Florida, USC coaching search updates, plus notes on Arizona State, Akron

On3 imageby:Matt Zenitz11/24/21

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The feeling among at least some coaching industry sources is that the three biggest current openings — LSU, Florida and USC — may be filled by the beginning of next week.

While LSU has been tough to get a read on — with names such as Lincoln Riley, Bill O’Brien and Mark Stoops floating around, among others — there seem to be clear top contenders at USC and Florida.

Baylor’s Dave Aranda, a California native, continues to be the popular name among industry sources in regard to the USC opening. Aranda is in his second season as the Bears’ coach; he has led Baylor to a 9-2 record and No. 8 ranking in this week’s College Football Playoff ranking just a year after the Bears finished 2-7. Although Aranda has ties to LSU (and was the defensive coordinator for the Tigers’ 2019 national title team), sources don’t expect him to end up at LSU.

As for Florida, Louisiana’s Billy Napier is a hot name for the job. Napier is 38-12 in four seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns, including a 10-1 mark this season. Louisiana already has clinched a spot in the Sun Belt Conference title game. While he has had success nearby, Napier doesn’t seem to be in play for the opening at LSU.

Virginia Tech could be another suitor for Napier if he doesn’t land at Florida.

Arizona State may not open up after all

Throughout the season, it appeared the Arizona State job would come open this cycle. That may not be the case, though. The current expectation is that Arizona State is going to stick with Herm Edwards as its coach, sources have told On3.

Edwards is 24-17 in four seasons with the Sun Devils, including 7-4 this season.

The changes at Arizona State, which the NCAA continues to investigate for alleged recruiting violations, seem more likely to involve members of Edwards’ staff.

Some interesting names in play at Akron

A few former FBS coaches are among the possibilities to replace Tom Arth at Akron.

Sources have brought up former Arkansas and Louisville and current Missouri State coach Bobby Petrino, former Colorado coach and current Memphis defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre and former Marshall coach Doc Holliday as names worth keeping an eye on with the Zips’ opening.

Petrino, the biggest name of the three, is 13-4 with back-to-back FCS playoff berths in two seasons at Missouri State.

Akron fired Arth on November 4 after going 3-24 in three seasons with him as coach.