December 26th, 2009 at 7:34 PM ^
that's easy, nick saban.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^
But I think even the devil himself is busy right now.
Speaking of motivators, I wonder what Mark Mangino's doing right now?
December 26th, 2009 at 11:03 PM ^
...but I'll take a guess.
He is currently destroying the hot-bar at the Golden Corral.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:34 PM ^
You would have to think that BK at a minimum is not exactly thrilled with this news.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:49 AM ^
In hindsight, BK should have waited until after all the bowl games were played. It's not like there were many other marquee names out there for ND to hire besides him. Then this probably would have just dropped into his lap.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:36 PM ^
The job is Tom Izzo's to lose.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:36 PM ^
At least he would deserve it. Chris Peterson would as well.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:46 PM ^
wouldn't it be nice if BK left ND now, and I coached either Florida or Notre Dame??? Then i could be sure Michigan would win whenever they played them year!!
edit: added Florida
December 26th, 2009 at 7:38 PM ^
Steve Spurrier?
December 26th, 2009 at 7:39 PM ^
Bobby Petrino?
December 26th, 2009 at 7:42 PM ^
Would he have been a realistic candidate? Kind of poor timing for him if so.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:37 PM ^
No way. Strong has no head coaching experience except for a 27-10 Peach Bowl loss to Miami as an interim coach when Ron Zook was fired in 2004. UF is in a position where they probably won't train a HC on the job anymore.
I want to see Chris Petersen get the job. BSU is currently undefeated again and can't sniff the championship, and they definitely got screwed with their bowl matchup. I would imagine that, for a coach of his caliber, the time would be right for a move.
Also, they might have to take a look at Meyer's successor at Utah, Kyle Whittingham. He's 47-17 there, and 32-7 his last three years. It would be a long shot, but I could see Meyer reccommending him, and hiring from Utah worked out pretty well in Meyer's case.
At any rate, it should be a lot of fun to watch. Since I live in FL, I will be experiencing a great media frenzy for awhile.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:38 PM ^
Do you have a feel for whether they'd look at a smaller-school guy who might be a bigger risk or an established big-school guy like either Stoops, Petrino, etc?
December 26th, 2009 at 8:45 PM ^
Going smaller-school worked once already with Meyer. I think if there's a viable candidate from a mid-major (like Peterson), Florida would take a close look.
December 27th, 2009 at 6:14 AM ^
the problem is that all the coaches that have been successful at BSU have really really sucked outside of it.
I'd prefer TCU's coach if I was Florida...
December 26th, 2009 at 7:43 PM ^
Tim Tebow. note the period after the name. proves it's official.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:46 PM ^
Kyle Wittingham. If Urban Meyer has some say over his successor it may help his chances. Wittingham was his D coordinator at Utah. They may even take a look at Harbaugh. Probably will make a run at Bob Stoops as well but don't think he would go.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:51 PM ^
is the #1 "dark horse" candidate, but he's only done it at Utah following Meyer. Before he got the Florida job, Meyer had remarkable success at both Utah AND Bowling Green as a HC. If Meyer trusts him, then Foley has to make that move (especially if Meyer retains some sort of "Executive Ass't AD" role at UF)
December 26th, 2009 at 9:25 PM ^
And he had the resolve to go against the fans wish for the return of Spurrier to take Meyer with him. It's been 5 years since Meyer left Utah, so it's not like the still successful program is Meyer's doing. As for him just sustaining what Meyer has already built, well, that's what he'd be doing at Florida too. And he's shown his undefeated team can beat Bama.
I don't think Harbaugh would "fit" Florida. AZ Stoops would be a bit underwhelming. The aforementioned NC coach might have an outside shot. But I'm going with the Utah pipeline.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:47 PM ^
Patterson, Peterson, Jim Harbaugh(HAHAHAHA as if), Mike Stoops...
I can hear Lane Kiffin chuckling evilly and tenting his fingers as we speak.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:49 PM ^
My vote's for Steve.
Spurrier made football fun and exciting.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:48 PM ^
Tim Tebow.
Now that I got that out of the way, a quick shotgun target of possible coaches for Florida to me would be:
Petrino (already a mercenary and maybe losing his QB to the draft)
RichRod (See post in the Urban Meyer is leaving thread)
Charlie Strong (quick rehire?)
Dennis Erickson
OBC
The ass't in Texas who's Mack Brown's Coach-in-waiting (Musgrave? Musgrove?)
