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90 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED such a job, after already holding the post at Tennessee and USC, not to mention a short, eventful stint as head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Someone some day is going to get the payoff from those experiences. Kiffin was 7-6 in just one season at UT before splitting for Southern Cal, where he was 28-15. 2016 Alabama record: 8-0 (5-0 SEC) Why: Kiffin is a big name who'd bring starpower to a program that could stand to generate such attention. He'd likely be a difference-maker in recruiting from Day 1 and put Purdue on the map nationally, as a curi- osity if nothing else. And he might make a pretty good head coach one day. His wealth of experience for his age is incredible. Why not: Kiffin is a bit of a polarizing figure, dating back to his year at Tennessee and his affinity for troll- ing his conference rivals. There have been maturity questions about Kiffin and some general eye-roll types of situations, like him leaving Tennessee after just one season and some of his recruiting tactics while leading the Volunteers. Perhaps most importantly, his body of work as a head coach to this point isn't all that great, though he did have to deal with some inherited NCAA issues at USC. Chris Klieman About: Klieman's in his third season coaching North Dakota State, the FCS ranks' standard-bear- er. The Bison have won the past five FCS national titles, the last two of them under Klieman, who replaced Craig Bohl (who left for Wyoming). Klieman, 49, was the defensive co- ordinator for the prior three cham- pionship teams. North Dakota State has held up more than nicely against major-conference competition. It won at Iowa this season, at Iowa State in 2014, at Kan- sas State in 2013 and at Minnesota in 2011. 2016 record: 6-1 (3-1 Missouri Valley) Why: Obviously, success. Throughout his time at North Dakota State, Klieman's been an integral part of greatness at that level. Why not: Klieman doesn't have any Power Five-lev- el coaching experience, except for a single season spent at Kansas years ago. North Dakota State's re- sources give them an advantage at their level, so that might be a modest qualifier. Phillip Montgomery About: Montgomery, 44, is in his second season as the head coach at Tulsa, where he's overseen a potent pass-heavy offense. Prior to moving to Tulsa, he was Art Briles' offensive coordinator at Baylor, overseeing an offense that put up eye-popping numbers and won a lot of games. 2016 record: 5-2 (2-1 AAC) Why: Offense. It's as simple as that. If Purdue wants a bright offensive mind for this hire, Montgomery would be a logical target. Why not: There are no Midwest ties in Montgom- ery's background and he does not yet have much of a body of work as a head coach. Fair or not, Baylor's is- sues could follow around any coach with associations to that program. Les Miles About: Miles won a national ti- tle at LSU, one of college football's most prominent brands, before getting fired in-season with a 114- 34 record at the school, probably for political reasons as much as anything after he was almost let go after last season. Miles is a star in the profession and figures to be highly sought-after this hiring season. If the right opportunity doesn't find him, in his mind, he's well-suited for a media gig. Why: Miles would give Purdue instant name rec- ognition in recruiting, make it a popular follow for national media and make a statement to supporters that Purdue is dead serious about football. Miles is an Ohio native and a Michigan alumnus, so there's some level of connection there. And, of course, he's a proven 90 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED LSU South Dakota State Tulsa Alabama