The college football coaching carousel is spinning faster than ever, and one name is suddenly at the center of it all: Jason Candle. The veteran Toledo coach, a stalwart in Ohio football, is now a hot commodity with not one, but two major programs vying for his services. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Candle ready to leave the comfort of Toledo, where he's built a powerhouse program, for the uncertainty of UConn or the allure of Tulane? And this is the part most people miss: Candle's potential departure could set off a chain reaction of coaching moves across the country.
Candle, a Salem, Ohio native who honed his craft at the Division III powerhouse Mount Union, has been a model of consistency at Toledo. Since taking the reins after Matt Campbell’s departure to Iowa State, Candle has amassed an impressive 81-44 record, earning two Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year awards, three MAC West Division titles, and two MAC championship game victories. Under his leadership, the Rockets have averaged nine wins per season over the last four years and have never posted a losing record in his decade-long tenure. Is this the perfect time for Candle to take on a new challenge, or is he risking stability for uncertainty?
According to multiple sources, Candle is the top target for UConn, which is scrambling to replace Jim Mora Jr. after his abrupt departure to Colorado State. Mora had been a finalist for the Stanford job, but when that fell through, he quickly landed in Fort Collins. Candle has already interviewed in person with UConn officials this week, signaling that the Huskies are serious about bringing him on board. But UConn isn’t the only suitor—Tulane has also thrown its hat in the ring, interviewing Candle on Thursday for its head coaching vacancy.
Here’s the twist: Tulane’s top choice is reportedly LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker, a former Green Wave standout. However, sources indicate that the gap between Baker and Candle is slim, especially if Baker decides to stay at LSU, where Lane Kiffin is reportedly pushing hard to retain him. LSU is said to be aggressively renegotiating Baker’s contract, which currently pays him around $2.5 million annually. Could Tulane’s hesitation with Baker open the door for Candle to step in?
Meanwhile, the coaching dominoes continue to fall. Matt Campbell, who left Toledo for Iowa State, is now the frontrunner for the Penn State job, according to FootballScoop. If Campbell heads to Happy Valley, it would mark yet another seismic shift in the coaching landscape. Is this the year of the coaching shakeup, or just another chaotic cycle in college football?
For Candle, the decision to leave Toledo wouldn’t be easy. He’s built a legacy there, transforming the Rockets into a consistent contender. But the allure of a Power Five job—whether at UConn or Tulane—could be too tempting to pass up. Would you leave a sure thing for a bigger stage, even if it comes with greater risks?
If UConn can’t land Candle, they have a backup plan. Sources tell FootballScoop that Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State’s offensive coordinator and a rising star after his success at Kansas, is in the mix. Lehigh’s Kevin Cahill, who’s won 21 games in the past two seasons, and UConn’s own offensive coordinator Gordie Sammis are also in the running. Tulane, meanwhile, is keeping its options open with current offensive coordinator Will Hall and Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff, who’s also a top candidate at Memphis.
Both UConn and Tulane are aiming to wrap up their searches by the end of the weekend, if possible. Who will land Candle, and what will it mean for the future of these programs? The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher. What do you think—is Candle the right fit for UConn or Tulane, or should he stay put at Toledo? Let us know in the comments!
