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5 Head Coaching Candidates For Illinois Football

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5 Head Coaching Candidates For Illinois Football

Illinois Head Coach Tim Beckman
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Given the inevitability of a head coaching change at the University of Illinois after a third straight futile effort from the Tim Beckman regime -- and the fact that Illinois is too big a school with too many resources and too much history to have been this irrelevant in football for this long -- here are five candidates worth considering for the Illini head coaching job.

5. Brian VanGorder - Defensive Coordinator, Notre Dame

Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

5. Brian VanGorder - Defensive Coordinator, Notre Dame

Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Brian VanGorder
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame’s defensive play has been a revelation this season under VanGorder, and a major reason for the top 10 ranking the Irish currently enjoy. Given VanGorder’s fire-breathing dragon persona, he might be just the type of head coach to provide a much-needed toughness injection for an Illinois program that has been allowed to go noticeably soft over the past few years. VanGorder will be a head coach somewhere within the next two years.

4. Tom Herman - Offensive Coordinator, Ohio State

Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Tom Herman
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4. Tom Herman - Offensive Coordinator, Ohio State

Ohio State Offensive Coordinator Tom Herman
Getty Images

Herman’s offenses have been consistently explosive at OSU and the Buckeyes appear to have regained their offensive momentum this season despite the loss of all league QB Braxton Miller. Herman had similar success as an OC at Iowa State before joining Urban Meyer’s staff in Columbus; he knows the Midwest. A head coaching job is very likely in Herman’s near-future.

3. Terry Bowden - Head Coach, Akron

Akron Head Coach Terry Bowden
Bob Dechiara-USA TODAY Sports

3. Terry Bowden - Head Coach, Akron

Akron Head Coach Terry Bowden
Bob Dechiara-USA TODAY Sports

Think about this one Illini fans, before laughing it off. Bowden is smart, he is a program builder, he has dealt with big school bright lights and he is only 58 years old. Since returning to coaching after his TV sabbatical, Bowden was 29-9 overall at North Alabama and has improved his W-L record in each of his three seasons leading the Zips. Hiring Bowden would provide some desperately needed national buzz for the Illini football program.

2. Pat Narduzzi - Defensive Coordinator, Michigan State

Michigan State Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2. Pat Narduzzi - Defensive Coordinator, Michigan State

Michigan State Defensive Coordinator Pat Narduzzi
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Narduzzi’s name was in heavy play for the Connecticut job that went to former Notre Dame DC Bob Diacco a year ago. Under Narduzzi, MSU’s defenses have consistently been top shelf not only in the Big 10, but in the country. After 10 years working for Mark Dantonio at both Cincinnati and Michigan State, the time is likely drawing near for Narduzzi to take a major head coaching job himself somewhere.

1. Bill Cubit - Offensive Coordinator, Illinois

Illinois Offensive Coordinator Bill Cubit
Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

1. Bill Cubit - Offensive Coordinator, Illinois

Illinois Offensive Coordinator Bill Cubit
Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Maybe the Illini should simply look one door down from Beckman’s office to find Beckman’s replacement. Cubit deserves credit for resurrecting Illinois' offense during his first season as OC in 2013. He won 51 games during eight seasons as head coach at Western Michigan, and led the Broncos to three bowl appearances, before joining the Illinois staff. It is very possible the best choice for the next Illini head coach already works on campus.

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