Louisville Football: Top 5 candidates to replace Bobby Petrino

5. Brent Venables (DC/Clemson)

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is typically on the shortlist of every head coaching vacancy as he has separated himself as one of the top assistant coaches in college football.

Venables is linked to jobs every offseason, and was mentioned when Tennessee and Arkansas had vacancies a year ago. Clemson has done whatever it can to hang on to their defensive coordinator, signing him to the richest deal for an assistant coach in college football history this past offseason.

Venables has been Dabo Swinney‘s top assistant at Clemson, and has proven himself as a recruiter and defensive mind, helping to build this current monster for the Tigers.

It would take a big offer for Venables to leave his comfy perch at Clemson as he is already well compensated, and he has proven that he won’t leave for just any job. It’s possible that he is holding out for Bill Snyder to retire at Kansas State so that he can then take over at his alma mater.

I’m not sure how much interest Louisville would have in Venables, either. It would be a disservice not to at least kick the tires on him, but based on what Tyra said pos- Petrino’s dismissal, I’m guessing Louisville will be looking for a proven head coach.