John Fox: The Top 10 Replacements To Take Over Carolina Panthers

John Fox's run as head coach of the Carolina Panthers will come to an end when this season does, as owner Jerry Richardson did not grant Fox a contract extension.

In was nine years, some good and some very bad. But Fox will be remembered fondly as the coach that guided the team to its only Super Bowl appearance.

The pool of possible replacements deep with several Super Bowl coaches currently not coaching and having expressed interest in getting back into the NFL. Of course, there are prominent assistants chomping at the bit and college coaches that will receiver feelers from Richardson.

Here are the top 10 candiates--considering probability and capability--to replace Fox.

No. 10: Ron Meeks

Meeks is currently the Panthers' defensive coordinator and is respected league-wide. He will likely be interviewed as a friendly courtesy from Jerry Richardson. Interviewing the African-American Meeks also assures compliance to the Rooney Rule.

But beyond this, I can't see Richardson seriously considering Meeks. It's not like Fox was a short-term hire that just didn't work out. Fox held the Panther job for 9 years and his philosophies and coaching style are embedded in the organization. Richardson will likely reach beyond the John Fox coaching tree to make sure a change in atmosphere takes place.

9: Kirk Ferentz

David Purdy/Getty Images

IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: University of Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on from the sideline during pre game warm ups before game action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State

Kirk Ferentz has long been revered as a strong candidate for an head-coaching job in the NFL but has repeatedly taken his name out of consideration in favor of staying at the University of Iowa.

Ferentz has used NFL opportunities to garner contract extensions and raises, but that won't work this time around. Ferentz could be out a job himself after a drug scandal centering around the football team at Iowa falls in line behind dozens of other player behavior problems at Iowa. If Ferentz acts at all interested in this job, he's taking it seriously.

The issues at Iowa give any wanting NFL owners a real shot at Ferentz.

8: Mike Martz

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz of the Chicago Bears watches as the Bears take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Ge

Mike Martz has done a good job with Jay Cutler this season as offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, reviving positive feelings about one of the great offensive minds in football.

Martz has been an NFL coach before, going to Super Bowl XXXVI, after a 14-2 record. Eventually, with Martz unable to get over the hump, took a leave of absence for health reasons and was eventually fired. He's expressed great interest in becoming a head coach again.

Martz provides options for the Panthers, either as the savior to mentor Jimmy Clausen, or the steady hand to mature Andrew Luck if picked No. 1 overall out of Stanford.

7: Bob Stoops

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Bob Stoops during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Every season, Oklahoma's Bob Stoops is rumored to be in the running for one or more vacant NFL head-coaching jobs. Every year, he declines interest and the Sooners retain him.

The interest will be there from the Panthers and more. The question really is: Is Bob Stoops ready to give the NFL a try? We don't know if he ever will want to shoulder the professional challenge. After all, it'd be difficult to walk away from the perennial power he is in charge of in Norman.

He'll be considered, contacted and then he will refute any interest on his part and pledge his allegiance to the University of Oklahoma.

6: Russ Grimm

Kevin Terrell/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 30: Offensive line coach Russ Grimm of the Arizona Cardinals watches from sideline during a 21-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at University of Phoenix Stadium on September 30, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Terr

Russ Grim has proven himself as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals and is on the short list of NFL assistants regarded as NFL head coaches of the future.

Dating back to the Chicago Bears' coaching search in 2004, Grimm has had his name in the late running for jobs, including the Pittsburgh Steelers' opening in 2007.

He'll be interviewed and highly considered. Maybe this is the year that Grimm breaks through and gets the head gig he's been after.

5: Jason Garrett

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Interim head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys during a game against the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It's been a strange scene to watch play out in Dallas. After Jason Garrett was hired as Dallas' offensive coordinator without even a head coach in place, it was opined by many that whoever was head coach would have trap door waiting under their feet, with Garrett ready to replace any unsuccessful coach.

Then when Wade Phillips was fired earlier this season, Garrett took over as interim head coach. However, Jerry Jones has not hinted at any plans to rescind the interim tag. Whether or not Garrett will be available for other positions is yet to be season.

Either way, Garrett's work in reviving the Cowboys this season has to put him near the top of most coaching searches if Jones doesn't make him the permanent man in Dallas.

4: John Gruden

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

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)

John Gruden has won a Super Bowl and been to another as a head coach in 11 seasons. He's young, lively, and has plenty of coaching chops.

Gruden has expressed extreme comfort in his position as a color commentator for ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasts. And he's probably being paid pretty well, to boot.

Gruden would be an expensive hire, something that Jerry Richardson is expected to stay away from. Also, Gruden may stay away from coaching vacancies until the NFL and the NFLPA work out their Collective Bargaining Agreement. He has that luxury.

3: Bill Cohwer

Kevin Cox/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 11: Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher attends the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils on February 11, 2009 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Cox/Gett

Bill Cowher is regarded as maybe the best available NFL head-coaching candidate. He's done it before, never seeing anything but success and winning a Super Bowl. He's still relatively young and is believed to want back in at some point.

Cowher lives in North Carolina, where he moved after resigning from the Pittsburgh Steelers on his own terms to be closer to his family. Being as the Panthers reside in his backyard, this might be the best job opening for Cowher.

Again, he'd be expensive and is probably concerned about how the CBA bargaining plays out. He'd be a great coach, but maybe not the right hire for Richardson.

2: Jim Harbaugh

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal reacts after Delano Howell #26 of the Stanford Cardinal made an interception on a pass intended for Joe Halahuni #87 of the Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Stadium on November

Jim Harbaugh is young, he's brash and he has a penchant for the pro game. His successes as head coach of Stanford University have elevated him to NFL-coach-in-waiting in most circles. It would be sad for college football to see him leave Stanford, but many believe it's just a matter of time before he jumps to the pro game.

The reason that Harbaugh is considered so likely for this job in particular--whether there is any merit to it or not--is that the Panthers are expected to select Andrew Luck in the draft. Andrew Luck, currently of Stanford. Coach and quarterback could move east together and settle down in the pros.

Harbaugh's name is very hot right now. He was interviewed for the New York Jets job in 2009. If the Panthers want him, they may have to compete with Harbaugh's alma mater, the University of Michigan, which may open its position by firing Rich Rodriguez.

1: Ron Rivera

Getty Images/Getty Images

CHICAGO - 2006: Ron Rivera of the Chicago Bears poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Getty Images)

Ron Riviera has coached some of the best defenses in the NFL for many years, including the San Diego Chargers' league-leading defense this season and the second-rated Chicago Bears' defense in 2005.

His name is always in consideration for any job opening and he has interviewed very well before. He's primed for the opportunity to take over a team as the head man.

The reason Rivera ultimately is the right choice for Carolina is that they won't have to shell out huge dollars on him. He wants the chance and doesn't have a head-coaching resume, making him a more affordable yet capable hire.