Who Will Be the Head Gator Next Season?

All of Gator Nation is saddened and shocked by the sudden loss of, let's face it, the best coach in the country.

We should feel grateful for the dedication, intensity, and love he has given the Florida program in his short time here.

The rejoicing that the rest of college football nation is currently enjoying and the likely insults of "MEYER LEFT CUZ TEBAG IS LEAVING LOLOLOL" are a strong testament to the degree with which we have dominated college football in the past few years.

We all wish him a speedy recovery, and look forward to seeing him somewhere on the Gator sideline next season. And hopefully, whether it be at UF or not, I pray he is well enough to coach again.

But, thanks to Urban and our huge degree of success, we can look forward to making a great hire from among the ranks of elite coaches to lead this talented team.

I'll give my two cents on projected coaches who will: a) NOT be in orange and blue, b) may very well be, and, finally c) my choice to be the next Florida coach.

A) WILL NOT COACH FLORIDA

Charlie Strong, Louisville

I believe that if Meyer's decision was made any time before the last week, Strong would have mysteriously said "No" to the Louisville opening. Yet, he took the job and is looking to bring Louisville back as a program.

Urban Meyer, Jeremy Foley, and UF as a whole have enough class and respect for Charlie and Louisville to leave him be and prevent the huge storm of negative publicity that comes with a coach committing to a team and then leaving with another opening. Charlie will stay put.

Dan Mullen, Mississippi State

Watching Mullen and his Bulldogs give everything they had to Florida in their meeting this year and dominating Ole Miss in the last game of the season gave me all the reason I needed to believe that Mullen is fully committed to building Mississippi State. He will not gave that up and let down his program for a high pressure job at UF.

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina

Steve only has a few more seasons left in him, in my opinion, and his track record at South Carolina hasn't really been impressive enough to warrant his return to Gainesville. Spurrier is also committed to bringing an SEC East title to South Carolina, and next season might be their best chance yet. Don't look for him to return to the Gators.

Kyle Wittingham, Utah

Utes fans would again be devastated if they served as a coaching farm to the Gators. While this is being discussed as a possibility, I don't see it happening. KW is relatively lesser qualified among our list of serious candidates, and did not fare well in his head-to-head matchup with another candidate on our list. Would be a surprising hire that I would not support.

B)MAY COACH FLORIDA

Gary Patterson, TCU

Patterson may be the hottest coach in the nation with his success at TCU. If he decides to come to Florida, he would be likely be bringing along a staff that includes defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas, who our friends up in Athens are pursuing. The pair would more than fill the wide open shoes of Meyer and Strong.

But they would bring a defensive personality to the Gators, and our strong reputation as a pass-happy, high-powered offense could quickly disappear. This possibility suffers with the impacts it could have in recruiting.

Bob Stoops, OU

For many, this would be the best hire available. The defensive coordinator for the Gators during the 1996-1998 seasons would be a welcome face in Gainesville, mostly due to the tremendous success he has had at Oklahoma, dominating the Big 12 and being a consistent factor in the national scene.

I think there will definitely be a job offer, and it will come down to Bob's decision. He can remain in the Big 12, and more than likely win a title in the next few years because of the relative weakness of the conference and the consistent excellence of OU.

But maybe, just maybe, he may opt to return to the best job in the SEC, and compete in the toughest conference available against the best competition.

He could truly regain his moniker of "Big Game" Bob and earn back the respect he has undoubtedly lost with big game losses for the past few years.

Florida would not miss a step with Stoops at the helm and would continue to be feared as an opponent. An excellent candidate, but not my top choice.

C) THE NEXT HEAD COACH OF YOUR GATORS

Chris Petersen, Boise State

Watching Petersen on the sidelines of a blue and orange team for the past few years, I can remember thinking to myself that he just looks like elite head coach material.

The great hires for programs that are currently dominating football and a factor in Foley's selection of Meyer, often come down to if the coach just looks the part.

Petersen's consistent success at Boise State and his national prominence, coupled with a strong history at Oregon, has solidified him in my gut and heart as the best choice for Florida.

While some may cry for the traditional name of Stoops and others want a temporary hire to make way for Meyer's return, I believe in what Coach Petersen has done and believe that he can bring the dominating mentality that Florida is used to having.

We won't miss a beat with Petersen's mentality at the helm.

And the best part?

The rest of college football, the people who are breathing a sigh of relief as Meyer steps down, would not expect anything. And that, with the talent we have now on our team and the recruits we can most certainly keep with a good hire of Petersen, is what makes Florida in the next few years so dangerous.

We've enjoyed the life at the top, Gator fans. And when the fourth quarter runs down on a blowout of Cincinnati at the Sugar Bowl, we'll have completed the descension. Now comes the long journey back, and I'm more than excited for it.