Disclaimer: I want us to keep Dan Mullen. 5 years ago we were thrilled to be 8-4. Today we're pissed. That's a testament to how good of a job he's done. I'd rather keep Mullen than hire any of these 3, because you just never know when hiring a new coach. But I think all 3 of these would be home run hires, and I think they're all realistic.

Philip Montgomery - head coach, Tulsa
  • Former OC at Baylor from 2006-2014, developing QBs like Robert Griffin III (Heisman winner) and Bryce Petty.
  • Was able to modify his offense for an elite mobile QB and a stationary one.
  • Baylor built up to over 600 yards/game under him.
  • Tulsa went 2-10 last year without him, now they're 6-6 and averaging over 500 yards/game.
  • 43 years old

Willie Fritz - head coach, Georgia Southern
  • Mainly a defense guy, but has always run a "pistol triple option," which is similar to Navy/Georgia Tech but also has a lot of shotgun and pistol snaps. May be the perfect system for Fitz.
  • 40-15 at Sam Houston State, with two championship game appearances
  • Now 17-6 at Georgia Southern. Georgia Southern transitioned from FCS to Sun Belt and immediately has dominated, only losing 1 conference game

Tom Herman - head coach, Houston
  • Former OC for Urban Meyer at Ohio State, so already runs a similar offense.
  • Has Houston 11-1 after the previous coach was 20-17 over the last 3 years
  • Supposedly turned down South Carolina to hold out for a better job, but it may turn out that no better jobs come open and he'll look at a school like us
  • 40 years old