.

Baylor quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell

Recent jobs: Baylor (2017-present), Cedar Ridge (Texas) High coach (2016), Magnolia (Texas) West coach (2010-15)
+ Broke 28 faculty information as a quarterback at Baylor from 2003-06.
+ Served as a highschool coach in Texas for eight seasons earlier than becoming a member of Baylor’s employees in 2017. 
+ Was named District 13-6A Coach of the Year in 2016 after main Cedar Hill to an 11-1 report and its first district championship.
+ Guided Magnolia West to the playoffs in every of his six seasons as coach.
+ Entering his second season as Baylor’s quarterback coach after beforehand working as tight ends coach (2020), offensive line coach (2018-19) and as an analyst (2017).

Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn

Recent jobs: Oklahoma State (2011-present), Southern Miss vast receivers coach (2010), Seattle Seahawks working backs coach (2008-09)
+ The longest consecutively serving Oklahoma State assistant since 1962.
+ Was promoted to affiliate head coach in 2019 and to offensive coordinator in 2020.
+ Led the best way for an offense that ranked twelfth nationally and first within the Big 12 in first downs final season.
+ Helped Spencer Sanders grow to be solely the second quarterback in Oklahoma State historical past to garner first-team all-conference honors.

Miami offensive coordinator Josh Gattis

Recent jobs: Miami (2022-present), Michigan OC (2019-21), Alabama co-OC/vast receivers coach (2018), Penn State vast receivers coach (2014-17)
+ Received curiosity for a number of head-coaching jobs this previous teaching cycle, together with as a prime candidate for Virginia’s opening.
+ Won the Broyles Award last year.
+ Was a part of Michigan’s turnaround from 2-4 in 2020 to 12-2, a Big Ten championship and a College Football Playoff berth final season.
+ Gattis’ Wolverines offense improved from fifth within the Big Ten in scoring in 2020 (28.3 factors per sport) to second final season (35.8).

Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh

Recent jobs: Tennessee (2021-present), UCF co-OC/tight ends coach (2020), Iowa State tight ends coach (2016-19)
+ Is Tennessee’s play-caller.
+ Helped the Vols go from 102nd nationally in whole offense to ninth final season.
+ Previously labored beneath Josh Heupel at UCF; he additionally spent 4 seasons as an assistant beneath Matt Campbell at Iowa State.
+ Was co-OC for a 2020 UCF offense that ranked second nationally in whole offense.

Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes

Recent jobs: Baylor (2021-present), BYU OC (2018-20), LSU offensive line coach (2014-17)
+ Was one among 5 finalists for the Broyles Award final season.
+ Was an enormous a part of Baylor going from 2-7 in 2020 to 12-2 and Big 12 champions final season.
+ Spearheaded the Bears’ enchancment from second-worst within the Big 12 in scoring offense in 2020 (23.3 factors per sport) to 3rd final season (31.6).
+ Improved BYU’s offense from 119th nationally in 2017 and a hundred and first in 2018 to twenty eighth in 2019 and sixth in 2020. Grimes’ 2020 Cougars offense, which featured present New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, ranked first nationally in yards per play (7.84) and performs of no less than 30 yards (45).
+ Has developed 17 future NFL offensive linemen, together with three first-round picks.

USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch

Recent jobs: USC (2022-present), Oklahoma DC (2019-present), Ohio State co-DC/safeties coach (2018), Washington State DC (2015-17)
+ Led Oklahoma defenses that ranked no worse than sixth within the Big 12 any of his three seasons because the Sooners’ DC after inheriting a unit that ranked worst within the convention in 2018. That consists of top-three finishes in each 2019 and ’20.
+ Grinch’s 2020 Sooners protection ranked within the prime 10 nationally in interceptions (third), opponent third down conversion proportion (fourth), sacks (seventh), cross effectivity protection (ninth) and rush protection (ninth).
+ Guided a 2017 Washington State protection that ranked sixteenth nationally.
+ Nephew of former Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.

LSU vast receivers coach Cortez Hankton

Recent jobs: LSU (2022-present), Georgia vast receivers coach (2018-21), Vanderbilt vast receivers coach (2015-17)
+ Joined Brian Kelly’s employees at LSU after 4 seasons at Georgia.
+ Also serves as cross sport coordinator for the Tigers.
+ Has landed commitments from three Class of 2023 vast receivers, together with five-star Shelton Sampson Jr. and top-40 general recruit Jalen Brown.
+ Recruited and developed gamers at Georgia resembling vast receiver George Pickens, a 2022 second-round draft choose of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
+ Former NFL vast receiver; spent 4 seasons with the (*25*) Jaguars (2003-06).

