Urban Meyer Resigns at Florida: 5 Possible Replacements for the Gators

So Urban is out, who's in? The University of Florida being one of the top 5 programs in College Football to coach at these days should bring many names up for the next coaching position. Just the recruiting talent alone could have prominent coaches around the nation licking their chops.

Here's a few possibilities for the job. 

Dan Mullen

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GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs directs play against the Florida Gators October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Dan Mullen left Florida two years ago to pursue a head coaching job at Miss. State. Since then, Mullen has coached the Bulldogs to a 13-11 record. Mullen is most likely on Florida's top list because of their success with Mullen's offense and recruiting. With half the team already familiar with him, Mullen would be a great fit and a quick fix for the woes the Gators have had the past year.

Steve Spurrier

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches on against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

The Ol' Ball Coach became a legend at Florida. And with the success the Gamecocks have had this year, its shows that Spurrier's still got it. When Florida hired Urban Meyer back in 2005, Spurrier turned the Gators down, but who knows? The fiery coach might find the offer too good to be true now.

Gus Malzahn

Gus Malzahn, Offensive Coordinator at Auburn

Gus Malzahn has grown fast in the college football world. In a matter of 6 years, he's gone from a high school coach, to getting offers for a head coaching job in college. This year especially has jolted Malzahn's reputation, coaching the Auburn Tiger's offense to an undefeated season. Malzahn uses a spread offense (like Florida) that focuses on misdirection and mobile quarterbacks. 

Jon Gruden

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 28: Coach Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs play against the Oakland Raiders at Raymond James Stadium on December 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Jon Gruden has already turned down coaching offers for the Miami Hurricanes, but Florida is a different story. Gruden knows enough people in the coaching community to put together a dream team of coaches, and the University of Florida has the funds to do it. If Jon Gruden were planning on making a comeback to coaching, there's not many jobs that can match the talent, competition, or recruiting of the Florida Gators.

Chris Peterson

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BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Head Coach Chris Petersen of the Boise State Broncos looks on against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Chris Petersen's resume could be the best in college football. Boise State has gone 60-5 while under Petersen and have two BCS Bowl wins. With Boise essentially not getting any closer to winning a National Championship, Petersen could land himself one of the best seats in the business. Don't forget that Florida has gone for Non BCS schools before. Urban Meyer was hired from Utah, two years later, the Gators were holding the crystal ball.