The case for Kendal Briles as Maryland's next head football coach

Over the coming weeks and months, the Maryland football program will search for a new head coach to replace the departed Randy Edsall. We know who the candidates are, but who should Maryland pick? We'll state every coach's case, whether he wants the job or not, in 500 words or so.

Kendal Briles, Baylor offensive coordinator

Possibility scale: 1/10

The resume

Kendal Briles is about to wrap his first season as the offensive coordinator for Baylor. At 33 years old, he would be one of the youngest coaches Maryland would be considering. But he's had undeniable success this year, with Baylor's offense – despite taking a loss Saturday to Oklahoma – by far No. 1 in the country in total yardage.

However, Briles isn't totally without experience. He's has been coaching with his father, Baylor head coach Art Briles, since 2008, spending three years as the inside receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator for the Bears before moving up to passing game coordinator and finally assuming offensive coordinator duties just prior to Baylor's loss to Michigan State in the 2015 Cotton Bowl. And although this is the first season the younger Briles has held the OC title, he's been part of a system that allowed him to be the play caller for the second unit.

The benefits

In addition to having both coached on and now led one of the most regularly potent offenses in the NCAA, Briles has been named the Big 12 recruiter of the year in each of the last two years. He was a FootballScoop finalist for 2014 national wide receivers coach of the year, and with good reason. In his seven seasons with Baylor, he helped produce four All-Americans and five total NFL prospects, including Kendall Wright (Tennessee Titans) and Terrance Williams (Dallas Cowboys).

Also, Briles will have served in the same position as one of the favorite names fans like to speculate about - Bowling Green's Dino Babers served four years under Art Briles at Baylor.

The drawbacks

First, calling him untested might be a bit of understatement. (But one of the favorites of many on this board, Matt Campbell, was 31 when the took the reins at Toledo.) He will have had only one year as a coordinator. Second, he'd be 33 when he assumes the job. Hesitating to give the keys to someone his age and with such limited experience is certainly reasonable. Also, Briles has never really been outside of Texas, having played one season for the Longhorns before transferring to Houston. So while he's well known in the Big 12 recruiting footprint, he doesn't know the DMV area. (Of course, if he keeps Mike Locksley, itg ameliorates that situation.)

In one sentence

Briles may be young, but he has the potential to be a blow-your-mind hire because he clearly knows how to run the Baylor offense, and his recruiting prowess is unquestioned.