I have compiled a top ten list of possible candidates to replace Will Muschamp as the head coach of the Florida Gators that athletic director Jeremy Foley should consider. Just to make it fun, I chose five potential NFL head coaches and five replacements from the collegiate ranks to mix it up a bit.
However, before we get to the list, let’s reveal the “others receiving consideration” list. These are the guys who just missed cracking the list:
Jim Tressel & Steve Adazzio
Steve Adazzio is a former assistant with the Gators and has had good success at both Temple and now Boston College. His signature moment was earlier this season when BC defeated Southern Cal. However, Adazzio is known as a defensive coach. He’s also still building his coaching resume, and doesn’t pack the star power Foley may be looking for.
Jim Tressel has had great success everywhere he has been, including winning national championship with Ohio State. The man knows how to win and will do it the right way, running a model program. He has sat out his show cause penalty and deserves another high profile job. Unfortunately for his case, it just won’t be this one.
Craig Bohl & Doc Holliday
In all seriousness, how about Craig Bohl, former head coach of North Dakota State University? He won three national championships with the Bison at the FCS levell. He currently only has a 4-6 record at Wyoming, but had great success at NDSU. Does a potentially undefeated season for Doc Holliday at Marshall even get him an interview? I don’t see why not. The Thundering Herd are 10-0 and are averaging 47.1 point per game, good for second in the entire country.
Anyway, here is the list..
Top 5 NFL Coaches:
5 (tenth overall). Rex Ryan.
The biggest long shot on our list, Rex Ryan looks like he could be unemployed very soon. The current head coach of the New York Jets is a defensive minded endeavor, something Jeremy Foley has said he wants to move away from after Will Muschamp’s time at the school. However, Rex Ryan would be highly entertaining in the role and would be incredible in press conferences at SEC Media Days or when facing off with Nick Saban, Les Miles, Steve Spurrier, and the other top SEC coaches.
4 (seventh). Josh McDaniels
The Patriots offensive coordinator is a former head coach with the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams, so experience is not an issue. He is also a gifted offensive mind who would bring a unique and successful offense that should appeal to gifted recruits on that side of the football. The only obstacle may be getting him to make the jump from the NFL where he has coached for his entire career.
3 (fifth). Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden hasn’t shown an interest in returning to coaching in quite some time, but he would be a perfect fit for the Gators. He has Florida ties from his time with the Tampa Bay Bucs and is a nationally recognized face from Monday Night Football. He would give the Gators star power at the coaching position with recruits only rivaled by Nick Saban. He would bring an intense and successful brand of football to Gainesville.
2 (third). Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh is said to be at odds with 49er management and likely on his way out at seasons end when his contract expires. Harbaugh has tremendous success at Stanford, leading them to a 12-1 season that included an Orange Bowl victory. Harbaugh could have an urge to go back to coach young men instead of professional athletes. If he does, the Gators would provide him with a great chance to compete for national championships.
1 (first). Chip Kelly
Chip Kelly had tremendous resources at Oregon, but would have all of that and then some in Florida. The recruiting grounds would be fertile right there in his home state and he can still keep his eye on anyone he wants nationally. His up-tempo, high octane offense would fit perfectly in the Swamp as they would try to completely wear down all of their opponents with speed and tempo in the heat. Chip Kelly could be a force with all of the speed and talent available to him with the Gators and would have to be the top candidate from the pro game.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of great coaching canidates already on the collegiate level. Here are five that Jeremy Foley should consider:
Top 5 College Coaches:
5 (ninth overall). Charlie Strong
Charlie Strong is a former defensive coordinator for the Gators and the current head coach of the Texas Longhorns. Texas is 6-5 on the season but are headed in the right direction. Strong stood his ground early, kicking players off the team and trying to clean up the program. He has done so and the team has responded. He did the same thing with Louisville and had great success. He may not want to leave Texas already, but he has shown that he is capable of doing the job in Gainesville as well.
4 (eighth). Dan Mullen
Until last week’s loss to Alabama, Dan Mullen was the hottest name in college coaching for over a month. Three consecutive wins over top ten teams as the head coach of Mississippi State is no easy task. Mullen has changed the perception of the program by increasing the talent, competing with in-state rival Ole Miss for recruits, and winning important games on the field. Mullen would like to add an SEC Championship to his resume, and his chances would increase in Gainesville. He is the exact type of offensive mind they are looking for and would be a breath of fresh air for an offense that has struggled for four years.
3 (sixth). Gus Malzahn
Coach Malzahn has a national championship as the offensive coordinator at Auburn and led them to another appearance there as their head coach. He could be perhaps the SEC’s most gifted offensive mind, and knows the type of pressure that comes with coaching at this type of school. He may not want to make the move across the conference, but the SEC East would be a little easier to navigate and the talent pool is slightly better in Gainseville. Auburn has struggled in recent weeks and this could have Malzahn thinking about other options.
2 (fourth). Hugh Freeze
Coach Freeze got the support of former Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow this week, which is huge with Gator Nation. Freeze has recruited exceptionally well at Ole Miss. Florida recruits itself to a large degree with so many great recruits in their back yard, but having his recruiting ability would only enhance their pitch. Freeze is an up and comer and could grow in a position at a school like Florida. Foley would be thinking outside the box and towards the future with this kind of hire. However, has he done enough to earn this position at this point?
1 (second). Bob Stoops
The current head coach of Oklahoma and former defensive coordinator with the Gators in the glory years under Steve Spurrier would be the perfect fit. All of his SEC hate in recent years could really be spun as SEC envy and his desire to coach in the conference against the best is apparent. Oklahoma has struggled this season and haven’t really been a factor in the national discussion in years. Stoops could benefit from the change of scenery and increase in available top-level talent. Stoops is a top level, headline grabbing name and would have to be near the top of any Gator fan’s wish list.
Don’t even these guys for an interview:
Steve Spurrier, Mike Gundy, Lane Kiffin, Rich Rodriguez, Dabo Sweeney, Mike Shanahan, Butch Davis, or Dana Holgersen
Well, there you have it. Who do you think should be at the top of the list? Am I leaving anyone out that you would seriously consider? Let me know in the comments below.
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