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San Jose State Head Coach Candidates
© Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

San Jose State Head Coach Candidates

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Huesmann  |  Last updated 1/18/24

By: Mike Huesmann

With Brent Brennan off to Arizona, the Spartans are in need of a new head coach. SJSU saw significant growth in his time there. He inherited an awful situation from Ron Caragher, won 3 games in his first two years, then never won fewer than 5, and had three 7-win seasons. The stability and success relative to the MWC may not be easy to replace at a place with little history of success at the FBS level. With multiple G5 head coaches leaving for P5 coordinator jobs and fewer P5 coaches viewing the G5 as a viable career step, it will be interesting to see who gets this job. Here are 5 candidates.

Jay Hill

BYU, Defensive Coordinator

Longtime Utah assistant coach and former player, Hill was a fantastic head coach in his 9 years at Weber State. He led Weber St. to 6 playoff appearances, including a semifinal berth in 2019. He just completed his first year as DC at BYU. He would bring recruiting prowess, experience, and everything needed to succeed at this job.

Brennan Marion

UNLV, Offensive Coordinator

Marion has shown us that he will move up the ladder in search of that better job, so he’d likely accept the job if offered. His go-go offense has not been slowed down in any of his stops. He hasn’t spent two consecutive years at the same job since 2018, with stops at William & Mary, Hawaii, Pittsburgh, Texas, and now UNLV. He is as innovative as they come, and his team's ability to run the ball is almost a guarantee. He might be the jolt in the arm that SJSU needs.

Marcus Arroyo

Arizona State, Offensive Coordinator

Arroyo is a name we’re hearing for this job, and to be honest, I really wonder why. His time at UNLV was poor, 7-23 in 3 seasons. He does have a reputation as a good offensive coach, has shown this at multiple schools, and has been mentored by some solid head coaches. Second chances can work, maturity happens, and maybe he’s a better fit here than at UNLV. SJSU is his alma mater. Maybe a homecoming would be good for him and them.

Alonzo Carter

San Jose State, RB Coach

Carter just finished his 7th season in San Jose. If he doesn’t get this job, he will almost certainly follow Brennan to Arizona. He is highly respected, intelligent, and players love him. A highly successful junior college coach in the area, no one on this list has the connections and recruiting potential he does in the geographic area around SJSU. A magnetic personality who I was drawn to the first time I saw him interviewed; he’d make a lot of sense here.

Nick Rolovich

Former HC, Washington State

Rolo was a pretty good coach at Hawaii and had two very good years before bolting to Wazzu. He had them looking solid in 2021 before his unceremonious exit, where, in my opinion, both he and the Wazzu administration got it wrong. But that is behind us, and time heals all wounds, or at least this one. He knows the West Coast, is a successful offensive-minded coach, knows the financial limitations, and has won in this region before. If he wants back in the game enough to take a G5 job, I’d at least listen to him.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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