EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 08: General view of helmets of the New York Jets during the Preseason game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)The Jets are taking their time with hiring a new head coach, but the leading candidates are obvious.
New York has reportedly already interviewed top NFL assistants like Joe Brady and Robert Saleh. Now, the Jets are turning their attention to the collegiate ranks.
A Friday night report said the organization was organizing an interview with Florida head coach Dan Mullen. Fast forward to Saturday afternoon, the Jets are targeting another college football coach.
New York reportedly has major interest in Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. So much so, the Jets are trying to get an interview with the Cyclones’ leader, per CBS Sports.
“While the Jets head coaching search has been focused on current and former NFL coaches thus far, sources said the team remains very high on Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, with Campbell expected to speak to team officials as part of this process,” writes Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
It’s only a matter of time before Matt Campbell heads to the NFL or takes a top-tier college football coaching gig. The Jets would be wise to get out in front of the crowd and set up an interview with Campbell.
Campbell just recently led Iowa State to the Big 12 Championship before falling to the Oklahoma Sooners. The Cylones then went on to stomp the Oregon Ducks in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the best season in Iowa State history.
On the Jets’ long list of candidates, Campbell is starting to emerge towards the top. We’ll see if the Jets have what it takes to pull the Iowa State head coach out of Ames.
Update: According to Bruce Feldman, Campbell is now “not expected” to interview for the Jets job.
SOURCE: Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is not expected to interview for the #Jets head coaching vacancy.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 10, 2021
It is hard for a coach’s stock to be higher than Campbell’s at this point, but apparently he doesn’t want to cash that in for the chance to lead the Jets, amid a rebuild with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