December 26th, 2009 at 7:52 PM ^
Will Muschamp, their DC
December 26th, 2009 at 7:55 PM ^
Bell's Amber Ale (#5 tonight) is getting to my cognitive capabilities.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:48 PM ^
I think Bob Stoops has to get a pretty strong look
December 26th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
but I would say that OU and UF are about the same job. And Stoops is already entrenched with Western recruiting pipelines, has a QB coming back, and is soon going to be facing the prospect of a Mack Brown-less Texas team (I venture 2-3 yrs at most left for Mack). TexTech is a up/down team, no one in the Big 12 North is a potential powerhouse anymore (yes, including Nebraska), and the Big 12 is still a big money program so I don't think Stoops would jump.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:40 PM ^
He owns the state, has recruiting locked down and makes a ton of money. It's not like Oklahoma isn't a marquee job with a ton of prestige and tradition where Stoops has already developed a legacy. He's turned down huge money already (ND) for an allegedly higher profile job.
He might jump but I can't see it.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:32 PM ^
Bob Stoops also hasn't said no to Florida yet.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:27 PM ^
Apparently saying "I plan on staying at Oklahoma" over and over again doesn't mean anything on the internet.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:47 PM ^
They have a headline for tomorrow!!
December 26th, 2009 at 7:51 PM ^
Tyrone Willingham. Let's see what the man can do with talent. End sarcasm?
December 26th, 2009 at 7:55 PM ^
Ron Zook
December 26th, 2009 at 8:03 PM ^
Petrino. Done deal pal.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:03 PM ^
hands off, cocksmokers.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:09 PM ^
Still a shock to me. To lose one of the best coaches in the country like that..
Anyone else see a return of Dan Mullen? If anyone understands the offense, it'd be him.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:17 PM ^
he signed with Miss St before last season was 4 yrs at $1.2M each. Now that he has 3 yrs left, that's a $3.6M potential buy-out... I would think that if Foley really has him in the sights, he'd be able to get him for less than $3.6M in buy-out money.
UPDATE: Mullen's in talks for a contract extension at Miss St, but state laws prevent a state employee from having a contract longer than 4 years at any time, so they're renegotiating a 1 yr extension. (Source: http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/187133/92/) I would say Mullen is available.
December 27th, 2009 at 10:41 AM ^
I think Mullen's the top candidate. Head coaching experience, good success his first year, knows the offense, knows the players, is in a job with a clear ceiling, buy out isn't ridiculous.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:12 PM ^
Charlie Strong is probably not a happy guy right now. Hey Charlie, did you sign the contract yet? I have to say it would be hilarious if Kelly hadn't signed HIS contract and punks the Domers.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:15 PM ^
Butch Davis .. but i think Florida hires from within just in the case Meyer sits out a season and wants to return after he gets his health under control
December 26th, 2009 at 9:21 PM ^
Davis has already shown he can win at one Florida school (Miami), and Florida is definitely an upgrade over UNC.
December 27th, 2009 at 12:02 AM ^
Butch Davis to Florida would be scary...
December 27th, 2009 at 2:45 AM ^
I hadn't thought of Davis, but he would be a great hire. He rebuilt The U, but has hit the wall at UNC, at least when it comes to recruiting. The school allocates so much of its resources for hoops (rightfully so, I might add) that there doesn't seem to be enough to attract quality recruits for football.
Even with limited personnel, Davis' teams are always well-prepared and play hard.
December 26th, 2009 at 8:34 PM ^
Some candidates are the Stoops brothers, Kyle Wittingham, Bobby Petrino
December 26th, 2009 at 8:37 PM ^
he seems to be on every list of candidates for a vacant head coaching spot, whether it be in the NFL or college...so ill just throw his name out there for that simple reason
December 26th, 2009 at 8:42 PM ^
John Cooper
Edit: I really have no clue. But I will throw out Paul Johnson, has had good results at GT
December 26th, 2009 at 8:47 PM ^
Skip Holtz
December 26th, 2009 at 9:19 PM ^
The obvious answer is Mark Dantonio.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:19 PM ^
Mike Leach!
Just imagine if he could get a hold of the type of talent a school like Florida has.
If Florida really wanted Charlie Strong, it would not be out of the realm of possibility for them to hire him, especially since he probably has not signed his contract yet.
Jim Leavitt anyone?
December 26th, 2009 at 9:27 PM ^
I'd like to see Gary Patterson get a shot at it over Petersen. With that being said, either would be an excellent hire.
December 26th, 2009 at 9:39 PM ^
Tim Tebow, I'm sure.