We're not getting Petersen or Mullen. Mullen's already at an SEC school on the way up, not down, and if Boise State can afford recruiting violations, they can afford to keep Chris. Bronco's our only realistic bet out of the three.
There's wish, and then there's possible. Sure, I'd love Skip Holtz, but why would he leave USF, where he has a chance EVERY YEAR to be in a BCS Bowl, not to mention the Championship game if he runs the table? So here are my list of what I deem POSSIBLE replacements for Coach Richt once he's forced to hang it up after losing to SCarolina:
1) Bronco Mendenhall. Come on. You want him, too.
2) Chris Ault. One of three active coaches with over 200 wins, he's also the stumbling block that cost Boise State a potential shot at the MNC last year. He's not a young up-and-comer, but he can at least beat Boise State. He coached Nevada to a 13/11 national ranking last year and invented the Pistol Offense, which Boise themselves used to dismantle us on Saturday.
3) Bud Foster. I don't really need to say much more, do I?
4) Pete Carroll. Come on, would you turn him down? And I guarantee you he wants another chance to prove he can do it cleanly in the college game. He might also want to try putting a BCS National Championship on his resume, since he officially didn't win one in 2004.
5) Charlie Strong. I know that you could use the same argument that I used against the possibility of Skip Holtz coming here, but I'll be honest: I think Charlie wants to come back to the SEC and show 'em all. He's only got one season under his belt at Louisville, but he engineered a 3-win swing to the positive in his first year. Also, if Charlie Strong is AT Georgia, then his defenses can no longer BEAT Georgia.
6) Gary Patterson. Also, no argument needed. Plus, that loss to Baylor may have soured him on TCU's waning chances at national relevance.
7) I know it's outside the box but...what about Terry Bowden? The guy had nothing but success at Auburn and lost his job due to off-field issues rather than on-field performance. Would any of you have a problem with ol' Terry coming aboard?
I dunno. Let me know what you think. I may just be wretchedly out of touch.
Red and Black, Win or Lose