Dan Wolken

USA TODAY Sports

Each October, the names start circulating. As coaches already on the hot seat begin to lose games, media members and fans start thinking about the next crop of candidates to fill their spots.

Often, they emerge based on teams that are having good seasons. For others, it's a product of reputations that have been building for several years. And then there are the names that seemingly get thrown out for every job (looking at you, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster and Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart) but never materialize into much more than innuendo.

This list, however, focuses solely on the names that are most likely move up the ladder next year based on attractiveness, timing and potential willingness to leave their current jobs. You'll hear a lot about these guys in the next few months.

1. Mark Hudspeth, Louisiana-Lafayette head coach: There aren't many coaches who look better in a tight-fitting shirt or can bench press more than their defensive linemen. But Hudspeth, 45, is no sideshow. Heading into his fourth year at Louisiana-Lafayette, Hudspeth is 27-12 in Division I following a 66-21 run in D-II at North Alabama. He can coach. But he also has the so-called "it" factor that can charm and energize a fan base. Hudspeth is the total package, and it won't be a surprise if he wins the Sun Belt again this year and parlays it into a big-time offer. Hudspeth already makes more than $1 million a year, so he doesn't have to jump at just anything, but the Louisville, Miss., native makes way too much sense at a whole lot of SEC programs to not end up there at some point.

2. Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State defensive coordinator: Had the coaching carousel been a little more active last year, Narduzzi could very well have been offered a big-time job following the Spartans' Rose Bowl victory. He was that hot — just not quite hot enough to land a Texas or Penn State level gig. Narduzzi makes nearly $1 million a year, so he can wait for the right fit. But if Michigan State wins the Big Ten again — and it should — the 48-year old defensive savant will likely get an offer he can't refuse.

3. Tom Herman, Ohio State offensive coordinator: Urban Meyer's last three offensive coordinators — Steve Addazio, Dan Mullen and Mike Sanford — all have moved on to head coaching jobs, and that trend will continue sooner rather than later. Though the season-ending injury to Braxton Miller is crushing for the Buckeyes in many ways, it could end up flattering Herman if J.T. Barrett comes in and performs well. Herman has a lot of Texas coaching ties, and he'll be in demand if a job opens in that state.

4. Rhett Lashlee, Auburn offensive coordinator: The Tigers' 31-year old coordinator has pretty much been side-by-side with Gus Malzahn since playing quarterback for him at Shiloh Christian in Springdale, Ark. But unlike Malzahn, whose socially awkward genius vibe can be off-putting, Lashlee is more at ease in the spotlight and will excel off the field. Nobody knew much about Lashlee until Auburn started winning last season, and even then, Malzahn got most of the credit. But Lashlee's hand in the offense shouldn't be underestimated, and if Auburn has another good year he'll be highly sought-after — even at his age.

5. Matt Wells, Utah State head coach: The Mountain West preseason poll tabbed Boise State as the favorite, but the smart money is on the Aggies to win the league with the return of senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton. Wells, 41, showed his coaching chops last season after Keeton tore his ACL in Week 6, an injury that could have ruined Utah State's season. Instead, the Aggies finished 6-2 without Keeton and nearly won the conference, coming up a touchdown short against Fresno State in the title game. Wells payed at Utah State and leaving his alma mater wouldn't be easy, but he could have options soon.

6. Matt Campbell, Toledo head coach: History shows that young coaches who win in the Mid-American Conference almost always get a chance at the power conference level. It's even more of a given for someone like Campbell, 34, who is young and charismatic and comes from a great pedigree (Campbell is a high school coach's son who played at D-III powerhouse Mount Union). After putting together seasons of 9-4 and 7-5 under Campbell, the Rockets should once again finish above .500, making him an attractive candidate for the next Big Ten opening.

7. Brent Venables, Clemson defensive coordinator: The conventional wisdom is that Chad Morris, Clemson's offensive coordinator, will be next in line off Dabo Swinney's staff to get a head coaching job. But Morris makes $1.3 million a year and unless he just gets impatient, he can be extremely picky about what job he takes — and it might take a couple more years for the right job to open up. Venables also is in a great situation, but this is the season people nationally will notice what a great job he's done rebuilding the Tigers' defense

8. Tony Levine, Houston head coach: Given all the big-name coordinators who passed through Houston under Art Briles and Kevin Sumlin, it seemed like a stretch when athletics director Mack Rhoades gave the job to a relatively unknown career special teams coach. But Levine has proved to be a smart, efficient recruiter and promising CEO. After going 8-5 last season, the Cougars are primed to take the next step and could very well win the American Athletic Conference and the major bowl bid that goes to the highest-ranked "Group of Five" team.

9. Joey Jones, South Alabama head coach: Only the hardest of hardcore fans would know about the job Jones has done in building South Alabama's program from scratch. But last season, just the Jaguars' second in FBS, they beat Tulane, Western Kentucky, Kent State and Louisiana-Lafayette and nearly knocked off Tennessee in Knoxville. Another good year and he won't be a secret much longer

10. Mike Norvell, Arizona State offensive coordinator: Another young guy (he's 32) who is widely recognized as a terrific play-caller and has had a big hand in building one of the nation's top offenses. Todd Graham trusted Norvell enough to give him the title of deputy head coach, but keeping him much longer could be a challenge if the Sun Devils are as productive as they were last season when they averaged 39.7 points.

Honorable mention: Jim McElwain, Colorado State head coach; Scott Frost, Oregon offensive coordinator; Geoff Collins, Mississippi State defensive coordinator; Pete Lembo, Ball State head coach; Eddie Gran, Cincinnati offensive coordinator; Kurt Roper, Florida offensive coordinator; Doc Holliday, Marshall head coach.