Now that Al Golden has been fired, who are the likely Miami head coaching candidates?

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*UPDATE* Al Golden was fired as Miami’s head coach on Sunday evening.

The unofficial end to the Al Golden era, almost five years after it began, occurred today in front of another sparse crowd at Sun Life Stadium. The key questions now surround the timing of the coach’s dismissal and his successor.

It’s bad enough to be unable to get over the hump or deliver statement wins. But when you get thoroughly embarrassed, 58-0, in a historically ugly rout, you’re just begging to leave the hot seat, and not for a good reason. Former Canes were cranking out derogatory tweets about the state of the program, and the dreaded #FireAlGolden plane made an appearance above the stadium … harbingers that the end is near. But who’s next, as Miami’s quest to restore the glory continues?

Top 5 Miami Coaching Candidates

1. Justin Fuente

Fuente has been nothing short of a miracle worker at Memphis, taking a program that was suffering from rigor mortis and turning it into a national entity. He has a proven track record for developing quarterbacks, currently Paxton Lynch, good news for Brad Kaaya and any young blue-chipper considering Miami. Fuente has outgrown the Tigers and earned a right to coach a Power Five program.

2. Tom Herman

True, he’s been a head coach for less than a season, but if Miami doesn’t grab Herman now, someone else will in the next couple of years. He’s a rising superstar in the profession, and his best days are ahead of him. Plus, he played an integral role in Ohio State’s 2014 national championship, so he knows what’s needed to win at the highest level. And his offenses will help move the turnstiles, a major problem at Miami.

3. Rob Chudzinski

Chudzinski makes a ton of sense, particularly among those who want to keep the next coach in the family. He’s only 47, so he’s in his coaching prime, and he’s had a successful career in the NFL. Best of all, though, Chudzinski is a Cane, having played on two Miami national championship teams in 1987 and 1989. He knows the terrain in South Florida, and he understands the program’s culture better than any other candidate.

4. Brent Venables

The Hurricanes got a chance to see firsthand what Venables can do with a college defense. And it’s been a very long time since Miami was intimidating on D. Clemson pitched a shutout on Saturday afternoon, and Venables has been flourishing on Dabo Swinney’s staff for the past three years. The coordinator is energetic, knows the ACC landscape and is ready to finally get that opportunity to be a head coach.

5. Greg Schiano

Schiano has already shown once that he can turn dust into gold at the college level, transforming Rutgers into a winner. And he has experience recruiting the state of Florida and coaching the Canes, having led the defense in 1999 and 2000. Plus, Miami might be catching Schiano at the right time in his coaching trajectory. He’s still not 50, and two years away from the sidelines means he’s rested, focused and motivated to once again become a top college football coach.

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