Jacksonville Jaguars: Ranking the 9 Best Possible Candidates for Head Coach

On Tuesday, Shahid Khan's bid to buy the Jacksonville Jaguars was approved by the NFL's Finance Committee.

The dream of owning an NFL franchise is now one step closer to becoming a reality for the Midwest business owner.

And with that bid, which is believed to go through sometime after the new year, comes the questions of staff, players and of course coaches.

Let's throw out the fake mustaches and the hype that surrounds the rockstar-like reception he is getting in Jacksonville. Khan's main objective is to put a winning team on the field in 2012, and that will have a lot to do with what he does in the front office before any player sets foot on the practice field in the offseason.

"Khan Mania" may be hot right now, but making the wrong choice for head coach could set the team back again and lose an already-tepid fanbase even more.

So much has been made about landing the right candidate and who would be willing to take the job.

Does Khan want experience or someone just coming up at a cheaper price like Jack Del Rio and Tom Coughlin were before? Can this team challenge in a roller-coaster division?

There are candidates out there. Some are high profile. Some are behind the scenes.

It is up to Khan to decide which fit is right for the Jaguars, a big splash or a little fanfare.

9. Pete Carmichael

The offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints has one of the best jobs in the NFL.

Would he be a candidate for a head coaching job next season?

Carmichael has no head coaching experience, and that may turn Khan to look elsewhere.

We see what Carmichael does every week with Drew Brees and friends, and this town is missing the Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith, Keenan McCardell combination.

8. Bill Cowher

Let's get the big names out of the way.

I really don't think Bill Cowher is leaving the commentator's table. But if he did, would Jacksonville be a destination he would want?

Khan would have to throw a lot of money Cowher's way to make the move, and the fanbase would see the new owner was a serious player for this team to move forward.

7. Rob Ryan

The Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator will get a shot at a head coaching spot sooner or later.

Jacksonville would be an ideal fit.

The only issue I see with it is, what happens with Mel Tucker?

Would Ryan, a defensive-minded coach, keep Tucker on his staff?

The two minds could make the Jaguars defense the best in the league.

6. Andy Reid

I want this to happen.

I am betting the Eagles let Reid go, and he could be looking for another job.

Warmer weather, a good defense to start with and an offense he can mold in is own liking.

Reid is a mild-mannered coach who could get the most out of Blaine Gabbert and bring in better receivers to catch balls from him.

5. Mike Smith

Ah, the defensive-minded coach makes his return to Jacksonville.

There has to be some different scenarios for this to happen.

The Falcons would have to miss the playoffs, and changes would have to be made by Arthur Blank.

But if Smith was out of a job, would Khan come calling?

Smith's defenses in Jacksonville were some of the best in the NFL.

4. Tony Dungy

He loves what he does now on NBC, and he is happy with his other endeavors.

But Dungy was a finalist for the first job in Jacksonville with Tom Coughlin, and he is possibly a hot read for Khan.

Heck, Dungy is wanted by every team that has a real need.

He lives in Tampa Bay, so it is not so far fetched to think it could happen.

But will it?

3. Tom Coughlin

The former head coach may come home.

There is reason to believe Coughlin's job in New York with the Giants is in jeopardy.

If the Mara family decides to let Coughlin go, would he come back to Jacksonville and finish what he started?

If he does, will he bring Kevin Gilbride with him? And what happens to Perry Fewell?

All these questions are tempting to ask. And Coughlin's style might be what this team needs again.

2. Mel Tucker

The interim coach may get the top job after all.

Tucker is a great defensive mind, and players like him.

He immediately changed part of the culture of the team and coaching staff upon assuming the head coaching role.

It will be interesting if this team can win for Tucker in the final weeks. Three of the four remaining games are winnable.

If they do, Tucker would get a shot at the job full time if he finds a better offensive coordinator.

1. Mike Mularkey

He seems like the logical choice.

In 2003, Wayne Weaver chose Del Rio over Mularkey.

The offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons would assume the role of getting the offense back in shape.

He has worked wonders in Atlanta with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White and Michael Turner.

There are only two players on offense that could be that valuable with the Jaguars—Maurice Jones-Drew and Marcedes Lewis.

Could Mularkey take this team to the next level?