Last week, I penned a piece on the Texas non-FBS head coaches who could be hot commodities during the 2024 coaching carousel. As jobs are filled across the country, head coaches aren’t the only ones who will receive interest in a new position. Many assistant coaches across Texas will be head coach and coordinator candidates.

The following are 10 current or former Texas non-FBS assistant coaches whose names, beginning with current coordinators, could make headlines during the offseason.

Kenny Hill, UIW running backs and associate head coach

The Cardinals have become a coaching factory since Eric Morris arrived at the end of the 2017 season from Texas Tech. Current Texas State coach G.J. Kinne followed Morris before Clint Killough was elevated to head coach after serving as a wide receiver and associate head coach. Hill is following a similar path and is primed to become a head coach soon.

Rick Bowie, Abilene Christian offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach

ACU head coach Keith Patterson knows how to find quality, young coordinators. Former defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity left for Sam Houston last year, and Bowie is on a similar path to stardom. ACU is third in total offense and fourth in passing offense in FCS, averaging 34.83 points per game, an increase of more than eight points per game in 2023. Before arriving in Abilene, Bowie led NCAA Division II Valdosta State's offense for two seasons and that was the only offense in DII to place inside the top 25 in passing and rushing in 2022.

Conner McQueen, UIW quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator

The high-flying Cardinals offense hasn’t missed a beat since McQueen assumed the reins in 2023. UIW is seventh in total offense and 10th in passing offense in FCS this year after finishing second in both categories in 2023. McQueen mentored quarterback Zach Calzada to impressive numbers the last two years and showed the ability to adjust when Richard Torres became the starter last year after Calzada suffered an injury. Torres was named an FCS freshman All-American, while Calzada was named first-team All-Southland Conference.

Ryan Smith, East Texas Baptist offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach

Another in a long line of brilliant offensive minds in Texas, Smith authored an immediate turnaround of the ETBU offense in 2024. The Tigers averaged 37.11 points per game this year, an incredible 17 points per game above their 2023 output. Smith has produced potent offenses at every stop and has head coaching experience on his resume. He was the head coach at his alma mater, Nelson (formerly SAGU), where he guided the program through an 0-10 season before finishing with a 13-6 mark in his last two seasons - the program's first consecutive winning seasons in history. The 2021 squad finished with a 9-3 record and the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Victory Bowl title.

Fran Johnson, Texas Wesleyan offensive coordinator

Johnson has coordinated one of the most productive and consistent offenses since he arrived in Fort Worth in 2021. The Rams offense has produced 1,946 points in 41 games since Johnson assumed control, an incredible 47.5 points per game. But this year’s Rams squad is on pace to be the best in NAIA history. TxWes averages 59.9 points per game and 5.5 yards per rush attempt. 

Brad Wilson, Louisiana Tech offensive analyst

Wilson was a mainstay in the American Southwest Conference before leaving Howard Payne for an FCS opportunity. Wilson eventually landed at FBS LA Tech, but he will be a name to watch for offensive coordinator openings. He guided the HPU offense to 34.4 points per game in 2023 after spending the 2022 campaign as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Sul Ross State. Before leading the Lobos to the top passing offense in the ASC, he spent two seasons guiding the ETBU offense to one of the best in the ASC.

Lane Powell, unemployed

A veteran coach with college and professional experience, Powell has exhibited versatility throughout his career. He’s served as a tight ends coach, special teams coordinator at Alcorn State, and defensive coordinator for two years at Edward Waters. The Indiana native spent eight years as a regional scout in the Canadian Football League for Edmonton and has recruited throughout Texas as an assistant with Alcorn and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Jonathan Petty, Houston Christian safeties and associate head coach

Another rising young star in the coaching industry, Petty was promoted to associate head coach and safeties coach during the offseason. In 2023, he coached the cornerbacks and served as passing game coordinator and academic liaison for the Huskies. Before joining HCU, Petty spent two seasons at Texas A&M-Kingsville, where he guided the Javelinas to one of the top defenses in the Lone Star Conference and the 36th-ranked defense in DII in 2022.

Matt Cannata, Lamar offensive line coach

Offensive line coaches often make good offensive coordinators. Understanding how to set your offensive line up for success is an underrated skill for a play-caller, a trait offensive line coaches possess. Cannata has spent the last two seasons with a Cardinals program that recently posted its first consecutive winning seasons since 1967. Cannata has a history of success in Texas, having begun his career at Texas Lutheran as offensive line coach, run game, and recruiting coordinator before coaching the Mary Hardin-Baylor offensive line during its run to the 2022 NCAA Division III national semifinals.

Matt Newby, McMurry offensive run game coordinator, offensive line coach

The War Hawks alum returned to Abilene in March 2023 after spending seven seasons coaching high school football in Texas and Louisiana. Newby started 23 consecutive games for McMurry and began his coaching career with the War Hawks as an assistant offensive line coach for two seasons. Since his arrival, the War Hawks have posted consecutive winning seasons and were co-champions of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference this year.