Come To Think Of It: Look For Bob Stoops To Replace Urban Meyer At Florida

There were rumors about Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops possibly being interested in the Notre Dame job. Although he never took the bait, those hushed up rumors alone make it very plausible that Stoops may be looking elsewhere.

And what better job is there than coaching the Florida Gators?

It is arguably college football's premier coaching destination. With Urban Meyer, the highly successful Gators head coach, shocking the nation with his retirement, the best job in college sports is up for grabs.

I would be shocked if Stoops wasn't genuinely interested.

Look, Florida can't replace Meyer with just anyone. It has to be a high profile coach with previous head coaching experience at the Division One level. And it should be someone who has a proven track record of success.

Hello, Mr. Stoops!

Remember, Stoops was the Gators’ defensive coordinator for three seasons under Steve Spurrier and was the top target in 2001 when Spurrier resigned.

After more than a decade at Oklahoma, Stoops seems interested in moving on.

Other coaching possibilities include Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino and Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen. But both would likely be next on Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley's list after Stoops.

Chris Petersen from Boise State may make sense, too, though there is no indication that he wants to leave.

Hey, anyone and anything is possible when you're talking Florida football.

Still, it would be a long shot for Stoops, if he is interested, to not be offered the first opportunity to succeed Meyer at Florida, post-Tim Tebow.

Now I've heard some Notre Dame backers saying that since Stoops declined a chance to interview for the Irish job, there is no way he will consider the Gators.

But let me give that Touchdown Jesus arrogance a slap in the face: Florida is the more prestigious coaching job in college football. I know this is a shock to Irish fans, but it's true.

If I was Stoops, however, I'd try to get to the bottom of why Meyer resigned. I know he has stated health reasons, but the cynic in me thinks there may have been other reasons.

But unless there is some mysterious Oliver Stone-like conspiracy to be found, if I'm Stoops and I'm looking for a new opportunity, I'm going to Florida.

And that is exactly what I believe is going to happen, come to think of it.