College Football Coaching Rumors: Herm Edwards A "Serious Candidate" For Arizona State, Venables' "Loyalty" Is With Clemson & More

It certainly didn't take long for the college football coaching carousel to get going following the end of the regular season on Saturday. Arizona State, Arkansas Nebraska, and Texas A&M fired their coaches this weekend, while Florida, Ole Miss, and UCLA all made head coaching hires. Mississippi State also filled their opening late Tuesday night by hiring Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead. And, to top it all off, Tennessee went through the hiring then un-hiring fiasco with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. Here are all the latest coaching news & rumors you need to know:

Herm Edwards a "serious candidate" for Arizona State head coaching job
ESPN analyst and former NFL head coach Herm Edwards has emerged as a "serious candidate" for the Arizona State head coaching job and will interview for the position this week.

ASU fired head coach Todd Graham following a 7-5 record this season.

Edwards, 63, last coached in 2008 but hasn't been a college coach since serving as San Jose State's defensive backs coach from 1987-1989.

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Brent Venables says his "loyalty" is with Clemson
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables has been linked to the Arkansas head coaching job, but he said he's happy with his position with the Tigers and that his "loyalty" is with the program.

“My focus is completely on this game and this week and the great job that I do have and the great players that I get to coach every day. My focus is right here,” Venables said.

“Well, because you guys bring it up it’s annoying. I don’t hear about it otherwise, whatever’s out there, because I just don’t spend any time focused on that. I’ve got a great job, and I’ve said that many, many times. And I’m very thankful and grateful for that. We’re in a great position, so why would I worry about what’s on the other side of the fence? I’ve always felt that way. If people have interest that’s part of it. You either decide to listen or not. Right now we’ve got a tremendous opportunity this week playing for a championship. My loyalty is to here and my players.”

Venables has not been a head coach in his career but has a very impressive resume. He was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops from 1999-2011 before moving to Clemson in 2012.

NEXT READ: Texas A&M Has Deal To Hire Florida State's Jimbo Fisher Next Week

Mike Gundy spurns Tennessee, to stay at Oklahoma State
Tennessee had identified Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy as their top target after backing out of the Schiano hire and were ready to offer him a six-year deal that would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the SEC, according to former ESPN analyst Brett McMurphy.

Mike Gundy has decided to remain at Oklahoma State and turned down an offer to become Tennessee's coach, sources said.

Gundy met with Tennessee officials Tuesday in Dallas. Gundy had informed OSU officials of his intention to meet with Tennessee, which reportedly offered a 6-year, $42 million deal to join the Vols.

The Vols only hired Butch Jones in 2012 after Gundy declined the job. He has been the Cowboys' head coach since 2005, going 113-53 in his tenure with one Big 12 title and one Big 12 Coach of the Year award.

Oklahoma State can win 10 games for the fourth time in five seasons this year with a bowl victory.

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Related Topics: Mike Gundy, NCAA Football, Arizona State Sun Devils Football, College Football Coaching Rumors, Herm Edwards, Tennessee Volunteers Football, Brent Venables, Clemson Tigers Football