Ohio State Football: 25 Names You Could Hear Mentioned to Replace Jim Tressel

The search for Jim Tressel's replacement as the next full-time coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes is going to be the hot topic in college football throughout the season.

It's no secret that whichever coach comes to Ohio State, though it is a prestigious job, will have to earn back some of the school's integrity and also deal with the eventual sanctions soon to be laid down.

But with the search being put on hold until the end of the 2011 season, there will be a lot of speculation as to who will be in contention for the job.

Here are 25 names—some not necessarily for good reasons, nor do they have any chance of being the next OSU coach—that will be mentioned by people about who can be the next head man.

25. Rich Rodriguez

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Head Coach Rich Rodriguez of the Michigan Wolverines watches one of his assistants send in a play against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

It's time to just get this one out of the way because even though it's not happening, Michigan fans who are hoping for the further collapse of the OSU program will want Rich Rod in Columbus.

The stunning collapse of the Michigan program the past three years is something that could not have been predicted as early as five years ago.

Even though there is a better chance of the Mayan calendar being true than Rich Rodriguez being the coach at Ohio State, people who want OSU to fail will hope he gets the job. 

24. Tony Dungy

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PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 14: Tony Dungy speaks at a press conference introducing Michael Vick at the NovaCare Complex on August 14, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Vick signed a one-year contract, with a second year option, with the Eagles. (Photo by La

This one will be another impossible scenario, but not for the wrong reasons like Rich Rodriguez.

If any man could bring some instant integrity to a program, it would be a guy like Tony Dungy, who had a fantastic professional coaching career.

But Dungy seems very content with his new career as an analyst for NBC and the NFL, so it seems like this job opening won't be taken by Dungy.

23. Mike Belotti

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BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Mike Belotti of the Oregon Ducks congratulates his players during the Pac-10 Conference football game against the California Golden Bears on October 13, 2001 at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Oregon crushe

The former AD at Oregon and the mentor to Chip Kelly, Mike Belotti might be another one of those very long-to-impossible shots to coach, but he does have more ties to OSU than Rich Rod or Dungy.

Belotti might have actually been the coach at Ohio State way back in 2001 when John Cooper was fired. He met with the school and talked about the job, but was never given the offer.

If Belotti decides to make a return to coaching, which is unlikely, he might be considered for a job he could have taken 10 years ago.

22. Glen Mason

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ANN ARBOR - OCTOBER 8: Head coach Glen Mason of the Minnesota Gophers walks on the sidelines during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 8, 2005 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The pass was incomplete. Minnesota won 23-20. (Ph

Back in 2001, Glen Mason was one of two finalists for the OSU job before it was awarded to Jim Tressel.

Mason had been a solid coach at Minnesota and stayed there for another six seasons, including a 10-win season in 2003 with the Gophers.

He has not coached since he was fired in 2006 and would more likely be considered for an assistant coaching job than the head position.

Past history certainly says he will get at least a small look though.

21. Carl Pelini

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Defensive Coordinator Carl Pelini of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during their game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric Franci

Although neither Pelini brother is likely to leave Nebraska for Ohio State, the bigger unknown is Carl, the Huskers' defensive coordinator.

He does have a tie to Ohio State, as he attended grad school there for two seasons and attended the same high school, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, as his brother Bo and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops—each of whom also have Buckeye connections.

Eventually, Carl might follow Bo's path of being the defensive coordinator at a high-profile school to a high-profile head coaching job.

Whether or not it be Ohio State, Carl will likely be a head coaching candidate within the next few years at other schools. 

20. Bob Stoops

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bob Stoops looks on while taking on the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The only reason why Bob Stoops is so low on this list is that even if Ohio State threw a king's ransom at Stoops, it's highly unlikely he leaves Oklahoma.

He is another Youngstown native like the Pelini's and Jim Tressel, which has quietly become a hotbed for college football coaches.

