Back in early December, Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo was announced as the head coach at UNLV, leaving Mario Cristobal with a premier opening for a new offensive play caller. Cristobal loves what he has in terms of offensive line and run game planning, he's looking for someone to tweak the pass game and orchestrate the quarterback position.
We hear the interest in the position has been substantial and Mario has spoken with quite a few coaches about the position. Cristobal traveled to interview several in person as well.
At this time, sources tell FootballScoop a hire is likely in the next 24 - 48 hours. The leading candidates, sources tell FootballScoop, include Will Hall, Joe Moorhead and Jedd Fisch.
LSU offensive analyst Jorge Munoz interviewed Monday and made a strong impression as well we are told.
Moorhead is a new addition to the open coaching market after being let go at Mississippi State earlier this week. He has a tremendous track record for offensive innovation from his time at the head coach at Fordham (FCS - NY) and Penn State and would be a proven option for Cristobal to hand the keys of the offense over to.
Jedd Fisch has spent the two seasons with Sean McVay and the LA Rams, first as a senior offensive assistant before moving into an assistant coordinator / offense role this past season. McVay carved out an interesting role for Fisch that first season in LA that resulted in a remarkable turnaround, as Fisch served as a "clock management specialist" for the NFL's youngest head coach and helped to navigate in-game management scenarios. Fisch has held the coordinator title before and / or primarily worked with quarterbacks at a number of college stops including UCLA, Michigan, Miami, and Minnesota.
Tulane offensive coordinator Will Hall is another prominent name involved in the Ducks search. Much of Hall's coaching experience has taken place in the South with head coaching stops at West Alabama (D-II) and West Georgia (D-II) before making the jump to FBS at Louisiana Lafayette as offensive coordinator in 2017, spent one season at Memphis coaching tight ends and then to Tulane with Willie Fritz for this past season. Hall is viewed as one of the rising play callers in college football, and was expected to be Joe Judge's offensive coordinator if Judge had taken the Mississippi State job. Hall could also have other opportunities in addition to Oregon.
Munoz, who currently serves as an analyst at LSU, spent a decade on the staff at Louisiana Lafayette in a variety of roles including offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The prolific LSU offensive attack that has propelled coach Orgeron and the Tigers to the national title game has made those involved with it, like Munoz, an attractive candidate. Joe Brady and Steve Ensminger have received all of the national accolades; but those in Baton Rouge know the value Munoz has had on Joe Burrow's improvement on the field.
Cristobal spoke with several coaches with NFL experience, with ties to him while at Alabama and plenty of others; but at this time we would be surprised if the hire isn't one of the coaches mentioned above. Will update as once an offer is made.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest coaching change job information.