By Mike Huesmann
In conjunction with my coaches’ hot seat list, I want to dive into who could be targets for these schools. Firing a coach is one thing, but if you don’t hire the right replacement who has a plan, you’ll never take that step up. I will be doing weekly articles on possible coaches for current bosses on the hot seat, where the vultures are circling.
We start off in Houston, where the move to the Big 12 hasn’t started smoothly. The Cougars sit at 1-2 with a win over UTSA and losses to Rice and TCU. Houston was awesome in 2021, going 12-2, but aside from that year, they haven’t been great under Holgo. With the extreme resources they have and talent hotbed for recruiting, they expect to be doing better. Here are some options they could go with the job opens up.
Possible Candidates to Replace Dana Holgorsen
Shannon Dawson
Offensive Coordinator, Miami
Dawson is in his first year leading the Hurricanes’ offense after being in Houston for 3 seasons. He did wonders coaching Clayton Tune and Tank Dell, which coincided with Holgorsen’s best seasons with the Cougars. If Miami and Tyler Van Dyke keep up the hot streak and the Houston job becomes available, his name will be brought up for the job.
Jonathan Smith
Head Coach, Oregon State
Smith is an Oregon State guy. He played there and has been an assistant and head coach there. That’s basically all the Beavers have going for them. They pay him a pittance, relatively speaking, for a P5 head coach at $2.4 million a year. Additionally, they face conference and future insecurity, and they aren’t the attraction he may warrant. Houston would triple his salary and offer a better recruiting base while allowing him to remain in a P5 conference that is stable.
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Tom Herman
Head Coach, Florida Atlantic
Who doesn’t love a homecoming? Herman was an elite coach here in his time here, which was his first HC job. He went a staggering 22-4 over 2 years before leaving for Texas, a blue-blood job that most will not hold against him. He has probably been Texas’ best head coach since Mack Brown, but the 32-18 wasn’t enough to keep him there. He’s in his first year at FAU, which could be one roadblock to going back to Houston. You don’t see a ton of guys leave after a single year.
Alex Atkins
Offensive Coordinator, Florida State
Pulling double duty as O-coordinator and offensive line coach this year really showcased why Atkins has consistently been mentioned for head coaching positions. Under Norvell, his offense has prioritized running the ball and moving the chains. He rolls in backs and tight ends. Atkins may not be the first call, but I bet he isn’t too far down the list. If the Seminoles keep winning and make the CFP, he’s likely to be a P5 head coach in 2024.
G.J. Kinne
Head Coach, Texas State
Another coach in his first year at a school, Kinne came to Texas State from FCS Incarnate Word, where he also spent only one season. He was 12-2 last year when their season ended in the FCS semifinals. Through 3 games, his Bobcat teams are 2-1 and lighting up the scoreboard in wins over Baylor and Jackson State. He has TJ Finley playing lights out as well, as the former LSU and Auburn QB is making all the throws. Kinne knows the state of Texas well. If Houston doesn’t make him their head coach, another P5 team will soon.