Stoops is largely responsible for the dominant run Oklahoma has had with three national championship game appearances and one national championship in 2000. With the program he's built in Norman, it would take quite a large fortune to even get Stoops to think about considering the opening.

But he will still get some mentions on the side.

19. Tim Beckman

This is a case of a quiet riser in the collegiate ranks, and Tim Beckman has had a good start to his head coaching career.

As a former Ohio State DB coordinator, he became the head coach of the Toledo Rockets in 2009 after two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.

He has led the Rockets to a 13-12 record in two seasons at the helm and is expected to take UT back to a bowl game out of the MAC once again in 2011.

If there is a major sleeper from a mid-major conference that could get a look, a former assistant like Beckman might get some looks, especially when the Rockets come to OSU on Sept. 10.

18. Steve Sarkisian

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Washington Huskies during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Huskies 44-14. (Photo by C

Steve Sarkisian may be the closest thing to John Cooper on this list, but he has started to do a great job at turning Washington around. 

Sarkisian's coaching career has been localized to the West Coast, and his only exposure to Ohio State was the 2008 game in Los Angeles—similar to Cooper, who had no connections to OSU before.

He might get a peek just because of how he turned around Washington after their 0-12 season in 2008.

That type of turnaround suggests Sarkisian will eventually be the top man at an elite power, or he might be able to turn Washington back into a national power.

17. Butch Jones

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Butch Jones the Head Coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches play during the Big East Conference game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo

Although Jones' first year as a coach at a BCS school was very disappointing with a 4-8 season at Cincinnati, the resume from his days at Central Michigan is still intriguing.

Jones had a lot of pieces to pick up after the 2010 Bearcats lost a large amount of talent from a team that went undefeated in 2009 and made a Sugar Bowl appearance.

If he's anything like his predecessor Brian Kelly, now at Notre Dame, Jones will eventually land at a high-end job as a head coach.

But if Jones wants to raise any eyebrows from Columbus, he will need to engineer a large turnaround in his second year with the Bearcats.

16. Kyle Whittingham

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Kyle Whittingham of the Utah Utes works the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 31-24. (Photo by Steve D

Urban Meyer's successor in Utah will make his debut in a BCS conference this September, but it will still be in Utah in the new Pac-12.

Whittingham has done a good job of keeping the Utes playing at a high level, and it might get only higher with the school now in a power conference.

This year could serve as an audition for Whittingham against BCS-level competition for top schools looking for a new coach after this season. If Ohio State doesn't give Whittingham a look with a BCS win on his resume, someone else will.

15. Kirby Smart

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MIAMI - 2006: Kirby Smart of the Miami Dolphins poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Getty Images)

If there is another guy who can be the next Bo Pelini in college football, look at Kirby Smart, the defensive coordinator at Alabama.

Smart, who has been the defensive coordinator for the Tide since 2007, has been the architect of incredibly dominant defenses the past few seasons alongside Nick Saban.

There is almost no doubt Smart will be a head coach at some point in his career, but the only question is when.

Ohio State could be a potential destination if they are looking for a top-flight assistant to take the job. 

14. Greg Schiano

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 04: (L-R) Greg Schiano head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights shakes hands with Steve Kragthorpe head coach of the Louisville Cardinals after the game at Rutgers Stadium on December 4, 2008 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo

Anyone who knows football knows the difference between Rutgers football in the 20th Century and Rutgers in the Greg Schiano era.

Although his first five years were nothing special, the shocking explosion came in 2006 when the Scarlet Knights shocked the world by going 11-2.

Since then, Schiano has been a hot coaching name, but has opted to stay in Piscataway instead.

Whether the OSU job is enticing enough or not to lure Schiano out of New Jersey remains to be seen, but like Kirby Smart, he will be a big name at an elite program someday soon.

13. Chris Spielman

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20 Oct 1991: Detroit Lions linebacker Chris Spielman stands on the sidelines during game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 35-3. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport

Chris Spielman has said a few times that his dream job is to be the head coach at Ohio State one day. 

