Penn State Scandal: The Top 5 2012 Replacement Candidates for Joe Paterno

If you thought the talks of replacing Joe Paterno were getting old then, you'll really think they're annoying now. Those talks are going to be louder than ever as former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is being charged with 40 counts of sex abuse.

This not only will effect Penn State, but it also may force head coach Joe Paterno to step down a little earlier than he would have liked.

Since many don't expect him to be around next year, it's about time we look at the Top 5 candidates that could replace the legend.

Chris Petersen

What better way to replace a legend like Paterno than to bring in Chris Petersen who has won 69 games in five and a half seasons. He's led Boise State to five straight bowl games and won three of them, including two BCS Bowls.

He has helped put Boise State on the map and has had this program in the Top 10 of the Polls for four seasons in a row.

Petersen has always been able to get the most out of his players; imagine what he could do with more talented players on a Penn State roster.

With the mess going on in the MWC and the Big East and the unknown of where Boise may end up, Peterson may decide to jump ship. Throw in the fact that Kellen Moore is graduating this season, and you have a perfect recipe for a coach on the move.

Dan Mullen

Dan Mullen is only in his third season as head coach at Mississippi State. Despite his 19-15 record, you can't deny his past. Mullen is an excellent recruiter and knows how to work with quarterbacks as he's tutored several big names including Tim Tebow. 

That sub-par record that Mullen has in two and a half seasons doesn't hold much weight considering he's coaching in the toughest division in college football (SEC West).

He would be able to bring in the players to continue the winning tradition and probably be more successful as a head coach in the watered down Big Ten.

Urban Meyer

Urban Meyer stepped down a year ago from coaching, but you know once a big coaching position opens up, he'll be all over it. This is the type of job that will force Meyer to step out of the broadcast booth and back on the sidelines.

Meyer has been a winner everywhere he has gone, from Bowling Green State to Florida. He's won 81 percent of his games and helped put the Utah football program on the map.

He is one of the top recruiters in the country and has a proven track record that every Penn State fan would be comfortable with.

He would also be one of the few candidates that could handle the backlash that this scandal is going to bring.

Urban Meyer is probably the best fit for the Nittany Lions.

Dabo Swinney

It would take an amazing offer to have Swinney leave the Tigers, only because he is building something special at Clemson.

He is a solid recruiter, and it's amazing what he has done this year with this young Clemson team, leading them to a Top 10 spot in the BCS Rankings.

He is in a good position at Clemson, but jobs like Penn State don't open up everyday. He's one of the hottest young coaches in America and will have several job offers thrown at him much like Al Golden when he was still at Temple.

If the Nittany Lions come calling, Swinney would have to think hard about it.

Al Golden

Al Golden played tight end for three seasons at Penn State and was a captain his senior year. He's never really had a season that "wowed" anybody as a coach but has done a fabulous job for what he's had to work with.

Golden should thrive with the talent on this Penn State roster.

Although he just accepted the job at Miami, with the trouble that the University is in, he may bolt. He has said he isn't going anywhere but no coach has ever said such things before, right?

The choice would be easy for most: stay at Miami and be on probation for a few years or join Penn State and be looked at as the savior and enjoy bowl games.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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