Northern Illinois has a chance to win its third consecutive Mid-American Conference West Division title with a victory over Toledo today at 8 p.m.
NIU head coach Dave Doeren could have a chance at his second straight MAC championship, as well as another bowl appearance.
In the coming weeks, as more Football Bowl Subdivision coaches are handed their pink slips, Doeren figures to be a hot name.
In an interview with
SiriusXM College Sports
Nation on Tuesday, Doeren said he would be open to other opportunities that could pop up.
“If it does, it does. I’ve lived by [the idea that] if you do a great job where you are and opportunities come your way, and it may not be the right one,” Doeren said, on CoachingSearch.com. “I think that’s really important. I have a great job, my family is happy, I like the kids I coach, and they take care of me here. I’m not leaving here for something that I don’t think is better than what I have.
“I really have enjoyed the process at NIU and they gave me my first chance to be a head coach. So I’m going to do everything I can to make this the best school that I can make it. If something comes along that I know if better for me and my family, I’m going to have to listen to it. But we’re not there yet.”
In his first season as Huskies head coach, Doeren went 11-3, won the MAC and got a victory in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. This season, the Huskies are 9-1 and have a good chance to be in the top 25 with a win over the Rockets.
One BCS job opened up earlier this month, when Kentucky fired Joker Phillips. Elsewhere in the Southeastern Conference, Arkansas is expected to hire a new head coach after the season as well. John L. Smith took over the Razorbacks’ program in the wake of the Bobby Petrino scandal, but Arkansas has gone just 4-6 and Smith signed only a 10-month contract before the season.
Over the weekend, multiple reports surfaced saying Derek Dooley would eventually be fired at Tennessee
Last week, CBS Sports’ Bruce Feldman reported Purdue head coach Danny Hope will be let go, and Feldman even speculated that Purdue could look at Doeren.
With Doeren’s Big Ten and Midwest background, his name could certainly come up in the Boilermakers’ search.
NIU plays at Purdue on Sept. 28, 2013.
According to Doeren’s contract, if he were to take another head coaching job before June 30, 2013, there will be a buyout of $750,000.