But as long as that potential stint isn't anything like his time as the head coach of the AFL's Columbus Destroyers, where he went 2-15 in 2005, it could be an interesting sentiment.

Even though he has been recognized as maybe the greatest defensive player ever at Ohio State, Spielman will have to wait before he can coach the Buckeyes, as he will need to work his way up the ranks. 

12. Gus Malzahn

Anyone who's watched a Gus Malzahn offense knows that when it's run well, it's a thing of beauty.

He has quickly become a hot commodity in the coaching ranks, and the time before he becomes a head coach is just ticking away at this point.

His offense and Ohio State would have never mixed if Jim Tressel was in charge. 

Now that he's gone though, how interesting would Ohio State football be if Malzahn was the head coach of this team with the talent the brand name can reel in?

It would certainly be appealing, but still unlikely to happen.

11. Gary Pinkel

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Gary Pinkel of the Missouri Tigers reacts on the sidelines during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo

Staying along the lines of explosive spread offenses, we move from a run-oriented spread to the pass-oriented spread attack of Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.

Like Greg Schiano at Rutgers, Pinkel's first several seasons were nothing to write home about.

But in 2007 came the explosion, and the Tigers have run off three 10-win seasons the last four years.

An Akron native, Pinkel and his high-powered, high-scoring offense could come back home to Ohio State, though things could be different for Mizzou in the smaller Big 12.

10. Dan Mullen

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullens is interviewed by ESPN following the Bulldogs victory over the Michigan Wolverines during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick

Dan Mullen had been the architect of two national championship offenses as the OC under Urban Meyer at Florida.

As the head man at Mississippi State, Mullen got his team to make a significant stride in 2010, including a 52-14 blowout win in the Gator Bowl over Michigan.

Mullen has become another intriguing head coach, and he could possibly make Mississippi State into a stepping stone.

Although it's also unlikely for Mullen to go Ohio State, the fans who want an exciting offense in Columbus will be looking at him as an outside candidate.

9. Mark Stoops

If name recognition means anything, it's only a matter of time before the third Stoops brother, Mark, finds a head coaching job.

Like both of his brothers, Mark has a defensive background, spending six seasons as the defensive coordinator at Arizona under brother Mike.

In 2010, Mark was lured to Florida State as their defensive coordinator, and all of a sudden, the Seminoles' defense looked like shades of the 1990's when they were one of the elites in college football.

Mark has become quite a hot name lately, and with his Ohio connections, he could find his way to getting consideration as the coach for Ohio State.

8. Chris Petersen

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Boise State Broncos celebrates after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 17-10 during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo b

Chris Petersen and Boise State have come so close so many times to being a national championship contender, and for him to be doing it with a mid-major program is staggering.

With two undefeated seasons in 2007 and 2009 under his belt, Petersen has turned the Broncos into a football powerhouse in one of the most unlikely places in the country. 

But Boise State missed a chance to jump into an AQ conference, and Petersen may eventually tire of never being able to do enough to get the Broncos into the national championship game.

Petersen has given no indication that he wants to leave Boise, mostly because of what he has maintained in the football program and the relationships he and his family have with doctors who are helping his son fight cancer.

Regardless of what he says, he must believe he will hear connections to most major job openings for the next few seasons until he decides to leave Idaho.

7. Darrell Hazell

The former Ohio State receivers coach, who became co-offensive coordinator with Jim Bollman for the past three seasons, is ready to carve his own legacy as the head coach at Kent State.

But with the job as the head coach at Ohio State opening up, a chance to lead the program he helped consistently win could be enticing.

He does need some head coaching experience since 2011 will be his first year as a head coach. But the same will be said of Luke Fickell when he leads Ohio State this season.

6. Gary Patterson

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Gary Patterson of the TCU Horned Frogs holds the Rose Bowl Championship Trophy after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers 21-19 in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/

Gary Patterson of TCU does have a place in history no one else can take: He was the first coach of a non-AQ team in the BCS era to win the Rose Bowl.

