Football Scoop is reporting that the Miami football program is targeting Toledo head coach Jason Candle as offensive coordinator. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal brought Bryan McClendon as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach with him from Oregon. McClendon has never been a play-caller.
If Miami hires Candle he would almost definitely be their play-caller. Candle has a 45-27 record in six-plus seasons leading the Rockets. Miami defeated Toledo and Candle 52-30 at Hard Rock Stadium in 2017 and 49-24 at the Glass Bowl in 2018. Football Scoop said Candle is happy at Toledo and could choose to remain there.
Candle has spent his entire coaching career in Ohio. Following his playing career, Candle became the wide receivers coach and then the offensive coordinator at Division III power Mount Union from 2003 through 2008. Toledo hired Candle as their tight ends coach in 2009. Candle has held various positions with Toledo since 2009.
David Lake of Inside the U reported via the USA Today Coaches Salary Database that Candle was paid $1.2 million in 2021. Lake stated that Miami can potentially pay their coordinators as much as $2 million. Toledo averaged 33.4 points per game in 2021 which was 27th nationally. The Rockets were 38th averaging 434.1 yards per game.
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Candle has proven his ability as a recruiter with Toledo signing the top class in the Mid American Conference in each of the last five seasons. Under Candle, Toledo has consistently had one of the best offenses in the MAC. Hiring Candle would give Cristobal an experienced head coach on his staff and lead the offense.
Candle coached under former Illinois coach Tim Beckman and current Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell at Toledo. In addition to his prowess as a recruiter, Candle developed future NFL players, running back Kareem Hunt of the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
Johnson led the Steelers with 107 receptions, 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns this season setting career highs. Miami making a move for Candle is bold. The Miami football program had previously been linked to other offensive coordinators. Miami has spoken with Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles per Football Scoop.
Cristobal has kept the potential hires on his staff quiet. Not many names have leaked beyond the staff members he has brought with him from Oregon to Miami. Running backs coach Kevin Smith who Cristobal hired away from Mississippi is the only new staff member Cristobal hired from outside Oregon or Miami.