After three seasons in Calhoun County, Jacksonville State's coaching landscape is about to undergo a significant change. Rich Rodriguez, the coach who led the Gamecocks to a 27 - 10 record and a Conference USA championship, is now headed home to take on the role of head coach at West Virginia. This move marks the end of an era for Jacksonville State and the beginning of a new chapter in its football history.

Uncovering the Next Leaders in Jacksonville State Football

Bill Clark: A Jacksonville State Alum's Return to Coaching

Bill Clark, a former UAB coach and a Jacksonville State alum, is eyeing a return to the sidelines. With a deep connection to Calhoun County, Clark spent one season as the program's head coach in 2013 before moving on to UAB in 2014. This season, he served as a color commentator for Jax State's football ESPN+ broadcasts. According to reports, he has made a strong recovery from back surgery and has received interest from programs this offseason. Could he be the one to lead Jacksonville State back to glory?Clark's experience and local ties make him a strong candidate. His knowledge of the program and the region could provide a stable foundation as the team looks to move forward. His coaching style and ability to connect with players could also be a valuable asset in recruiting and developing talent.

Todd Bates: A Clemson Assistant Ready for His First Head Coaching Gig

Todd Bates, a longtime assistant under Brent Venables at Clemson and Oklahoma, is a name to watch. A Heflin native, Bates was a team captain at the University of Alabama during his playing career. He began his coaching career at Talladega High in 2007 and also coached at Oxford from 2008 - 2011. Most recently, he served as Jacksonville State's defensive line coach under John Grass.Bates' experience at different levels and his reputation as a talented assistant make him an attractive option. His ability to develop defensive talent and his understanding of the game could translate well to a head coaching role. With his roots in Alabama and his experience at various programs, he could bring a unique perspective to Jacksonville State.

Bryant Vincent: A Deeply Tied Alabama Coach with a Hot Start

Bryant Vincent, one of many on this list with deep ties to Alabama, guided ULM to its hottest start in program history with a 5 - 1 start, including a loss to then - No. 1 Texas. The Warhawks finished 5 - 7, their highest win total since 2019. He coached UAB for an entire season after Bill Clark stepped down and led the Blazers to a 7 - 6 record and a win in the Bahamas Bowl against Miami - Ohio.Vincent's coaching career has been marked by success at different levels. His ability to lead teams and his understanding of the game in the state of Alabama make him a strong candidate. His experience at UAB and ULM shows his ability to adapt to different situations and lead teams to victory.

Rod Smith: An Experienced Coordinator with Head Coaching Potential

While Rod Smith is likely to follow Rodriguez to West Virginia, he is an experienced coordinator at every level and could be ready to lead his own program. He currently serves as interim head coach in the Cure Bowl for Jax State. Smith played quarterback under Rodriguez at Glenville State and has been on his staff at multiple stops, including West Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona.Smith's experience as a coordinator and his relationship with Rodriguez could be an advantage. His understanding of the game and his ability to develop players could make him a successful head coach. His time at different programs has given him a diverse perspective on coaching and could help him bring new ideas to Jacksonville State.

Lance Taylor: A Mobile County Native Close to Home

Lance Taylor, a native of Mobile County and graduate of Citronelle High School, is another name to consider. He was a walk - on receiver at Alabama before earning a scholarship and special - teams captain honors. In his second season, Western Michigan will face South Alabama in the Salute to Veterans Bowl for its first bowl appearance since 2021. The team also finished with five wins in conference play since 2019.Taylor's local roots and his success at Western Michigan make him an interesting candidate. His understanding of the Alabama football scene and his coaching experience could bring a new energy to Jacksonville State. His ability to lead a team and his connection to the region could be a valuable asset.

Casey Woods: A Top Up - and - Coming Coordinator

Casey Woods is one of the top up - and - coming coordinator names in college football. He has been a key part of helping lead SMU to a berth in the College Football Playoff. With SMU's first - round matchup against Penn State on Dec. 21, the availability of Woods may be a factor in this search. His offense ranks No. 10 among all FBS teams in total touchdowns (56) and No. 20 in total yards per game (443.1).Woods' success at SMU and his reputation as a talented coordinator make him an attractive option. His ability to develop an offense and his understanding of the game at a high level could bring a new dimension to Jacksonville State's offense. His experience at different programs and his track record of success make him a strong candidate.

Joe Craddock: A Coordinator with a Keyed Offense

Joe Craddock, another coordinator who has drawn some attention, has keyed an offense for Jon Sumrall's team that has averaged 37.15 points per game and racked up a season - high 71 points against a reeling UAB team. The 39 - year - old assistant is a graduate of Briarwood Christian and a native of Chelsea. He served as an assistant at Briarwood before stepping into the college ranks and has also been an offensive coordinator at SMU, Arkansas, and Troy, as well as UAB's tight ends coach.Craddock's ability to develop an explosive offense and his coaching experience at different levels make him a valuable candidate. His understanding of the game and his ability to work with players could help Jacksonville State's offense reach new heights. His diverse coaching background gives him a unique perspective on offense.

Rod McDowell: A Favorite Among Players and a Recruiting Expert

Rod McDowell, Jacksonville State's running backs coach, is a favorite among players. He has established himself as an excellent recruiter, especially in the south and in the state of Alabama. His love for being in Jacksonville and his connection to the area make him a valuable asset.McDowell's role as a recruiter and his relationship with players could be a significant advantage. His ability to attract talent and develop players could help Jacksonville State build a strong roster. His experience as a running backs coach gives him a unique perspective on the game and could help the team's offense.

Bryan Ellis: A Position Coach with a Proven Track Record

Bryan Ellis, Alabama's tight ends coach, was hired to join Kalen DeBoer's staff in March. Before that, he was an offensive coordinator for three seasons at Western Kentucky and two seasons at Georgia Southern. He was also an offensive assistant at Southern California under Clay Helton and coached quarterbacks.Ellis' experience as an offensive coordinator and his success at different levels make him a strong candidate. His ability to develop an offense and his understanding of different positions could bring a new dimension to Jacksonville State's offense. His track record of success at the Group of Five level shows his ability to lead teams to victory.