He has turned TCU into one of the most talented, fearsome teams in the country, especially defensively.

Patterson will have some work to do this season with Andy Dalton off to the NFL, but he has a year to prepare for a big move to the Big East in 2012, where the Horned Frogs could become a favorite to win it year in and year out. 

While it's unlikely he will leave one AQ school for another in Ohio State, Patterson has a proven track record, and it would be interesting to see another 4-2-5 defense in the Big Ten to go along with Nebraska.

5. Bo Pelini

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Bo Pelini of the Nebraska Cornhuskers leads his team against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Sooners beat the Cornhuskers 23-20. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty

Speaking of Nebraska, the man in charge of returning the Huskers to elite status is also on Buckeye watch.

Bo Pelini, who played at Ohio State for four seasons, is one of the best defensive minds in college football, and has Nebraska and their fans thinking BCS in their first year with the Big Ten.

He will get his second chance against Ohio State this season, as it was against the Buckeyes in the 2008 BCS National Championship game that he coached his last game as the defensive coordinator of LSU in the 38-24 win for the Tigers.

The chances he leaves one good job for another are very slim, but Buckeyes fans can dream of Pelini returning to the site of his playing days.

4. Mark Dantonio

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans returned to the sidelines for a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27.

Mark Dantonio has done quite a good job with Michigan State, slowly turning them into a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.

He was the guru behind the defense that won Ohio State's last national championship in the 2002 season and has since gone on to a pair of coaching gigs, including Big Ten rival Michigan State.

Dantonio's record in East Lansing is a good 33-19 in four seasons, including a first-place tie last season; outside of Auburn, the Spartans were the biggest surprise of 2010.

Again, like Bo, it's not likely he leaves one Big Ten job for another, but there certainly is a chance for him to make the move.

3. 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)

As we look at the main favorites for the job, it's time to re-examine the resume of Jon Gruden, AKA Chucky.

His NFL resume brings instant credibility to a program, and his attitude on the sidelines is very much a no-nonsense approach, something that could work for a program that needs remodeling after being cut up by the recent NCAA scandals.

And with his son set to graduate at the end of this year, it might be likely Gruden decides to come out of retirement from being an Monday Night Football analyst to put on a headset once again.

Although he might consider staying in the pro ranks, the job at Ohio State should bring enough weight to give him a few looks—maybe an interview or two—during the process.

2. Urban Meyer

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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)

We've all heard the Meyer-to-OSU connection going on ever since he resigned from Florida at the end of this season.

Now all of a sudden, he has become a heavy favorite to return to the school where he earned his master's degree in 1988.

Although the health issues that caused him to resign twice from UF are very concerning and raise questions about his potential longevity at another job, the chance to coach one of the signature programs in the country and staying close to home could be appealing.

Plus, most fans believe that coaching in the SEC is more stressful than coaching in the Big Ten due to the larger depth in terms of quality teams to play against all season long.

This pairing could seem like a match made in heaven, so it will certainly be an interesting story to follow during the offseason.

1. Luke Fickell

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Assitant Head Coach Luke Fickell listens 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. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Ge

Who would be better for the future coach of Ohio State than the guy who technically already has the job?

Luke Fickell will be the coach at Ohio State for the upcoming season and has been part of the reason why OSU's defenses have evolved from the units that were porous in title game appearances in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Fickell was born in Columbus and played at Ohio State, making him—in essence—the ultimate Buckeye.

Whether or not Fickell is named the next head coach after the 2011 season, the smart decision for Ohio State's next coach would be to keep Fickell on the staff after this year.

Depending on what Ohio State's sanctions will be from the tattoo scandal and subsequent cover-up, that might give Fickell a low-pressure chance to learn on the job and hone his abilities before getting Ohio State back to the top level of teams in the country.

For more college football news and updates, visit The BCS Blitz and follow me on Twitter @bielik_tim.