The Tennessee Volunteers are now looking for a new offensive coordinator after Indiana hired Mike DeBord to the same position. DeBord is an Indiana native, but he leaves the Vols with an important position to fill. Who will Butch Jones target to replace him? Here are the top five candidates:
5) Doug Meacham, co-offensive coordinator, TCU
After spending a year at Houston, Meacham has been with the Horned Frogs since the start of the 2014 season - which, uncoincidentally, was the first year in which TCU went from being a defensive team to an offensive one. He also has a proven ability to develop quarterbacks, shown by him turning Trevone Boykin from a wide receiver into a Heisman candidate at quarterback.
4) Jeff Scott, co-offensive coordinator, Clemson
Scott has been a co-offensive coordinator at Clemson for two years now, helping engineer what has been one of the top units in the entire country. He is also an excellent recruiter, being responsible for a good deal of the offensive talent currently on the Tigers' roster (he was their recruiting coordinator from 2008-14). At 35 years old, he is one of the rising stars in coaching.
3) Sterlin Gilbert, former offensive coordinator, Texas
Gilbert is currently a coaching free agent after Tom Herman decided not to retain anyone from Charlie Strong's staff, making him the most accessible candidate on the list. While the Longhorns struggled this year, offense wasn't the issue - they ranked 19th in the country in yards per game. However, he only has one year of experience coaching at the Power 5 level.
2) Zach Azzanni, Tennessee passing game coordinator
Azzanni has been on the Tennessee staff since 2013 and is noted as an excellent recruiter, and previously served as the offensive coordinator at Western Kentucky in 2011. Mark Helfrich is expected to be the leading candidate (more on him in a second), but Jones could very easily promote Azzanni from his own staff.
1) Mark Helfrich, former Oregon head coach
Helfrich has emerged as Tennessee's early favorite for the job, and rightfully so. Despite his failures the last two years as Oregon's head coach, he did lead them to the first College Football Playoff championship game - and was the offensive coordinator for four years under Chip Kelly. Offense was never Oregon's problem with Helfrich (in fact, they were always one of the best in the country), and considering the success he had as the OC with the Ducks, he would be a slam dunk hire for the Vols.
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