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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: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /

1. Matt Wells, Utah State Head Coach

Wells is in his sixth season as head coach at his alma mater, and the Aggies are 10-1 (7-0 in the Mountain West) with only a narrow season-opening loss to Michigan State going into a big game against Boise State on Saturday. Five bowl games in six seasons is quite an accomplishment at Utah State, and this is the second double-digit win campaign during Wells’ tenure.

Wells is sure to be highly sought after for a bigger job during the coaching cycle, alongside fellow Group of 5 head coaches Neal Brown (Troy), Scott Satterfield (Appalachian State), Jason Candle (Toledo) and Lance Leipold (Buffalo), depending on what other openings there are.

But Wells is a uniquely good target for Colorado, with coaching roots primarily west of the Mississippi at Utah State (as head coach and an assistant), New Mexico and Tulsa. He’s also a younger guy, at 45 years old, with the quick and easy perception he’s got the kind of dynamic personality George wants to replace the more docile MacIntyre. An offensive acumen also helps.

Next. The best coaching candidates on the market. dark

Colorado has some good options to replace MacIntyre, to varying degrees of likelihood. I don’t see Bryan Harsin or Jeff Tedford leaving their posts at Boise State and Fresno State, but Memphis head coach Mike Norvell would probably make this list at No. 6. Ohio State offensive coordinator Ryan Day will also be a candidate for multiple openings, but he could just wait to inevitably succeed Urban Meyer.

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