Fansided

Baylor targeting Tom Herman, Chad Morris for head coach

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 22, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman and SMU Mustangs head coach Chad Morris talk at midfield prior to a game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman and SMU Mustangs head coach Chad Morris talk at midfield prior to a game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baylor has reportedly narrowed down its search for a new head football coach to a pair of top candidates.

Tom Herman of the Houston Cougars and Chad Morris of the SMU Mustangs have emerged as the top two candidates in Baylor’s search for a new football coach, according to Travis Haney of 247Sports.

Baylor fired head coach Art Briles last May due to his failure to report a number of alleged sexual assaults and rapes by members of the football team over a multi-year period. The Bears have gone 6-3 this year under interim head coach Jim Grobe and will almost certainly be looking for a bigger name this offseason.

In what was originally looking like a crowded coaching market, Baylor is quickly becoming one of the more attractive jobs in terms of resources and recruiting potential. Clay Helton isn’t getting fired at USC after a terrific run through the Pac-12, Ed Orgeron might have done enough to keep the LSU job, and who knows what Texas will do with Charlie Strong by the end of the season.

Of course, top coaches may be hesitant to go to Baylor given the current culture of the football team, as many around the program still inexplicably defend Briles while members of the old coaching staff are still around. The death penalty probably isn’t going to happen, but it’s very possible the NCAA comes down with a hard punishment for the Bears soon as well.

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Herman is at the top of everyone’s list after leading Houston to a Peach Bowl win in his first season and going 9-2 last year. While the Cougars have faded from playoff contention, Herman reminded everyone he’s still a brilliant coach with a 36-10 destruction of No. 5 Louisville on Thursday night.

For that reason, Herman seems unlikely to go to Baylor this offseason. Herman is probably going to get a better offer soon enough and may even elect to stay at Houston over a school with such a horrific scandal.

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The more realistic candidate would be Morris, who would likely take the opportunity to move up from SMU. Following a 2-10 debut season, Morris has led the Mustangs to a 5-5 record with a chance at their first bowl since 2012. For what its worth, Morris led SMU to a 38-16 win over the Cougars back on Oct. 22.

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