Yardbarker
x
Golesh, Odom, and More: Possible Head Coach Candidates for Baylor
© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Golesh, Odom, and More: Possible Head Coach Candidates for Baylor

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Huesmann  |  Last updated Oct 1, 2024 2:23 PM ET

By: Mike Huesmann

The Bears sit at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play right now. This does not bode well for Dave Aranda who was deeply in the hot seat entering this Fall. The Bears appeared to have gotten the portal wrong with Dequan Finn, though Sawyer Robertson has given the offense signs of life. With ranked Iowa State up next, and some tough games on the horizon it will be tough for Aranda to keep his job. The list of candidates to replace him should be intriguing as Baylor is a P4 school with relatively recent success and a solid budget. Here are five coaches who may be options.

Alex Golesh

Head Coach, South Florida

One of the most impressive two-year turnarounds in recent memory. The former Tennessee OC got the Bulls to a bowl game in year one after the horrendous Jeff Scott years. Baylor was at its best running an up-tempo veer and shoot offense under Art Briles, Golesh similarly uses tempo and a strong run game. He’d make a lot of sense here. He will be in the mix for other jobs.

Barry Odom

Head Coach, UNLV

Another coach thriving at the G5 level. He was ok at Mizzou, there were a lot of things outside his control that hurt his time there. He then did a solid job as Arkansas DC before going to Vegas last year. What he did in year one for UNLV was nothing short of amazing. They went 9-5, which was their first winning season since 2000. This place was a wasteland before Odom showed up. He quickly showed that he knows what he’s doing. The Rebels, with all their recent drama, sit at 4-0. Odom will firmly be up for P4 jobs if this continues.

Elijah Robinson

Defensive Coordinator, Syracuse

Robinson was the DL coach and later interim head coach for Texas A&M last year, Mike Elko wanted to keep him. He decided to leave for a coordinator role with his longtime friend Fran Brown . He was a massive hire for the Orange. Before his time with the Aggies, Robinson spent time as the Baylor DL coach. His familiarity with Baylor could give him a leg up in the search. He’s a guy destined to be an FBS head coach before too long.

Jake Dickert

Head Coach, Washington State

The Cougars look to win plenty of games this year. If he’s sitting at 11 or 12 wins later this year he becomes appealing to P4 schools with more stability. Baylor would be a good landing spot for him and offer solidified P4 football. He would provide Baylor with a young, likable, and energetic coach with experience.

Kane Wommack

Defensive Coordinator, Alabama

The 37 year old Wommack is in his first year with the Tide. Previously he had been in charge of South Alabama for 2 years and was getting mentioned for other P4 jobs. The former Indiana DC had South Alabama playing tough D and scoring points. They were 10-2 in 2022 and had a dip in form in 2023 but still looked competitive at times. Wommack won’t have to wait long for a P4 head coaching, I don’t know if this will be it but he’s a star on the rise. 

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

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.