After losing its head coach to the NFL, Austin Peay is zeroing in on a replacement, which could trigger an opening on an FBS staff just as spring practices are kicking into high gear.
The FCS football program has narrowed its list of candidates to replace Rick Christophel to six. Included in that group are Georgia Tech defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator Andy McCollum (pictured); Navy offensive line coach Ashley Ingram; and Central Michigan defensive backs coach Kirby Cannon.
Cannon was the first of the six to sit down for an on-campus interview Wednesday. McCollum’s interview will take place this coming Monday, while Ingram’s is scheduled for next Wednesday. The final interview will take place the next day, and the program is hoping to name a new head coach before the start of their spring practice March 18.
Another coach with extensive FBS experience who will interview is Mike Markuson. Just two games into the 2012 season, then-Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema abruptly fired Markuson as the Badgers’ head coach. In addition to his time at UW, Markuson has coached at Arkansas and Ole Miss.
(Photo credit: Georgia Tech athletics)