The surest way for a Group of Five football coach’s name to enter the rumor mill is to win a lot of football games.

That’s exactly what Jason Candle has done at Toledo, especially the past two seasons. 

The 10-1 Rockets are currently ranked No. 23 in the AP poll, and Candle’s name has been bandied about for several open jobs, most prominently at Michigan State and Syracuse. FootballScoop and MSU’s Rivals.com affiliate reported that the Spartans spoke to Candle last week. 

At his weekly press conference on Monday, Candle was asked to confirm or deny those reports. 

“When any organization has success, whether that’s players, coaches, or whatever, that’s this time of year, right? This type of stuff is going to go on,” Candle said. “It happens all over the country. Teams that are winning, internet things start. That’s how it goes. It ain’t no different for me, though, than it is for our players. Don’t pay attention to what we’ve done in the rearview mirror. Look out the front of the window and continue to press on.

“None of that is any of my focus right now. This is about trying to win a championship for these guys and going to Central Michigan and playing a very capable football that’s playing for a lot. There’s a lot of things riding on this team and this locker room and things we put in place in January. It is what it is.”

This is the third consecutive season Candle’s name has been linked to open jobs. He turned down the offensive coordinator position for the Miami Hurricanes following the 2021 and ’22 seasons. He was also reportedly a head coaching candidate at Purdue and Cincinnati and an OC candidate at Notre Dame last offseason. 

Toledo finishes the regular season at noon Friday at Central Michigan. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

First Published November 20, 2023, 9:20 p.m.