November is here and Michigan State’s coaching search is about to start ramping up in a big way.
In this series, we have ranked the potential candidates that could be in the running to take over Michigan State’s job. The list will be capped at ten names along with a few other honorable mentions, and will fluctuate based on how coaches are performing this season along with any rumored or confirmed interest from the Spartans.
Check out where we see the rankings at heading into the final month of the college football season:
Honorable Mention (names to consider)
- Charles Huff (Marshall HC)
- Brian Hartline (Ohio State OC)
- Kane Wommack (South Alabama HC)
10. Scott Satterfield (Cincinnati HC)
A new name I have heard being talked about in MSU circles is Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield, who previously was the leader of Louisville. Several names would have to say no for me to like considering Satterfield.
9. Manny Diaz (Penn State DC)
The only coordinator to make the top ten, Manny Diaz is someone worth taking a look at. One of the best defensive minds in the country, Diaz is getting a taste of the Big Ten at Penn State, learning the landscape. Diaz’s lone head coaching job was a 3-year stint at Miami that he went 21-15 at before being let go.
8. Dave Clawson (Wake Forest HC)
Recent reports have surfaced that Dave Clawson is a candidate for MSU’s job, and while I believe due diligence should be done here, I am not convinced that he is the right guy to take over the job. Granted, he gets credit for what he is doing at Wake, a very tough place to win.
7. Jake Dickert (Washington State HC)
Dickert opened the rankings at No. 2, but has taken a major dip after suffering a 5-game losing streak. Dickert is young, and has innovative schemes, so he is still very much in the mix, but he needs to win some games to end the season to make me feel good.
6. Jason Candle (Toledo HC)
Jason Candle has been a polarizing figure to Michigan State fans, who debate the merits of Candle, but one thing is for certain, Candle has proven that he can win at the MAC’s top level and he is doing it again this year. He is someone with strong ties in the Midwest and an innovative offensive mind.
5. Jonathan Smith (Oregon State HC)
What Jonathan Smith is doing in Corvallis cannot be understated or underrated. Oregon State is an incredibly tough place to win and he is doing it consistently at this point.
4. Dave Doeren (NC State HC)
I mentioned Dave Doeren as a sneaky candidate for this job, and I am maintaining that sentiment once again. Doeren is a Midwest guy who has built a consistent winner at NC State and has been rumored to have been looking at a potential move. He ranks at No. 3 for me.
3. Jedd Fisch (Arizona HC)
Jedd Fisch is getting very close to Leipold/Elko territory. Fisch has outstanding experience at the NFL and high major level, not to mention what he has done at Arizona. Fisch took over the dumpster fire of a program that Kevin Sumlin left, and in year three has the Wildcats looking very good.
2. Lance Leipold (Kansas HC)
Lance Leipold has skyrocketed up the rankings for what he is doing at Kansas. He has the Jayhawks at 7-2 this season and looking very strong. Leipold has put himself in the Elko tier of coaching candidates.
1. Mike Elko (Duke HC)
Mike Elko was No. 1 on the first iteration of this list, and he stays there in version 2.0. Elko is currently leading an injury riddled Duke team, and has them 6-3, despite being without several starters. Elko would be a home run hire for Alan Haller.
