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Brent Vigen, Jeff Banks, and More Possible Head Coach Candidates for Washington State
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Brent Vigen, Jeff Banks, and More Possible Head Coach Candidates for Washington State

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Huesmann  |  Last updated Dec 19, 2024 2:55 PM ET

By Mike Huesmann

Jake Dickert has left for Wake Forest, I had recently placed him atop of my list for them in the wake of Dave Clawson stepping down. This is an interesting job and the conference instability I have written about is a factor. Both Oregon State and Washington State have lost coaches the past two off-season's, neither to blue blood programs. This job, in it's current state may be viewed as a stepping stone, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You can attract really good candidates, and this job will be linked with top-notch coaches.

Brent Vigen

Montana State, Head Coach

In his fourth year at Montana State, Vigen has barely put a foot wrong. Once a longtime Craig Bohl assistant at both NDSU and Wyoming, Vigen appears to be a prime candidate for a Mountain West or MAC job should one come up. 46-9 in his fourth season, and #1 seed overall in this year's FCS playoffs. The Bobcats are in the semifinals and people are noticing him. This would be a good first FBS head job for him in a better conference. 

Jeff Banks

Texas, Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator

A Wazzu alumni and former player. Banks spent eight seasons as a UTEP assistant before hitting the P4. He’s also considered one of the best special teams guys in the game. He spent time at Texas A&M and was briefly interim head coach. The former Alabama assistant has continued to find success, and a large salary, with Sark in Austin. Banks deservedly made my top five special teams coordinator list awhile back. Would he want to come back home as a head coach?

Eric Morris

North Texas, Head Coach

 A Jake Dickert disciple, Morris was his OC at Wazzu before taking the head job at UNT. He was instrumental in getting Cam Ward to the Cougars, having been his first head coach at Incarnate Word. The Mean Green sit at 6-6, with a bowl game coming up. They will play Texas State. A player under Mike Leach at Texas Tech, if someone wants an air raid system and young head coach, Morris could be on the shortlist and could continue what Washington State has been for over 10 years now.

Jeff Choate

Nevada, Head Coach

Choate took over FCS Montana State, a former power, at a low point and in his third year got them to the second round of the playoffs, followed by a semifinal trip in 2019. After this he was scooped up by Steve Sarkisian to bring back the Longhorns, and they did that to the tune of a playoff season in 2023. Choate was on my top five favorite hires last season and I’m a big fan. Record wise, Nevada was a disappointing 3-10 but there were glimpses of improvement. 

Will Stein

Oregon, Offensive Coordinator

Stein is in his second season with the Ducks with fantastic quarterback play, last year he did it with Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel this year. The Ducks sit undefeated and the reputation for Stein is there. He is seen as a riser and a soon-to-be head coach. Prior to Oregon, he was the OC at UTSA where Jeff Traylor had his best seasons. It would be not surprising to see the 35-year-old Stein get a head coaching job elsewhere this offseason, especially if Oregon makes a run in the playoffs. If Dan Lanning leaves for the NFL he has a good shot to be the in-house replacement. This job, probably as a stepping stone as it was for Dickert, would be a good first head job for him.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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