The non-FBS coaching carousel picked up steam when Midwestern State offensive coordinator Billy Riebock was named head coach at NCAA Division III Milligan, West Texas A&M defensive coordinator Levi Gallas returned to become the head coach at his alma mater, Adams State, and Mary Hardin-Baylor offensive coordinator Andy Padron was informed he would not return. All three moves happened on the same day.

A list of potential candidates at MSU and WT has been published, and UMHB announced the return of Stephen Lee as offensive coordinator on Thursday. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M and Texas A&M-Kingsville announced new head coaches following extensive searches. Here’s the latest I’ve heard on those searches and an update on the search at Sul Ross State.

Tremaine Jackson’s departure from Valdosta State

There’s never a perfect way for a coach to handle leaving a team during the season. Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of examples of wrong ways. Tremaine Jackson was in the unenviable position of trying to lead the Blazers through the NCAA Division II playoffs while simultaneously interviewing for what some consider a promotion.

Jackson was especially cognizant of the sensitivity surrounding the situation, with some ill feelings remaining from Gary Goff's departure from the program after leading the Blazers to the national championship game. Jackson was interviewed at FBS Ohio and FCS North Dakota. Alabama A&M reached out to Jackson, but he declined the interview. In the days leading up to the national championship game, Jackson agreed to become head coach at PVAMU but ensured the news was not official until he informed the team following the game.

A late entry delayed the decision at Texas A&M-Kingsville

Many within the industry expected Texas A&M-Kingsville to decide on its head football coach before last weekend. However, that timeline was pushed by a few days after the entry of former McNeese and Valdosta State head coach Gary Goff. According to sources, the Javelinas enlisted the help of Parker Search Firm to find a replacement for Michael Salinas, who became full-time athletic director after the regular season finale.

Multiple sources indicated that Goff was offered the job late last week. Those sources said Goff rejected the offer after hesitating about how involved Salinas would be with the new head coach. Other sources are adamant that Goff was not offered the job. Those sources believe that Goff got wind of Jackson heading to PVAMU and turned the Kingsville job down in hopes of returning to Valdosta.

Regardless of why Goff was no longer interested in the Javelinas job, multiple sources said Salinas had expressed to every candidate his desire for the new coach to retain the staff. However, some misconstrued it as a mandate. Various sources said that while Salinas desired to retain the current staff, the new head coach has the final say over his staff.

An intriguing name added to MSU’s search for an offensive coordinator

Last week, a list of potential candidates to assume control of the Mustang offense was published. One interesting name surfaced after that piece was published. According to multiple sources, former Lubbock Coronado head coach and the current assistant director of player personnel at Ole Miss, DJ Mann, reached out to Rich Renner about the position.

Mann was a talented wide receiver at Lubbock Coronado and was recruited by Renner before choosing to play at West Texas A&M. Mann was offensive coordinator at Cedar Hill for four seasons before returning to lead his alma mater when Seth Parr was named head coach at Anna. 

Multiple sources indicate that interviews are underway, and a decision is expected next week or shortly after New Year’s Day. While Renner has a quality list of candidates, multiple sources have expressed concern over MSU's potential salary offer. One industry source said the average salary for a DII coordinator ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 a year. MSU appears to be on the lower end of the average pay scale. Still, MSU remains an attractive job with quality candidates.

The end of an era

The news of Levi Gallas leaving West Texas A&M to become the head coach at his alma mater, Adams State, was significant for a few reasons. The departure opened one of the best coordinator positions in NCAA Division II. It also marks the culmination of a long relationship between Gallas and Lynn.

Lynn hired Gallas to his staff when he became the head coach at Eastern New Mexico in 2012. Gallas coached special teams, defensive backs, and the defensive line for the Greyhounds. 

Gallas was one of Lynn’s first hires when he was named head coach at Nebraska-Kearney. Gallas coached the defensive line for five years before being named defensive coordinator in 2022. After accepting the head job at WT, Lynn named Gallas defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

One more candidate has emerged since publishing the potential candidates to be the next defensive coordinator for the Buffs. Sources indicate Justin Richter, WT co-special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach, is a name to watch during the search. 

The Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, native was the wide receivers coach at WT before spending six seasons with Missouri Western State. Richter coached defensive backs for the Griffons before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018. Other stops for Richter include UC Berkeley, New Mexico, Angelo State, and New Mexico Military Institute.

The latest on the search for a head coach at Sul Ross

Finding information regarding SRSU’s search for a new head football coach remains challenging. A few names are beginning to surface, including a former offensive coordinator at UTEP, an assistant coach at Lamar, and a former assistant coach at Midwestern State. Sources indicate interviews are expected to begin after the New Year, with a decision expected in mid-January.