Troy Coaching Search Part 1: Candidates
As of Sunday, the search for Troy’s 23rd head coach is under way. (It’s entirely possible that number is off, but that’s another article.)
Here at the Wall, we’re conducting our own search, analyzing coaches from all over college football to see how they would look in Cardinal. We’ll start with a list of potential candidates, from the incredibly unlikely to the people we think will get the first call.
Shoot us names of coaches you think would be a good fit on Twitter and we’ll add them to the list. We’ll take that list and use a scientific equation to determine who would be the best fits. Tuesday, we’ll bring you the results of that study.
First, ten people we think could be Troy’s next head coach, in alphabetical order. We’ve included their ties to Troy, as well as a positive or negative about hiring them.
The downside of many of these candidates is a lack of head coaching experience. Bear in mind, that was the case the first time Neal was hired.
- Derrick Ansley
- Defensive backs coach, Los Angeles Chargers
- Tie to Troy: Played from 2000-2004
- Pro: two titles as DB coach at Bama
- Con: No head coaching experience
- Neal Brown
- Head coach, West Virginia
- Tie to Troy: Head Coach from 2015-2018
- Pro: experience as Troy head coach, two ranked wins despite 5-6 season
- Con: Not on hot seat
- Chan Gailey
- Former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator
- Tie to Troy: Head Coach from 1983-1984
- Pro: 1984 D-II National Champions at Troy State
- Con: Retired from coaching
- Brandon Hall
- Interim head coach, Troy
- Tie to Troy: see above
- Pro: Defensive system already in place
- Con: No head coaching experience until this week
- Matt Moore
- Offensive coordinator, West Virginia
- Tie to Troy: Offensive coordinator from 2015-2018
- Pro: More likely hire than Neal Brown
- Con: No head coaching experience above HS level
- Dan Mullen
- Former head coach, Florida
- Tie to Troy: 4-0 record against them since 2009
- Pro: Track record of championship-level play
- Con: Previous contract: $6 million/year
- Gary Patterson
- Former head coach, TCU
- Tie to Troy: none
- Pro: Track record of championship-level play
- Con: Likely hire at Power 5 program
- Jeremy Pruitt
- Senior defensive assistant, New York Giants
- Tie to Troy: wife is an alumna
- Pro: Five national titles as defensive coordinator
- Con: Played at Middle Tennessee his freshman year
- Pete Shinnick
- Head coach, West Florida
- Tie to Troy: lives in Pensacola, several transfer players from Troy
- Pro: Two D-II national championship appearances in five years, one title
- Con: No experience at D-I level
- Jon Sumrall
- Defensive coordinator, Kentucky
- Tie to Troy: Assistant head coach from 2015-2018
- Pro: experience at Troy, defense held Georgia to 30 points
- Con: No head coaching experience
If you think there’s someone we should add, tag us or DM us on Twitter @TrojanWallF5.
Cory Dennis QB Coach Ohio State, Troy resident while playing QB at Charles Henderson High School, has coach three first round NFL QB’s, currently coaching the favored 2021 heisman winner CJ Stoud. Has been in the coaching room with Ryan Day and Urban Meyer, recruits nationally and can assemble a young energetic staff,
Jordan Lesley, WVU DC, Troy Alum and Letterwinnner 2000-2004
Why is Mike Entz not on this list???? To help you out, he’s the HC at North Dakota State with a 33-4 record and a roster filled with players from the South. If he can recruit players from Florida to go to North Dakota just think what he could do at Troy.
MIKE TURK
TROY ROYALTY AND ONE HELL OF A MAN AND COACH. PERIOD
Kevin Sumlin!! He is from Alabama. He does well with growing programs with smaller universities. He has competed in the SEC. He’s available!
Dan Mullen Florida
Tommie Robinson should be added to the the coaching list
Mark Freeman at Thompson HS. That’s the pick!
Hello,
I’m a Troy grad and here are my choices for the next HC
Zach Kittley – Offensive Coordinator Western KY University (he’s a 2021 Broyles Award nominee) and oversees a prolific offensive system there and everywhere he’s coached. This year his QB Zappe leads the nation in passing
Jeff Lebby – Assistant Coach & OC at Ole Miss – prolific offense and under Lane Kiffin (enough said)
Ivin Jasper – US Naval Academy OC and QB coach (he’s been at the Naval Academy since 2002)
K.C. Keeler – Head Coach Sam Houston State (he’s turned programs around and been a winner wherever he’s coached)
As a native of Troy, CHHS grad and Troy alum I believe that Corey Dennis would be a great choice as the next coach at Troy. I was unaware of him and his credentials because for the last 30 years I’ve lived in the northern Virginia area. however, after checking his credentials, I say thumbs up regarding Corey Dennis.
Pete Shinnick! Amazing what he has done in the first 5 seasons at UWF.
Tommie Robinson should be at the top of the list!! When you look at his credentials, he has more experience at all levels.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1986–1987
Woodham High School (assistant)
1988–1990
Central High School (assistant)
1991
Arkansas (GA)
1992–1993
Utah State (RB)
1994–1997
TCU (WR)
1998–2000
Dallas Cowboys (ST/WR/OA)
2001
Oklahoma State (RB)
2002
Georgia Tech (WR)
2003–2005
Georgia Tech (TE)
2006
Memphis (RB)
2007–2009
Miami (RB)
2010–2012
Arizona Cardinals (RB)
2013
USC (PGC/RB)
2014–2015
Texas (RB)
2016
USC (RGC/RB)
2017–2019
LSU (AHC/RB)
2020–present
Texas A&M (RB)
He has developed some of the best players that are currently in the nfl. There’s no way you cannot list him at the top….
Hello,
North Dakota State head football coach Matt Entz has a 33-4 record, a winner and a man of Christian values. I believe he would be great for Troy.