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10 potential jobs Tom Herman could leave Houston for

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 15, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman answers questions during a post game interview after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Houston won 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman answers questions during a post game interview after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Houston won 40-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly stands on the field prior to a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly stands on the field prior to a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Fighting Irish should not even consider firing Brian Kelly just due to a poor start in 2016. Still, crazy things can happen in South Bend, and it’s the type of high-profile job that could attract Herman.

In five-plus years under Kelly, the Fighting Irish have enjoyed their longest run of sustained success since the early 1990s. Kelly led Cincinnati to a pair of BCS appearances including a Sugar Bowl win, Kelly moved to Notre Dame in 2010 and quickly got the Irish back to eight wins after the terrible Charlie Weis era.

Notre Dame made the championship game in 2012 with a 12-1 record and qualified for the New Year’s Six last season despite a number of injuries. While expectations at Notre Dame are very high, firing Kelly would be a mistake at this point.

Still, there are a few concerns following Notre Dame’s 1-2 start to 2016 that included an upset at the hands of Texas and a home loss to Michigan State. The Fighting Irish need to get much better on the defensive side of the ball, and Kelly could come under some fire if things start to get worse.

Other schools might be a better fit for Herman’s style and recruiting base, but Notre Dame is one of the premier jobs in the entire nation, and he would at least have to think about the move should it open up.

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