Houston was unable to convince Tom Herman to turn down the opportunity to coach a huge program like Texas, and that has left the Cougars to consider the possibility of replacing Herman with one of the bigger names in college football.
According to a report from ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, former LSU head coach Les Miles and Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin have both emerged as candidates for the Houston job. One source told McMurphy that Houston likes the way Miles has always recruited well in the state of Texas, and board of regents chairman Tilman Fertitta confirmed that there is interest in the 2007 national champion.
“I think we have some interest in him and he has interest in us,” Fertitta told Joseph Duarte of The Houston Chronicle. “I’m not saying he’s No. 5 on the list or No. 1 on the list. He’s just on the list.”
Fertitta, who said Houston has narrowed its search down to about five or six names, did not mention Kiffin. He did, however, say that the school has received numerous calls about former Baylor coach Art Briles, though the scandal that Briles was associated with hurts his prospects.
Kiffin wants to become a head coach again at some point, but there’s also a chance he could leave Alabama to take the same role with another top program that is now run by his close friend. Given his success and impressive resume, Miles seems like an obvious choice if he is interested.
