Who's next? 13 college football coaches due for a promotion
If you're an up-and-coming head coach or assistant who didn't get the call during this recent hiring cycle, don't worry: your time is coming. While 25 jobs have already been filled – with another two to come, Utah State and Florida International – there are many qualified coaches on the FCS and FBS level who should get the call in 2013, when the coaching carousel takes another spin.
Here are 13 coaches who will be in line for a promotion next winter:
Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart: It's just a matter of time for Smart, who has built such strong credentials working under Nick Saban that he can wait for the perfect job to become available. While the SEC would be his preferred landing spot, one wonders if Smart would leap at a top-tier ACC or Big 12 job if it became available next winter.
Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson: Clawson's résumé is nearly impeccable, minus his disappointing one-year turn as Tennessee's offensive coordinator in 2008. He turned in remarkable rebuilding jobs at Fordham and Richmond before doing much of the same over the last four seasons at Bowling Green.
Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris: Morris was in the mix for the Texas Tech job that went to Kliff Kingsbury. A move to Texas would make sense, due to Morris' history as a high school coach in the area. It won't be long for Morris, who has done an outstanding job with the Tigers; he's a lock to be a head coach by 2014.
Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease: Pease caught a bit of flack early in 2012 when Florida's offense stumbled coming out of the gate, but he's been praised for the way the Gators developed over the course of the year. If his offense takes another step forward in 2013, Pease will be on many school's shortlists.
Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter: Now that Mike MacIntyre and Gary Andersen have left San Jose State and Utah State, respectively, DeRuyter becomes the hottest commodity for West Coast-area programs looking for a fresh start. If MacIntyre had turned down Colorado, it's easy to see DeRuyter having been the school's next choice.
Louisiana-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth: Once might have been a fluke. Twice is impressive. If Hudspeth wins at least eight games again in 2013, his success with the Ragin' Cajuns will become a trend. What's not to like? Hudspeth has SEC experience and has been successful everywhere he's been as a head coach.
Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi: Unfortunately, another strong showing by Narduzzi's defense was lost in the shuffle during the Spartans' disappointing 2012 season. Michigan State ranked fourth nationally in total defense and 10th in scoring, so the defense wasn't to blame for the six losses (but it was to thank for the six wins). Narduzzi will get his shot very soon.
North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl: Bohl, the former defensive coordinator at Nebraska, is one win away from claiming NDSU's second FCS national championship in a row. While it would take a leap of faith for a major program to throw him the job, regional programs on the non-AQ level have Bohl's number on speed dial.
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chuck Martin: Martin hangs in the shadows behind Brian Kelly, but unlike many other coordinators on this list, he has past experience as a head coach. Martin went 74-7 at Grand Valley State from 2004-9, replacing Kelly, before joining his coaching mentor in South Bend in 2010.
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco: Diaco was a candidate for a few jobs this winter (Boston College, for one), and should continue to be a contender as long as Notre Dame's defense continues to rank among the nation's best. You'll see his top-rated defense at work against Alabama on Jan. 7.
Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman: Sometimes, we make the error of calling coach so-and-so a "genius." Well, Herman might actually qualify for that description – he's a card-carrying member of MENSA, the national high-IQ society. He's also a terrific coordinator and quarterbacks coach, as evidenced by his first season with the Buckeyes.
Towson coach Rob Ambrose: Like Bohl, Ambrose was once a coordinator on the FBS level (at Connecticut from 2002-8). A Towson graduate and former assistant coach with the Tigers from 1993-2000, Ambrose has led a perennially underachieving program to 16 wins over the last two years. Need to rebuild from the bottom up? Ambrose knows what it takes.
Washington defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox: Remember Washington's defense in 2011? (Remember the Alamo Bowl?) In his first season as coordinator, Wilcox piloted a group that ranked 37th nationally in scoring and 30th in total defense. His time under Boise State coach Chris Petersen makes Wilcox an even more attractive candidate.