Lane Kiffin, Charlie Strong among potential USF candidates to replace Willie Taggart

Bob Hille

Lane Kiffin, Charlie Strong among potential USF candidates to replace Willie Taggart image

With a likely opening at USF, all eyes turn to Alabama for the coach to replace Willie Taggart, reportedly on his way to Oregon.

That's because speculation about the Bulls' next coach will certainly include Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and offensive line coach Mario Cristobal.

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The opening in talent-rich Florida — albeit in a Group of 5 conference — also could draw the interest of former Texas and Louisville coach Charlie Strong as well as former Bucs coach Greg Schiano.

Meanwhile, rising star P.J. Fleck, who has led Western Michigan to a 13-0 record, remains a possibility, though he might be looking for a Power 5 job.

One current player, quarterback Brett Kean, said via Twitter that he hopes the USF administration looks at the current staff.

Whoever gets the job inherits a program that Taggart built into a 10-2 team in 2016, the first 10-win season in the program's 20-year history.

USF will be competing against American foe Houston for a coach that will excite the fan base. 

 

Bob Hille

Bob Hille Photo

Bob Hille, a senior content consultant for The Sporting News, has been part of the TSN team for most of the past 30 years, including as managing editor and executive editor. He is a native of Texas (forever), adopted son of Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State, and longtime fan of “Bull Durham” (h/t Annie Savoy for The Sporting News mention).