Coaches of the Future: Big 12 and PAC 10

In part six of a six part series highlighting coaches who could elevate to a BCS head coaching position, College Gridiron Boss takes a look at current Big 12 and PAC 10 assistant coaches.

BIG 12

Oklahoma DC: Brent Venables
Venables has been Bob Stoop's right hand man since 93' dating back to his coaching days at Kansas State. Stoop rehired Venables when he took over at Oklahoma in '99 and hasn't looked back. During the 9 seasons Venables has had at Oklahoma, the defenses have been consistently in the top 25. Regardless of talent, or the number of returning starters, Venables has continued to put a sound defensive product on the table. In 2006 he was a Broyles award winning finalist, and in 2003 Oklahoma had the nation's #1 defense under his and Mike Stoops' watch. Though his resume hasn't necessarily improved dramatically over the course of the years, he seems ready to take on a head coaching job in the near future if somebody would come calling.

Texas DC: Will Muschamp
Muschamp was the top coordinator hire made this offseason in college football. Texas snatched the fiery former Auburn and LSU defensive coordinator for big money. Assuming Muschamp remains successful at Texas, this should be his final year as coordinator before being hired by a big time program to be the head coach. In 2002 Muschamp took over an LSU defense that was ranked #75 nationally in total defense the season before. In his first year, LSU's defense skyrocketed to #8 in the nation. In LSU's 2003 BCS championship year their defense was #1 in the country under Muschamp's guidance. In Muschamp's last season at LSU before jumping with Nick Saban to the pro's, he lead the nation's #3 defense. Muschamp returned to the college game in 2006 to take over as defensive coordinator at Auburn and in two season's had the Plainsmen's total defense ranked #6 in the nation. He's been wildly successful wherever he's gone, and he next former Texas defensive coordinators to take over a major college football program.

Missouri OC: Dave Christensen
Christensen has worked side by side Gary Pinkel as his offensive coordinator since '97 at Toledo. Christensen has brought lots of offensive success to the Tiger program. In 2001, during his first season as OC at Missouri, their offense ranked #91 in the country. This number improved to #45 nationally the following year. In 2005 Christensen sensed the offense was becoming stale and decided to shift to a spread, no huddle offense, and he hasn't looked back. Since the move, his offenses have ranked in the top 25 the past 3 seasons. In 2006 Missouri was ranked #8 in total offense and last season they were ranked #5. Missouri was one of the surprise teams of 2007 due in large part to Christensen. He was a finalist last season to take over at Washington State. If Missouri continues their success this season, look for Christensen to be an overwhelming top candidate to come back and coach his alma mater, Washington, in 2009.

PAC 10

Oregon OC: Chip Kelly
In 2007 Kelly made the leap from coaching the offense at New Hampshire to Eugene, Oregon to run the Ducks offense. He had large shoes to fill, replacing highly successful Gary Crowton, who bolted for LSU last season. During his 8 year span as offensive coordinator at New Hampshire, best season came in 2005 where his offense ranked #2 in D1-AA. He was named College Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2005 showing. His first season at Oregon couldn't of turned out better. The Ducks offense set records for most points scored and most yardage in a single season under Kelly's coaching in 2007. He lead Dennis Dixon to Heisman trophy levels, and the Ducks to contenders for the BCS championship up until his star QB went down to injury on that fateful Thursday night in Tuscon. Oregon finished the season ranked #10 in total offense. Kelly has set quite a standard to live up to this season, but if he does his name could easily be thrown into the mix as a head coaching candidate in the not too distant future.

Arizona OC: Sonny Dykes
Sonny Dykes drastically improved the Wildcat offense in his first year at Arizona. In 2006, Arizona only scored 16.6 points per game, good for a #105 ppg ranking nationally. They averaged 252.83 yards per game on the offensive side of the ball as well in 2006 (#115 ranked). After Dykes 1st season Arizona scored 28 ppg (ranked #56) and averaged 385.25 ypg (#67 ranked). Dykes was the longtime coordinator at Texas Tech under Mike Leach before coming to Arizona. His pass happy offenses there consistently were ranked in the top 10 in the nation. If Dykes can continue his offensive success at Arizona, his name will be up for several head coaching jobs at programs looking for a spark.

UCLA DC: DeWayne Walker
DeWayne Walker is entering his 3rd season as UCLA's defensive coordinator, and he has done a phenomenal job. He was a finalist for UCLA's head coaching vacancy this offseason before the job was given to Rick Neuheisel. Walker inherited a defense who the previous year was ranked #113 in total defense in 2005. In 2006 Walker's UCLA defense improved to #35 in total defense, and in 2007 they moved up to #29 in defense in the nation. Walker's defenses have been incredibly stingy against the run and have excelled in a offensive minded conference. Walker was more than qualified to take over at UCLA this season, but they opted to go with Neuheisel who is the bigger splash and more than likely the better candidate. That being said, Walker is more than likely going to be an in demand head coaching candidate this offseason.