For the second time this season, one of the highest-profile coaching jobs in college football has opened up. And that may have implications around the NFL.
The Miami Hurricanes have announced that head coach Al Golden has been fired effective immediately after yesterday’s disastrous 58-0 loss to Clemson. Once the top program in college football, Miami hasn’t had double-digit wins since 2003, and this will be Miami’s sixth straight season finishing outside the Top 25. This program needs a coach who can turn things around.
That coach may come from the NFL. One NFL name that will certainly be discussed is Colts associate head coach Rob Chudzinski, who was a three-year starter at tight end for the Hurricanes, was on their national title teams in 1987 and 1989, and spent 10 years on the coaching staff at Miami. Chudzinski is a well-regarded assistant coach, although his record as a head coach -- he went 4-12 and was fired after one season with the Browns -- leaves a lot to be desired.
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano coached with Chudzinski at Miami and could also be a candidate to become the head coach of the Hurricanes. Pagano is widely expected to be fired after this season, and Colts owner Jim Irsay would surely be willing to let Pagano out of his contract early to go coach in Miami.
There aren’t many other NFL head coaches who would seem to be good fits for the Hurricanes, although Texans coach Bill O’Brien is a name to consider. O’Brien had some success during his tenure as head coach at Penn State, and as his Texans fall apart this season, he could consider a move back to college.
Eagles coach Chip Kelly’s name will be mentioned because Kelly’s name is mentioned with every high-profile college-coaching vacancy, but Kelly has signaled that he wants to stay with the Eagles. And if Kelly does decide to leave the NFL and go back to college, most people think he’d be more interested in USC than in Miami.
It’s probably more likely that Miami will lure a current college head coach away from a smaller program, and that the NFL won’t be affected. But the chance to make millions and win a national championship at Miami could be intriguing for just about any football coach. Including some who already have good jobs in the NFL.
