1. Jon Sumrall
Jon Sumrall is projected to take a big Division I job. Most likely leaving Tulane after two seasons with the program. After guiding Troy to a 23-4 record in 2022 and 2023 he took the Tulane job to replace Willie Fritz who left for Houston. He was able to get Troy into the top 20 and now has a 16-7 record at Tulane. This could be a huge hire if UCLA can insert its name into the mix and has potential to change the defense rather fast. Top of the list candidate but will take some persuading as other schools will be hot on the trail.
2. Sean Lewis
This is a hire that could be a huge one for the Bruins. Sean Lewis is coaching great football at San Diego State and will be in line for a large raise or a move. Other schools similar to Sumrall will be after him this offseason. San Diego State will do whatever they can to keep him as well. Lewis who is an offensive mind also has the Aztecs as one of the best defenses in the country. At only 39 years old, he can infuse some new energy into the program. Heavy competition is to be expected.
3. Alex Golesh
Alex Golesh has a 21-14 record at South Florida, which may not jump off the radar. But he is becoming a hot commodity on the head coach search for schools. He has South Florida's offense humming as one of the best in the nation averaging close to 40 points per game. He could come in and add new installations to the UCLA offense that has sputtered in recent weeks. Another young candidate at 41 years old that will have many suitors if he chooses to leave his current gig.
4. Jim L. Mora
What're we getting ourselves into right? Second go around with Jim Mora seems like it could go wrong. But he is a proven coach and has turned around UCONN. After a 3-9 campaign in 2023 that was ravaged by injuries, he is now 16-7 in the last two years. After going 46-30 at UCLA he was ultimately let go after the last 23 games he went 9-14. It is a pipe dream to say the least, but we have seen coaches go back for round two at schools. It's an upgrade on current situation. Recapture the 2013 and 2014 magic without the losses to Stanford?
5. James Franklin
With all the young and upcoming candidates gaining attention. There has been cooling off of the name James Franklin. Yes, he flamed out at Penn State and couldn't get them over the hump. But, he built up Vanderbilt and had Penn State highly ranked for multiple years. That is a step up for a UCLA team that has not been in the top five since 1998. If all other candidates are taken and Franklin's name is there. Could he be a name to monitor, is UCLA more attractable then Virgibia Tech and Arkansas?