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Colorado coaching search: 5 ideal candidates to replace Mike MacIntyre

By Brad Berreman

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Matt Wells of the Utah State Aggies prepares to enter the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 1, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Matt Wells of the Utah State Aggies prepares to enter the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 1, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images /

2. Troy Calhoun, Air Force Head Coach

Calhoun has had a lot of success at Air Force, with an 86-67 record over 12 seasons. But a 4-7 record going into this week’s regular season finale against Colorado State will bring a second straight season without a bowl bid for the first time in his tenure. The Falcons’ defense has improved some this year, sitting 37th in yardage and 60th in points allowed after finishing 2017 66th and 101st in those respective categories. But they’ve allowed at least 35 points in three of their last five games, as bowl aspirations officially went away.

The only other time Air Force missed a bowl game under Calhoun, when they went 2-10 in 2013, they rebounded with a 10-win season in 2014. A quick rebound like that didn’t come this year, but with a contract that runs through 2021, there’s no reason to put Calhoun on the hot seat.

Calhoun has a well-rounded coaching resume, with time as an NFL assistant on both sides of the ball to go with being an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach when he he has been an assistant at the college level. The kind of success he’s had at a service academy, with the clear challenges inherent in recruiting athletes who have other important obligations, has pushed him into the periphery of rumors attached to other jobs in the past.

Colorado is surely aware of Calhoun’s run just down the road at Air Force. A quick rejection may come, but if Calhoun wants to consider other jobs George can sell the idea of not having to necessarily go house-hunting.

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