The college football coaching carousel is spinning wildly, and one name is popping up in multiple searches: Jason Candle. Could he be the next domino to fall, potentially shaking up programs like UConn and Tulane? This coaching season is proving to be a whirlwind, with key coaches influencing decisions at several universities. We've already seen Lane Kiffin and Jon Sumrall impact the landscape, and now, veteran Toledo coach Jason Candle is right in the thick of it.
Multiple sources confirm that Candle has emerged as a leading candidate for the head coaching position at UConn, a role recently vacated by Jim Mora Jr., who accepted the head coaching job at Colorado State after being in contention for the Stanford position. Candle has reportedly interviewed in person with UConn officials this week. But here's where it gets controversial... Candle isn't just focused on UConn.
He's also a serious contender for the head coaching vacancy at Tulane. Sources indicate that Candle interviewed with Tulane officials on Thursday. While LSU's defensive coordinator, Blake Baker, an alumnus of Tulane, is also a top candidate for the Green Wave, the competition is reportedly tight. And this is the part most people miss... LSU is aggressively working to retain Baker, potentially offering a revamped contract to keep him in Baton Rouge, where he currently earns approximately $2.5 million annually. It's a high-stakes game of chess, and Baker's decision could significantly impact both Tulane and LSU.
Candle's name is surfacing now after Matt Campbell, who previously held the head coaching job at Toledo before Candle, was named the new head coach at Penn State. Campbell had been a central focus of Penn State's search.
Candle, a native of Salem, Ohio, and a former player at Division III powerhouse Mount Union, faces a significant decision. After building a successful program at Toledo, with an impressive 81-44 record, he might be ready to leave his comfort zone. That record includes being named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year twice, securing three MAC West Division titles, and winning two overall MAC championship games. Under his leadership, Toledo has averaged nine wins per season over the past four years and has never experienced a losing season in his ten full years at the helm. That's a pretty impressive track record!
While Baker is a strong contender for Tulane, and many in the industry consider the Green Wave job a more attractive opportunity than UConn, Candle remains a serious candidate. Other candidates for the Tulane job include their current offensive coordinator Will Hall, and current Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff, who is also a top candidate at Memphis.
At UConn, if they fail to secure Candle, sources suggest that other candidates in consideration include Andy Kotelnicki, the former offensive coordinator at Penn State (who previously gained acclaim at Kansas), Lehigh head coach Kevin Cahill, who has achieved 21 wins in the past two years, and UConn's current offensive coordinator, Gordie Sammis.
Both Tulane and UConn are reportedly aiming to finalize their coaching searches by the end of this weekend, if possible. This timeline adds pressure to the candidates and the universities involved. Which direction will Jason Candle go? Will he embrace a new challenge at UConn or Tulane, or will he remain loyal to Toledo? And what about Blake Baker – will the lure of leading Tulane be enough to pull him away from a potentially lucrative offer at LSU? What do you think? Is Candle making the right move to consider these offers, or should he stay put at Toledo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
