An old post I had...
1. If you’re hiring an older guy who has already coached at P5 school (HC). One with a large sample of experience. He must be still getting close to an NC or at least winning the conference in the last 5 years. If the guy’s best days are clearly behind him, no thanks. There are exceptions to this rule but it is not normal to have real “success” with them.
2. If you’re hiring a younger guy who is the HC at a non-P5 school, then he has to dominate. He has to be winning the conference. He should have accomplished everything you can at that type of program. He should be making fools of those conference coaches.
3. I like a coach with professional experience. If you can find the right NFL guy, that is a plus. This is not necessary, just a plus. Maybe an NFL HC was fired and wants to return to college. Maybe a coordinator who wants to be an HC in college and security. Remember there are only so many professional HC gigs.
4. I think it is very risky to hire a college guy who has never been an HC. If my options are a retread who hasn’t had a relevant season in a decade OR this young coordinator, I would rather take the gamble on the young guy then the retread. Keep in mind, you want the right young coordinator not just A young coordinator.