This may very well be the most turbulent offseason in recent memory for head coaches across the college landscape. Three top programs have already departed ways with their head coach and I expect there to be many more after the last whistle has sounded. Below I’ll give you some very bold predictions.
1. Nick Saban- Saban will depart at the end of the season to become the Indianapolis Colts head coach. The only way Saban stays is if the Tide keep rolling and win the National Championship (the matchup against LSU in two weeks could expedite things). Alabama fans have become extremely greedy and believe that Saban should deliver a national title every year. It has become blatantly obvious that Saban has become a little fatigued in dealing with a large portion of the Crimson Tide fan base. I expect Saban to leave Tuscaloosa for Andrew Luck and I believe this duo will have a lot more success than Saban’s first NFL stint. The Bama job will then be handed to long-time defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, if he hasn’t already departed for South Carolina.
2. Southern Cal- Steve Sarkisian couldn’t lay off the booze this season and was shown the door. The easy hire here would be interim head coach Clay Helton, but when has Pat Haden ever done anything the easy way? Look for names like Tom Herman, Ed Orgeron, Chip Kelly, and Kevin Sumlin to emerge. In the end I think Pat Haden gets his man. Chip Kelly to the Trojans.
3. Texas A&M- This is Kevin Sumlins final season in College Station. I’m not sure who the Aggies will pursue as this job has its pro’s and con’s. The aggies are loaded with talent right now and that’s the plus. The aggies also play in the SEC West and that’s the minus, but it might not be as bad if my #1 prediction holds true.
4. Miami- Al Golden was shown the door after Dabo and Company came to town and walked away with a 58-0 victory. A couple names have emerged to replace Golden, but I’m going with the dark horse here. Mark Richt leaves UGA and becomes the Miami head coach. Miami is Richt’s alma mater and he didn’t exactly play down the opportunity in his weekly press conference. Richt understands that Jeremy Pruitt will be departing after this season and he will be left with a mediocre offensive coordinator and no defensive coordinator (I expect Kirby Smart to leave Alabama if Saban stays, and to be promoted if Saban leaves. Either way Jeremy Pruitt will be the Crimson Tide’s Defensive Coordinator next season.) If Miami pursues Richt, and is willing to pay him, Richt leaves Athens.
5. Georgia- After Richt departs for Miami the bulldogs will sweep the country trying to find their next coach. I believe this is the the 3rd best job opening in the entire country, behind Alabama and USC, and there will be many suitors. I expect Greg McGarity to look at folks like Justin Fuente, Gary Patterson, Tom Herman, and Jeremy Pruitt, among others. In the end I think McGarity goes back to one of his former employees, D.J. Durkin. Durkin will be hired as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs and will bring fire and tenacity back to a program that is seen by the rest of the country as flaccid.
6. South Carolina- If my #1 prediction holds true South Carolina will miss out on Kirby Smart. If Saban stays, Kirby Smart will relocate to Columbia this winter. If the gamecocks miss out on Kirby Smart they will pursue names like Mark Dantonio, Justine Fuente, Tom Herman, and Rich Rodriguez.
This should be an interesting offseason. Get your popcorn ready, and keep updating that browser.
TheSlopChute 
Leave a comment