Houston’s coaching search for Tom Herman’s replacement includes some big-name rumors

With Tom Herman off to Texas after going 22-4 in two seasons at Houston, the Cougars need a new head football coach. Whoever replaces Herman will have a big job on his hands: try to keep UH competitive every year for the non-power conferences’ New Year’s Six Bowl bid, and doing it by recruiting well without a possible Big 12 move on the near horizon. Houston’s a good job, but it’s not necessarily an easy one.

It’s not the Big 12, but Cougars do play in the American Athletic Conference, which has emerged as the sport’s strongest league outside the Power 5. UH took three surprising losses in conference play this year, and that’s why it’s not heading to the Cotton Bowl. But the school’s still in the middle of an elite recruiting state and in a pretty good league. Good candidates should want this job. Here are some ideas.

Todd Orlando, UH defensive coordinator

Orlando’s interested and getting an interview, says the Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte. He’s got Houston at 27th nationally in scoring defense this year. The Cougars were 20th last year, when Orlando came to UH with Herman.

Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia head coach

In addition to a stint at UH before jumping to Oklahoma State and then West Virginia, Holgorsen worked at Texas Tech from 2000 to 2007. He was the Red Raiders’ offensive coordinator by the time he left, and he had ample time between TTU and UH to build valuable relationships that he could draw on if he returned.

Holgorsen hasn’t made Texas a massive part of WVU’s recruiting base, although his senior QB, Skyler Howard, is a Lone Star native, as are a few other ‘Eers. He’s a sensible rumor-mill candidate if his future at West Virginia continues to seem uncertain.

Les Miles, former LSU head coach

From ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, reporting on Thursday:

“Les Miles has always recruited Texas (while head coach at LSU and Oklahoma State) and has friends in Houston,” a source said. “It could be what Miles is looking for.”

UH mega-booster Tilman Fertitta to the Houston Chronicle:

“I think we have some interest in him and he has interest in us,” Fertitta said. “I’m not saying he’s No. 5 on the list or No. 1 on the list. He’s just on the list.”

Fired in September by LSU, the former Oklahoma State head coach aims to get back into coaching, he says.

Lane Kiffin, Alabama offensive coordinator

McMurphy also reports Kiffin has “emerged as a candidate.” He had disastrous head coaching stints with the Raiders and USC and, in between them, bolted from Tennessee after a year. But three seasons with Nick Saban have done Kiffin a lot of good. LSU coach Ed Orgeron also wants Kiffin to join his staff.

Major Applewhite, UH offensive coordinator

Houston made Orlando the interim boss, but Applewhite’s still on staff, too. Duarte also reported he’d get an interview. There was some talk of Applewhite following Herman to Texas, but that seems unlikely to happen.

FootballScoop mentioned Brown, Anderson, and Montgomery earlier this week, saying specifically that Houston plans to “speak” with Brown and Anderson. All have done good work, and Houston’s seen Montgomery up close in the AAC for the last few years.

Art Briles, former Baylor head coach

Fertitta, the mega-donor and regents board chair, to the Chronicle:

“I would love for Art Briles to be on our super-short list,” Fertitta said. “But until, or if, or when we can ever get full clarity, I can’t see us going there.”

We don’t need to go over this, right?