Ohio State vast receivers coach Brian Hartline

Recent jobs: Ohio State (2017-present)
+ Entering his fifth season as Ohio State’s vast receivers coach after one season as a Buckeyes analyst.
+ Was promoted to cross sport coordinator earlier this yr.
+ Produced three All-American vast receivers final season and two top-11 picks on this yr’s NFL draft (Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave).
+ Has been one of many lead recruiters on 22 four-star or higher recruits Ohio State has landed since 2019, together with three of the highest 9 receivers within the 2023 recruiting class.
+ Former standout Ohio State receiver.
+ Played seven seasons within the NFL, ending with 344 catches.

LSU defensive coordinator Matt House

Recent jobs: LSU (2022-present), Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach (2019-21), Kentucky DC (2017-18)
+ Back on the faculty degree after three seasons working for Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs.
+ Was a part of two Chiefs groups that performed within the Super Bowl, together with Kansas City’s Super Bowl-winning squad in 2019.
+ In 2018, House helped Kentucky submit its first 10-win season since 1977.
+ Led the best way for a Wildcats protection that ranked sixth nationally in scoring protection.
+ Was Aaron Donald’s faculty defensive coordinator at Pitt, serving to Donald win ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2013.

Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby

Recent jobs: Oklahoma (2022-present), Ole Miss OC (2020-21), UCF OC (2019), UCF QB coach (2018), Southeastern (Fla.) OC (2017), Baylor assistant (2008-16)
+ Joined Brent Venables’ employees at his alma mater, Oklahoma, after two seasons as Lane Kiffin’s OC and quarterbacks coach at Ole Miss.
+ A number one determine behind Rebels offenses that ranked first within the SEC every of the previous two seasons.
+ The previous two quarterbacks he’s coached are Matt Corral, a third-round choose of the Carolina Panthers, and Dillon Gabriel, who transferred to Oklahoma this yr after main the nation in passing yardage beneath Lebby at UCF in 2019.

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard

Recent jobs: Wisconsin (2016-present)
+ Has been Wisconsin’s DC since 2017 after moving into teaching in 2016 because the Badgers’ secondary coach.
+ Has led Wisconsin to top-five finishes in whole protection every of the previous three seasons, together with No. 1 final yr.
+ Former Wisconsin and NFL defensive again.
+ Became a three-time All-American for the Badgers after starting his profession as a walk-on.
+ Played 10 seasons within the NFL, with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns. 

Tennessee working backs coach Jerry Mack

Recent jobs: Tennessee (2021-present), Rice OC (2018-20), North Carolina Central head coach (2014-17)
+ Helped Tennessee rank ninth nationally in whole offense and eleventh in speeding offense final season.
+ Posted a 31-15 report as coach at FCS North Carolina Central.
+ Was named HBCU Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year Award in 2016.

Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Manning

Recent jobs: Iowa State (2019-present), Indianapolis Colts tight ends coach (2018), Iowa State OC (2016-17), Toledo offensive line coach (2012-15)
+ Played with Matt Campbell at Mount Union and has labored with him for all however two years since 2009, together with 10 of Campbell’s 11 seasons as head coach at Toledo and Iowa State.
+ Has been a part of the turnaround at Iowa State, which has been ranked for no less than components of every of the previous 5 seasons after going 11 years with out being ranked.
+ Has produced three of the highest 4 offenses in Iowa State historical past the previous three years.

Georgia working backs coach Dell McGee

Recent jobs: Georgia (2016-present), Georgia Southern working backs coach/interim coach (2014-15), Auburn analyst (2013)
+ A trusted lieutenant for Kirby Smart since 2016.
+ Has been an assistant head coach and run sport coordinator for Georgia along with being the Bulldogs’ working backs coach.
+ Developed 5 present NFL working backs who went within the prime 4 rounds of the NFL draft, together with Browns Pro Bowl working again Nick Chubb.
+ Has been a lead recruiter on five-star gamers resembling beginning offensive sort out Broderick Jones and freshman defensive lineman Mykel Williams.
+ Served as interim coach at Georgia Southern in 2015, main the Eagles to a win of their first bowl sport.
+ Won a state title and posted an 88-19 report (together with 21-6 within the playoffs) as coach at Columbus (Ga.) Carver from 2005-12 after inheriting a program that hadn’t completed with a profitable report in 9 years and had by no means posted a double-digit win season. Led the crew to seven consecutive double-digit win seasons. Twice was named Georgia highschool Coach of the Year.
+ Former Auburn and NFL defensive again. Was a 1996 fifth-round choose of the Arizona Cardinals.

