Wednesday December 7, 2016
Nevada: Sources tell FootballScoop Nevada is hiring Arizona State assistant Jay Norvell to be their new head coach. More on the hire here.
Coach of the Year: Finalists for the FootballScoop Coach of the Year awards presented by ProGrass on the offensive side of the ball were released today. Defense/special teams, divisional and support staff announcements will come in later releases.
Cincinnati: We continue to hear that Ohio State's Luke Fickell is a strong candidate for the head coaching job with the Bearcats and that he has a large outpouring of support from coaches in the profession.
Oregon: Willie Taggart will get a 5-year deal worth around $3.2 million per season, according to multiple reports.
Fresno State: Bert Watts has been announced as Fresno's linebackers coach. Watts played for Jeff Tedford at California and most recently coached for UC Davis.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs and Dan Mullen are working on a contract extension according to multiple outlets.
South Florida: Top candidates for the USF job are Rich Bisacccia, Lawrence Dawsey, Lane Kiffin, Les Miles, Greg Schiano and Charlie Strong, according to ESPN's Brett McMurphy.
Houston: Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley is no longer under consideration for the Houston job, according to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle. Todd Orlando, Major Applewhite, Lane Kiffin and Les Miles remain in consideration for the job, Duarte reports, with the process expected to be completed by this weekend.
San Jose State: Brent Brennan has officially been announced as the new leader of the program.
FAU: The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that Larry Scott interviewed last night for the vacant head coaching job. Scott is the former interim head coach of the Miami Hurricanes and he's spent the past season coaching the tight ends at Tennessee.
FIU: Per source, Pitt quality control coach Eric Thatcher is joining the FIU staff as corners coach.
South Florida: South Florida has named co-offensive coordinator T.J. Weist its interim head coach. "We will work quickly but with careful thought and discussion to find our next football coach," AD Mark Harlan said.
Oregon: Oregon has now formally announced the hiring of Willie Taggart.
Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA): Indiana Wesleyan is seeking two full-time assistant coaches, one offense and one defense. Duties may include, but are not limited to, serving as the offensive or defensive coordinator and / or coaching a position group. Other duties include recruiting qualified student athletes, use of recruiting software, camp operations, scouting, film breakdown, monitoring academic progress of student-athletes, along with any other duties assigned by the Head Coach and Athletic Department. Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian university. Successful candidates must adhere, promote and contribute to the Christian environment. Interested candidates please email head coach Jordan Langs at Jordan.langs@indwes.edu with their cover letter and resume. No phone calls please.
Benedictine (NAIA - KS): We hear that Benedictine has posted an opening for their running backs job.
Purdue: Washington State inside receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard is expected to join Purdue's staff according to multiple reports.
Cincinnati: Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell is "in the mix" for the Cincinnati job, according to Clay Hall of WSYX-TV in Columbus.
LSU: Dave Aranda's new deal (3 years & change, through March 2020) pays him $1.8 million in year 1, $1.85M and $1.9M in year 3. Should he choose to leave before Dec 1, 2019 he would owe LSU 40% of his remaining salary due if he accepts a non-head coaching position within 500 miles of Baton Rouge and 15% if outside of Baton Rouge. No buyout required if he leaves after Dec 1, 2019 (for any job) or before if for a head coaching opportunity.
Dan Mullen: Asked about his name coming up in other coaching searches, Mississippi State's Dan Mullen told the Clarion-Ledger that "I've had several schools reach out to me this year. I'm very happy at Mississippi State and I think we're working on an extension for me to stay there."
San Jose State: Oregon State assistant Brent Brennan will be the new head coach at San Jose State reports John Canzano of the Oregonian. We can confirm the hire.
Snow College (JC - UT): Head coach Britt Maughan has announced that he is resigning to pursue other opportunities. Maughan has been with the program for a total of nine seasons, the past four as head coach.
Allegheny College (D-III - PA): Allegheny College is currently seeking applications to fill an assistant football coach / run game or recruiting coordinator position. This is a full-time, twelve-month appointment with a comprehensive benefits package. Allegheny, located in northwest Pennsylvania, is a four year, selective liberal arts college serving 2,100 students with unusual interests, skills and talents. A Bachelor’s degree is required; however a Master’s degree is preferred. The ideal candidates will have previous college coaching experience as a run game or recruiting coordinator. The candidate must have an understanding of the D-III philosophy and its role at a private liberal arts institution. Please submit a letter of application, resume, and provide contact information for at least three references to hr@allegheny.edu. Please place “Assistant FB Coach Search” in the subject line of the email. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please no phone call or email inquiries.
Sioux Falls (D-II - SD): Former Sioux Falls assistant Jon Anderson, who has spent the past four seasons as the head coach at West Virginia State (D-II), has been tabbed as the program's new head coach.
Dickinson (D-III - PA): Sources tell FootballScoop that longtime Dickinson College head coach Darwin Breaux will not return. The legendary Breaux, who is the program's all time winngest coach, won over 130 games leading the program for 24 seasons, leading the team to postseason play five times.
North Alabama: The school will join Division I in the 2018-19 academic year. The Lions will be in the Atlantic Sun Conference for Olympic sports while football will join the Big South in 2019.
USF: Willie Taggart will owe USF a $1.7 million buyout, per his contract.
Siena Heights (NAIA - MI): Matt Kohn, who spent this pasts season as the interim head coach, has formally been announced as the new head coach. Kohn led the team to a 5-5 mark, which included a win over a nationally ranked team, and a two-point loss to a team playing in the NAIA title game next weekend. He
USF: Brett McMurphy notes that the top candidates for the opening at USF are Florida State co-offensive coordinator Lawrence Dawsey, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, and Ohio State associate head coach / defensive coordinator Greg Schiano.
Oregon: USF head coach Willie Taggart will be the new Oregon head coach sources confirm to FootballScoop. ESPN's Brett McMurphy first reported the news. Taggart went 2-10 his first season at USF in 2013, followed by a 4-8 finish in 2014, and an 8-5 mark in 2015 before hitting the double digit win mark with a 10-2 finish this year heading into their bowl game.
UT Permian Basin (D-II - TX): UT Permian Basin is seeking a home game for October 21, 2017 and will pay a guarantee. UTPB is open to playing a D2, D3 or NAIA opponent. For more information contact Head Coach Justin Carrigan at carrigan_j@utpb.edu.
Cincinnati Christian (NAIA - OH): CCU has an open date on 11-4-2017. We are looking to play NAIA or NCAA D2. Please contact head coach David Fulcher at 513-244-8192 or david.fulcher@ccuniversity.edu.
Princeton: Princeton University is looking to fill a recruiting / operations intern position. Previous Ivy League experience is preferred. This position is strictly an off the field position. The role will be responsible for a diverse range of tasks, including maintaining the recruiting database. Knowledge of ARMS Recruiting Software is a plus. This is an internship position with no housing, no meals or benefits provided. Local applicants are encouraged to apply. Please send a resume and cover letter to Director of Operations Mike Cerullo at mcerullo@princeton.edu. No phone calls please.