Jason Candle staying at Toledo over accepting Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator
Kyle Rowland of the Toledo Blade reported via Twitter on Wednesday morning that Jason Candle is staying at Toledo as head coach over accepting the offensive coordinator position with the Miami Hurricanes. Candle was first reported to be a candidate as the Miami offensive coordinator by Football Scoop on Monday.
Rowland reported that Miami was ready to pay Candle between $1.6-1.8 million as offensive coordinator. According to Rowland, Candle is the highest-paid coach in the Mid American Conference earning $1.2 million. Targeting Candle as offensive coordinator was a bold move by Miami head coach Mario Cristobal.
Candle and Cristobal share an agent according to Rowland. The Toledo head coach spent time with Cristobal a few years ago observing his staff, learning about his offense and how he operates his program according to Rowland. Candle has been adept at developing several NFL Players since becoming head coach in 2015.
With Candle staying at Toledo, Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles will likely be the name to emerge. Brett McMurphy of The Action Network reported on Tuesday that the Miami Hurricanes offered Briles their offensive coordinator position. Other media outlets have disputed the report from McMurphy.
Jason Candle will remain as the Head Football Coach at Toledo. He was approached by Miami to be their offensive coordinator but he told me he is staying here with the Rockets.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) January 19, 2022
The appeal of Miami is obvious, but ultimately he loves Toledo.
Cristobal has kept the potential Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator candidates relatively quiet. Another name that has emerged is former Miami national championship quarterback Ken Dorsey. Dorsey is currently the QBs coach for the Buffalo Bills. Bills OC Brian Daboll is being interviewed as an NFL head coach.
If Daboll is hired as a head coach, Dorsey will be the leading candidate to replace him as offensive coordinator. Other NFL coaches currently remaining in the playoffs could potentially be candidates for Miami. Cristobal is keeping any potential candidates close. There have been few leaks about potential Miami OC candidates.
Cristobal brought offensive line coach Alex Cristobal, defensive line coach Joe Salave’a and wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon with him from Oregon. Kevin Smith was hired as the running backs coach for Miami from Mississippi. Smith is a Miami native. Several other positions remain open for Miami.
Cristobal has not hired for any of the coordinator positions with Miami. On offense, tight ends coach remains open. Stephen Field who was the TE coach for Miami on the previous staff is a likely candidate. Field has helped Cristobal recruit. On defense, every position except DL coach remains open.
Next. Miami going big targeting Toledo HC Jason Candle as OC. dark
Defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson and cornerbacks coach Marcus Van Dyke have reportedly been helping Cristobal recruit. Cristobal has taken a methodical approach in the past in filling out his staffs. It is clear he is more concerned with the long term and hire the right coaches than making a public relations move.