By Chris Williams, CycloneFanatic.com PublisherFollow Chris on Twitter @ChrisMWilliams
The rumors have been confirmed.
Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Herman is leaving the Iowa State football program to become the new quarterback coach for Urban Meyer at Ohio State.
I just got off of the phone with former Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud, who played under Herman for two seasons. Here are some names of potential replacements that we came up with in about 10 minutes.
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Kliff Kingsbury, Houston Co-Offensive Coordinator – According to you fanatics who are already discussing possible replacements, this one would be a slam dunk. Kingsbury, a former Texas Tech quarterback, helped piece together Houston’s top-ranked offense during the 2011 regular season. Kingsbury, age 32, joined Houston’s staff in 2008. The stop in Houston the only coaching job that Kingsbury has ever held.
Tony Franklin, Louisiana Tech Offensive Coordinator – The 54-year old has been an offensive coordinator since the year 2006. Franklin and Paul Rhoads know each other. Franklin was Auburn’s offensive coordinator during the 2006/07 season, when Rhoads ran the Tigers defense. Louisiana Tech went 8-4 in 2011, where Franklin’s offense ended the regular season ranked 50th averaging just under 400 yards per game.
Blake Anderson, Southern Miss Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach – Anderson’s former boss, Larry Fedora, is on his way to become the head man at North Carolina. Anderson’s offense at Southern Miss ended the 2011 regular season ranked 13th nationally. Anderson arrived at Southern Miss in 2008 after spending time at Louisiana-Lafayette as an offensive coordinator. This seems like a good time for Anderson to enter the world of high-major college football. He could go to North Carolina with Fedora, or maybe he’s looking for a fresh start?
Courtney Messingham, Iowa State Wide Receivers Coach/Special Teams – A veteran who Paul Rhoads trusts. Messingham worked as the offensive coordinator for three seasons at Missouri State from 1999-2002. He’s a former head coach at Upper Iowa. Messingham came to Iowa State after spending three seasons at Southern Mississippi, and one year as a special teams coordinator at Missouri State in 2008.
Scott Frost, Oregon WR Coach – Former Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost has been in the coaching game consistently since 2006. He played in the Big 12 and is familiar with the state of Iowa, as Frost coached linebackers and was co-defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa from 2007-08. Oregon’s offense needs no introduction. Frost obviously knows it well.
Rod Smith, Arizona QB Coach – This is a long shot for numerous reasons, mostly because he literally JUST got hired by Rich Rodriquez at Arizona. But Arnaud likes this guy so I thought I’d throw Rod Smith on the list.
Matt Canada, Northern Illinois Offensive Coordinator – In his one season as Northern Illinois’ offensive coordinator, Canada led the Huskies to America’s 10th ranked total offense. Canada, a veteran coach, has been an offensive coordinator at Indiana (07-10), Northern Illinois (03-04) and Butler (97-98) along the way.
Chris Klenakis, Arkansas OL Coach –Last but certainly not least on our very premature list is Arkansas offensive line coach Chris Klenakis. Klenakis is mostly known for his work formerly at Nevada, where his "Pistol" offense was as tough to stop as any in the country. He’s also been an offensive coordinator at Southern Mississippi (2000-02) and Central Missouri (2003).
