Is Matt Campbell a good fit for the next level?

Matt Campbell's name is one of the top names that always gets pushed around concerning big time college football openings and the coaching carousel.   This year there seems to be more coaching openings in the Power 5 conferences and much less patience.   LSU, USC, TCU, Virginia Tech, Washington, Washington State all have current opening.   Texas Tec and UConn had opening but have already filled those.   I would suspect more openings/firings are coming:  Florida, Texas, Stanford, Duke, Miami (just fired AD), Colorado, and Syracuse are rumored to be on the hot seat.   

I personally don't think Campbell would be wise to move up the ranks right now.   Mostly because of the style of play that he coaches,.   Campbell coaches a ball control/bend but don't break defense.   This means most of his games are close - they could go either way.  His defense has kept him in many games over the past 3 years.  With close games if things don't go your way, you will have unexpected losses, like this year.  Historically his teams get off to a slow start, they tend to get behind in the first half - then make adjustments and somehow squeak out wins in tight contests, or not so much this year.   Acceptable and praised at Iowa State, not so much at big time and big money programs.   Where coaches are expected to win them all.  

Campbell is currently 6-4 at Iowa State.   Any of the jobs that are currently open or likely to come open would not tolerate a 6-4 record with the team, talent, and expectations of this team.   This may cause some big time programs to overlook Campbell.   Texas is currently 4-6, they will have to win their last two games to be bowl eligible.   It would not be a shock to see Texas fire Steve Sarkisian after one year on the job.  James Franklin coach at Penn State was a big target, but his stocked has slipped because his team The Nittany Lions are currently 6-4. 

Campbell may leave at the end of the year, but I believe it would be a bad move for him in the long run.  If Campbell where to leave, I definitely do not think he would go to the pros.  He has no pro experience, and after this year he won't be in the professional conversation.   Campbell is the not likely to take a coaching position in the Big 12.  He has denied looking at the TCU job.   I personally, don't think Campbell would be a good fit for the PAC 12, SEC, or The ACC.   Most of Campbell's recruits and connections lie in the Midwest.  Which leave the Big Ten or Notre Dame as a potential landing spots.  Currently there are no opening in The Big Ten or Notre Dame.   But, hold on to your hats I'm sure that will be some opening coming in The Big Ten as we come closer to year end.  We will wait and see what happens with James Franklin at Penn State after we get past bowl season we'll see if Campbell thinks he is ready for the next level.   Stay tuned.   This year 8-4 or 7-5 may be a blessing for the Cyclones.