Posted by: Pete Roussel on January 29, 2012

Seventeen head coaches were dismissed from their jobs at the college level this off-season.  With all of the coaching movement, in total, we are assured to have at least twenty-six programs with new head coaches heading into the 2012 season.

Of the sixteen head coaches that were dismissed, seven coaches have resurfaced with new coaching jobs.  Three head coaches have landed in the NFL, while several are still searching for work.

Pat Hill, Steve Fairchild, and Mike Sherman have each landed positions in the NFL.  Hill will coach the offensive line for the Atlanta Falcons; Fairchild will serve as an offensive assistant with the San Diego Chargers; while Mike Sherman will serve as the offensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins.

It wouldn't surprise me if former Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt lands an NFL assistant coaching job in the next two weeks, although it's possible that Nutt will sit out the year and participate in television.

Former Illinois head coach Ron Zook interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coordinator position, but the position eventually went to New Orleans Saints assistant special teams coach John Bonamego.

Zook says he will likely sit out the year and return to coaching in 2013. It appears that Rick Neuheisel will take the same route as Zook unless a terrific assistant coaching opportunity arises in the NFL.

Turner Gill finished his career at Kansas with a 5-19 record.  Gill, however, was able to land the head coaching job at Liberty University, where he has rehired four of his former assistant coaches at Kansas.  Liberty University, which is located in Virginia, is the largest Christian university in the world.

Despite a 2-26 record in less than three full seasons at New Mexico, Mike Locksley has landed the offensive coordinator / quarterbacks job at Maryland.  Locksley recently signed a 4-year contract worth $500,000 annually to return to Maryland, where he coached from 1997 - 2002.

Former Akron head coach Rob Ianello will coach the wide receivers at Kansas.  He will also serve as the recruiting coordinator for head coach Charlie Weis.

Mike Stoops has returned to Oklahoma to work for his brother, Bob Stoops.  With the departure of Brent Venables to Clemson, Mike Stoops will assume the defensive coordinator position.  He will also coach the defensive backs for the Sooners.

At this point, Larry Porter, Neil Callaway, and Paul Wulff have yet to land new coaching positions.  Meanwhile, it's likely that former Tulane head coach Bob Toledo and former Hawaii coach Greg McMackin have coached for the final time.  Toledo has relocated from New Orleans to California.  If McMackin relocates from Hawaii to anywhere, he's probably lost his mind.

Former FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger has retired from coaching, but will remain a part of the FAU athletic department.  Schnellenberger will assist with fundraising efforts and special projects.

Meanwhile, former Arizona State head coach Dennis Erickson has likely retired from coaching. And as we all know, former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno has passed away.

Losing a job is just part of the coaching profession.  Believe it or not, only two programs in the entire country have the same nine assistant coaches right now as at the start of the 2009 season.

Stay tuned to the Coaching Search Ticker for breaking news on the coaching front.

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