3. Tony Elliott (Co-OC/Clemson)
In terms of finding a head coach who could unlock the recruiting hotbed of Atlanta, Clemson’s co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott certainly fits that bill.
Elliott has been on Dabo Swinney’s staff since 2011, and has been an integral part in establishing Clemson as a national brand, helping the Tigers rake in Top-5 class year-after-year. Elliott is going to get a head coaching opportunity sooner rather than later, as he is regarded as one of the brightest young minds in college football.
Elliott just turned 39 and won the Broyles Award last season as the nation’s top assistant coach. This year has arguably been even better, as Elliott has helped groom a true freshman QB to lead one of the nation’s best, and most explosive, offenses.
Elliott has the right to be picky about the job he chooses, and is currently in a comfortable situation working under one of the few coaches who has legitimate job security. Clemson is set for success for years to come, and he won’t leave Death Valley if it isn’t the right fit.
The one knock on Elliott is that he doesn’t have any head coaching experience, but that shouldn’t turn Georgia Tech completely off from giving him a serious look, especially when you peak over to Athens and see what Kirby Smart has done at Georgia without previous experience as the top dog.
Elliott is an excellent young coach who would immediately up the talent level for the Ramblin’ Wreck.