Dennis Erickson Replacements Arizona State Football Should Consider for 2012

No matter how the 2011 college football season ends, the Arizona State Sun Devils should replace head coach Dennis Erickson.

The Sun Devils (6-4) do have a winning record this season, but there have been enough unnecessary losses and a lack of discipline (penalties) that has been consistent throughout the entire season. The discipline issues have been a constant since Erickson took over the Sun Devils.

Even if the Sun Devils do win a bowl game this season, it is hard to imagine Arizona State keeping him around. The issues have been way too consistent over the years, and the Sun Devils continue to fail to capitalize on prime opportunities.

With losses to the UCLA Bruins and Washington Cougars in consecutive weeks, the Sun Devils have missed out twice on essentially sealing up a trip to the Pac-12 championship game.

This result has perhaps ended any future Erickson would have had with the Sun Devils.

If they do intend to move on, the Sun Devils will have a tough job deciding who should take over their program. When they do though, they would be best to look for guys who have proven themselves over the years.

With that said, these are potential coaches that Arizona State could look to go after to replace Erickson in 2012.

Turner Gill

2011 Team: Kansas Jayhawks

2011 Record: 2-8

2012 Status: Under Contract

Overall Coaching Record: 25-47

Why He Should Be Considered

With a 5-17 overall record during his time at Kansas, things with Turner Gill obviously didn't pan out like the Jayhawks had hoped when they grabbed him from the University of Buffalo. Gill is still a very compelling option and still has a lot to prove.

He was a highly sought out coach for big schools like Auburn, but ultimately he ended up at Kansas. The Jayhawks have been digressing over the last few years, so it wasn't such a shock that the team has failed to succeed under Gill.

Gill's seat is getting very hot in Kansas, considering they are 2-8 this season. He certainly seems like a risk to keep around, and he may be released following this season. If he is, he may be a guy the Sun Devils should give a look at even with his struggles in Kansas.

Al Golden

2011 Team: Miami Hurricanes

2011 Record: 5-5

2012 Status: Under Contract

Overall Coaching Record: 32-39

Why He Should Be Considered

Although one would likely be skeptical about the thought that Al Golden would leave the University of Miami after one season, he may just do so considering all the sanctions that could be slapped onto the university following the recruiting scandal that surfaced after his inauguration.

The school is in trouble because one of their boosters was giving unfair benefits to potential players. Golden may not want to stay with the university considering he perhaps cannot take the Hurricanes to the postseason for many years.

Before arriving in Miami, Golden was the head coach at Temple, where he had an overall record of 27-34. Despite the bad overall record, Golden actually managed to take the Owls to a 17-8 record over his final two seasons with the school.

Golden was extremely satisfied with the recruiting class he has going into the 2012 season, and perhaps he could sway many of them to join him at Arizona State if he ended up on deciding to go there. If the school has sanctions for many years, many of the players would likely de-commit and look to go elsewhere to play.

If Golden is released, he has the potential to be a great coach for the Sun Devils for years to come.

Randy Edsall

2011 Team: Maryland Terrapins

2011 Record: 2-8

2012 Status: Under Contract

Overall Coaching Record: 76-78

Why He Should Be Considered

After leaving a considerably successful career at UConn, Randy Edsall may already be pushed out of his position at Maryland following what has already been a bad 2011 season. At 2-8, the Terrapins came in with high expectations with their first-year coach, but things have not gone their way. While there has been no talk considering Edsall and his status for 2012, one could argue that his seat would be getting considerably hot.

Perhaps the Sun Devils would be hesitant to offer Edsall a contract following this ugly season in Maryland, but he is considered one of the smarter coaches in the game. If the Terps were to release him though, he would certainly deserve to be looked at.

Mike Stoops

2011 Team: Arizona Wildcats

2011 Record: 1-5 (Fired)

2012 Status: Available

Overall Coaching Record: 41-50

Why He Should Be Considered

It is hard to imagine the Arizona State Sun Devils signing their rival's former coach, but Mike Stoops could be an interesting option. He is an extremely fiery coach, and besides for this 2011 season he has proven he can make a team into a competitor in the tough Pac-12.

The other positive aspect to Stoops is that he knows his way about the Pac-12 and he is a proven recruiter in the state of Arizona. His name has been around the state for over seven years, so he would be a familiar face with recruits that the Sun Devils would typically approach first.

Signing Stoops would certainly ignite the rivalry between the Sun Devils and Wildcats, but the real question is if the Sun Devils would be into Stoops. Stoops is a proven coach, but his team's 2011 fallout is considerably worse compared to what Erickson is going through.

Skip Holtz

2011 Team: University of Southern Florida

2011 Record: 5-4

2012 Status: Under Contract

Overall Coaching Record: 85-59

Why He Should Be Considered

While it is unlikely that the Bulls will remove coach Skip Holtz at the end of this season, perhaps he will find greener pastures by leaving and joining the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2012. He has certainly proven over the last 11 years that he can run a program, and one would imagine he could benefit greatly by moving to a program such as Arizona State and being in the Pac-12.

Holtz would be a very intriguing option, despite his results this season. After getting off to a 4-0 start this season, the Bulls went ahead to drop four games in a row. With a recent win over Syracuse, the last couple games of the season may ultimately decide his fate with the Bulls after just two seasons.

