College Coaching Prospects

Nearly every NFL coach starts their coaching career in college, but not every successful college coach can make the transition to the NFL. Many coaches, such as Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Chip Kelly, had very successful careers coaching in college, but struggled with a transition to the NFL. Today, I took a look at my favorite coaches who I think can make the transition to the NFL.

Lincoln Riley

The top coach who I think could make a successful transition to the NFL is Lincoln Riley, who has led successful offenses across his time at both Oklahoma and USC. In his time as a head coach, Riley has a career record of 86-26 and has had his team ranked in the top 25 all eight years as a head coach. He has consistently led winning teams, but more importantly for his NFL case, an elite offense.

USC is averaging 42.4 (second in the nation) points per game this year, but has two losses on the year after giving up 34 to Notre Dame and Illinois. The issues for Riley’s programs have been poor defenses, and he has struggled to land top defensive recruits to his programs. If Riley is hired as an NFL head coach or even an OC, this will not be a problem.

The last major case for Riley is his simple ability to develop offensive talent, especially quarterbacks. Guys like Caleb Williams, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, and now Jaden Maiava. He has had his hand in the development of three number one overall picks, and the best of the bunch is Jalen Hurts, who is a Super Bowl champion and one of the NFL’s top QBs.

I have been saying for some time now that Riley needs to make the move to the NFL, as he runs a complex, pass-heavy offense that will translate well to the league. If he becomes a head coach, he will need to hire a good, experienced defensive coordinator. I strongly believe that Riley could step in and be one of the best offensive play callers in football, something that is immensely valuable in the league.

Mack Leftwitch

Leftwitch is one of the best young minds in the nation, who you may not have heard of yet, but is prepared to make a big jump in his career. Before taking over at Texas Tech this season, Leftwich was the offensive coordinator at Texas State, where he helped them become the third-highest scoring offense in the nation. Now he has Texas Tech scoring 40 points a game, the fifth-best in CFB.

Leftwich is just 30 years old and is someone who has not gotten much name recognition, but has everything NFL coaches should look for. Texas Tech was the preseason 24th-ranked team in the nation, but rose to number 7 in the nation before their loss to Arizona State last week.

Tech lost its quarterback last week, but even in an away game, with an RS Freshman at the helm, Tech took a game against Arizona State down to the wire. Outside of that game – where they still put up 22 points – Texas Tech has scored at least 34 points every other week. Leftwich runs a great, balanced offense, and his skills will translate to the NFL immediately.

Kenny Dillingham

The current head coach at Arizona State, Dillingham, is one of my favorite guys who is due for a promotion this offseason. Dillingham has bounced around over the last several years, but has had his hand in the development of several NFL players in his time at Memphis, Auburn, Florida State, Oregon, and Arizona State

Players like Bo Nix, Anthonia Gibson, Darrel Henderson, Jarrett Stidham, Cam Skattebo, and several top players in this year’s draft have played for Dillingham and saw great improvements. As a head coach, he is a passionate, energetic, young coach who could take over a team and have success for many years. His fast-paced spread offense would translate well to the NFL, and he should be given a shot.

Matt Campbell

Campbell is one of those guys that many people would consider a “true college coach” who may not succeed in the NFL, but I do not agree. Campbell is that offensive mind that teams want, and he has helped develop several NFL-caliber players both at Tulane and Iowa State.

While it was a rough start at Iowa State, Campbell has gotten things back on track. He helped Brock Purdy get back into the draft conversation and now has Rocco Becht in a similar conversation. He has seen a boatload of top receivers come through his team, as well as top running backs who succeed in his offense. He may be worth a shot at the NFL level, where he has yet to get a chance.

Will Stein

A 36-year-old offensive coordinator may not get a lot of attention because of his lack of experience, but I have loved everything I have seen from Stein since he took over as OC. After the aforementioned Kenny Dillingham left Oregon, Stein stepped right in and picked up where he left off.

Stein has coached three NFL QBs in three years, with Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel, and now Dante Moore. This does not include all the other NFL talents he has helped develop in the immensely talented Oregon offense. Oregon is third in the nation in points per game, and they have not had an easy schedule.

Stein may be young, but it is hard to ask for much more in the three years he has been the play caller for the Ducks. In my opinion, his offense would translate to the NFL, getting the ball to his playmakers and allowing them to make things happen. He at least should get a job as a college head coach, but could be a great option as an OC for a defensive head coach in the NFL.

Steve Sarkisian

The last name on this list is going to be the Texas head coach, Steve Sarkisian, who has helped the Longhorns succeed in their big jump to the SEC. Sark has bounced around quite a bit, bouncing between the NFL and college football several times, and he could look to make a return this offseason.

Sark has the offensive mind that could help him succeed in the NFL, but his up-and-down career could raise some concerns for teams. Sark took Texas to the college football playoff, where they played well, but they have disappointed this year, another thing that may raise some concerns for NFL teams.

If he makes the move to the NFL, he would likely have to be added as a head coach because his contract is so big with Texas. I don’t know that it will happen this year, but I imagine it is likely he will be in consideration over the next several years for an NFL job. Sark feels like a great offensive coordinator… But can he succeed as a head coach in the NFL???