On the Clock: Which College Coach Would NFL Teams Take If They Could Be Drafted?

In a world where once the college football season is over, people start counting down the days to the draft, what would the nation think if all the NFL coaches were relieved of their positions and the NFL teams had a draft on college coaches. 

All of a sudden, a franchise who may have had one identity under a certain coach could take on a new perspective on football. 

How would players react to the antics of Les Miles? Could the hurry up offense of Chip Kelly work in the NFL? Would a team take a risk on an aging Joe Paterno?

With the clock ticking, who would your favorite team draft?

1st Overall: Indianapolis Colts

The pick is in: Nick Saban

While Nick Saban did certainly struggle with his first stint in the NFL, Indianapolis knows that they should have Peyton Manning for a few more years, which will help Saban get comfortable in the NFL. 

It is hard to believe that a coach like Saban would not be able to learn from the mistakes he made the first time around and improve on them this time. 

2nd Overall: Miami Dolphins

The pick is in: Les Miles

With Saban off the board, Les Miles would be the next best thing and after coaching in the south, Miles would stay put and go to Miami. 

One thing that would be interesting is to see how well Miles coaching style and play-calling would work at the pro level. 

3rd Overall: St. Louis Rams

The pick is in: Bob Stoops

With their franchise quarterback already in place, who better to bring in then the coach that helped him through college. 

Stoops has experience helping Sam Bradford succeed on the offensive side of the ball so this reunion could be a great thing for the Rams. 

4th Overall: Arizona Cardinals

The pick is in: Chris Petersen

One thing that the Arizona Cardinals need is a shot in the arm after losing some of the key pieces that led them to a Super Bowl appearance a few years ago. 

Chris Petersen has shown that during his time with Boise State, he can get the best out of his players and that is a skill he will need with the Cardinals. 

5th Overall: Carolina Panthers

The pick is in: Chip Kelly

Another coach that just fits with a certain team is Chip Kelly with Carolina. With the speed on offense and Cam Newton at the controls, Kelly could use his offensive mind to ensure that the Panthers stay in every game. 

6th Overall: Minnesota Vikings

The pick is in: Frank Beamer

With the sixth pick, Frank Beamer is a solid selection for the Minnesota Vikings. Beamer has shown the ability to coach up his team on offense, defense and especially special teams. 

7th Overall: Jacksonville Jaguars

The pick is in: Mack Brown

After the past two years, Mack Brown's stock may have slipped but not that much. Jacksonville could scoop up Brown and put him in a spot in which he can help turn the team around and give the fan base something to be excited about. 

A couple years under Brown and the Jaguars could start selling out games. 

8th Overall: Denver Broncos

The pick is in: Gene Chizik

Gene Chizik has shown the ability to adapt to the talent that surrounds him and put them in the best positions to be successful. By bringing him to Denver, Chizik may be able to find the right system to put Tebow in and turn the Broncos around. 

9th Overall: Seattle Seahawks

The pick is in: Gary Patterson

Much like Chris Petersen, Gary Patterson has shown the ability to get every last ounce of effort out of a player. 

While the success may not be there right now, Seattle has some talent on the roster that could help Patterson get things turned around in a hurry. 

10th Overall: Cleveland Browns

The pick is in: Bo Pelini

If Cleveland hopes to compete in their own division then this pick becomes easy for them. By bringing in Bo Pelini, they will adopt his philosophy of hard-nosed defense and running the ball which is exactly what they need to be successful in the AFC. 

11th Overall: Washington Redskins

The pick is in: Bret Bielema

While the temptation may be to give Steve Spurrier another shot, the Redskins make a wise move and select Bielema. 

Bielema loves to build along the trenches and develop a solid running game, which will help the Redskins stay competitive in the NFC East. 

12th Overall: Dallas Cowboys

The pick is in: Steve Spurrier

Jerry Jones just could not help himself in this spot. With a guy like Steve Spurrier still out there, Jones made sure they grabbed him up if for nothing else then making sure they put more butts in the seats. 

13th Overall: Philadelphia Eagles

The pick is in: Mike Gundy

After losing Andy Reid, the Eagles knew they needed to go after an offensive mind with the kind of talent they have on their roster. With Chip Kelly off the board, the Eagles turn to Mike Gundy who has shown the ability to put points on the board in a hurry. 

14th Overall: Okland Raiders

The pick is in: Bobby Petrino

The Raiders are another team that loves offense and speed so they turn to Bobby Petrino with the 14th overall pick. 

Over the past few years, Petrino has put together some great offenses and the hope is that with all the quarterbacks the Raiders currently have, he can find a winner somewhere in that group. 

15th Overall: Atlanta Falcons

The pick is in: Kirk Ferentz

With an offense already in place that can win now, the Falcons pick up Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz is no stranger to the kind of offense that Atlanta runs. He will not be afraid to continue to pound the ball on the ground and free up space in the passing game for Matt Ryan. 

