Through Week eight of the college football season, several prominent coaching jobs have already opened. More are on the way.
With hiring season on the horizon, we decided to put together an extensive look at minority coaches that warrant a closer look by athletic directors and administrators who find themselves in need of a head coach in the months to come.
But first, let's take a look at the current minority head coaches that populate the college football landscape. In all, there are currently 16 minority coaches leading FBS programs (out of 128 total):
Charlie Strong (Texas)
David Shaw (Stanford)
Kevin Sumlin (Texas A&M)
Derek Mason (Vanderbilt)
Ruffin McNeill (East Carolina)
Ken Niumatalolo (Navy)
Willie Taggart (South Florida)
Curtis Johnson (Tulane)
Mike London (Virginia)
James Franklin (Penn State)
Darrell Hazell (Purdue)
Dino Babers (Bowling Green)
Paul Haynes (Kent State)
Norm Chow (Hawaii)
Tony Sanchez (UNLV)
Trent Miles (Georgia State)
There are also many assistant coaches and former head coaches that deserve a look based on numerous factors, including their on-the-field production at their position, their knack for finding the top talent on the recruiting trail, their ability to lead and develop young men as players and people, and, most importantly, their character.
With that said, here's a look at some of the coordinators and assistant coaches that deserve a long, serious look. In evaluating candidates for inclusion on this list, more than anything else, leadership was considered the most important characteristic.
Frank Wilson (LSU RBs coach)
Beyond the dominance of Leonard Fournette this season, Frank Wilson has long been regarded as one of the nation's top recruiters, and is among one of the most highly regarded position coaches in college football. Wilson's name is one that often surfaces for non-Power 5 jobs, and with the way LSU and the running backs are playing this season, his name will continue to pick up steam as the months wear on. Wilson has added two titles in his six seasons since joining Les Miles' staff, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, demonstrating how much The Hat values Wilson's talents.
Pep Hamilton (Indianapolis Colts OC):
Pep Hamilton's name has been attached to Andrew Luck since their days together at Stanford, and that can only mean good things. Hamilton's offenses at Stanford were loaded with weapons and as feared as any in college football at the time. His track record leading the Colts offense has only solidified his name on the coaching carousel as it continues to turn. With one particular opening close to his roots in Washington, D.C., Hamilton has already had his name floating around for college coaching jobs. It's not the first time, and likely won't be the last.
Ivin Jasper (Navy OC/QBs coach) :
Ivin Jasper has been loyal beyond measure to the Naval Academy, spending the past 16 years on staff, 14 of those coaching the quarterbacks and the past eight of them as offensive coordinator. Dating back to 2008, the Jasper-led Navy attack has ranked in the top eight among national leaders in rushing yards per game. For the right job, Jasper could end up being a really nice fit.
Lionel Washington (Tulane co-DC)
Washington is a former longtime NFL player and coach who joined Curtis Johnson's staff at Tulane in 2012. As a player and coach Washington spent a total of 27 seasons in the NFL on the defensive side of the football (15 as a defensive back and a dozen years coaching the secondary). In his first season at Tulane in 2013, he helped the defense improve 100 spots, from 118th nationally in scoring defense all the way up to 18th. That kind of experience and track record for success could be valuable to a program looking for a defensive minded leader.
Scottie Montgomery (Duke associate head coach/OC ):
A young, energetic, and well respected offensive mind, Montgomery is a Duke grad and has helped the program he once starred for reach new heights under his offensive guidance. Last season, in his first year leading the offense, they scored 421 points, which is the second highest total in a season coming in just behind the 2013 group, when he served as wide receivers coach. Montgomery's greatest attribute though may be that he has been on David Cutcliffe's staff and has a firsthand account of how they've turned the Duke program from an afterthought to a legitimate ACC title contender.
