For the second time in seven years, Ohio State could be forced into an unexpected coaching search to replace a championship-winning head coach who was axed for non-performance-based reasons.
Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave on Wednesday afternoon, just hours after Brett McMurphy broke the story that Meyer potentially knew about domestic abuse allegations made against longtime assistant and current Buckeyes' receivers coach Zach Smith, whom Meyer fired recently.
Not many coaches return from administrative leave, especially when they're on leave because of serious allegations. So while Meyer isn't officially out as Ohio State head coach, it appears we're headed in that direction.
Assuming they keep Ryan Day as interim coach, who would replace Meyer after the 2018 season?
"Multiple rumors hitting us that Iowa State coach Matt Campbell would be frontrunner for Ohio State job if it became open," Sports Illustrated's Andrew Perloff tweeted on Thursday, Aug. 2.
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In addition to Campbell, who just signed a new six-year, $22.5-million contract at Iowa State after leading them to their first eight-win season since 2000, several other high-profile names will hit the rumor mill if Meyer is fired, among them: Justin Fuente, Kyle Whittingham, David Shaw, Gary Patterson, Tom Herman, Bryan Harsin, Jeff Brohm and Lane Kiffin (although that's never happening).
While it's possible — if not probable — one of those active FBS head coaches will be the next Ohio State head coach, it's also possible the Buckeyes go in a different direction.
Here are some potential under-the-radar candidates to be Ohio State's next head coach if Urban Meyer is fired.
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Matt Rhule
Current Position: Head Coach – Baylor
Matt Rhule is in one of the most unique coaching positions in college football history. And if he brings winning back to Baylor football, he might get any job he wants.
While Rhule is taking his time rebuilding a damaged program and isn't employing any quick-fix shortcuts, the Bears will take a big step forward this year and potentially reach a bowl game, one year after losing to Liberty and going 1-11. He's recruited every area of the country, could bring along some high-level assistants (e.g. defensive coordinator Phil Snow) and might be a good fit for a program looking to clean up their coaching image.
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Justin Wilcox
Current Position: Head Coach – Cal
Another second-year, young head coach, Justin Wilcox, unlike Rhule, is a first-time head coach who's spent almost his entire career at Power Five programs and has Big Ten experience — albeit only one season (Wisconsin defensive coordinator, 2016).
Wilcox, a former Oregon defensive back, became a 30-year-old coordinator at Boise State in 2006 and might need another couple good seasons at Cal to earn the big-time offer. Still, he's drawing rave reviews in Berkeley and a strong 2018 could put him on a short list.
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Mike Norvell
Current Position: Head Coach – Memphis
For nearly every FBS program, Mike Norvell is not an under-the-radar replacement option; he's the replacement option. For Ohio State, he falls miles below those bigger names but is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after future Power Five head coaches in the country.
There are experience concerns; Norvell, 36, would be the Buckeyes' youngest head coach in decades, has been a coach for barely a decade and has two years of head-coaching experience. Also, I've only spoken with Norvell a couple times but from those conversations and other reports, he doesn't seem like a guy ready to leave Memphis anytime soon.
But what about if Ohio State called?
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Dave Doeren
Current Position: Head Coach – NC State
Dave Doeren's interest in the Tennessee job last year was not kept quiet. He was in negotiations with the Vols and his agent said Doeren was "fired up" about the potential move. While he reportedly loves NC State (and signed a five-year extension after the Tennessee deal fell through), clearly he's interested in other opportunities.
He's a midwest guy who played at Drake and, prior to arriving in Raleigh in 2013, spent the last 11 years of his career in the region. Like Wilcox, the 46-year-old Doeren is a former Wisconsin assistant who's recruited the area extensively.
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Jason Candle
Current Position: Head Coach – Toledo
If Ohio State wants but can't get Matt Campbell, might they call his predecessor, Jason Candle?
The 38-year-old third-year head coach has done a magnificent job after Campbell's departure. Candle has no Power Five experience and hasn't coached at another FBS program besides Toledo. He signed a contract extension (through 2023) after there were conflicting reports about an interview for the UCF vacancy last December.
Like Norvell, Candle would be a hell of a hire for most programs. He doesn't have the experience of star power of a Fuente, Whittingham or even Campbell, but is a highly respected coach in the state with a minuscule buyout of $450,00, which might be attractive if Ohio State is forced to pay Meyer all or part of his $38 million buyout.
