Head Coach Candidates

THE TOP 5:

Dan McCarney (click on name for additional info)

- South Florida

- Defensive line/assistant head coach

- Alma Mater: Iowa (1975)

- Also rumored: Southern Mississippi, Duke & Colorado State

- (new) 12/12 SportingNews.com:

A source close to the Northern Illinois coaching search says two finalists will be on campus later this week. I have confirmed that one candidate is South Florida assistant head coach Dan McCarney. A decision by NIU likely will come soon thereafter.

- 12/10 FootballScoop.com:

NIU names: Chuck Martin, Craig Bohl, Dan McCarney, Jerry Kill, Joker Phillips

- 12/7 KCCI (Des Moines):

Tampa Tribune reporter Brett McMurphy reports that McCarney interviewed for the head coaching position at Northern Illinois this week.

- 12/6 Chicago Tribune:

Among the leading candidates is South Florida defensive line and assistant head coach Dan McCarney, who left Iowa State in 2006 after a 12-year run that included five bowl appearances in a six-year span. McCarney is also a candidate for the vacancies at Colorado State and Southern Mississippi.

- 12/6 The Sporting News:

I have learned that Northern Illinois is focused on three candidates: South Florida assistant head coach Dan McCarney, Southern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill and Grand Valley State head coach Chuck Martin. I also have confirmed that Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl are in the mix.

- 12/5 USF Bulls Blog:

University of South Florida defensive line coach Dan McCarney has interviewed for the head coaching position at Northern Illinois.

- 11/30 The Sporting News:

The best fits for McCarney, the former Iowa State coach: Duke, Northern Illinois and Colorado State. I expect "Mac" to get something.

Jerry Kill

- Southern Illinois

- Head Coach

- Alma Mater: Southwestern College (1982)

- Also rumored: Colorado State

- (new) 12/12 SportingNews.com:

All signs appear to be pointing toward Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild being named coach at Colorado State.

A source connected to Fairchild says he has contacted a few potential coaches to solicit their interest in joining his staff in Ft. Collins.

- 12/11 The Coloradoan:

...speculation continues to swirl that it is a two-man race for the job between Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild and Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill. Another possibility is Louisville running backs coach Tony Alford.

Kill got apparently testy Saturday with a reporter who asked about the CSU opening following the loss to Delaware, saying the only way he planned to leave SIU was if he got fired. However, a Saluki fan message board was buzzing Monday night with rumors that Kill was headed to CSU.

- 12/11 SportingNews.com:

Colorado State could name a coach by the end of the week. It still looks like Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild and Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill are the frontrunners.

- 12/10 FootballScoop.com:

NIU names: Chuck Martin, Craig Bohl, Dan McCarney, Jerry Kill, Joker Phillips

- 12/6 Chicago Tribune:

Southern Illinois coach Jerry Kill, whose Salukis face Delaware in a Football Championship Subdivision playoff game Saturday, is believed to have been among the first interviewed by Phillips. Kill also is expected to be interviewed for the head-coaching job at Colorado State, where athletic director Paul Kowalczyk is looking to fill the opening. Kowalczyk hired Kill while at Southern Illinois.

- 12/6 The Sporting News:

I have learned that Northern Illinois is focused on three candidates: South Florida assistant head coach Dan McCarney, Southern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill and Grand Valley State head coach Chuck Martin. I also have confirmed that Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl are in the mix.

- 12/4 The Southern:

Already there are reports that Kill is under consideration for coaching vacancies at Colorado State and Northern Illinois University.

- 12/2 The Denver Post:

Speculation naturally turns to Jerry Kill of Southern Illinois, Kowalczyk's (CSU's AD) prior stop. Kill said he would have no comment on other positions as long as the Salukis are in the championship subdivision (formerly I-AA) playoffs.

- 11/26 Daily Chronicle:

Southern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill should be on Phillips' short list.

Chuck Martin

- Grand Valley State

- Head Coach

- Alma Mater: Millikin (1990)

- 12/10 FootballScoop.com:

NIU names: Chuck Martin, Craig Bohl, Dan McCarney, Jerry Kill, Joker Phillips

- 12/6 Chicago Tribune:

Phillips also met with Chuck Martin, who has taken Grand Valley State to two consecutive Division II championships and has the Lakers in the national semifinal Saturday against Northwest Missouri State.

- 12/6 The Sporting News:

I have learned that Northern Illinois is focused on three candidates: South Florida assistant head coach Dan McCarney, Southern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill and Grand Valley State head coach Chuck Martin. I also have confirmed that Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl are in the mix.

