Thursday, November 30, 2023

If the school needs a new head coach...2024 Edition

 I have not written in the blog this year as frequently as I have in the past.  I've had other priorities.  My career took a tumble in 2019.  I am almost back to the point where I was then.  But this is one post I do every year.  If each head coach were to be replaced, who would be the short list candidates.  Well, this is my take.

Updated February, 2024.

BYU
Current Head Coach: Kalani Sitake
Why he might leave: BYU has had their second losing season under Kalani.  He will be gone after a third.  Why take the chance?

Short list of potential replacements:
NC State Offensive Coordinator: Robert Anae
San Jose State Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo
Defensive Coordinator: Jay Hill
Offensive Coordinator: Aaron Roderick
Southern Utah Head Coach (Former SVU Head Coach): DeLane Fitzgerald
Utah Tech Head Coach: Lance Anderson 
Snow College Football Caoch: Zac Erekson

Utah
Current Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham
Why he might leave: Time to Retire, head coach in waiting may not wait longer.

Short list of potential replacements
Defensive Coordinator: Morgan Scalley
(And that is the list)
JK
If Scalley isn't the guy...there are others
BYU Defensive Coordinator: Jay Hill
Utah State Head Coach: Blake Anderson
Utah Tech Head Coach: Lance Anderson
Montana State Head Coach: Brent Vigen
Weber State Head Coach: Mickey Mental
Montana Head Coach: Bobby Hauck

Utah State
Current Head Coach: Blake Anderson
Why he might leave: There are other jobs that pay more, a lot more

Short list of potential replacements

Montana Head Coach: Bobby Hauck
Montana State Head Coach: Brent Vigen
Southern Utah Head Coach (Former SVU Head Coach): DeLane Fitzgerald
Former Interim Head Coach (Now at Washington State): Frank Maile
Utah Tech Head Coach: Lance Anderson

As Weber State and Southern Utah both had first-year head coaches and Utah Tech is looking for a replacement for Paul Peterson, I will not include them on this year's list

Utah Valley
If they start football, who would be their first coach

New Mexico Head Coach: Bronco Mendenhall
Former Utah State Head Coach: Gary Anderson
NC State Offensive Coordinator: Robert Anae