Fansided

Tom Herman reportedly considered Missouri Tigers job

By John Buhler

Sep 26, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman on the sideline during the third quarter against the Texas State Bobcats at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars defeated the Bobcats 59-14. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman on the sideline during the third quarter against the Texas State Bobcats at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars defeated the Bobcats 59-14. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Cougars head football coach Tom Herman reportedly considered the 2016 job with the Missouri Tigers after long-time head coach Gary Pinkel retired.

According to Pete Scantlebury of PowerMizzou.com and Rivals.com, current Houston Cougars head football coach “seriously considered” taking over the Missouri Tigers football program after the retirement of long-time head coach Gary Pinkel last winter. However, Herman had his eyes set on the Texas A&M Aggies gig, which obviously didn’t become available.

This is relevant because Herman’s name has been linked to the Baylor Bears head coaching job in 2017. Baylor is looking for a long-term replacement for the departed Art Briles after former Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Jim Grobe does his one year of duty in Waco.

On Wednesday, Baylor hired former Missouri athletic director Mack Rhoades to the same position to help put out the fire out the football program’s ongoing sexual assault scandal. Once Pinkel retired after the 2015 NCAA season for his failing health, Rhoades may have targeted Herman before having to settle with Pinkel’s former defensive coordinator Barry Odom as the Tigers’ next head coach.

That may have left a sour taste in Rhoades’ mouth, as replacing the greatest coach in Missouri history with a defensive coordinator in-house when Herman is one of the premier head coaches on the rise may have hurt Missouri’s chances to be competitive post Pinkel.

While the Herman/Rhoades connection is now obvious, one thing that does seem odd from Scantlebury’s tweet is that Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin might be on the hot seat more than people realize. Texas A&M has been a top 25 program the last four years under Sumlin, but the Aggies haven’t been able to replicate their strong 2012 NCAA season when Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy.

Herman has to deny these rumors involving other Texas institutions’ football program but to say that he is coveted by the Lone Star State’s top programs next offseason now feels like a gross understatement.

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