Craig Bohl

- North Dakota State

- Head Coach

- Alma Mater: Nebraska (1982)

- 12/11 The Forum:

Craig Bohl is on the recruiting trail, not some road leading to DeKalb, Ill. North Dakota State athletic director Gene Taylor said his head football coach has no interest in becoming the next head coach at Northern Illinois University.

The Chicago Tribune reported last week Bohl met with NIU athletic director Jim Phillips, who is looking for a replacement for the retired Joe Novak.

Taylor said Bohl did not interview with the Huskies. He also said he didn’t know if there were any conversations between Bohl and Phillips

- 12/10 FootballScoop.com:

NIU names: Chuck Martin, Craig Bohl, Dan McCarney, Jerry Kill, Joker Phillips

- 12/7 The Forum:

The first serious shot at a head college football coach who went 20-2 the last two years was apparently fired by Northern Illinois University. The school may be pursuing North Dakota State’s Craig Bohl.

He met with NIU athletic director Jim Phillips in Chicago this week, according to the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

- 12/6 Chicago Tribune:

Also meeting with Phillips was Craig Bohl, who succeeded Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich as head coach at North Dakota State and was a top assistant at Nebraska.

- 12/6 The Sporting News:

I have learned that Northern Illinois is focused on three candidates: South Florida assistant head coach Dan McCarney, Southern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill and Grand Valley State head coach Chuck Martin. I also have confirmed that Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl are in the mix.

Joe Phillips

- Kentucky

- Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers

- Alma Mater: Kentucky (1984)

- 12/10 FootballScoop.com:

NIU names: Chuck Martin, Craig Bohl, Dan McCarney, Jerry Kill, Joker Phillips

- 12/6 Chicago Tribune:

Kentucky offensive coordinator Joe "Joker" Phillips is also on the interview list.

- 12/6 The Sporting News:

I have learned that Northern Illinois is focused on three candidates: South Florida assistant head coach Dan McCarney, Southern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill and Grand Valley State head coach Chuck Martin. I also have confirmed that Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl are in the mix.

THE NEXT 5:

Scott Shafer

- Stanford

- Defensive Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach

- former NIU Defensive Coordinator & Defensive Backs coach

- Alma Mater: Baldwin-Wallace (1990)

- 12/5 The Stanford Daily:

as defensive coordinator Scott Shafer flirts with Northern Illinois about its open head coaching position — possibly opening a devastating hole on Stanford’s football staff

- 12/3 San Francisco Chronicle:

Defensively, the biggest question might be whether coordinator Scott Shafer, who has turned the Cardinal into an aggressive, physical unit, will stay. Shafer is considered a top candidate for the head-coaching job at Northern Illinois, where he spent eight years as an assistant coach under Joe Novak.

Harbaugh did not address Shafer's situation specifically, but he said he wants his assistants to have head-coaching aspirations.

"I love our coaches. They love it here. As we go on this journey, some will become sought-after to be head coaches at other programs," Harbaugh said. "That's why I hired most of the coaches (who) are here. They have aspirations and I want them to want that."

- 12/3 USA Today:

Several candidates mentioned former NIU assistants like Purdue's Mark Hagan, Stanford's Scott Shafer, Michigan State's Pat Narduzzi and Indiana's Matt Canada.

- 11/30 San Francisco Chronicle:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer reportedly is a top candidate for the head coach opening at Northern Illinois.

Shafer was an assistant at Northern Illinois from 1996-2003, the last four seasons as defensive coordinator.

- 11/30 Contra Costa Times:

Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Northern Illinois head-coaching job. But Harbaugh said school officials have not asked for permission to speak with him and declined further comment.

- 11/27 The Daily Herald:

That's why it makes all the sense in the world to bring in a member from Novak's coaching tree to carry on the job. There's certainly no shortage of fruit from which to choose:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen. Indiana offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. LSU defensive backs coach Doug Mallory. Louisville defensive backs coach Mike Mallory. Michigan State line coach Dan Roushar.

Mike Haywood

- Notre Dame

- Off. Coordinator/Running Backs Coach

- Alma Mater: Notre Dame (1986)

- Also rumored: Houston (interviewed)

- 12/7 FootballRumorMill.com:

Many think Notre Dame OC Mike Haywood is the frontrunner for both Houston and Northern Illinois – and he’d be a great hire.

- 12/6 FootballScoop.com:

University of Houston athletic director Dave Maggard... Other candidates in the mix include Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Michael Haywood and current interim coach Chris Thurmond.