Michigan co-coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore

Recent jobs: Michigan (2018-present), Central Michigan tight ends coach (2014-17)
+ Oversaw a Michigan offensive line that gained the Joe Moore Award final season. The award is given yearly to the nation’s finest o-line.
+ Was promoted to co-offensive coordinator earlier this yr.
+ Coached the Wolverines’ tight ends group for 3 seasons earlier than transferring to offensive line coach final season.
+ Served as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at Central Michigan along with being the crew’s tight ends coach.
+ Former Oklahoma offensive lineman.

Ole Miss co-coordinator/safeties coach Chris Partridge

Recent jobs: Ole Miss (2020-present), Michigan assistant (2016-19), Michigan director of participant personnel (2015)
+ Promoted to play-caller earlier this yr after DJ Durkin left for Texas A&M.
+ Helped Ole Miss’ protection enhance by two touchdowns per sport final season, from rating final within the SEC in scoring protection in 2020 (38.3 factors per sport) to rating eight final yr (24.7).
+ Made the transfer to the faculty degree in 2015 after 5 seasons as a highschool coach at Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, the place he developed greater than 30 Division I gamers.
+ Served as Michigan’s particular groups coordinator whereas additionally teaching the Wolverines’ linebackers (2016-17) and safeties (2018-19).
+ Has been a lead recruiter on extremely ranked prospects like Rashan Gary and Dax Hill at Michigan and defensive lineman Tywone Malone at Ole Miss. Malone was the No. 89 general participant within the 2021 On3 Consensus Rankings.

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees

Recent jobs: Notre Dame (2017-present), San Diego Chargers offensive assistant (2016), Northwestern graduate assistant (2015)
+ Has helped Notre Dame go 21-4 the previous two seasons, with a College Football Playoff berth in 2020.
+ Led an offense that ranked nineteenth nationally in scoring final yr.
+ Helped QB Ian Book, a former three-star recruit, grow to be a top-10 Heisman finisher and a 2021 fourth-round choose of the New Orleans Saints.
+ Was promoted to OC in 2020 after three seasons because the Fighting Irish’s quarterbacks coach.
+ Former Notre Dame beginning quarterback. Ranks third at school historical past with 61 profession landing passes, together with 27 as a senior in 2013.

Penn State working backs coach Ja’Juan Seider

Recent jobs: Penn State (2018-present), Florida working backs coach (2017), West Virginia working backs coach (2013-16)
+ Was promoted to co-OC earlier this yr.
+ Has developed a number of all-conference and future NFL working backs, together with Miles Sanders at Penn State in addition to Charles Sims and Wendell Smallwood at West Virginia.
+ Continues to be one of many nation’s prime recruiters. Has landed extremely ranked prospects resembling Nittany Lions five-star freshman working again Nick Singleton and five-star Class of 2023 offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier.
+ Won the Doug Williams National Offensive Player of the Year as a quarterback at Florida A&M in 1999 after starting his faculty taking part in profession at West Virginia. Was a 2000 sixth-round choose of the San Diego Chargers.

Louisville offensive coordinator Lance Taylor

Recent jobs: Louisville (2022-present), Notre Dame working backs coach (2019-21), Carolina Panthers vast receivers coach (2017-18), Stanford working backs coach (2014-16)
+ Joined Scott Satterfield’s Louisville employees after three seasons at Notre Dame.
+ Was run sport coordinator for the Fighting Irish along with being working backs coach.
+ Helped Kyren Williams escape and rush for two,127 yards and 27 touchdowns the final two seasons, together with 1,125 yards and 13 TDs as a redshirt freshman in 2020.
+ Contributed to DJ Moore main Carolina Panthers receivers with 788 yards as a rookie in 2018.
+ Was Christian McCaffrey’s working backs coach at Stanford. Mentored McCaffrey on his option to changing into a Heisman finalist and 2017 first-round choose of the Panthers.
+ Former Alabama vast receiver. Began his teaching profession as a graduate assistant beneath Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide in 2007 and ’08.

Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters

Recent jobs: Illinois (2021-present), Missouri DC (2018-20), Missouri safeties coach (2015-17), Memphis cornerbacks coach (2014)
+ Led the best way as Illinois improved from 97th nationally in scoring protection in 2020 to thirty first final yr in his first season as defensive coordinator.
+ Helped the Fighting Illini go from tenth to first in Big Ten convention play in passing protection in addition to from 14th to 3rd in touchdowns allowed and 14th to fourth in scoring protection.
+ Contributed to security Kerby Joseph changing into Illinois’ first All-Big Ten first-team defensive again since 1989.
+ Improved Missouri’s protection from 83rd in 2017 to 62nd in 2018 and 14th in 2019.
+ Former Colorado beginning security. Was a crew captain and crew MVP as a senior in 2008.