16th Overall: San Diego Chargers

The pick is in: Brian Kelly

After a couple years with Notre Dame, Brian Kelly will be use to the stresses of winning and winning now. While the talent is certainly there for the Chargers, the execution is not and that is where Kelly will have to help them improve.

If all else fails, wouldn't the sideline blowups between him and Phillip Rivers be great?

17th Overall: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The pick is in: Mark Dantonio

When looking for a coach whose philosophy will blend well with the current team identity, the Buccaneers cannot pass up on Mark Dantonio. 

Dantonio's commitment to a solid defense and strong running game is exactly what the Bucs are looking for. 

18th Overall: New York Jets

The pick is in: Lane Kiffin

When your trying to replace a coach that was arrogant, smug, full of himself and an overall head case, there is no better choice then Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin is a personality that can handle New York and will give the Jet fans what they are use to hearing from Rex Ryan. 

19th Overall: Tennessee Titans

The pick is in: Pat Hill

With the next pick, Tennessee goes a bit off the board by taking a chance on Pat Hill. Hill has done a great job building a consistent winner at Fresno State and has done so with lesser talent. 

While the risk is high, the upside is just as good. 

20th Overall: Chicago Bears

The pick is in: Chris Ault

Chris Ault has been around football long enough that he has been able to adapt to many different styles of play and has been a consistent winner and one of the best coaches in NCAA history. 

With Chicago, Ault would inherit a solid defense and an offense that he can help make improvements too. 

21st Overall: New Orleans Saints

The pick is in: Jeff Tedford

Jeff Tedford has a strong offensive background and with the pieces that are already in place down in New Orleans, he would be a good fit and would help keep the Saints offense on track. 

22nd Overall: New York Giants

The pick is in: Mike Riley

Very quietly, Mike Riley has done a great job in the Northwest with talent that is not all that great. While the lifestyle change may be a bit much, Riley has proven he can put together a winner and may be a bit of fresh air for the New York locker room. 

23rd Overall: Baltimore Ravens

The pick is in: Bronco Mendenhall

Bronco Mendenhall is a tough-nosed coach that is not afraid to put his defense in front of his offense. In Baltimore, the defense has always been the backbone of that team and Mendenhall could help continue that tradition. 

24th Overall: Kansas City Chiefs

The pick is in: Jimbo Fisher

At pick No. 24, the Chiefs could take a chance on Jimbo Fisher. While he hasn't made the splash that most Seminole fans were hoping for, Fisher is a solid coach that could help the Chiefs offense develop. 

25th Overall: Houston Texans

The pick is in: Steve Sarkisian

The Houston Texans have recently been a team that most expect big things from but have yet to come through. If the Texans are looking to break out then they need to turn to Steve Sarkisian, who has already turned Washington back around and could give Houston the needed spark.

26th Overall: New England Patroits

The pick is in: Mike Sherman

The New England Patriots are already a team that is full of veteran leadership and what they do not need to do is take a chance on a young coach. Instead, the Patriots could take Mike Sherman who already has pro experience and can help guide this team to the playoffs. 

27th Overall: Cincinnati Bengals

The pick is in: Dan Mullen

While this season has not exactly gone the way that Dan Mullen had hoped for, the Cincinnati Bengals could look his way at pick No. 27. 

Mullen is an energetic coach that is not afraid to take the spotlight off of his players and put it on himself. 

28th Overall: Detroit Lions

The pick is in: Dabo Swinney

The resurgent Detroit Lions are in need of a young offensive mind that can put the weapons they currently have to good use. Dabo Swinney has done a great job molding the offense down in Clemson and if give the opportunity to work with Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and others, he would be a great fit. 

29th Overall: Buffalo Bills

The pick is in: Mark Richt

For all the criticism that Mark Richt has dealt with down in Georgia, he has done a great job of taking a bad 0-2 start and guided the Bulldogs to six straight wins.

While it may take some time for Richt to get his feet under him in the pros, he will certainly win over his locker room quickly.  

30th Overall: San Francisco 49ers

The pick is in: Pat Fitzgerald

The 49ers went with a young energetic coach this year and it has them sitting on top of their division and they are one of the best teams in the NFC. If that model worked once then they may go back to it.

Pat Fitzgerald has done a good job at Northwestern and has also remained positive his entire time there. It seems to be a good fit for both sides. 

31st Overall: Pittsburgh Steelers

The pick is in: Joe Paterno

Unlike other teams who may get scared away by the age of Joe Paterno, the Steelers organization is not a team that will let age mask the fact that Paterno is one of the games best coaches. 

At pick 31, the Steelers would grab up Paterno and enjoy as many years as he has left in his coaching career. 

32nd Overall: Green Bay Packers

The pick is in: Gary Pinkel

With the last pick, the Green Bay Packers are not looking for a coach that has to rebuild the franchise but rather someone that can manage it. Gary Pinkel has done a great job at Missouri but will also be smart enough to realize that not much is needed with the current roster.