- 12/5 ESPN.com:

Notre Dame offensive coordinator/running backs coach Mike Haywood, a native of Houston, is lobbying for the job in his hometown. Haywood was a former assistant at LSU and Texas and recruited the Houston area heavily.

- 12/3 FootballRumorMill.com:

Northern Illinois: Mike Haywood (Notre Dame OC)

- 12/3 Chicago Sun-Times:

has emerged as a candidates to replace Art Briles as the head coach at Houston. Haywood, a former Notre Dame cornerback and Houston native, interviewed for the vacancy last week.

- 11/28 The Daily Herald:

The names of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood, Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and former Cincinnati coach Rick Minter are thought to be on Phillips' short list.

- 11/26 Chicago Tribune:

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood is expected to be high on Northern Illinois' list. Haywood has coached at LSU and Texas, where he was Cedric Benson's running backs coach, in addition to MAC schools Ball State and Ohio.

Mark Hagen

- Purdue

- Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams/LB's

- former NIU assistant coach and Defensive Tackles

- Alma Mater: Indiana (1991)

- 12/3 USA Today:

Several candidates mentioned former NIU assistants like Purdue's Mark Hagan, Stanford's Scott Shafer, Michigan State's Pat Narduzzi and Indiana's Matt Canada.

- 11/27 The Daily Herald:

That's why it makes all the sense in the world to bring in a member from Novak's coaching tree to carry on the job. There's certainly no shortage of fruit from which to choose:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen. Indiana offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. LSU defensive backs coach Doug Mallory. Louisville defensive backs coach Mike Mallory. Michigan State line coach Dan Roushar.

- 9/20 msnbc.com (early prediction):

Keep your eye on Sonny Lubick at Colorado State and Joe Novak at Northern Illinois. Each could retire after this season. One guy who would be a good fit at either place -- especially CSU -- is former Miami coach Larry Coker. And would Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen, a former NIU assistant who has excelled on the Boilermaker staff, get a look at DeKalb?

Matt Canada

- Indiana

- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

- former NIU Offensive Coordinator, Running backs & quarterbacks coach

- Alma Mater: Indiana

- 12/3 USA Today:

Several candidates mentioned former NIU assistants like Purdue's Mark Hagan, Stanford's Scott Shafer, Michigan State's Pat Narduzzi and Indiana's Matt Canada.

- 11/29 footballscoop.com:

Northern Illinois- Hearing Schafer (Stanford) and Matt Canada (Indiana), Pat Narduzzi (Mich State)

- 11/27 The Daily Herald:

That's why it makes all the sense in the world to bring in a member from Novak's coaching tree to carry on the job. There's certainly no shortage of fruit from which to choose:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen. Indiana offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. LSU defensive backs coach Doug Mallory. Louisville defensive backs coach Mike Mallory. Michigan State line coach Dan Roushar.

Pat Narduzzi

- Michigan State

- Defensive Coordinator

- former NIU linebackers coach

- Alma Mater: Rhode Island (1990)

- 12/3 USA Today:

Several candidates mentioned former NIU assistants like Purdue's Mark Hagan, Stanford's Scott Shafer, Michigan State's Pat Narduzzi and Indiana's Matt Canada.

- 11/29 Footballscoop.com:

Northern Illinois- Hearing Schafer (Stanford) and Matt Canada (Indiana), Pat Narduzzi (Mich State)

- 11/27 The Daily Herald:

That's why it makes all the sense in the world to bring in a member from Novak's coaching tree to carry on the job. There's certainly no shortage of fruit from which to choose:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen. Indiana offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. LSU defensive backs coach Doug Mallory. Louisville defensive backs coach Mike Mallory. Michigan State line coach Dan Roushar.

THE REST:

Mike Locksley

- Illinois

- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

- Alma mater: Towson (1992)

- Also rumored: Syracuse

- 12/3 ESPN.com:

Ron Zook's top assistant is really on the rise. He developed the Illini's pipeline into the D.C. area, and he is credited with cranking up a very potent ground game that was fifth in the nation. The way the Illini knocked off then-No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus also helped raise Locksley's stock. His rep as a recruiter would be a huge plus to any program he took over.

- 11/28 The Daily Herald:

The names of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood, Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and former Cincinnati coach Rick Minter are thought to be on Phillips' short list.

- 11/26 Chicago Tribune:

Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley also is expected to be near the top of the list. Locksley's profile has risen with the Illini's successful 2007 season, and he is considered a key part of Ron Zook's turnaround of Illinois' football fortunes.

