Ohio State Buckeyes Football: The Top 10 Long-Term Replacements for Jim Tressel

Despite all the allegations and what not, the Ohio State Buckeyes can still remain atop the Big Ten.

Pending how they play the hand they're dealt.

This season will obviously be a question of character and potential rebuilding, as well as whether interim head coach Luke Fickell is the answer.

Regardless of how 2011 pans out, unless Fickell runs a pretty good table, Ohio State will be shopping for a new HC.

Some of the names on the list may come as a surprise, whereas others are already being discussed.

Let's take a look at No. 10.

10. Dan Mullen, Mississippi State

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

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)

RESUME:

Current Mississippi State Head Coach

Career Record of 14-11

1-0 in Bowl Games

18 Years Coaching Experience

Although he's only been a head coach for two years, Dan Mullen has Mississippi State competing very well.

Not to mention they're in the cream of the crop of the SEC, the SEC West, where five of the six teams finished 2010 ranked in the Top 20.

It's a long shot, but Mullen would be a solid choice in Columbus.

9. Luke Fickell, Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Assistant Head Coach Luke Fickell speaks to the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. Fickell wil

RESUME:

Current Ohio State Interim Head Coach

2010 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year

11 Years Coaching Experience

Already the short-term answer for Ohio State, Luke Fickell could be set in stone after 2011.

He was most definitely the right choice as the interim HC, so this is his chance to prove himself.

And, even if Ohio State does go in a different direction after this season, Fickell should have solidified himself in position for an HC position elsewhere.

In any event, he will be an HC for the 2012 season.

8. Bill Parcells, NFL

Michael Heiman/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Bill Parcells of the Dallas Cowboys looks on against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium on December 3, 2006 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

RESUME:

Former New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys Head Coach

Two-Time Super Bowl Champion (XXI, XXV)

Three-Time NFL Coach of the Year (1986, 1994, 1996)

Career Record of 183-138-1 (Includes Playoffs)

This may come as a surprise to most, especially since there's been no discussion of it until this slide.

Well, let a little history lesson be of persuasion.

In 1988, Bill Walsh retired from the NFL coaching after leading the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl victories.

Well, from 1992-94 he took over as the HC for the Stanford Cardinal.

This man, Bill Parcells, has one run left in him. And, if the Buckeyes pursue him, it should be greatly supported.

7. George O'Leary, UCF

Joe Murphy/Getty Images

MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 29: George O'Leary, head coach of the UCF Knights reacts after holding the Mississippi State Bulldogs to a field goal during the 49th Annual Autozone Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium December 29, 2007 in Memphis, Tennes

RESUME:

Current Central Florida Head Coach

Two-Time Conference USA Champion (2007, 2010)

1998 SEC Champion

Two-Time ACC Coach of the Year (1998, 2000)

Career Record of 97-77, 3-5 in Bowl Games

More known as the man who was hired and then fired from Notre Dame for lying, George O'Leary is still a solid head coach.

He's led UCF to their only conference championships, as well as their only bowl win.

Also, in his final five seasons with Georgia Tech, O'Leary led them to five straight bowl games, and a No. 9 ranking in the 1998 AP poll.

6. Barry Alvarez, Wisconsin

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 2: Coach Barry Alverez of the Wisconsin Badgers watches as his team plays the Iowa Hawkeyes during the game on November 2, 2002 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

RESUME:

Current Wisconsin Athletic Director

Three-Time Big Ten Champion (1993, 1998-99)

1993 AFCA Coach of the Year

Career Record of 118-73-4, 8-3 in Bowl Games

2010 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee

Although he's been the face of Wisconsin football since 1990, Barry Alvarez could easily be a legitimate HC for Ohio State.

Now, obviously that would mean departing Madison, but it would also mean an increased shot at a national championship.

Ohio State consistently attracts top-notch recruits, and if College Football Hall of Famer Barry Alvarez were to make the move, the Buckeyes would hit the ground running.

5. Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

21 Nov 1998: Head coach Phillip Fullmer of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers defeated the Wildcats 59-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Alls

RESUME:

Tennessee Head Coach 1992-2008

1998 National Champion

1997-98 SEC Champion

1998 AFCA Coach of the Year

Career Record of 152-52, 8-7 in Bowl Games

He's been out of coaching since 2008, and is a Tennessee Volunteer through and through.

However, if the Buckeyes were to call him up, Phillip Fulmer would at least humor them.

That being said, he's an outstanding recruiter and could easily keep Ohio State's consistency going from the Tressel era.

Don't be surprised if his name comes up.

4. Jerry Moore, Appalachian State

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - AUGUST 30: Head coach Jerry Moore of the Appalachian State Mountaineers watches a play against the Louisiana State University Tigers on August 30, 2008 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

RESUME:

Current Appalachian State Head Coach

Three-Time FCS National Champion (2005-07)

Three-TIme AFCA FCS Coach of the Year (2005-07)

Career Record of 226-127-2, 22-13 in FCS Playoffs

The last time the university of Ohio State hired a new HC from the NCAA Division I-AA/FCS level, he won them seven Big Ten titles and one national championship.

Oh wait, that was Jim Tressel from Youngstown State.

Well, look no further than Appalachian State's Jerry Moore, who has dominated the FCS level.

Oh yeah, and he was the mastermind behind the Mountaineers' 34-32 vwin over Michigan IN the Big House.

Buckeye fans would love this hire.

3. Tony Dungy, NFL

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts watches the action during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on October 27, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

RESUME:

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts Head Coach

Two-Time Super Bowl Champion (XIII, XLI)

Career Record of 148-79 (Includes Playoffs)

Tony Dungy has been in numerous discussions when a team (whether college or pro), is looking for a new head coach.

So, it should come as no surprise when talking about Ohio State's vacancy as well.

He's been around the game for a very long time, and even won a Super Bowl with the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl XIII).

But, don't be surprised if he says "no," because he seems to like being an NFL analyst.

2. Jon Gruden, NFL

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)

RESUME:

Former Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach

Super Bowl XXXVII Champion

Career Record of 95-81, 5-4 Playoffs

23 Years Coaching Experience

This should not come as a shock, because anyone who wants an upgrade or needing to fill the HC gap would welcome Chucky, I mean Jon Gruden.

The best part would be his ability to get the players' attention from the start.

The year his Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl, they were also one of pro football's greatest single-season defenses.

He can coach anyone at any position, so if Gruden puts the headset back on, Ohio State would be an excellent choice.

1. Urban Meyer, Florida

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators directs play against the Penn State Nittany Lions January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

RESUME:

Florida Gators Head Coach 2005-2010

Two-Time National Champion (2006, 2008)

Two-Time SEC Champion (2006, 2008)

Three-Time Coach of the Year (2001, 2003, 2004)

Career Record of 104-23, 7-1 in Bowl Games

Easily the No. 1 guy on the list, Ohio State fans would be thanking the football gods for Urban Meyer.

He destroyed them 41-14 in the national championship, and began this trend of BCS busters.

For those that don't know, in 2004 Meyer led the Utah Utes of the Mountain West Conference to an 11-0 record.

They became the first non-BCS school to crash the party, and did it by thrashing the Pittsburgh Panthers 35-7 in the Fiesta Bowl to finish 12-0 and ranked No. 5.

If Ohio State wants to hire a guy who we all know is aching to get back in the game, Urban Meyer is that guy.