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5 replacements for Gary Pinkel at Missouri

By Cody Williams

Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel looks on prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel looks on prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman watches the Cougars warm up before playing against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman watches the Cougars warm up before playing against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Tom Herman

One of the best-kept secrets in college football this season has been the Houston Cougars and what they’ve been able to accomplish. After winning their first nine games of the season, the Cougars are in a position where they could force the College Football Playoff committee to have to at least consider them for a New Years’ Six bowl game. It’s hard to consider the success of Houston without attributing a great deal of it to head coach Tom Herman.

Herman has only been the coach for Houston for one season—his first head-coaching job no less—which you might think works against him as a possible candidate to move to coach in the SEC. However, Herman also brings along a tremendous pedigree before taking over at the helm of the Cougars. Herman served as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for four different programs prior to taking the Houston job, most recently from 2012-14 with Ohio State.

Herman is without question one of the most talented offensive minds in the college football world. You couldn’t watch his Buckeyes offense win the national championship, despite numerous shuffling parts throughout the offense, last season or the Houston offense this season and not become acutely aware of what he’s capable of. His experience at Ohio State also lends itself to the belief that the SEC won’t be too big of a stage for him if he were to take the Missouri job. All in all, Herman has a strong case to make the jump.

Next: No. 3 Brent Venables

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