The Colorado State search is trending toward Butch Jones, sources told FootballScoop on Monday. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman was the first to report Jones's candidacy at Colorado State.
Jones is formerly the head coach at Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Tennessee, where he went 84-54 across 11 seasons.
Since being let go at Tennessee ten games into the 2017 season amid a 4-6 start, Jones has spent the past two seasons brushing up on "The Process" from Nick Saban at Alabama and learning from one of the best coaches in college football history while anticipating his next opportunity.
Colorado State went 4-8 in 2019 and 28-35 in five seasons under Mike Bobo. Jones's former defensive coordinator at Tennessee, John Jancek, remains on the Rams' staff as defensive coordinator.
Sources tell FootballScoop no deal is currently in place; but the sides have progressed to the stage of discussing economics and performing background checks.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest on the Colorado State situation and other coaching changes around the country.
Update> Steven Godfrey shares that Colorado State met with the following coaches during their search: