Welcome to the updated version of my Virginia Tech coach candidate list. This list will be different than most lists as I will add some new coaches to the list, I will subtract names to the list, and I will keep names unto the list. If you're reading this, you already know how this works so I will drop the link to the others for anyone wanting to catch up and we will start.
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/college_football/p/ehkeG_1Wbo6Yb-/coach-candidate-tier-list-links
Go All In
James Franklin, Penn State (2014-25)
If you would had told me in the off season that James Franklin will get fired and has to chose between coaching again next year or getting into broadcasting, I would had asked how big of a loss were the Oregon and Ohio State losses and I would bypass any upsets. He doesn't lose games he shouldn't, that's what makes him one of the best current coaches. His issue is winning to top 10 teams and in the ACC, there hasn't been a guaranteed top 10 team in the ACC in a while so you would play mediocre teams year after year and would have an easy shot at the CFP. As I will talk about later, he will be a prime candidate for mostly any P5 job he wants and will be in good position to control his own landing spot.
Go All In, If...
Shane Beamer, South Carolina (2021-?)
The son of the legendary coach Frank Beamer. Yesterday, he denied any interest in leaving South Carolina calling it a "dream job". Though that may be true he doesn't want to leave, but they are 3-4 on a 2 game losing streak and they have Alabama, at Ole Miss, and at Texas A&M left and they can slide all the way to 3-7 before they play Coastal Carolina and Clemson. Heading into the 24 season, he looked like a dead man walking after the 5-7 season he had in 2023. He was able to rebuild and restore the team and went 9-4. If they slip into bowl ineligibility, they may just fire him and he would have to find another job. That's when Virginia Tech comes calling. Fantastic coach, fantastic recruiter, just stuck playing tough schedules in the SEC.
Will Only Take The Job If They Don't Get A Bigger Name School Or An Extension
Jon Sumrall, Tulane (2024-?)
I have stated multiple times that I believe he will only leave the Green Wave for the Kentucky job, but if Kentucky doesn't open this season, he will likely try to get a extension and stay for another year or two. The only reason he would leave Tulane barring what I said is if he is offered a price he can't refuse that only Florida and Penn State can offer right away, and that is double digits guaranteed. I expect the VT job to be between $5-$8 million range starting out, and I expect Sumrall to ask for a little more and I do not expect VT going over.
Alex Golesh, USF (2023-?)
The biggest name in the G5 right now, and rightfully so. I expect him to take any job he desires. I also don't expect him to be in Tampa next season and will have a P5 job in December. The only thing is who will hire him? It's not that he is bad, it's that there are so many good coaches in the mix. Once jobs like Florida State and Wisconsin open up, it will look clearer, but right now he may have to settle with Virginia Tech.
The Hottest Names Available
Charles Huff, Southern Miss (2025-?)
He took over a 1-11 team and they are sitting at 5-2 competing against Troy for first place in the West division of the Sun Belt. Fantastic coach, even better recruiter. When you coach and recruit both Saquon Barkley and Najee Harris, I kinda expect a lot of players would want to play for this guy.
Bob Chesney, James Madison (2024-?)
I don't see Chesney wanting to leave right away, but if VT comes knocking, answer. He inherited a JMU who lost most of their starters to Indiana and other P5 schools but he brought in some of his own guys and kept and elevated some of the backups and if you didn't keep up with JMU you would had thought they didn't lose their coach, staff, and valuable starters. I kinda see him waiting around for a year or two and take the Rutgers job when Greg Schiano retires, but he may surprise me and take a job this year.
Ryan Silverfield, Memphis (2020-?)
Out of the three, he seems to me as the most unlikely to take the job. He has been at Memphis for a long time replacing Mike Norvell. I don't see some of the boosters happy with the idea of hiring another Memphis coach after Fuente didn't pan out. If they would hire Silverfield, history is not siiting well with his future success with Fuente and Norvell's career afterwards.
Keep An Eye Out
P.J. Fleck, Minnesota (2017-?)
The long time Golden Gophers head coach is a name I did not expect to have on this list. In the last day or two, his name has been brought up quite a bit and I feel like right now it's just noise to distract you from who they are hiring, but I would not count him out yet.
Mike Norvell, Florida State (2020-?)
Not fired yet, but reports say he will be the head coach for the remainder of the season. Is there a possibility he can pull a Lincoln Riley and jump ship before his team can consider pulling the plug?
Jason Candle, Toledo (2016-?)
I have elevated him down the list because there is not much traction on him but he is still a successful coach who may find his name back on the top of the list if he were to beat Washington State this week or win the MAC.
Sean Lewis, San Diego State (2024-?)
One of my favorite coaches. Went from taking a historically bad Kent State to a bowl team. He is now proving what he could had done if he had the resources at Kent here in San Diego. I also can tell that he is not a west coast guy so it's any day he could walk up and take an east coast job or a mid west job if a certain school opens up.
Michael Vick, Norfolk State (2025-?)
I don't see this ever happening, but I have to keep him on the list because it's Michael Vick. They are 1-6 and I don't see them getting any better any time soon.
Off The Board
Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State (OC; 2024-?)
After how lackluster this offense has been this season, and the fact they fired their head coach, I have to remove him from contention. But, if Franklin does get the job, he may still be on staff as the Hokies OC.
Scott Abell, Rice (2025-?)
This is a name I added hoping that I caught him in time before he started having success. Seems like I am too early. Since I made the list, he has been 1-3 at Rice and has a schedule that consists UConn, Memphis, UAB, North Texas, and at USF. There might be one win out of that.
Jamey Chadwell, Liberty (2023-?)
Was once considered one of the best G5 coaches, an up and comer, and Tennessee's next head coach. All of this has went down the drain and his 13-1 season in his first season at Liberty feels ages ago. His back to back 11 win seasons at Coastal Carolina feels even longer. He is looking to be on the verge of a 6-6 season and may want to stay another year just to get back on track.
There is my updated list. I feel like as the season goes, this list will get shorter and shorter and it will be down to about two people for the job. Let me know your thoughts below!