Greg McElroy predicts future college football head coaching stars

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Greg McElroy has had a front-row seat to the best that college football has to offer, both as a player and as an analyst.

The former Alabama championship quarterback and current ESPN analyst recently sat down with Front Office Sports (subscription required) to talk about a few different topics before the season kicks off. During the discussion, McElroy was asked to pick a couple of young coaches who could shine as head coaches if given the chance in the near future.

So if I were to identify a defensive coordinator, if we’re going to go in the same line as Dan Lanning or Marcus Freeman, it’s Bryant Haines at Indiana," McElroy said. "I think he’s next-level. That guy is so smart, and his scheme is so difficult to play against, and they are so well coached, and their talent evaluation on that staff is amazing. He’s going to do something. I don’t know what, but he’s going to get a job at some point — and when he does, look out. It’s going to be amazing."

McElroy went to the other side of the ball to find an offensive coordinator who could develop into a great head coach.

"That’s Shannon Dawson, who I think is just a really, really smart coach," McElroy said of Miami's offensive coordinator. "He does a really good job and has a really good scheme. He’s very player-friendly, but also knows what the players want to get the most out of them. I’ve seen him develop quarterbacks in different ways over the last couple of years. Cam Ward two years ago, to Carson Beck last year, to Darian Mensah this year."

Haines and Dawson will have a chance to further improve their resumes as both schools look to make a return trip to the national title game.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Greg McElroy predicts future college football head coaching stars

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