Auburn, A&M competing with Houston for Muschamp
Former Florida head coach Will Muschamp interviewed with Houston this week regarding the Cougars’ head coaching vacancy, according to multiple media reports. The story was first reported by Joseph Duarte.
Source: Former Florida head coach Will Muschamp has interviewed with University of Houston officials about vacant head coaching job
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) December 12, 2014
The coaching whirlwind continues around the SEC, and as bowl season rapidly approaches, coaches and athletic directors are looking to shore up their coaching staffs and secure vacant positions. Where do we sit as of Friday?
Open coordinator positions
Auburn: The search continues for Gus Malzahn’s next defensive coordinator on the Plains, despite reports that he and Muschamp had expressed mutual interest. Malzahn told ESPN his goal is to hire the “best defensive coordinator around.” It’s believed that the Tigers have reached out to Muschamp, in addition to Memphis defensive coordinator Barry Odom. Malzahn and athletics director Jay Jacobs have been tight-lipped about their progress.
Texas A&M: Texas A&M joins Auburn as the most attractive openings in the conference to date. Head coach Kevin Sumlin looks to replace former defensive coordinator Mark Snyder. Sumlin told reporters this week the search “is going great,” and that he’s more concerned with the person than the timetable. A&M’s reported top targets are current Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster and former USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, in addition to Muschamp.
Kentucky: The Wildcats are looking for a new offensive coordinator after Neal Brown took the head coaching job at Troy. Things have been quiet out of Lexington since it was confirmed Brown was leaving, however, one legitimate candidate has emerged. The Courier-Journal reported last week that current East Carolina offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley is on Mark Stoops’ radar, and that Riley has expressed interest in the Kentucky gig. Riley, a Mike Leach disciple, would bring the “air raid” attack Brown installed. Other rumored candidates include former Nebraska coordinator Tim Beck, Cincinnati coordinator Eddie Gran and former Duke and Florida coordinator Kurt Roper.
Vanderbilt: After a dismal 2014 season, Derek Mason fired both his offensive and defensive coordinators. The Tennessean reports this week that Boise State offensive coordinator Mike Sanford turned down the Commodores offer. It was believed Sanford had been the leading candidate. Mason fired defensive coordinator Kotulski on Monday. It’s unknown whether Mason would prefer to lock down one opening before hiring the other.
Other coaching positions
Texas A&M: Aggies wide receivers coach David Beaty accepted the head coaching job at Kansas last week, giving Sumlin another vacancy. You figure this opening is not as high on Sumlin’s to-do list than filling his defensive coordinator vacancy.
Vanderbilt: In addition to releasing both coordinators of their duties, Mason fired wide receivers coach Marc Lubik and strength coach Bill Hughan. Vanderbilt has remained quiet thus far on this front in the last week.