At South Florida, he runs a very balanced game on the offensive side of the ball, which is something the pass happy Sun Devils could look to move away from. Holtz has a lot to live up to sitting in his father's shadow, but he could make a big impact in the Pac-12 if the Sun Devils looked to recruit him over.

Mack Brown

2011 Team: Texas Longhorns

2011 Record: 6-3

2012 Status: Under Contract

Overall Coaching Record: 225-112

Why He Should Be Considered

Mack Brown is an intriguing option for the Arizona State Sun Devils because he is a big name coach and has a proven record. Most importantly, he could really expand the Sun Devils' recruiting efforts more prominently into Texas. This would make the Sun Devils an attractive destination now in two big states with California being the other.

The real question, though, is would the Longhorns really depart with their longtime head coach following the 2011 season? It is something that is hard to imagine, but it is definitely feasible.

Following a 2010 season that resulted with a final record of 5-7, the Longhorns have bounced back this season going 6-3 so far. With three games remaining on their schedule though, they could easily go 6-6. That could spell trouble for Brown and his future at Texas.

Their next game is at home against Kansas State, but by comparison, the Wildcats have looked like a much better team. With a loss at home, the Longhorns could be in trouble for their final two games, which are on the road against the Baylor Bears and Texas A&M. The Longhorns could easily lose those games, and it could put Brown on the hot seat.

Rich Rodriguez

2011 Team: N/A

2011 Record: N/A

2012 Status: Available

Overall Coaching Record: 120-84-2

Why He Should Be Considered

Although Rich Rodriguez was extremely unsuccessful at the University of Michigan, his spread offense could be quite successful at Arizona State, especially in 2012. It would be a huge move for the Sun Devils to heavily favor the run, but it would help their game tremendously considering that the play calling has become rather obvious with the constant call for the pass over the years.

The Sun Devils will have some serious threats coming out the backfield next season with Kyle Middlebrooks, Deantre Lewis, Jamal Miles and possibly Cameron Marshall if he returns for a senior season. Not to mention, quarterback Brock Osweiler is an extremely mobile quarterback.

Many people may be afraid of the aggressiveness that is Rich-Rod, but perhaps his fire is exactly what this undisciplined Sun Devils' team needs behind them. If the Sun Devils are interested, I would assume Rodriguez would be too.

Mike Leach

2011 Team: N/A

2011 Record: N/A

2012 Status: Available

Overall Coaching Record: 84-43

Why He Should Be Considered

Although Mike Leach has not coached since 2009 and was dismissed from Texas Tech on rather bad terms, he still could be an attractive option for the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2012 and beyond.

At Texas Tech, Leach never had a losing season, and in 2008 they finished atop the Big 12 South. They also made nine straight bowl appearances.

Like Mack Brown, Leach is also well known in Texas. He could really help expand the Sun Devils' recruiting efforts into the state, helping the Sun Devils become more competitive against schools like USC, Stanford and Oregon who attract much of the California talent.

Although he did leave due to a controversial incident, people deserve second chances and no coach deserves that chance more than Leach. The Sun Devils may be just the team that should do so.

Joe Philbin

2011 Team: N/A

2011 Record: N/A

2012 Status: Available

Overall Coaching Record: N/A

Why He Should Be Considered

This is likely a long shot, but many teams in both the NFL and college football are going to be looking at the Green Bay Packers' offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. Philbin has no head coaching experience at any level, but he has been around the college game, most recently being at Iowa as their offensive coordinator.

There isn't much to say about Philbin as a recruiter, but it is intriguing to think how much he could help the Arizona State Sun Devils' offensive game plan right away. There is no argument that the Packers are the best team in the NFL on offense, and he could likely make some magic happen with the skills that quarterback Brock Osweiler possesses. 

Tulane has already shown interest in Philbin, and it likely will not be the last team to do so. Following both the NFL and college season, Philbin's name will likely be bouncing around a lot.

Chris Petersen

2011 Team: Boise State Broncos

2011 Record: 8-1

2012 Status: Available

Overall Coaching Record: 69-6

Why He Should Be Considered

The Broncos head coach Chris Petersen may be the hottest commodity in college football right now. Even with a winning percentage of 92 percent, people still question the quality of those wins. Since Boise State is in the Mountain West Conference, the majority of their schedule is weak and it allows them to rack up a lot of wins. 

If Petersen made the move to Arizona State, he would be given a chance to prove that he can win within a big conference. The Sun Devils also have big games lined up in the future, including opponents such as Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Notre Dame. Wins over those teams would really add a lot to his resume and credibility.

Who knows how things will turn out for him following this season. His contract is up after this season, but he has shown loyalty to the Broncos since the beginning.

This season though looks to be going in the same direction as the last. After once again getting his team off to a phenomenal start, his team failed to win with BCS title implications creeping closer and closer. Their loss to TCU in Week 11 took the Broncos from No. 4 to No. 10 in the BCS polls, and another loss just may knock them of at least the top 15. And perhaps out the polls entirely.

If Petersen becomes available, he may just be the perfect guy for the Sun Devils. Both have a lot of potential with much to prove still.