Colorado football head coach candidates: Chris Vannini of The Athletic edition
Who will take over as the next head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes?
After an 0-5 start, Karl Dorrell and others got the boot and offensive coordinator Mike Sanford was named the interim head coach in a long-awaited move.
Now, the Buffs are once again on the market for another head coach, and there are plenty of candidates to choose from.
Eric Bieniemy, Troy Calhoun, Bryan Harsin, Bronco Mendenhall, Ryan Walters and Barry Odom were listed on other candidate lists, including the one from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, and Chris Vannini of The Athletic had a similar bunch.
Apart from those above, there are other considerations from Vannini. Let’s examine them one by one.
BAYLOR OC JEFF GRIMES
Oct 1, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; A view of the Baylor Bears fans leaving the game early after quarterback Blake Shapen (not pictured) throws a second interception during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
How many times have we seen the hot coordinator get a head coaching job? Too many to count, and Grimes’ time with Baylor should be enough for a phone call, at least.
OREGON STATE OC BRIAN LINDGREN
Oct 1, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez (6) is tackles by Utah Utes linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (3) in the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon State offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren was Colorado’s OC from 2013 to 2017. That helps, and the Buffs need some massive help on offense.
OLD DOMINION HC RICKY RAHNE
Sep 10, 2022; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Old Dominion Monarchs head coach Ricky Rahne looks on against the East Carolina Pirates during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Old Dominion head coach took them to a bowl game last year, believe it or not, and let’s be honest: Colorado is a much better job.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN HC JIM MCELWAIN
Sep 24, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Central Michigan is off to a rough start this year, but McElwain’s time in Colorado (at Fort Collins with the Rams) was a success. Maybe it’s something with the altitude.
FORMER OREGON HC MARK HELFRICH
The former Oregon head coach was with the Buffs as an OC about 15 years ago, so this is another person familiar with the program.
WASHINGTON OC RYAN GRUBB
Sep 30, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) hands off to running back Cameron Davis (22) in the first half against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Grubb worked wonders at Fresno State last season before Kalen DeBoer brought him along to Washington. He deserves a head coaching job somewhere, and the Buffs offense would get a massive jolt with Grubb running the show.
JIM LEAVITT
Apr 29, 2017; Eugene, OR, USA; Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt watches from the sideline at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Remember, Jim Leavitt was an option way back in 2018. So, why not give him a call once again?
NORTH DAKOTA STATE HC MATT ENTZ
Jan 11, 2020; Frisco, Texas, USA; North Dakota State Bison head coach Matt Entz holds up the trophy after the game against the James Madison Dukes at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Entz has a ton of success at North Dakota State, and moving from the FCS to the FBS is every coach’s dream.
WEBER STATE HC JAY HILL
Sep 2, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Weber State Wildcats head coach Jay Hill reacts in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Hill has been the Weber State head coach for nine years, and a move to the Pac-12 would be a huge upgrade for him.
