Head Coach Hot Board 1.0
Both as a site and the Oklahoma State fanbase, we are now in the midst of our first head coaching search in 25 years. But Mike Gundy only coached 21 seasons, you say? Well, there really was no search between Les Miles and Gundy. One day, basically, and Gundy took over. In any event, here is version 1.0 of our Hot Board. It’s an extensive list that will likely shrink over time.
TIER ONE
Zac Robinson, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator
Heading into Chad Weiberg’s search to replace Mike Gundy, former Oklahoma State quarterback Robinson has to be 1A on his list to contact. The reason is simple – when it looked like OSU and Gundy would part ways last December 6th, our sources indicated after the fact that had the job come open, it would have been Robinson’s. That doesn’t make him a slam-dunk, no-doubter this time around, as some dynamics have changed. Namely that the Cowboys are three games into their season and the Falcons are as well. Coincidentally, both teams are 1-2. Robinson, 38, was moved from the booth to the sidelines after last weekend’s loss – a move that in the NFL can definitely portend a bigger move for a coordinator such as firing or demotion. Either could work in OSU’s favor if Robinson is ultimately OSU’s choice to replace his old college coach. Generally-speaking, OSU does not need to be in a hurry in this search, and Weiberg is unlikely to name a new coach from the college ranks while his regular season at his current school is ongoing. Pulling from the NFL is a little different, but still there is no hurry.
GJ Kinne, Texas State head coach
The former University of Tulsa quarterback has seen a pretty meteoric rise through his relatively short career in coaching. If Robinson is option 1A, Kinne is probably 1B. After a 4-year career in the NFL and CFL, Kinne, 36, started as a graduate assistant at SMU in 2017. In 2023 he took over as head coach at Texas State after one season at the helm at Incarnate Word. TSU only entered FBS in 2012 and had done nothing but post losing seasons year-after-year before Kinne’s arrival. He’s taken the Bobcats to back-to-back 8-5 seasons and trips to the Texas Bowl. He has TSU at 3-1 in 2026, with the loss coming from the Big 12’s Arizona State. An innovative offensive mind in his stints as an offensive coordinator, it could be a great fit for OSU. He will be a top target for many schools in this season’s coaching carousel.
Will Stein, Oregon offensive coordinator
Weiberg, some influential donors and regents saw Stein’s handiwork up-close as the Ducks put up 69 on the Cowboys three weeks ago – and could have scored more, maybe a lot more. Stein, 36, is also certain to be a hot commodity for head coach openings this year. A former quarterback at Louisville from 2008-2012, Stein hit the coaching ranks immediately after his playing days. He has Texas ties, serving in a quality control position for the Longhorns from 2015-17. He then spent two seasons as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Lake Travis High School in Austin. From there it was back to the college ranks at UTSA. His first two seasons were spent as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, before being elevated to OC for the 2022 season. Dan Lanning hired him away to serve in the same capacity for Oregon
TIER TWO
Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
The former OSU offensive coordinator and assistant has all of the looks of a possible NFL-lifer for the rest of his career at 59. If he’s interested in the job, he immediately moves to a Tier 1 candidate. His previous stints at OSU weren’t long – 2002-04 passing game coordinator/WR’s and 2011-12 as offensive coordinator/QB’s – but impressive, as the rest of his career has been. Though I made the comment above re: the NFL, Monken’s last stint in the college game was just in 2022 (Georgia OC). His one stint as a head coach was in the college ranks and was an impressive turnaround of Southern Miss over a three year period.
