Potential candidates for the current coaching vacancies

With Tuesday’s news that running backs coach Larry Brinson and defensive backs coach Chris Thurmond had been let go and defensive coordinator Steve Brown had been demoted, the speculation as to who their replacements might be has taken off. There have been multiple names mentioned as potential replacements, but the following coaches seem to be garnering more attention than some of the others.

David Turner – DL coach – Kentucky
Turner came to Kentucky from Mississippi State as a highly regarded recruiter and player developer. His defensive line unit had a tough season, but was undermanned compared to their competition. He’s a candidate for the co-defensive coordinator position available, or as the sole defensive coordinator if/when Brown leaves. It’s important to remember that Turner’s body of work is impressive despite having a tough year in 2010. He may also be elsewhere in 2011 though, as he’s been rumored to have interviewed for the head coaching position at Furman.

Chuck Smith – LB coach – Kentucky
Smith is currently the Wildcats’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. He has coached some of the best defensive players Kentucky has turned out over the last few years and has done a great job developing lower rated recruits into legitimate SEC players. He could be the co-defensive coordinator or the sole defensive coordinator were Brown to leave Kentucky.

Steve Pardue – Head coach – LaGrange HS
The LaGrange High School program has been very generous to Kentucky and has sent players like Wesley Woodyard, Braxton Kelley, DeMoreo Ford, Randall Burden and many others to the Wildcats. Pardue has roots in Kentucky and abruptly retired from his position as the head coach at LaGrange after this past season. He has been mentioned as a candidate as the running backs coach, the defensive backs coach, or as the special teams coach (moving Greg Nord to coaching the running backs).

Wes McGriff – DB coach – Miami
McGriff is/was the defensive backs coach at Miami under Randy Shannon and spent time on the Kentucky staff under Guy Morris. He’s a noted recruiter and has coached some of the most talented athletes in the country in his time at Miami. He’s been mentioned as an option to coach the defensive backfield.

Rick Minter – LB coach – Indiana State
Minter has quite the resume to show off. He’s been the head coach of Cincinnati, defensive coordinator of Notre Dame, Marshall, and South Carolina, and held numerous titles as a position coach throughout his career. Minter has been mentioned as a candidate to take over the co-defensive coordinator position, or as the sole defensive coordinator if Brown is not on the staff in 2011.

Randy Shannon – Head coach – Miami
Perhaps the catch might be Randy Shannon. He was Miami’s coach through this season when he was let go. He’s not been mentioned with some of the other BCS conference jobs available, but Chip Cosby reported that he has been contacted by the University. He would be a candidate for the defensive coordinator position, but there’s very little chance he comes to Kentucky to share the job with Steve Brown.

Mark Higgs – RB coach – Miami Central HS
One of the most popular football wildcats of all time, Higgs played for Kentucky before going on to a successful career in the NFL. He was previously coaching the running backs at the famed Miami Central high school and had one of his top players (RB Brandon Gainer) sign with Kentucky as part of the 2010 recruiting class. Higgs definitely has the passion and knowledge to be a position coach at the college level, and has relatively extensive recruiting ties throughout south Florida.

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