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5 potential replacements for James Franklin at Penn State

By John Buhler

Nov 7, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-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 /

2. Tom Herman – Houston Cougars head coach

No Group of 5 head coach is going to be more coveted for a Power 5 gig next season than Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman. Herman has lost only one game while at Houston the last two seasons. He defeated two straight top-10 teams for the first time in school history by knocking off Florida State in the 2015 Peach Bowl and Oklahoma in the Week 1 opener.

Herman is the next great coach to come from the Urban Meyer coaching tree. One could argue that he’ll end up being better than either Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen or Texas’ Charlie Strong. Herman is a Mensa member and a certifiable offensive genius.

In less than two years, Herman has taken an average mid-major in Houston and turned the Cougars into a legitimate College Football Playoff contender in the early part of 2016. He can recruit as well as any head coaches in the Power 5. Herman has the makings of a truly special head coach for years to come.

The biggest issue with trying to grab Herman will be the Cougars’ likely invitation to the Big 12. If Houston gets a Big 12 big this summer, the Cougars will accept and Herman will stay put at Houston for the foreseeable future. His recruiting market in Texas and being in the Big 12 makes this a better job than Penn State in 2017.

Next: 1. Lane Kiffin

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