It's good to be Kevin Sumlin these days.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Sumlin could be the hottest coaching candidate in the country after the 2013 regular season ends.
The Daily News is reporting that Sumlin, who has won 30 games in the past 2 ½ seasons with the University of Houston and Texas A&M, is atop USC's wish list to become the Trojans' next head coach.
USC fired Lane Kiffin in September after the Trojans lost 62-41 to Arizona State. The Trojans have been on probation since 2010; they lost a total of 30 scholarships from 2010-12. Kiffin had a 28-15 record at USC but lost seven of his last 11 games.
The Daily News added that Sumlin also is being mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed Mack Brown at Texas and even may draw interest from NFL teams. Pac-12 analyst and former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he thinks Sumlin is the right coach for USC.
"I'm hearing lot of names around the NFL, but I would say a guy like Kevin Sumlin might be the perfect choice," Neuheisel told the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday, as reported by the Daily News.
The Trojans have contacted former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, a source told the newspaper.
Former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith twice has denied that he has interviewed for the job.
The Daily News reported that Sumlin, Gruden, Boise State coach Chris Petersen, Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and Denver Broncos interim coach Jack Del Rio have been associated most with the USC job. Current Trojans coach Ed Orgeron will also be considered but is not expected to get the job, the newspaper said.
But Sumlin is at the top of the list because of his charisma as a head coach.
Sumlin was asked about being mentioned as a USC candidate shortly after the school let Kiffin go.
"It means you're winning and doing things the right way," Sumlin told the Daily News.
He makes $3.1 million at Texas A&M and could probably double his salary at USC. One source said Sumlin is an attractive candidate not just because he is successful but is viewed as a charismatic coach.
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