Bruce Feldman identifies candidates for open coaching jobs, coordinators poised to become head coaches

As the 2022 college football coaching carousel begins to take shape, college football insider Bruce Feldman revealed several early candidates for Power Five head coaching vacancies this coming offseason.

“The biggest story of the first half of the season has been the amazing rise of Kansas football and the man behind it, Lance Leipold, it may be tough for the Jayhawks to keep them in Lawrence,” Feldman revealed on Big Noon Kickoff. “We hear is a serious candidate for the Nebraska vacancy, and he’s also one to keep an eye on for Wisconsin. That’s his home state if Jim Leonard proves he’s not the answer.”

Another headman that could be moving on from their current teams, Coastal Carolina‘s Jamey Chadwell, who is 28-3 over the last three years, has been heavily rumored to be in contention for the open Georgia Tech job as well. Jackson State‘s Deion Sanders will likely have his pick of the litter when it comes to Power Five jobs this offseason as well, though has been primarily rumored for the Auburn job.

Coaches on the rise 📈👀@BruceFeldmanCFB shares his thoughts on who should be in consideration for open Power 5 jobs. pic.twitter.com/o0iSjZbIb6

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 15, 2022

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In terms of coordinators expected to make the jump as a head coach, Feldman pointed to four coaches in particular. Alex Grinch (DC, USC), Ryan Walters (DC, Illinois), Bill O’Brien (OC, Alabama) and Todd Monkey (OC, Georgia)

“Let’s start with Alex Grinch from USC, we talked about him earlier in the show on his defense, [which] has really improved dramatically,” Feldman said. “We think he will be a guy that Arizona State and possibly [Colorado] could watch. Another guy that Colorado can look at – Ryan Walter, he has taken an Illinois defense that two years ago wasn’t even in the top 100 – they’re ranked No. 1 in the country.

“Now a few other guys to keep an eye on: Bill O’Brien. He has head coaching experience. We think he will be in play at Nebraska – and perhaps at Georgia Tech – and watch out for Todd Monken at Georgia Tech and maybe at [Arizona State].”

As the coaching carousel gets underway over the next few months, Feldman believes these seven coaches will be the most prominent names for the open Power Five jobs this offseason. There will surely be more turnover as the season progresses, and more names will emerge as the dominos continue to fall.