Syracuse Hot Board: 6 candidates to replace Dino Babers as head coach

Dino Babers was fired Sunday at Syracuse, opening one of the most difficult jobs in college football. The Orange were once a regional power, but as the sport has become more national, the difficulty of recruiting to central New York has lowered expectations. But the Orange expect better than one bowl appearance in five seasons, which will be Syracuse’s situation if the Orange lose to Wake Forest on Saturday.

This season started with promise. Syracuse won its first four. But the Orange are 1-6 since, and it felt as if the Babers era had run its course. Who would fit best at Syracuse? Perhaps an accomplished Group of 5 head coach. Or maybe a hot Power 5 coordinator? Or perhaps a former NFL head coach?

Jason Candle, Toledo head coach

Candle’s name has been thrown around for Power 5 jobs seemingly ever since he succeeded fellow Mount Union alumnus Matt Campbell at Toledo. It’s probably time for Candle to make the move. (Michigan State has kicked the tires on him as well.) The Rockets are 10-1 and have secured a spot in the MAC title game.

Sean Lewis, Colorado offensive coordinator

Lewis was Babers’ offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017 before leaving to become the head coach at Kent State. Lewis did a good job with the Golden Flashes considering the circumstances; the former Kent State athletic director loaded the non-conference schedule with buy games that left the team beat up when it reached MAC play. Lewis’ tenure at Colorado started well but has devolved after head coach Deion Sanders demoted Lewis in favor of former NFL coach Pat Shurmur. Spoiler alert: The Buffaloes didn’t suddenly discover how to block.

Alex Atkins, Florida State offensive coordinator

Atkins is an offensive line coach by trade, and his reclamation of the Florida State offensive line over the past four years is probably the biggest reason the Seminoles are in position to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff. Head coach Mike Norvell calls plays at Florida State, but Atkins was a successful playcaller at Charlotte. Atkins could make the Orange better on the line of scrimmage, which could make them competitive fast in the ACC.

Bob Chesney, Holy Cross head coach

The 46-year-old Chesney is 44-21 at Holy Cross with four FCS playoff appearances in five full seasons. Prior to Holy Cross, he went 44-16 at Assumption, a Division II school in Massachusetts. Chesney knows the region, which is a huge plus. There aren’t a lot of four- and five-star recruits nearby — and when a Christian Wilkins does come along, he’ll just leave for a powerhouse — but there are high-schoolers who can be developed into quality ACC players. The trick is finding them before Boston College does.

Bill O’Brien, New England Patriots offensive coordinator

Former Syracuse coach Doug Marrone probably will be asked his advice, and he’ll probably recommend one of his best friends. O’Brien’s return to the Patriots has been a disaster, so he’ll need to go elsewhere. He was an effective offensive coordinator at Alabama — despite what some Alabama fans say — coaching a Heisman Trophy winner in Bryce Young. Of course, the way most people remember O’Brien is as the Houston Texans’ head coach (and general manager). But the more instructional piece of O’Brien’s resume is his time as Penn State’s head coach immediately following the Jerry Sandusky scandal. O’Brien kept the program afloat during a dark time. He can handle a hard job, and Syracuse is a hard job.

Curt Cignetti, James Madison head coach

Cignetti has been an assistant at the high Power 5 level, including serving on Nick Saban’s original staff at Alabama from 2007-10. After that stint, he worked his way up the ladder as a head coach, first at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (not to be confused with California University of Pennsylvania) in Division II, then Elon in the FCS, then James Madison in the FCS and FBS. The Dukes suffered their first loss of the season Saturday, but multiple schools with openings have been impressed with the way Cignetti has guided them into the FBS.