The Midwestern State Mustangs are searching for a new offensive coordinator. Billy Riebock has become head coach at NCAA Division III Millikin. During his two seasons, MSU’s offense struggled to consistently gain traction, averaging 22.1 points per game.

While the Mustangs rushing attack remained solid at 164.2 yards per game under Riebock, the passing attack averaged 136.9 yards. The passing offense showed improvement in Rich Renner’s first season as head coach, averaging 179.6 yards per game. However, the team’s completion percentage hovered around 50% while alternating three quarterbacks during the season.

Renner was named MSU head coach after spending the previous 16 seasons as defensive coordinator. Coaches from a defensive background typically value a solid rushing attack, and Renner is no exception. However, the Mustangs need more from their passing attack next season to improve the team’s paltry 30.6% conversion rate on third down in 2024. With that in mind, here are five potential MSU offensive coordinator candidates.

Ryan Smith, East Texas Baptist offensive coordinator

One of the top offensive minds in Texas, Smith has proven himself as a head coach and offensive coordinator. He spent four seasons as head coach at his alma mater, Nelson, leading the Lions through an 0-10 season in his first year in 2018 to a 9-3 record and a National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Victory Bowl championship in 2021. Smith immediately transformed the ETBU offense this year. The Tigers averaged 37.1 points per game this season, 17 points above their 2023 output, and converted 46.9% of their opportunities on third down.

Fran Johnson, Texas Wesleyan offensive coordinator

The architect of the nation’s top scoring offense in college football resides in Fort Worth. The Rams led the country, averaging 57.5 points per game on their way to the program’s first outright Sooner Athletic Conference title and an appearance in the NAIA playoffs. During each of his four seasons with TxWes, Johnson’s offense has averaged at least 42 points per game. The Rams converted on 50% of their third down attempts (57-for-114), 72.7% on fourth down (8-for-11), and scored a touchdown on 60 of 68 trips to the red zone this season.

Matt Cannata, Lamar offensive line coach

Former quarterbacks and offensive line coaches often make good offensive coordinators. Cannata has proven himself a solid offensive line coach since entering the collegiate coaching ranks as offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and recruiting coordinator at Texas Lutheran. Before arriving in Beaumont, Cannata spent the 2022 season as offensive line coach at Mary Hardin-Baylor, where the Cru advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals. During his tenure at Lamar, the Cardinals offensive line helped lead the program to its first consecutive winning seasons since 1967.

Ross Hornor, Campbell offensive line coach

A dynamic recruiter, Hornor has quickly risen through the coaching ranks. After beginning his career as a graduate assistant at Lousiana Tech from 2019-2021, Hornor spent two seasons as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Howard Payne under Jason Bachtel. Hornor joined Braxton Harris and Bachtel at Houston Christian last year as offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, with the Huskies obtaining the top recruiting class in FCS. He was one of the first hires when Harris became head coach at Campbell and added offensive run game coordinator to his offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator duties. The Camels averaged 4.5 yards per rush attempt and pulled in the fifth-best FCS recruiting class in 2024.

Brad Wilson, Louisiana Tech offensive analyst

If Renner wants someone who can direct a potent passing attack, he should look no further than Wilson. Known for consistently producing one of the top passing offenses at every stop, Wilson began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at HPU. He was Navarro's assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for four seasons, and the Bulldogs sported the top passing offense and best overall offense in NJCAA. Wilson led ETBU to the top passing offense in the American Southwest Conference for two seasons before taking over the offense at Sul Ross State, where the Lobos led the ASC in passing yards, passing yards per game, and first downs. Wilson led the HPU offense to 3,779 yards passing while serving as offensive coordinator in 2023 before spending this season as an offensive analyst at Louisiana Tech.