Alex Atkins addresses recent rumors about being candidate for head coaching jobs

There have been plenty of college football coaching jobs that have opened up already during the 2022 season, starting the coaching carousel earlier than ever. That’s thrown a new wrinkle at many current coaches, something Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins found out first-hand on Monday.

They’re being asked about job openings during the season. Atkins, who was at Charlotte as offensive coordinator in 2019 prior to joining Mike Norvell‘s staff at Florida State, has been linked to the now-open Charlotte job after the 49ers fired coach Will Healy this weekend.

“I wouldn’t say it’s awkward, because I’m a young gun in the business, so I’ve watched so many press conferences of people being asked that question,” Atkins said, handling a delicate topic. “I used to judge it. Then when it’s actually you, No. 1 it’s flattering because if you go through Mike Norvell’s history of assistants he’s had a bunch of them go out there and do some great things.”

Charlotte put together its best record under Healy with Atkins on staff as offensive coordinator in 2019, going 7-6.

Following Healy’s departure the 49ers went 2-4 in 2020, 5-7 in 2021 and 1-7 in 2022 (so far). Still, Healy handled the question about his candidacy respectfully when asked near the end of a 10-minute session with the media in Tallahassee.

“It is flattering,” Atkins said, once again deflecting the praise toward Norvell. “I think it’s a token to him of what he’s done in developing his coaches and the young coaches he had on his staff. It’s flattering but it actually is just social media, so it’s not really realistic or real. It’s more just noise, to be honest.”

Alex Atkins a candidate for the Charlotte job?

Long-time college football analyst Bruce Feldman, now with The Athletic, listed Atkins among several candidates for the open Charlotte job.

In writing about Atkins, Feldman had the following to say:

Atkins, 38, has been a key piece in Florida State going in the right direction after the program had fallen apart. He was integral in rebuilding what was a dreadful O-line when he showed up. He spent one season (2019) at Charlotte as the O-line coach/offensive coordinator and helped lead the program to its first bowl game in school history. He has a strong connection to the place but also is attractive because of how respected he is inside the business. Atkins seems like a very solid option for this program considering it’s gone 8-18 since he moved on to Florida State.