Bret Bielema, Gus Malzahn Hires Fire Up Frantic Coaching Carousel

It was a tumultuous day in college football on Tuesday, as Bret Bielema decided to leave Wisconsin for Arkansas and Gus Malzahn left Arkansas State for Auburn.

Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports had the news about Bielema first, while James Bryant of AStateNation.com reported Malzahn's decision.

But the drama isn't over. The decisions of Bielema and Malzahn could create a domino effect. 

There is now talk that former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst could join the Badgers again, as head coach this time, via Dave Miller of the National Football Post.

Of course, if Chryst ends up at Wisconsin, that would vacate the Pittsburgh head coaching spot once again. 

Chyrst was offensive coordinator for Wisconsin from 2005 to 2011 before assuming head coaching duties for the first time in his career at Pittsburgh.

But coming off a 6-6 season and given the opportunity to be the head coach of Wisconsin, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Chryst leaves the Panthers to come back to his home town of Madison.

Andy Fenelon of NFL.com also tweeted out some other possibilities for the Badgers:

"

Leading candidates to replace Bielema at Wis: Todd Graham, Barry Alvarez, Darrell Bevell, Cam Cameron, Butch Jones, Jon Gruden

— Dré (@Andy_Fenelon) December 4, 2012"

As for Malzahn, he was Auburn's offensive coordinator before this season. He led Arkansas State to a 9-3 record and a Sun Belt championship in his first year with the Red Wolves, not to mention a trip to the GoDaddy.com Bowl against Kent State on Jan. 6.

We haven't even entered bowl season yet and already the college football landscape is being turned on its head.