Vance Bedford (Texas DC/secondary coach)
Vance Bedford followed Charlie Strong from when the two worked side by side at Louisville, where Bedford helped shape the Cardinals defense into one the stingiest in the country. Bedford has been a part of staffs that have knocked off top five teams (Florida in the 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl while at Louisville) and he's also been a part of two national championship teams (Florida in 2008 and Michigan in 1997). For an administrator looking to hire someone that has experience in big games, Bedford deserves a look.
Jay Norvell (Texas OC)
Jay Norvell relates to players. Long known as a quality recruiter, this season Norvell has impressed as he stepped in, mid-season and has resurrected Texas' offense, reshaping the Longhorns' identity on the fly. Norvell has deep ties in Iown, the mid-west, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas.
Calvin Magee (Arizona associate HC/Co-OC/RBs coach)
Calvin Magee has been a part of Rich Rodriguez's explosive offenses since the two joined forces at West Virginia in 2001 where he started off coaching the running backs. By 2005 he had earned the offensive coordinator title, and in 2007 he added the title of assistant head coach - that right there should tell you how highly he's regarded by one of the best offensive minds in the business in Rich Rod. Combine that with how highly regarded he is as a recruiter, and how much his players rave about him, and you've got a guy worthy of a long, hard look.
Wes McGriff (New Orleans Saints DBs coach)
A highly likable coach, McGriff is now doing it at the highest level with the Saints after two plus decades as a college coach. With significant time under his belt at Baylor, Miami and in the SEC with Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss; the Crime Dawg feels like a guy who is getting close to having "his chance." McGriff turned down the opportunity to serve as Derek Mason's defensive coordinator this past offseason. Will be interesting to follow his next steps.
Tee Martin (USC WRs coach)
Martin won it all as a quarterback following in Peyton Manning's footsteps at Tennessee and now he's doing quite well for himself as a coach. Following a few seasons at Kentucky, Lane Kiffin hired Martin to come to USC and his career has flourished ever since.
Mel Tucker (Alabama DBs coach)
Mel Tucker has coached the defensive backs or served as defensive coordinator at: LSU, Ohio State, Alabama, with the Cleveland Browns, the Jacksonville Jaguars and with the Chicago Bears. Not many, if any, can say that. After a season with Nick Saban, it will be interesting to see where Tucker's career takes him.
Everett Withers (FCS James Madison head coach)
Withers has things rolling as the head coach at James Madison. The Dukes are 7-1 and just hosted College GameDay for the first time in the program's history. Most of the last decade Withers has served as defensive coordinator at Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio State. Withers served as interim head coach at UNC for the entire 2011 season and performed quite well by all standards. We saw this graphic just the other day highlighting some of Withers' accomplishments while at JMU.
Also among those that are looking for their second chance to serve as a head coach include:
Mario Cristobal
Former Florida International head coach from 2007-12: 27-47 overall (20-26 in Sun Belt play)
Current position: Alabama assistant head coach/offensive line coach
Randy Shannon
Former Miami (FL) head coach from 2007-10: 28-22 overall (16-16 in ACC play)
Current position: Florida assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach
Joker Phillips
Former Kentucky head coach from 2010-12: 13-24 overall (4-20 in SEC play)
Current position: Cleveland Browns wide receivers coach
Mike Locksley
Former head coach at New Mexico from 2009-11: 2-26 overall (2-15 in Mountain West play)
Current position: Interim head coach at Maryland (offensive coordinator/QBs coach prior to interim appointment)
Garrick McGee
Former UAB head coach from 2012-13: 5-19 overall (3-13 in Conference USA play)
Current position: Louisville offensive coordinator
DeWayne Walker
Former New Mexico State head coach from 2009-12: 10-40 overall (4-12 in WAC play)
Current position: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive backs coach
Probably another 10 or so guys came to mind when drafting this article. The list above is certainly not meant to be all-inclusive; but merely a starting point to advance the conversation. Your comments are welcomed below or let us know your thoughts on twitter @FootballScoop.