Dusting off these cobwebs to give you a special post CFP coach candidate list.
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/college_football/p/ehkeG_1Wbo6Yb-/coach-candidate-tier-list-links
Now, let's see why Thomas Hammock left his alma mater to return to the NFL ranks. Well, there are two reasons. One, he hasn't had any consistency in his seven seasons as head coach going 5-7 to winless during COVID to winning the MAC to 3-9 to back to back bowl appearances and wins to 3-9 once again, and it is really tough to fire him if NIU's AD was even thinking about it cause being a very supportive alum who puts his heart on his sleeve and the fact he brought the Huskies biggest win of their football program in what was Notre Dame's only regular season loss in 2024. And two, Northern Illinois is moving to the Mountain West, not many coaches want to coach and prepare their teams for a cross country fall tour. I think Hammock got tired like most of these former college HC's with the new landscape of college football an chose to be a assistant again and not having to deal with the headaches it comes with being a head coach.
Safe Bet Hire
Rob Harley, Northern Illinois (Interim; off-season only)
During this transition period and spring practice soon starting, the AD decided to go ahead and put someone in charge for the time being while they look for a new HC. Now, let's say this takes a couple of weeks and Spring practice has ended and there is still no coach in place. They can go three routes, either now that Spring practice is over and another batch of transfer portal kids open then a sitting FCS HC can be available if he would jump to a bigger program or they remove the interim tag on Harley or they just roll with Harley for the entire season and have him earn the job and if not they hire the best candidate possible for them.
Familiar Names
Jerry Kill, Vanderbilt (consultant; 2024-?)
The former Huskies HC and former Minnesota and New Mexico State HC has been the secret sauce to Vandy's success bringing in most of his staff and players after he resigned from New Mexico State to go to Nashville, including bringing his OC Tim Beck, QB Diego Pavia, and TE Eli Stowers. With Beck getting an extension and was able to sign his Pavia successor and Pavia and Stowers expected to be drafted in April, I can see Kill thinking about being a HC once again and return to DeKalb for one more go at it.
Nick Benedetto, Fresno State (DC; 2025-?)
The former Huskies DC who was behind the magnificent defense that allowed 14 points to Notre Dame may decide he much rather would stay in the MWC instead of jumping to the Pac 12. He has the most recent experience with the Huskies out of the three I will mention but lacks any P5 experience like the other two has.
Bob Bostad, Indiana (OL; 2023-?)
A well respected Big Ten veteran assistant who spent one season coaching the TE's in 2016 for Northern Illinois. He was retained on Indiana's staff by Cignetti after being hired by Tom Allen the year before due to wanting a coach with conference familiarity which he brought, but he turned out to give the Hoosiers one of the most productive OL we have ever seen by going and picking up five guys from the transfer portal. I feel like he would be bringing a similar culture to Northern Illinois that worked in Indiana.
Other Possible Names
Hines Ward, Arizona State (WR; 2024-?)
The two time Super Bowl champ fits right in with some of the big time hires we have seen lately with Eddie George at Tennessee State and now Bowling Green and Alonzo Carter in Sacramento State to name a few. He will have a top 10 draft pick he coached under his belt in less than two months from now. I personally don't think Ward is qualified enough for this job, but I am not the guy hiring him so it is out of my control.
Kevin Cummings, Washington (WR; 2024-?)
Just like Ward, he is fixing to have a first rounder WR in this upcoming draft drafted, but what if I told you he already has a top 10 WR drafted? He recruited and coached Tetoria McMillan at Arizona in 2022 and 2023 before leaving in 2024 and coaching Denzel Boston in Washington. He has a track record and he brings experience from the MWC where we worked at before Arizona, the only thing he doesn't have experience in is in the midwest.
Steve Clinkscale, Los Angeles Chargers (DB; 2024-?)
This hire would be genius, dumb, reckless, and confusing all in one. Former Michigan DB coach with a two year show cause with that cause ending after the 2026 season could quite possibly take this job right now and just at home and wait for the season to end and let Harley coach the season while promising him the AHC spot among other things. The thing is is that it is pretty dumb and makes no sense why you should hire a guy who can't coach this season unless you truly think he can turn things around for the program. Just wanted to add him to the list for funsies.
Unemployed Who May Take It Right Away
John Butler, former Nebraska Defensive Coordinator (2025)
The Cornhuskers defense looked mediocre last season, but he does bring NFL and Big Ten experience. The former Bill O'Brien assistant followed him from Penn State to the Texans and eventually left for the same position at the Buffalo Bills which he worked his way to DPGC until McDermott let him go and he ended up in Nebraska until Rhule let him go.
Chris Kapilovic, former Alabama Offensive Line coach (2024-25)
A long time OL coach who hasn't done anything else for almost his entire career. Being in charge would be very different for him, but he is very well connected and I expect him to be one of those good HC, bad assistant type things.
Brennan Carroll, former Las Vegas Raiders Offensive Line coach (2025)
Instead of adding former HC's, I decided to add former HoF HC Pete Carrool's son on this list as I expect him trying to find a way to get back into the college ranks after finding success at Arizona as their OC from 2021 to 2023. Writing your own legacy in Northern Illinois might be a great path to his own journey.
There is my list. Let me know your thoughts as I may make another list if the search goes into the Summer without an answer. Also let me know if you want me to do more basketball coach candidate lists?