San Diego State University is on the hunt for a new head coach as Brady Hoke announced his retirement from the position earlier this week. Hoke's departure marks SDSU's first true coaching search since his initial hiring in 2009.

During his second stint as head coach, Hoke achieved a record of 26-19, including a stellar 12-2 season in 2021. However, this year has proven challenging for the Aztecs, with a current record of 3-7, resulting in the team's first losing season since 2009.

In a statement, Athletic Director JD Wicker expressed his gratitude for Hoke's contributions to the program both on and off the field. Hoke set the standard when he first arrived on campus and left a lasting legacy at SDSU.

San Diego State's football program has consistently been a winning one, thanks in part to its formidable defense under the leadership of former head coach Rocky Long. However, the offense has struggled in recent years, leading to a decline in performance. The Aztecs have not ranked in the top 75 in scoring offense since 2017.

One of the main objectives of the coaching search will be to revitalize the offense and tap into the talent pool of skilled players in the region. San Diego is known for producing excellent quarterbacks and skill players, and SDSU will need to leverage this talent to attract fans with an exciting, high-scoring style of football.

The university's new Snapdragon Stadium, which opened last year, provides a modern and state-of-the-art facility for the football program. With a capacity of 35,000, the stadium has the potential to generate increased revenue for SDSU. However, attendance has been lower than anticipated, partly due to the team's lackluster performance on the field.

Conference realignment has also been a topic of discussion for San Diego State. While there is a desire to move into a bigger conference, the recent collapse of the Pac-12 has made this goal challenging. It remains uncertain whether Oregon State and Washington State will join the Mountain West or attempt to rebuild the Pac-12. Additionally, the introduction of the 5+7 model in the College Football Playoff may further impact the school's prospects of conference realignment.

The salary for the new head coach will be a point of consideration, as SDSU will need to be competitive in light of other potential job openings in the Mountain West or Pac-12. Wyoming and San Jose State currently pay their coaches more than $2 million annually, surpassing Hoke's salary of $1.2 million.

Several potential candidates have emerged for the position, including Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who has overseen a highly successful offense in recent years. Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore and Oregon State offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren are also noteworthy contenders, with impressive track records in guiding efficient and explosive offenses.

Former Boise State and Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin could be a candidate for multiple Mountain West jobs, given his successful tenure at Boise State and previous experience in the conference. Former Virginia and BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has proven himself as a consistent winner and is knowledgeable about the region. Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin, USC defensive backs coach Donte Williams, and Montana State head coach Brent Vigen are also names to watch.

As the search commences, San Diego State will be looking for a head coach who can revitalize the offense and lead the team to success both on and off the field. The next coach will have the opportunity to build upon the foundation laid by Hoke and bring the program to new heights.

This article was written by Chris Vannini and covers national college football issues and the coaching carousel for The Athletic. Vannini is a co-winner of the FWAA's Beat Writer of the Year Award in 2018 and was previously the managing editor of CoachingSearch.com.