Syracuse Football: Potential candidates to replace Scott Shafer

Scott Shafer fired as head coach of the Syracuse Orange and here are a few candidates who could be the next head football coach next year.

The Syracuse Orange fired head football coach Scott Shafer, according to Thayer Evans of Sports Illustrated. Shafer was 3-8 this season and 13-23 in three seasons. Over the last two seasons, Syracuse is only 2-13 in the ACC and that’s just not good enough.

Shafer will coach the team in the season finale against Boston College.

Potential candidates who could replace Shafer at Syracuse next year, according to Evans include Scott Frost, Lane Kiffin, Joe Moglia, Joe Moorhead, Mike Sanford & Dave Warner.

Whoever is the next head coach, expect the candidates to have their roots on the offensive side of the ball. According to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman he expects new Syracuse athletic director Mark Coyle to target a “hot” offensive guy. Just like Evans, Feldman expects Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost to get a long look.

Frost is a rising star in the industry and has been embedded in the Oregon system that’s racked up the yards and piled on the points for years. Feldman reports Frost could have had the Colorado State head coaching job that went to Mike Bobo, but didn’t feel the timing was right.

Maybe the timing would be right this year for Frost? A power five job would be a more attractive destination than a job in the Mountain West.

Next: Top 30 College Mascots of All-Time

Feldman, like Evans, also reports Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Mike Sanford, would be a candidate and considering his work with Deshone Kizer this year in South Bend, it would make a lot of sense for him to make the jump to a head coaching job.

With the Syracuse job open, there are 13 openings across college football, but one thing is certain, that number will rise before it shrinks.