4. Chris Petersen, FOX college football studio analyst
It had been suggested at the time that the move from Boise State to Washington back in 2015 was a temporary stop until he could move on down to LA on the Steve Sarkisian plan of Washington to USC.
But he created powerhouse in Seattle – winning two Pac-12 titles in three years, got to a third, and went to the College Football Playoff – before a disappointing 8-5 2019 season that finished with his retirement.
However, he’s only 56.
There’s no questioning his coaching chops, going on an epic run at Boise State winning 92 of his 104 games with six conference titles and a whole lot of big bowl games in his eight years.
As is the theme with everyone on this list, he’s got the personality to handle the USC pressure and the LA market, he’s got the resumé, and he might have the rejuvenated spirit after a little time off.
He’s not coming out of the studio for just anything. This would be the right job for him.