Sunday December 11, 2016
Western Kentucky: Per Pete Thamel of SI, Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Mike Sanford will be the new head coach at WKU. Sources tell FootballScoop the hire is in the works as well.
FAU: Sources tell FootballScoop, Michigan offensive coordinator Tim Drevno is a candidate for the head coaching position at FAU and we also hear tonight that Lane Kiffin might have come back to the table. Sources tell us tonight that a hire could be announced in the next 24-48 hours.
South Florida: Sources tell FootballScoop, Charlie Strong will bring former Texas linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary to South Florida in a senior assistant capacity, possibly with the defensive coordinator title. Jean-Mary followed Strong to Texas from Louisville where he coach linebackers for four seasons.
LSU: Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada has emerged as a "serious candidate" for LSU's offensive coordinator role should Lane Kiffin not opt to join Ed Orgeron's staff, according to Ross Dellenger of the Baton Rouge Advocate. Dellenger also notes that, as previously reported, LSU has also vetted Steve Sarkisian and Mark Helfrich for the role.
Danny Rocco: The Richmond head coach said Sunday he plans to meet with representatives from Richmond and Delaware on Monday, according to John O'Conner of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Minnesota Vikings: After missing last week's game following emergency eye surgery, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said Sunday there was no chance he wasn't going to be at today's game in Jacksonville and that he won't miss a game "for the rest of his life," according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.
Buffalo Bills: Amid reports he could be fired as soon as Monday, Rex Ryan said following his club's 27-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, "I got no comment on that. I don't know anything about that."
Texas: Rutgers offensive coordinator, and Tom Herman protege, Drew Mehringer is headed to Texas. We understand Bobby Deren of ScarletNation was the first to report the move (others have confirmed and we can as well). Mehringer spent the 2015 season with Herman at UH and was with him 2012-13 at Ohio State, and at Iowa State and Rice as well. Thamel adds Mehringer will have pass game coordinator title.
Temple: Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo has been contacted about the school's head coaching job, according to Philly.com. DeFilippo is the former offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns and is in his first year with the Eagles.
South Florida: With Charlie Strong now hired, AD Mark Harlan noted in the school's release that interim head coach TJ Weist will lead the team through their bowl game.
South Florida: Chris Low of ESPN is now reporting that Charlie Strong has agreed to a deal to become USF's new head coach. Low adds that Strong would like to take most of his staff from Texas with him, including offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert. UPDATE>>South Florida has now formally announced the hire.
San Francisco 49ers: CBS Sports' Jason LaCanfora reports that "it would be a surprise" if 49ers general manager Trent Baalke was retained following this season. LaCanfora adds that Chip Kelly's fate would then be determined by the new GM. LaCanfora mentions that Mike Shanahan "could join the 49ers in a coaching and/or executive capacity."
Ole Miss: Chuck Rounsaville reports that Ole Miss is meeting with and considering Sterlin Gilbert (formerly of Texas), Sonnie Cumbie (TCU), Chip Long (Memphis) and Phil Longo (Sam Houston State) for their offensive coordinator position.
South Florida: Charlie Strong is expected to be the next head coach South Florida. The two parties are closing in on a five-year deal, Pete Thamel has reported. More on Strong to USF here.
Georgia Tech: Assistant director of player personnel Brad Waggoner has been announced as the new head coach at Trousdale County HS (TN).
Verne Lundquist: Verne's final sign off from last night marked a very special moment in college football. Enjoy the moment my friends.
Virginia Union (D-II): Per source, running backs coach Aaron "AJ" Taylor has resigned.
New York Jets: In a piece published early this morning, Rich Cimini of ESPN notes that "the sense from people familiar with the situation is that [owner Woddy Johnson} is not planning to fire [head coach Todd] Bowles after only two seasons."