Urban Meyer Resigns: Outside-The-Box Successors No One Is Talking About

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With Urban Meyer stepping down at Florida, the search for his replacement is officially on.

By now, you've already heard the names of the usual suspects who have direct ties to Gainesville:

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma.

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State.

Charlie Strong, Louisville.

But what if Jeremy Foley and the Gators have to dig a bit deeper than that. And even if they don't, shouldn't we? 

Here's a list of possible Urban Meyer successors that the mainstream sports media isn't mentioning. 

Chip Kelly: Oregon

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Arguably the hottest coach in the nation and an absolute offensive guru. 

Think the Gators wouldn't like to give Meyer's headset (not to mention Steve Addazio's) to Kelly?

Brian Kelly: Notre Dame

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After multiple rounds of speculation that Meyer would leave The Swamp for South Bend, wouldn't it be sweet justice if Foley and the Gators turned around and swiped the head coach of the Irish?

Kelly has done a nice job in his first season at Notre Dame. His system fits. His recruiting looks solid.

And now that he's had a taste of the Irish pressure cooker, especially in light of off-field turmoil, maybe he'd be up for a one-and-done?

Gus Malzahn: Auburn

From Springdale High School to head coach of one of the most prestigious college football programs in the country?

Any chance he'd be able to bring Cam Newton back to UF with him?

Rich Rodriguez: Michigan

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You're right to scoff.  I certainly did.

Clearly the Rich Rodriguez experiment hasn't worked in Ann Arbor.  But if you were to give Rich Rod the Gators' offensive personnel that's already in place, and especially a defense that isn't putrid (like Michigan's), the man can win in Gainesville. 

Steve Spurrier: South Carolina

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The OBC's an avid golfer, isn't he?

Say we were to offer him a mulligan on his decision to step down at Florida early in 2002.

Think he'd take it?

And from UF's perspective, if Spurrier managed to coach South Carolina to the SEC East title, surely he's still got enough left to lead the Gators back.

Lane Kiffin: USC

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For absolutely no reason other than I thought you might get a laugh out of it. 

Mike Leach: CBS College Sports

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He's done his penance. Time to get him back in the game.

This swashbuckler's got a cure for the offensive woes that are ailing the Gators. 

It will also cure the headache I'm still battling after a season of listening to Leach on CBS College Sports broadcasts. 

Tim Tebow: Denver Broncos

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The former Gator has yet to thrown an incompletion in the NFL, which says as much about his playing time as his perfection.

So why not just leave it at that and return to his alma matter?

Tebow gives better inspirational speeches than Lou Holtz.

The guy knows Dan Mullen's offense better than Dan Mullen.

And let's be serious: he'd own every living room in Florida when it comes to recruiting. 

We've all seen coaching in Tebow's future from day one.  Who better to replace Meyer at Florida?