By Matt Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

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A look at four coaches who could be in the running to become Clemson’s next offensive coordinator.

With the pending announcement that offensive coordinator Chad Morris is leaving the school to accept the head coaching position at SMU, Clemson is left to find a replacement for the man who helped guide the program to unprecedented offensive success.

The Tigers have shown a clear willingness to open up the checkbook in order to secure proven and successful assistant coaches. It may come as a surprise to some, but Morris and Brent Venables actually combined to be the highest-paid coordinator tandem in all of FBS football.

As Clemson will undoubtedly have plenty of money to throw at whomever it desires to be its next offensive coordinator, here is a look at four candidates worthy of consideration.

1. Jeff Scott, Clemson

A former player for the Tigers, Scott has been on the coaching staff in Death Valley since signing on as a graduate assistant in 2008. Spending the vast majority of his time at Clemson as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator, Scott has become widely-recognized as one of the top up-and-coming offensive minds in the game. Scott is an elite recruiter, and helping players such as Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins and Martavis Bryant develop throughout their collegiate careers has helped his credentials significantly. Scott is a true x9cClemson guyx9d, and he would likely help the Tigers make the transition without too much change taking place.

2. Philip Montgomery, Baylor

Montgomery has coached alongside Baylor head coach Art Briles for 16 seasons, dating all the way back to their time together at Stephenville High School. Throughout that time, he has developed into one of the top quarterback gurus in the nation, helping groom signal callers such as Bryce Petty, Robert Griffin III and Case Keenum. Baylor has finished either first or second in the country in total offense each of the past four seasons, largely thanks to the mind of Montgomery. He has shown fierce loyalty to Briles in the past, but Clemson just may have the money and the platform to persuade Montgomery into taking a look.

3. Lincoln Riley, East Carolina

Clemson has shown that it is not afraid to hire away young coaches from x9cmid-majorx9d programs, if they have proven that they possess an elite football mind and plenty of energy. As a 31-year old coach in charge of a top three offense nationally, Riley certainly fits that mold. Riley is a former Texas Tech player, so he likes to sling the football all over the field, which would likely go well with the personnel that Clemson will have in place in the coming seasons. Riley would undoubtedly be interested in the opportunity to move up to a program such as Clemson. Conversely, if the Tigers were to land Riley, they would be getting a proven commodity at a discount price.

4. Sonny Cumbie, TCU

Cumbie has only one season of experience as an offensive coordinator, but it has been a very successful season, as the Horned Frogs are currently fifth in the nation in total offense. Another former Texas Tech player, Cumbie has implemented components of the tradition Red Raiders offense with aspects of the spread running game. He has earned high praise for his ability to relate well to players, and he brings plenty of enthusiasm to the recruiting trail as well. Lack of experience could be a concern for many people, but if the Tigers decide to pass on even looking at Cumbie as a potential replacement, it could look like a huge mistake down the road.