used an impressive run at division 2 Grand Valley State to propel him to offensive coordinator job at Notre Dame, where he helped lead the Irish to the 2012 national championship game.

At GVS, Martin was 74-7, and made the playoffs each season, winning 2.

Martin’s tenure at Miami started off almost as bad as Creighton’s, winning 5 out of 24 games. He followed that up with 6 straight losses to start the 2016 season. Not Big Ten material? He rattled off 6 straight wins after that, and only a botched field goal attempt kept him, and his team, from a bowl win against Mississippi State. It’s one of the most impressive runs I have ever witnessed in division one football.

Jason Candle, Toledo Rockets

Starting with Nick Saban, who coached theRockets in 1990, 4 of the 5 Toledo head coaches prior to Candle have parlayed their success into a power 5 job. Saban went on to Michigan State, Gary Pinkel to Mizzou, Tim Beckman to Illinois, and Matt Campbell to Iowa State.

Jason Candle is likely to join them. He is only 37, and called the plays for one of the most potent offenses in the country last season. The Rocket’s QB, Logan Woodside, led the country in touchdown passes, and they return two of their top receivers. A big season or two, and it’s almost a lock we will see Candle at a power 5 school.