Florida Gators: 25 Good and Not-So-Good Coaching Candidates
By Terry Lane
The Poach-a-Coach Option
Sep 6, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino calls out instructions during the first quarter against the Murray State Racers at Papa John
Bobby Petrino
He was doing a pretty good job at Arkansas when in 2012 he wiped out on his motorcycle with his young girlfriend/employee on the back. Neither his wife nor the athletic department was amused, as he both lost his job and his street cred with the local bikers. But he’s riding high again as head coach of Louisville, who just might beat FSU this year, ahem ahem. It’d be great to have him as head coach because the photos of him in that ridiculous looking neck brace after his wreck dominate Google image results.
Mark Hudspeth
Under Hudspeth, the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns went from always terrible to pretty good, winning nine games a year three consecutive years in the Sun Belt Conference. They’re a little down this year, at 3-3, but they win their games with offense, which would be sweet relief for Gator fans, many who will want him. This could be a good fit and I’m on board with exploring this issue more deeply.
Hugh Freeze
The current Mississippi coach has a story straight out of Hollywood. He was the high school coach of Michael Oher, the offensive lineman portrayed in the movie The Blind Side, and his incredible journey from high school coach to successful college head coach is a story in itself. Unlike several other candidates, Freeze doesn’t have experience as a Florida assistant coach, making him a fresh start. Of course, Ole Miss won’t want to depart with him, so it may take victory in a bidding war to get him.
Craig Bohl
In a decade at North Dakota State, he won three championships in whatever they call 1-AA now. The Bison have done so well that ESPN’s College Gameday has even made a visit there. He’s back in the big leagues at Wyoming and many think he’s primed to go even bigger. Some think he’ll be sought heavily by Michigan, who will also likely be in a coaching search.
Jim McElwain
People are talking about Jim McElwain for a coaching position. Look, here he is “laughing it off.” The Colorado State Rams are 6-1 in their third season under McElwain. He’s a serious candidate for any Power 5 conference job now, so we should take a close look.
Rich Rodriguez
The former West Virginia and Michigan coach got the team he currently runs, the Arizona Wildcats, ranked in the top-10. That’s big news at a basketball school, but his resume shows that he’s ready for the next, bigger job and Gator football is way bigger than Wildcats football.
Dana Holgeorsen
West Virginia is always a good place to look for coaches and their current coach is putting points on the board through an innovative offense. The Mountaineers just knocked off previously unbeaten Baylor this week and his coaching stock continues to rise.
Art Briles
Baylor was once the Vanderbilt of the Big 12. Now they are a national power and dominating the Lone Star State with a fast paced offense that Gator fans will love. He worked his way up into the job through the Texas high school route, so he may have sentimental reasons to stay in Waco.