Alabama vast receivers coach Holmon Wiggins

Recent jobs: Alabama (2019-present), Virginia Tech vast receivers coach (2016-18), Memphis vast receivers coach (2012-15)
+ Has coached 5 NFL first-round picks, a second-round choose and a Heisman winner in his first three seasons as Alabama’s vast receivers coach.
+ Was promoted to assistant head coach of offense for the Crimson Tide final yr.
+ Spent seven seasons working beneath Justin Fuente at Virginia Tech and Memphis earlier than being employed at Alabama.
+ Coached the 2 main receivers in Virginia Tech historical past. Cam Phillips was a first-team All-ACC choice beneath Wiggins and set Virginia Tech profession information for receptions and receiving yards. Isaiah Ford broke Tech’s single-season report with 79 catches beneath Wiggins in 2016.

USC secondary coach Donte Williams

Recent jobs: USC (2020-present), Oregon cornerbacks coach (2018-19), Nebraska cornerbacks coach (2017), Arizona cornerbacks coach (2016), San Jose State secondary coach (2013-15)
+ Was retained by Lincoln Riley after initially becoming a member of the USC employees in 2020.
+ Served as USC’s interim coach final season.
+ Had been affiliate head coach for the Trojans beneath Clay Helton.
+ USC’s defensive cross sport coordinator along with being the crew’s secondary coach.
+ One of the nation’s prime recruiters. Has landed a top-five general recruit every of the previous 4 cycles at Oregon and USC— linebacker Justin Flowe (2020), defensive lineman Korey Foreman (2021), cornerback Domani Jackson (2022) and vast receiver Zachariah Branch (2023).
+ Helped USC maintain opponents to 216 passing yards per sport in 2020, its finest pass-defense common since 2013.

UCF defensive coordinator Travis Williams

Recent jobs: UCF (2021-present), Auburn co-DC/linebackers coach (2019-20), Auburn linebackers coach (2016-18), Auburn analyst (2014-15)
+ Led a large defensive turnaround in his first season as a coordinator as UCF went from 123rd nationally in whole protection in 2020 (491.8 yards per sport) to 53rd final season (369.3 yards per sport).
+ During a 6-1 stretch to shut the season, Williams’ protection restricted opponents to a median of 11.8 factors within the six wins and posted a median of 5 sacks in these six video games.
+ Continues to be thought to be a top-tier recruiter. At Auburn, Williams recruited, coached and developed gamers resembling former five-star linebacker Owen Pappoe, All-SEC linebacker Zakoby McClain and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fifth-round choose Ok.J. Britt, a 2019 first-team All-SEC choice.
+ Was promoted to co-DC at Auburn in 2019 and to recruiting coordinator in 2020.
+ Was an All-SEC linebacker for Auburn in 2004 and ’05. The defensive recipient of the crew’s Pat Dye Leadership Award each years.

Iowa particular groups coordinator LeVar Woods

Recent jobs: Iowa (2008-present)
+ Has been Iowa’s particular groups coordinator since 2018 after beforehand working for the Hawkeyes as tight ends coach (2015-17), linebackers coach (2012-14) and as an administrative assistant (2008-11).
+ Helped Iowa rank within the prime 20 nationally final season in kickoff return protection (14th), subject aim effectivity (18th) and kickoff returns (18th).
+ Contributed to Charlie Jones profitable Big Ten Returner of the Year and kicker Caleb Shudak being a first-team All-Big Ten choice.
+ Former Iowa and NFL linebacker. Was an All-Big Ten choice and the winner of the Hawkeyes’ Hayden Fry Extra Heartbeat Award (given to the participant who demonstrates extraordinary effort on the sphere) as a senior at Iowa in 2000.
+ Played seven seasons within the NFL, with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans.

Others talked about as names to know transferring ahead: Miami secondary coach Jahmile Addae, FSU OC Alex Atkins, Tennessee DC Tim Banks, Oregon OC Kenny Dillingham, Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye, Alabama DC Pete Golding, Rutgers DC Joe Harasymiak, UCF co-OC/working backs coach Tim Harris, Virginia OC Des Kitchings, Texas Tech OC Zach Kittley, Boston College DC Tem Lukabu, Texas vast receivers coach Brennan Marion, Virginia Tech DC Chris Marve, Notre Dame working backs coach Deland McCollough, Michigan DC Jesse Minter, Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, Washington State OC Eric Morris, Penn State co-DC/safeties coach Anthony Poindexter, TCU OC Garrett Riley, Utah DC Morgan Scalley, Iowa State working backs/vast receivers coach Nathan Scheelhaase, Georgia co-DC Glenn Schumann, Cincinnati DC Mike Tressel, Notre Dame line of defense coach Al Washington, Kentucky DC Brad White, South Carolina DC Clayton White.