Names to throw out there

[Quaoarsking]

I'm not on board the "Fire Mullen" bandwagon, and I honestly don't think there's any way he gets fired after this season. Of course, I thought that about Croom in 2008, even as late as the 11th game of the season, and I wouldn't be completely stunned if Dan made a lateral move to a similar-level program in another conference.

Even though I think Mullen is pretty likely to be our head coach in 2014, I've compiled some names we should keep in mind. I'm going to try to keep the list to coaches who would plausibly take the job, although this can be very difficult to judge. We don't always know how happy a coach is at his job -- I was shocked when Arkansas hired Bret Bielema last year, so it's possible the SEC pull may attract a similar hire for us. But if we know a coach is at his dream job (Kliff Kingsbury), I won't bother listing him. These are in no certain order:

Current head coaches who have had success and we could probably hire
Rob Ambrose, HC Towson (turned around a terrible Towson program)
Craig Bohl, HC North Dakota State (he may be a Petersen, but I can't imagine him turning down the SEC)
Dave Clawson, HC Bowling Green
Mark Hudspeth, HC Louisiana Lafayette (the favorite)
June Jones, HC SMU (formerly HC Hawai'i)
Mike Leach, HC Washington State (formerly HC Texas Tech)
Bobby Petrino, HC Western Kentucky (Stricklin, the SEC, or the boosters might veto)
Bob Stitt, HC Colorado Mines (has been called the best offensive mind in football)

Longshots, but maybe the SEC would appeal to them. Couldn't hurt to ask.
Art Briles, HC Baylor
Sonny Dykes, HC California (Does he fit into the culture of Berkeley, CA?)
Mike Gundy, HC Oklahoma State (he flirted with Tennessee and Arkansas last year. With the SI story, he may get fired or want the hell out of dodge)
Bronco Mendenhall, HC BYU (I doubt we lure a Mormon away from BYU, but he's a great coach and worth a call)
Chris Petersen, HC Boise State (not happening)
Mark Richt, HC Georgia (obviously only a possibility if Georgia moronically fires him)
Rich Rodriguez, HC Arizona
Charlie Strong, HC Louisville

Head coaching experience, but too little to actually judge. Were good coordinators
Tim DeRuyter, HC Fresno State (been decent at Fresno, but a former Big 12 DC is scary)
Bryan Harsin, HC Arkansas State (formerly OC Boise State and Texas. Arkansas State is SEC coaching factory.)
Jim McElwain, HC Colorado State (formerly OC Alabama)
Todd Monken, HC Southern Miss (formerly OC Oklahoma State)

Good coordinators. Should be able to hire any of these unless someone "better" does first.
Major Applewhite, OC Texas (The moral guardians might veto. May have stigma of Texas's recent slide)
Mike Bobo, OC Georgia
Bob Diaco, DC Notre Dame
Bud Foster, DC Virginia Tech (he may just not want to be a head coach)
Tony Franklin, OC California (Literally copyrighted the Spread Offense. Not very good at Auburn as OC though)
Chuck Martin, OC Notre Dame (74-7 as HC Grand Valley State)
Philip Montgomery, OC Baylor (Elijah Staley could be the next RG3)
Chad Morris, OC Clemson
Brent Pease, OC Florida
Kirby Smart, DC Alabama
Justin Wilcox, DC Washington (formerly DC Tennessee. Not involved with that 67-56 bowl game.)

Retreads
Jeff Bower, former HC Southern Miss
Manny Diaz, former DC Mississippi State and Texas
Phil Fulmer, former HC Tennessee
Lane Kiffin, HC USC
Jim Tressel, former HC Ohio State (Does he have a show cause penalty?)
Tommy Tuberville, HC Cincinnati

[CadaverDawg]

Good list, but it makes me definitely want to keep Mullen one more year once you look at who we "legitimately" have a shot at. Seems like a lot of guys that could do as good or worse than Mullen has.

Maybe that's just me though.

[msstate7]

I think major applewhite should be added to list.

And that's why you read the whole list. Sorry q

[BeastMan]

Holy hell Quars, that's impressive. Fwiw Jim McElwain was the OC at Bama. I think Hud would be the front runner but I've always liked Chad Morris at Clemson. People forget that Dabo was on the ropes and Moriss has essentially saved him. His system works w/our personnel so it wouldn't be an offensive overhaul like if we went air raid or pro style

[msstate7]

Holy hell Quars, that's impressive. Fwiw Jim McElwain was the OC at Bama. I think Hud would be the front runner but I've always liked Chad Morris at Clemson. People forget that Dabo was on the ropes and Moriss has essentially saved him. His system works w/our personnel so it wouldn't be an offensive overhaul like if we went air raid or pro style

I'm not sure we can get Morris. He's very hot candidate...

[msstate7]

I think bronco mendenhall would be a very good candidate if we could get him

[Dawgface]

The long shots are just that, long shots. You can strike those. And I wouldn't care for the retreads. But lot's of possibilities.

[HereComesTheSpiral]

I like Kirby Smart if Hud isn't an option

[msstate7]

I like Kirby Smart if Hud isn't an option

Smart gonna stay under saban to get the job when he retires.

[HereComesTheSpiral]

Smart gonna stay under saban to get the job when he retires.

He might leave then come back, but whenever you step out on your own from under a great one, you become extremely wanted or untouchable. See Dan Mullen.

[msstate7]

He might leave then come back, but whenever you step out on your own from under a great one, you become extremely wanted or untouchable. See Dan Mullen.

I would take smart if he was available. I just think if he leaves saban it'll be out of conference or at least to the east

[bluelightstar]

I'm not sure we can get Morris. He's very hot candidate...

And we all know how much Stricklin likes Clemson assistants

[msstate7]

And we all know how much Stricklin likes Clemson assistants

I'd be impressed if Scott could pull that off

[missouridawg]

I think major applewhite should be added to list.

And that's why you read the whole list. Sorry q

For the love of God, no. Major Applewhite? Really?

[msstate7]

For the love of God, no. Major Applewhite? Really?

Major was once thought to be a great head coach prospect. He's not my favorite by any means, but I'd interview him if he was interested. Major has worked under some great coaches. Hard to believe Mack brown was once a great coach but he was

[PMDawg]

Ellis Johnson????!! 0-12 at USM Ellis Johnson? I would quit watching sports.

[msstate7]

Ellis Johnson????!! 0-12 at USM Ellis Johnson? I would quit watching sports.

If they would've been patient with Ellis, he'd be top 25 this year ****

[hacker]

loling at the fact that Ellis Johnson 's 0-12 season wasn't mentioned.

God, please, let's keep Mullen.

[CadaverDawg]

loling at the fact that Ellis Johnson 's 0-12 season wasn't mentioned.

God, please, let's keep Mullen.

I know, I had not even seen Ellis on that list until PM mentioned it. Mullen may not be a bad option!

[It_Could_Happen]

Chad Morris at Clemson would be the hire of the century