Rick Minter

- Notre Dame (most recently)

- Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers

- Alma Mater: Henderson State (1977)

- 11/28 The Daily Herald:

The names of Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood, Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and former Cincinnati coach Rick Minter are thought to be on Phillips' short list.

- 11/26 Chicago Tribune:

Rick Minter, Cincinnati head coach for 10 years and Notre Dame's defensive coordinator for the first two years of Charlie Weis' tenure before being replaced in January, is expected to get strong consideration. Minter was Lou Holtz's defensive coordinator when the Irish won consecutive Cotton Bowls after the 1992 and '93 seasons.

Dan Roushar

- Michigan State

- Offensive Line

- former NIU offensive coordinator & offensive line coach

- Alma Mater: Northern Illinois (1984)

- 11/27 The Daily Herald:

That's why it makes all the sense in the world to bring in a member from Novak's coaching tree to carry on the job. There's certainly no shortage of fruit from which to choose:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen. Indiana offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. LSU defensive backs coach Doug Mallory. Louisville defensive backs coach Mike Mallory. Michigan State line coach Dan Roushar.

- 11/26 The Beacon News:

Dan Roushar Michigan State offensive line coach. Was NIU offensive line coach and offensive coordinator from 1998-2002, running backs coach in 2003. Played quarterback at NIU from 1981-82.

John Bond

- Georgia Tech

- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

- former NIU offensive coordinator

- Alma Mater: Arkansas (1985)

- 11/26 The Beacon News:

John Bond Georgia Tech offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. NIU offensive coordinator from 2004-2006.

Sam Pittman

- North Carolina

- Assistant Coach/Offensive Line

- former NIU assistant head coach/offensive line coach

- Alma Mater: Pittsburgh State (KS) (1986)

Bud Foster

- Virginia Tech

- Defensive Coordinator & Inside Linebackers Coach

- Alma Mater: Murray State (1981)

- 12/3 ESPN.com:

Bud Foster, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator: The hunch here is that the Hokies' long-time coordinator is patiently waiting to take over the program whenever Frank Beamer is ready to retire. No doubt Foster will have earned the job. His defense is consistently among the best in the country, and that's without always having a team stocked with the biggest-name recruits.

- 11/29 Washington Post:

One of the "intriguing" schools, Foster said, is Southern Mississippi of Conference USA. Another possibility is Northern Illinois, whose campus is roughly 200 miles from where Foster went to high school in Nokomis, Ill.

Larry Coker

- Miami (most recently)

- Head Coach

- Alma Mater: Northeastern State (1969)

- Also rumored: Oklahoma State & Houston

- 9/20 msnbc.com (early prediction):

Keep your eye on Sonny Lubick at Colorado State and Joe Novak at Northern Illinois. Each could retire after this season. One guy who would be a good fit at either place -- especially CSU -- is former Miami coach Larry Coker. And would Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen, a former NIU assistant who has excelled on the Boilermaker staff, get a look at DeKalb?

Mike Mallory

- Louisville

- Secondary

- former NIU Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach

- Alma Mater: Michigan (1985)

- 11/27 The Daily Herald:

That's why it makes all the sense in the world to bring in a member from Novak's coaching tree to carry on the job. There's certainly no shortage of fruit from which to choose:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen. Indiana offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. LSU defensive backs coach Doug Mallory. Louisville defensive backs coach Mike Mallory. Michigan State line coach Dan Roushar.

- 11/27 footballscoop.com:

Northern Illinois- Joe Novak just announced to the team he was retiring--Scott Schaffer DC at Stanford and Mike Mallory top candidates

Doug Mallory

- LSU

- Defensive Backs

- Alma Mater: Michigan (1988)

- 11/27 The Daily Herald:

That's why it makes all the sense in the world to bring in a member from Novak's coaching tree to carry on the job. There's certainly no shortage of fruit from which to choose:

Stanford defensive coordinator Scott Shafer. Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen. Indiana offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. LSU defensive backs coach Doug Mallory. Louisville defensive backs coach Mike Mallory. Michigan State line coach Dan Roushar.

Doug Plank

- Georgia Force (AFL)

- Head Coach

- Alma Mater: Ohio State

- 11/27 Chicago Sun-Times:

''This makes so much more sense,'' Plank said. ''I know I can do this.''

Plank, 54, also knows he's not a conventional candidate for the job without experience at the college level, but believes his people skills, success in business and passion for the game make him ideal to restore the Huskies to the level of success they enjoyed under Novak in recent years.