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College Football: 5 head coaches ready to make NFL leap

By Dakota Cox

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – DECEMBER 1: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the first half of play against the Drake Bulldogs at Jack Trice Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – DECEMBER 1: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the first half of play against the Drake Bulldogs at Jack Trice Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

2. Matt Campbell, Iowa State

Many believe that Matt Campbell is the future in terms of head coaching. He’s young, he’s got a great offensive mind, and he builds a culture around him. Young Big 12 coaches are in high demand. Just ask Kliff Kingsbury. Campbell is better than Kingsbury, and I think he would make an NFL team very happy.

When he came to Iowa State from Toledo, he went 3-9 in his first season. He then managed to turn things around and win eight games in each of his next two years. Every year, he manages to get some sort of upset to shock the conference. That comes down to coaching, and that helps his resume.

Campbell just marks all the boxes. He’s respected, he’s built a culture from the ground up without relying on luster or recruiting, and he’s a young offensive mind. His age will be great for him. Teams want to find the next Sean McVay and lock him up for an extended contract.

Rumors have spread about Campbell being involved in multiple NFL coaching searches and turning them all down. I don’t think that necessarily shows that he is against being an NFL coach, though. He’s in a good spot. He’s probably just waiting until he finds the right fit with a GM and owner. Kingsbury had to take the only job available to him. Campbell has the time to sit and wait until the right situation rolls around, and he will be willing to take it.

Until that day comes, Campbell is more than happy building a program in an offense-centric Big 12 where he can build out his resume and make some money in the process.

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