Alex Golesh, South Florida head coach
Golesh has OSU ties, serving a single season in the Gundy era (2008). Golesh, 41, has turned around the USF program in his two-plus seasons. He posted back-to-back 7-6 seasons in 2023 and 2024, both capped with bowl wins. The Bulls are 3-1 so far this season. The Ohio State graduate is yet another candidate with an offensive background. His specialty as a position coach was tight ends, and he served as OC for both UCF and Tennessee
Jeff Traylor, UTSA head coach
Traylor has been at the helm for the Roadrunners for six seasons. He made a successful jump to the college ranks from Gilmer High School in Texas, where he coached Kinne for one season. He also won four 4A state titles there. At 57, Traylor is the eldest of the candidates we’ve listed so far, but at that age he’s still a long way from being put out to pasture. A 48-22 record at UTSA is noteworthy and it’s just a matter of time before P4’s come calling. Yet another offensive-minded candidate.
Shannon Dawson, Miami offensive coordinator
Dawson, 48, is among the hottest OC’s up for head coaching jobs this cycle. He’s learned under Hal Mumme and former OSU OC Dana Holgorsen and has stops in that position at SFA, West Virginia, Kentucky, Southern Miss, and Houston.
Marcus Arroyo, Arizona State offensive coordinator
A few years back, this would excite the die-hard fanbase in a big way. Now maybe not so much, but mainly because his one shot at being a head coach didn’t go well. UNLV football is particularly challenging, so I don’t think that wipes him off the map. At 45, Arroyo has been successful everywhere else he’s been, including OC at Oregon and now ASU. He has ties to both Monken (assistant at S. Miss) and OSU (RB’s coach from 2015-16)
TIER THREE – Unlikely for a variety of reasons
Jim Knowles, Penn State defensive coordinator
The former OSU DC has some interest in the job. Whether that’s a good fit or not is up for debate. He will probably at least hear from Weiberg. At 60, he’s in the older tier.
Collin Klein, Texas A&M offensive coordinator
Klein is a hot commodity and one Weiberg will likely want to talk to. Klein, 36, is a former decorated quarterback at Kansas State. That job is not currently open, but the Wildcats are on the same trajectory as OSU at present. Even if Chris Klieman hangs on into 2026, there’s a strong thought that Klein might hold out for a shot at his alma mater.
Jon Sumrall, Tulane head coach
Sumrall, 43, will almost certainly get a call from OSU – and every other school with a HC opening. Our sources have indicated he will hold out for a good SEC job.
Rhett Lashlee, SMU head coach
Another near certain call. Lashlee has been very strongly tied to the opening at UCLA. If the 43-year old shows interest in the OSU job, he would immediately jump to Tier 1. He’s going to command an NIL war chest similar to what he has at SMU and OSU doesn’t have that to offer at present.
Ben Arbuckle, Oklahoma offensive coordinator
There is a definite trend that should be noted – this list is mostly guys under their mid-40’s. Arbuckle might actually be a little too far into the youth movement at 30. He will see some interest for HC openings, but may need a little more seasoning.
Dana Holgorsen, Nebraska offensive coordinator
Holgorsen is going to be on a lot of hot boards for the OSU job. It’s not a great fit, based on his single season at OSU. If this was a dozen or so years ago, he’d be a top candidate. As it is now, he’s a great offensive mind who has not succeed as a head coach at West Virigina and Houston.
Jon Gruden, former NFL head coach
Gruden reached out during the December Gundy saga last year. There wasn’t much mutual interest at the time and that likely remains true.
WILDCARDS TO WATCH
Eric Henderson, USC DC – “Coach Henny” to OSU fans, Henderson spent three seasons at OSU at the start of his career. He was known as a top recruiter for the Cowboys despite not having a position where he could recruit off-campus. He’s one of the top recruiters in the game today. May not be a HC candidate just yet, but would be an absolute homerun as an AHC/DC for the new hire. Pair him with just about any Tier 1 or 2 HC and Weiberg has out-done himself.
Ryan Silverfield, Memphis HC – Has the Tigers rolling and will be a hot commodity. Like Lashlee, if there’s interest there, the 45-year old could climb this Hot Board rapidly.
Jason Candle, Toledo HC
Eric Morris, North Texas HC
Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky HC
