Oregon has reportedly reached out to Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Greg Schiano and several other potential head coach candidates
With Chip Kelly already denying any interest in returning to Oregon, it sounds as if the boosters and staff are reaching out to prospective candidates.
According to multiple reports, at-least five serious candidates have been identified, and two have been directly contacted. The most notable candidate to have been contacted would be Ohio State defensive coordinator and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano.
Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck, USF head coach Willie Taggart, Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, and Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley have also been linked to the job.
Florida head coach Jim McElwain has already shot down rumors he could depart the program for Oregon.
Another name to keep an eye on for the #Oregon HC vacancy I'm told is #OhioState DC Greg Schiano. Will have more in my story in a few min.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 30, 2016
Reports say if Fleck has an interview with Phil Knight, he will earn his respect and the job. Fleck is highly respected, and is a great motivator in the locker room.
"A college source familiar with Fleck told me Tuesday, “I think if PJ gets in front of Phil, he will get this job.”"
Schiano on the other hand also makes sense in a lot of ways for Oregon. He would transition the program into a new era led by defense. He’s also taken programs such as Rutgers and made them competitive fairly quick. Ties to the NFL and Ohio State won’t hurt him either, as would the fact Rutgers was a Nike school.