As reported by multiple sources, head coach Tim DeRuyter will not return as head coach of the Fresno State Bulldogs:

Coaching rumors start to swirl with reckless abandon during this middle portion of any college football season. While there’s yet to be anything definitive, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin appears to be a prime candidate to take over this job.

There are multiple ties between Fresno State and Kiffin. For one, Kiffin played quarterback at FSU during the mid-90’s. He also featured on both the basketball and baseball teams. Kiffin bypassed his senior year on the field to act as a student assistant coach under then-Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford.

Kiffin has obvious familiarity to the state of California — considering his stints with both the Oakland Raiders and the Southern Cal Trojans. He’s surely been able to forge relationships with many high school coaches within the region. This in theory would help Kiffin bring talent to Fresno.

FOX Sports journalist Stewart Mandel speculated that a strong stint in Fresno as a head coach could ultimately propel Kiffin back to a spot in the Pac-12.

Kiffin’s potential link to the Fresno State job is all conjecture at this point. However, there are multiple reason to believe he’d be a very good candidate for the job.

With his immense success calling plays in Tuscaloosa, it’s just a matter of time before Kiffin transitions to another head coaching position.