Willie Taggart left Oregon for Florida State on Tuesday, which leaves the program looking for a head coach for a second straight season.
The Ducks finished 7-5 under Taggart in 2017, but his departure leaves the program in a tough spot. Former Oregon coach Chip Kelly has already taken the UCLA job, and former offensive coordinator Scott Frost recently took the head coaching job at Nebraska.
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That still leaves an interesting pool of experienced college football coaches, and, as usual, the Ducks will be looking for offense. Here are nine potential candidates to replace Taggart at Oregon.
Oregon coaching candidates
Kevin Sumlin
Sumlin has enjoyed winning records in nine of 10 seasons as a head coach, and his system fits. The Ducks grab a big name, and he might be more appreciated in Eugene than in College Station.
Lane Kiffin, FAU
Kiffin's name popped up in the Oregon search last year, and he has improved his resume since after leading Florida Atlantic to a 10-win season and a Conference USA championship. He's a brilliant offensive mind — and he has worked in the Pac-12 before.
Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia
Holgorsen is a consistent winner in the Big 12, but the Mountaineers haven't had that breakthrough season yet. He has also been a candidate for the Oregon job in the past. He has two 10-win seasons in seven years at West Virginia.
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Bryan Harsin, Boise State
Boise State won another Mountain West Conference championship, and this would put two former Boise State coaches in the same division. Harsin is 41-12 the past four seasons.
Charlie Strong, South Florida
Strong bounced back nicely at South Florida after a stint at Texas, and he deserves another shot at a Power 5 school. Is this the fit Strong is looking for? That's a tough question, given his recent fallout with the Longhorns.
Rich Rodriguez, Arizona
We've always wondered how Rodriguez would fare at Oregon, and we're guessing it would be successful. The question is whether he would be willing to swap divisions and stay in the same conference. Besides, he already has a quarterback in Khalil Tate.
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Wild cards
Ryan Day
Day is an excellent choice for Oregon. He worked as a quarterbacks coach under Chip Kelly in the NFL and held the same position at Ohio State under Urban Meyer this season. He's going to land a head coaching job. Is this too much, too soon?
Mario Cristobal
Cristobal was the co-offensive coordinator at Oregon this season, and has experience as a head coach dating to his days with FIU. If the Ducks opt for continuity, then he could be in play.
Dino Babers, Syracuse
Babers compiled an 8-16 record at Syracuse the last two seasons, so this is a long-shot. But he runs an offense that can score points, and that would translate well at Oregon.
