College football insider provides background on reported three favorites in Nebraska coaching search

Nebraska made the decision to fire Scott Frost on Sept. 11, just a day after losing to Georgia Southern at home. Less than two weeks later and the coaching search has already progressed in a positive manner.

Bruce Feldman reported three candidates are standing out for athletic director Trev Alberts — Iowa State‘s Matt Campbell, Kansas‘ Lance Leipold, and Alabama OC Bill O’Brien. Feldman further explained why the Cornhuskers would be interested in those three.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Matt Campbell potential top candidate for Nebraska

Beginning with Campbell, the winning culture surrounding the Iowa State program is the main selling point for Alberts.

“One is Matt Campbell at Iowa State,” Feldman began. “Done a terrific job in Ames. Established a really winning culture and he knows how to develop players.”

Campbell has been with the Cyclones for six complete seasons. Only one, his debut year, has resulted in a losing record. Additionally, in the last four NFL Drafts, seven Iowa State players have been selected — an incredible feat for the program.

However, Feldman did say there could be a hold-up in getting Campbell to Nebraska. The college football insider is not sure the Iowa State head coach would want to leave.

“I’m not sure Matt Campbell wants to make that move to Lincoln, Nebraska,” Feldman stated.

Recent Kansas success helps Lance Leipold

Of the three names mentioned, Lance Leipold is the only one that has worked with the program in the past. He was an assistant coach with the Cornhuskers during three seasons in the early 2000s under Frank Solich.

Add on the success Kansas is having this season and it’s easy to see why Leipold is a top candidate for Nebraska.

“Lance Leipold, who is a former Nebraska assistant,” said Feldman. “Won a bunch of DIII national titles and now has done a remarkable job at Kansas. I mean, Kansas is 3-0 for the first time in 13 years.”

Nebraska interested in Bill O’Brien after Penn State rebuild

Current Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien may be the person Alberts is the closest with though, according to Feldman. What’s intriguing about the former NFL coach is the job he did while at Penn State and building the program up during a difficult time.

While it’s not exactly the same scenario in Lincoln, Feldman said Alberts could want a similar type of rebuild for Nebraska.

“From what I am hearing, Trev Alberts really likes him,” Feldman said. “They go way back, some 20 years. And he was very impressed with what he did taking over in that dark, dark time at Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Trev Alberts knows, there needs to be a major overhaul in Nebraska football. So, I think that’s something he’s weighing in his head.”

For now, Mickey Joseph is at the interim helm and all three candidates reported by Feldman are focused on their own teams. But as the coaching search continues to heat up, Alberts will seemingly pursue these three at all costs.