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5 College Football Coaches Who Will Have An NFL Job Next Year

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The NFL hiring cycle for head coaches is over for this year, but it’s never too early to speculate about who might be in the mix for openings down the road. Here are five college head coaches who will have jobs in the NFL this time next year.

5. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern Leon Halip Getty Images
Fitzgerald is a Northwestern man to his core, dating back to his days as a linebacker at the school in the mid-1990's. But Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports reported prior to this year's hiring cycle that he has quietly gotten interest from the NFL in recent years, and I think Fitzgerald would have a hard time turning down any serious overtures.

Fitzgerald is a Northwestern man to his core, dating back to his days as a linebacker at the school in the mid-1990's. But Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports reported prior to this year's hiring cycle that he has quietly gotten interest from the NFL in recent years, and I think Fitzgerald would have a hard time turning down any serious overtures.

4. Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M Scott Halleran Getty Images
The NFL bloom has fallen off Sumlin to some degree, but the Philadelphia Eagles reportedly had interest in him early in their search for Chip Kelly's replacement. If Sumlin wants to leave Texas A&M, he may have multiple opportunities to do so around this time next year.

The NFL bloom has fallen off Sumlin to some degree, but the Philadelphia Eagles reportedly had interest in him early in their search for Chip Kelly's replacement. If Sumlin wants to leave Texas A&M, he may have multiple opportunities to do so around this time next year.

3. David Shaw, Stanford

David Shaw, Stanford Thearon W. Henderson Getty Images
Shaw spent nine seasons as an NFL assistant, before being hired by Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego. He then moved on to Stanford with Harbaugh, before taking over as head coach when Harbaugh left for the San Francisco 49ers. It's hard to confidently say Shaw will leave his alma mater for greener financial pastures, but the NFL clearly covets him.

Shaw spent nine seasons as an NFL assistant, before being hired by Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego. He then moved on to Stanford with Harbaugh, before taking over as head coach when Harbaugh left for the San Francisco 49ers. It's hard to confidently say Shaw will leave his alma mater for greener financial pastures, but the NFL clearly covets him.

2. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Tom Pennington Getty Images
Last summer, Stoops suggested there are NFL head coaches that might rather have his job at Oklahoma. It's possible his window to leave for the next level is closed, but on the heels of a playoff appearance another great season for the Sooners in 2016 will put Stoops back on the NFL's radar.

Last summer, Stoops suggested there are NFL head coaches that might rather have his job at Oklahoma. It's possible his window to leave for the next level is closed, but on the heels of a playoff appearance another great season for the Sooners in 2016 will put Stoops back on the NFL's radar.

1. Jim Mora, UCLA

Jim Mora, UCLA Ezra Shaw Getty Images
Mora has made UCLA relevant again, with a 37-16 record and two bowl wins over four seasons. But most of his coaching experience is in the NFL, including four seasons as a head coach with the Atlanta Falcons (2004-06) and the Seattle Seahawks (2009), so if the right opportunity surfaces Mora would surely be tempted to return to the league.

Mora has made UCLA relevant again, with a 37-16 record and two bowl wins over four seasons. But most of his coaching experience is in the NFL, including four seasons as a head coach with the Atlanta Falcons (2004-06) and the Seattle Seahawks (2009), so if the right opportunity surfaces Mora would surely be tempted to return to the league.

    Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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