28 FBS football programs have new head coaches in place heading in to the 2016 season. It’s another example of the incredible turnover that takes place at the position every single year. Whether it’s that the program is looking to shake things up or the head coach is seeking another opportunity, the college-coaching carousel is always turning. Some college coaches are simply looking forward to the perfect opportunity at the NFL level, as they look to follow in the footsteps of Tom Coughlin, Chip Kelly and others. Here is a look at the four college football coaches that appear destined for NFL jobs in the near future.
Kevin Sumlin
Texas A&M Aggies
It wasn’t that long ago that Sumlin was one of the hottest names in college football. Johnny Manziel had just ripped it up, Texas A&M recorded 11 wins and the Aggies finished in the top-five in the nation. However, that was four years ago and a lot has changed since then. Texas A&M has posted a 25-14 record over the last three seasons and has finished outside of the top-25 in each of the last two seasons. Sumlin parted ways with his offensive coordinator Jake Spavital this offseason, but he also lost his top two quarterbacks in Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray. At least on paper, Sumlin’s situation with the Aggies has never looked worse and that could motivate him to make the jump to the NFL. A number of teams have reportedly shown interest in Sumlin including the Philadelphia Eagles, and all it might take is the right fit for him to leave A&M. He could opt to make the jump before his window of opportunity closes and he becomes just another average name.
David Shaw
Stanford Cardinal
The son of former NFL coach Willie Shaw has one of the strongest NFL pedigrees among college football head coaches. He could decide to follow in his father’s footsteps down the line. Shaw spent nine years as an NFL assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Ravens before succeeding Jim Harbaugh as the head coach at Stanford, so he has plenty of experience at the pro level. His success with the Cardinal combined with the fact that he runs a pro-style offense at Stanford should make him that much more attractive to NFL teams. A lot of people figured Stanford would fall off after Harbaugh left but that simply hasn’t happened. Factor in that he is still just 43-years-old and it seems like it is only a matter of time before Shaw will make his return to the NFL.
Nick Saban
Alabama Crimson Tide
Saban is absolutely set at Alabama, but after adding another national championship to his resume, it might be only a matter of time before he decides to give the NFL another shot. Saban has already put himself in the conversation among the greatest college football head coaches of all-time, but there are some that think his failure at the pro level could eat at his competitive nature. Saban spent four seasons as Bill Belichick’s defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns and then posted a 15-17 record in two seasons with the Miami Dolphins before leaving for Alabama. The consensus is that a number of NFL teams would line up to give Saban another shot at the NFL and it seems like there is a good chance he would take the opportunity if he can find the right fit.
Bob Stoops
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s head coach is the longest tenured at a single program in college football. Stoops has posted a 179-46 record in 17 seasons with the Sooners, including 13 10-win seasons and nine Big 12 titles. Stoops has not expressed a strong interest in leaving Oklahoma, but he hasn’t completely shot down rumors of a potential move to the NFL. With nothing left to prove at the college level it’s likely that Stoops takes a shot at the pro game with a chance to finish his coaching career in the NFL. It’s something that is still left on his to-do list and there is a dearth of quality NFL coaches right now.
