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Brennan Marion, Will Stein, and More: Possible Head Coach Candidates for UNLV

Brennan Marion, Will Stein, and More Head Coach Options for UNLV to Replace Barry Odom

Avatar photoMike Huesmann
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Sep 9
Sep 9

By Mike Huesmann

We are hearing that Barry Odom is leaving for Purdue, and the Rebels will be sad to see him go. What he did here had never been done before. He was the only coach in program history to have back-to-back nine-win seasons, giving them their first winning season in over 20 years. In-house candidate Brennan Marion makes a ton of sense, but others may be interested in this job.

Brennan Marion

UNLV, Offensive Coordinator

Brennan Marion is in year two here as Barry Odom’s OC. He has had offensive success everywhere he’s coached. He’s been rumored to be a candidate for a few G5 openings. Since 2018, his stops have included William & Mary, Hawaii, Pittsburgh, Texas, and UNLV, where he’s currently at. He is as innovative as they come and his team’s ability to run the ball out of the Go-Go offense is assured. He would bring continuity to a place that finally wants it. He is on many of these lists for a reason, and he’s very close to being a head coach.

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Will Stein

Oregon, Offensive Coordinator

Now in his second season with the Ducks, Will Stein had his first year with Bo Nix and this year with Dillon Gabriel. The Ducks sit undefeated and the reputation for Will Stein is there. He is seen as a riser and a soon-to-be head coach. Before Oregon, he was the OC at UTSA where Jeff Traylor had his best seasons. It would not be surprising to see the 35-year-old Stein get a head coaching job elsewhere this offseason, especially if Oregon makes a run in the playoffs. If Dan Lanning leaves for the NFL, Will Stein has a good chance of being the in-house replacement or ending up at UNLV.

Van Malone

Kansas State, Assistant Head Coach/DB Coach

We have heard Van Malone mentioned for multiple G5 head coaching openings in the last few offseasons, and it won’t be too long before he gets one. He is a heck of a coach with an impressive resume, including stops at North Dakota State, Western Michigan, North Texas, Texas A&M, Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Southern Miss, SMU, and Mississippi State. Those are some serious chops and big-name coaches he’s worked with. UNLV feels like a school that could take a chance on him.

Brent Vigen

Montana State, Head Coach

Through four seasons at Montana State, Brent Vigen has barely put a foot wrong. A longtime Craig Bohl assistant at both NDSU and Wyoming, Brent Vigen appears to be a prime candidate for a Mountain West or MAC job should one come up. Brent Vigan led Montana State to a 45-9 record through four seasons and the #1 seed overall in this year’s FCS playoffs. Brent Vigen could be in the mix if this job opens up and UNLV doesn’t immediately hire Brennan Marion.

Bryan Harsin

Former Head Coach, Boise State and Auburn

Bryan Harsin was always a bad fit for the SEC, and the Auburn boosters tried to run him out of town almost immediately. It seemed like he was nearly doomed to fail, partly because of himself and partly the culture. He was a resounding success in his previous seven seasons at Boise, going 69-19 with a bowl game every year except the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. His success there has been quickly forgotten in the wake of Auburn, but it shouldn’t be. He’ll coach again somewhere in the Pacific or Mountain time zone and probably do well. I don’t know if this is the one for him, but he checks many boxes for UNLV. Sometimes the best ability is availability.

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