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Texas Tech Football: Top 5 Candidates to replace Kliff Kingsbury

By John Mitchell

LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to a defensive stop in the second half during the game against the Houston Cougars on September 15, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 63-49. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts to a defensive stop in the second half during the game against the Houston Cougars on September 15, 2018 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech won the game 63-49. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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2. Brent Venables (DC/Clemson)

Reports have already surfaced that the Clemson defensive coordinator would be atop Hocutt’s list of candidates to take over the head coaching position.

This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Venables, who has been on shortlists for head coaching vacancies the last several offseasons as he has separated himself as one of the top assistant coaches in the country.

He has commanded the Clemson defense since 2012, and won the Broyles Award in 2016 for the nation’s top assistant coach. Dabo Swinney certainly knows his worth, as Venables was signed to the richest deal for an assistant coach in college football history last offseason.

Venables has proven himself as a defensive coach and recruiter, and could signal the Red Raiders’ desire to finally move away from Leach’s influence on the program.

Venables is a Kansas native, playing for Kansas State for two seasons from 1991-92. He was a Wildcats assistant from 1993-98, and also spent 13 seasons as an assistant at Oklahoma before moving on to Clemson, so obviously his Big 12 roots run deep.

He’ll undoubtedly be one of the top contenders to take over for Bill Snyder when the long-time Wildcats coach finally retires, and that could be the job he is holding out for.

Venables is comfortable at Clemson and has the luxury of being picky, but at 47, if he has desires to be a head coach, you have to figure he’s going to want to make that jump soon.

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