Could Florida Atlantic Choose Coach Ray Lewis?
As the college football season winds down, the head coach openings that will be available after the bowl games are over, are starting to come into clear view. The candidates that will fill those roles, though, are a bit more of a mystery. There will be fired NFL coordinators, current NCAA coaches and coordinators, and maybe even former NFL players.
The Florida Atlantic football team will be looking for a new head coach, after firing Tom Herman on Monday. Herman was 6-16 in his tenure for the Owls, and the program was headed in the wrong direction. Though it is not a football destination school like Alabama or Florida State, it's a good program, with a passionate and loyal fan base.
ESPN reported that a dark horse candidate for the job could be former Baltimore Ravens linebacker, Ray Lewis. The Hall of Famer has no coaching experience, but neither did Colorado's Coach Prime, until he did. Things have worked out well for the Buffaloes, and perhaps FAU is hoping it will work that way for them as well.
Competition For Coach Ray Lewis
Lewis has spent the last few years as a television analyst, and competition for the head coaching job is expected to be fierce. In consideration could be UCF offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr, Florida International defensive coordinator Jovan Dewitt, and Georgia wide receivers coach James Coley.
An intriguing name, near the top of the list, could be Ole Miss offensive coordinator, Charlie Weiss Jr. The team's 40.7 points per game is 4th in the nation, and the 8-2 Rebels are eyeing a college football playoff birth. Weiss is sure to draw interest, but the best fit for him may end up being Southern Mississippi, who is currently 1-9, and looking for any sort of spark.
The hottest NCAA coordinator on the coaching market will probably be UNLV coordinator Brennan Marion, but he will get a head coaching job at a bigger school. Most likely Temple, UMass, or Fresno State. Choosing Lewis over a more experienced coach could give a boost to recruiting, but could also hurt the program long-term if it backfires.
Coaches have had success at FAU. Lane Kiffin went 27-13 in three years there, including a win in the Boca Raton Bowl. This is a huge opportunity, and all eyes will surely be on the Owls' interviewing process. Coach Ray Lewis could be just what the doctor ordered for their program.