UH candidates

A look at some potential candidates for the University of Houston football job:

Dana Holgorsen

Current job: Head coach, West Virginia

Comment: Could the timing be right for an exit from Morgantown, W.Va.? Holgorsen still has a home in Houston and close ties to UH powerbroker Tilman Fertitta. His buyout drops to $1 million Tuesday.

Lane Kiffin

Current job: Head coach, Florida Atlantic

Comment: A candidate for the UH job two years ago, Kiffin went from 11-3 and winning Conference USA in 2017 to 5-7 this season. He’s the type of name that would grab headlines, even if it comes with some baggage. And he’s affordable: his $2 million buyout reportedly drops to $1.5 million on New Year’s Day.

Todd Orlando

Current job: Defensive coordinator, Texas

Comment: He spent two years as defensive coordinator at UH and was a candidate for the job in 2016. He signed a new fouryear deal that pays $2 million a year, so he can afford to be picky and wait for the right opportunity.

Neal Brown

Current job: Head coach, Troy Comment: Many have wondered why Brown has yet to be lured away from a bigger school after a successful three-year run with limited resources at the Sun Belt school. Since 2016, Brown has gone 10-3, 11-2 and 10-3 at Troy.

Kliff Kingsbury

Current job: Offensive coordinator, Southern California

Comment: Kingsbury, considered one of college football’s most innovative offensive minds, was not on the market long after being fired by Texas Tech. Could UH entice him to abruptly leave L.A. after less than a month?