Pitt Football: 12 Possible Replacements for Todd Graham as Panthers Head Coach

After Todd Graham left Pittsburgh about as fast as he came into town, the Pitt football program is in the odd position of looking for their fourth football coach in the span of one calender year.

We've said this before, but Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson (who should be unemployed) has to hire the right man.

The time has come for Pitt to open the checkbook and hire a head football coach who can make the Panthers football relevant again.

But since we know that has very little chance of happening, here's a look at some possible candidates to fill Todd Graham's shoes.

Sal Sunseri

Sunseri wanted the job last year but the Panthers elected to go with Graham.

He's currently the linebackers coach for one of the best defenses we've seen in some time at Alabama.

Sunseri also has ties to Pittsburgh as he was a 1982 graduate of the university, and his son Tino has been the Panthers starting quarterback for the past two seasons.

If they aren't going to shell out some money for a proven commodity, bringing back someone with hometown ties would at least create good PR for a change.

Tom Bradley

Bradley was a finalist for the job last time around but ultimately lost out to Graham in the end.

He's almost certain to be out the door as Penn State's interim head coach, and if Pitt is looking for the feel good story, then they could turn back to Bradley.

Randy Shannon

Shannon did a decent job of cleaning up the Miami program, winning 28 games in his four years as head coach.

With the Panthers heading to the ACC soon, Shannon has proved he can coach there and could be an attractive candidate.

K.C. Keeler

Keeler has been the head coach at Delaware for the past 10 seasons during which he compiled a 81-46 record including a FCS Championship in 2003.

Overall, he's reached the FCS Championship three times as Delaware's head coach.

Before that, he was the head coach at Division III power Rowan and has a career record of 169-67-1 in 19 seasons as a head coach.

He's one guy currently on Pitt's radar.

Teryl Austin

Austin also has ties to Pitt as a former defensive back.

He's currently the defensive back coach for the Baltimore Ravens and served as the defensive coordinator at Florida prior to that.

Austin is looking for his first head coaching job.

Paul Chryst

Chryst was also a candidate last time around as well, and if Pitt is looking to revive a dead offense, then Chryst would be a good candidate.

He's currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wisconsin, and the Badgers can both run the ball and put points on the board.

Running the football is one thing the Panthers can do well.

Paul Rhoads

Rhoads was the former defensive coordinator at Pitt and is the current Iowa State head coach.

He was a finalist for the Pitt job back when Dave Wannstedt was hired.

One plus is that he knows the Western Pennsylvania area already which should help in recruiting.

Mark Stoops

If the Panthers wanted to make a splash, they would turn to Stoops.

He's currently the defensive coordinator at Florida State and one of the hottest assistant coaches out there.

Just on name recognition alone, the brother of both Bob and Mike Stoops would be a good hire.

Ron Zook

The former head coach at both Florida and Illinois brings big-conference experience to the table.

It's long been known that he's a good friend of Pitt AD Pederson so I'm sure he will get a look.

Mario Cristobal

Cristobal has done a very good job at FIU and was also a candidate when Graham was hired.

He's a great motivator and has turned FIU into another good Florida football program.

He's ready to take the next step to a bigger program.

Steve Addazio

Addazio is off the hook a little bit after Charlie Weis didn't have much success with the Florida offense either.

He had a solid first season at Temple in which the Owls won eight games, and his ground-based attack would work well at Pitt.

Addazio is also known as a good recruiter with Northeast ties which would give him a leg up at Pitt.

Bruce Fedora

Fresh off a Conference USA championship, Fedora's name has popped up in many job openings so far including the opening at North Carolina, but if Pitt moves fast, it may have a shot at one of the hot names on the market.