McElwain’s replacement? Numerous coaches would be worth a conversation

Here are a dozen coaches who would be worthy of a look from Colorado State should Florida hire Jim McElwain as its football coach:

Tony Alford

Running backs coach, recruiting coordinator, Notre Dame

A former CSU standout running back, Alford, 46, has coached for the Irish since 2009, with previous stops at Washington and Iowa State. He has never been an offensive coordinator, but his recruiting record is a plus.

Dave Baldwin

Offensive coordinator, CSU

Could be the most likely in-house candidate, considering the record-setting offensive numbers put up by the Rams under his watch. His age (59) may work against him, but he has head coaching experience, including at San Jose State (1997-2000).

Billy Gonzales

Co-offensive coordinator, passing game coordinator, Mississippi State

A former CSU and Thornton High School receiver, Gonzales, 43, has been an assistant under Urban Meyer at Utah and Florida and for Les Miles at LSU, and helped Mississippi State make headlines this year.

Tom Herman

Offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, Ohio State

Spread offense guru, 39, may get looks from power conference teams. Previously an assistant coach at Iowa State, Rice and Texas State and grew up in California, so recruiting territories are a plus.

Brady Hoke

Unemployed

Before flopping at Michigan, Hoke, 56, turned around floundering programs at Ball State and San Diego State. His familiarity with the Mountain West is a plus, as is his head coaching experience and his familiarity recruiting in California. His hiring would make a splash.

Lane Kiffin

Offensive coordinator, Alabama

Could CSU go back to the Crimson Tide for Jim McElwain’s replacement? Kiffin, 39, has CSU ties, having been a graduate assistant coach for the Rams. A brother, Chris, played for CSU. May be itching to be a head coach again and prove he can be successful.

Rhett Lashlee

Offensive coordinator, Auburn

At age 31, Lashlee has a bright future. As a high school quarterback, he set state passing records at Springdale, Ark., under Gus Malzahn and then coached under him at Arkansas State and now at Auburn. Was a quarterback at Arkansas.

Matt Lubick

Passing game coordinator, receivers coach, Oregon

Son of legendary CSU coach Sonny Lubick, Matt, 42, coached Rams receivers from 2001-04 and made stops at Mississippi, Arizona State, Oregon State and Duke. Known as an effective recruiter, and employing the Ducks’ offense would be fun.

Mike Norvell

Offensive coordinator, Arizona State

Norvell, 33, is considered a rising star in the coaching profession and may get some looks from programs in power conferences. An Arkansas native, Norvell has coached under Todd Graham at Tulsa, Pittsburgh and ASU.

Ed Orgeron

Unemployed

Orgeron is taking off a year from coaching after not getting the Southern California job in 2013. Orgeron, 53, was widely praised for guiding the Trojans to a 6-2 record as interim coach after Lane Kiffin was fired. Was head coach at Mississippi from 2005-07.

Brian Schneider

Special-teams coordinator, Seattle Seahawks

An all-conference linebacker at CSU in early 1990s, the former Pomona High School star, 43, coached at his alma mater for three seasons, then made stops at Iowa State, Air Force, UCLA, Oakland Raiders and Southern California before he followed Pete Carroll to Seattle in 2010.

Bob Stitt

Head coach, Colorado School of Mines

Big-time coaches have studied Stitt’s innovative offensive schemes, including the “fly-sweep” play popularized by West Virginia. At age 50, and having completed his 15th year at Mines, Stitt may be itching to try something different. Was offensive coordinator at Harvard in 1999-2000.