Tennessee Head Coaching Search: The Top 10 Candidates

Much has been made over the Tennessee Vols coaching search over the last few weeks. Many names and faces have been the subject of much speculation.

So at the risk of sounding like an unrealistic fanatic I have decided to compile my wish list for Santa.

All I want for Christmas is a great head coach!

The first five names that follow are completely unrealistic, but as I stated this list reflects my fantasy picks for the head coaching job at Tennessee.

So when you write your comments on this column please don’t tell me how it could never happen. I understand it will never happen and I know the reasons that it will never happen.

Fantasy Picks

Pete Carroll: Who wouldn’t want this guy as its No. 1 choice? All he’s done is turn USC from irrelevant to the program of the 2000’s!

Jeff Fisher: I am not a Titans fan at all. But Jeff Fisher is one of the best coaches in the NFL. He’s steady, even-keeled, and apparently a genius.

Bob Stoops: A defensive guru. One of the best college coaches out there. In his time as Defensive Coordinator at Florida he made life impossible for UT and Peyton Manning.

Nick Saban: What he’s done for Alabama is nothing short of amazing.  

Mark Richt: All around great guy. Offensive mastermind. Tremendous coach.

Now for my top 10 realistic candidates...

Brian Kelly: My endorsement for the Cincinnati coach is well documented. Simply a winner.

Lane Kiffin: The latest rumors have shot him up my list quickly. It’s amazing how one’s opinion changes once you look at a candidate’s resume. The fact that he might bring his defensive mastermind father, Monte, along is all the more reason to like Kiffin.

Mike Riley: The Oregon State head coach is an Alabama alum. He’s turned the Tide down before so there’s no reason to think he would accept the job at UT. He has Oregon State on the verge of the PAC 10 Championship. He’s a rising star in college football.

Gary Patterson: The TCU coach has turned down other offers before. He seems happy at TCU. Would bring discipline, and a new defensive mindset.

Chris Petersen: Boise State’s head coach is yet another rising star. He’s about to finish his second undefeated season in the last two years. The main detractor is that he’s never coached east of the Mississippi River.

Kyle Whittingham: The last Utah Head Coach is doing pretty well in the SEC. This Utah team might be better than Meyer’s last.

Charlie Strong: Florida’s defensive coordinator is going to get a lot of looks this year. If he had any head coaching experience he’d be in the top 5.

Kippy Brown: His name has not been mentioned for the head coaching job. But he’s always a hot commodity for the Offensive Coordinator position. Would have been OC at Tennessee this year had he been allowed to bring his assistants with him. Another candidate with no head coaching experience.

Mike Gundy: He’s a man! He’s 40! He’s also a great coach that has turned the Oklahoma State program around! Many believe he’s happy at his Alma mater. The main reason I like him is that he’d bring candidate #10 with him…

Trooper Taylor: I know, I know... Hamilton will not hire him to be the head coach. But I’d love to see him back at UT in some capacity. Preferably as Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator.

There you have it. Not that you wanted it, but there it is. I realize that Mike Leach was left off the list. As was Tim Brewster, Jon Gruden, Lovie Smith, Butch Davis, and Tim Calhoun.

Leach would never work at UT. He’s never been that successful at Texas Tech. I know everyone loves his offense, but it would NEVER work in the SEC. 

Brewster’s stock has fallen quicker than the Dow Jones.

Gruden, Smith, and Davis all said no.

And I really don’t know enough about Tim Calhoun to like him yet.

I wanted to wait until the biggest shopping day of the year to write this piece. It seems I may have waited a bit too long. As of this time rumors are rampant that Lane Kiffin will be named head coach on Monday.

ESPN’s Chris Low reports that Kiffin has already contacted Ed Orgeron, and others to join him at UT.

In my mind it’s a done deal. I have no problem with that. Kiffin brings a lot to the table.

He’s only 33. He’s a great recruiter. He’s probably going to bring his Dad, Monty, to be the Defensive Coordinator.

Bringing Orgeron with him is a potential plus as well. He is another tremendous recruiter. And his recruiting goes beyond USC. Coach O actually had some good recruiting classes at Ole Miss.

Sure there are reasons not to hire Kiffin. Like, he’s too young. His brief experience as a head coach in the NFL was less than remarkable (5-15 in 1+ seasons).

He only called plays at USC for two seasons and didn’t really have final authority calling plays. I could recruit athletes to USC.

But now I will stand behind the University’s decision and think ultimately it’s a good one. I think Kiffin will do well at UT and could very well be the next big thing in the SEC.

One thing is for sure; if he doesn’t work out, I will probably be making another wish list in the next couple of years.