Needs To Be Discussed: Who gets the Tennessee job?

Does BSU's Petersen recruit the south well enough to be considered?

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"Can we repaint the turf at Neyland? That would help."

[Ed's note: Seems like the biggest job opening in college football next year will be Tennessee, assuming Joe Paterno doesn't finally walk away. There has been a good deal of speculation about who might run the Vols onto the field at Neyland next September. Here now, we let one college football fan weigh in as well.]

The Legitimate Candidates

Mike Leach, Texas Tech Head Coach

His offense is a resume in itself. One of only six FBS head coaches not to have played college football, Leach spent time at Kentucky in the late '90s which gives him SEC pedigree. The Red Raiders' coach could resuscitate an offense that has flat-lined more than a few times this year. Leach's offenses have scored 70 points twice in one season and also own the biggest comeback in NCAA FBS history with a three point victory over Minnesota in the 2006 Insight Bowl after trailing by 31 in the third quarter. Drawback: would he want to leave Lubbock, especially if this year has a fairy tale ending?

Will Muschamp, Texas Defensive Coordinator

He's young, fiery and a Saban protege. He played his college ball at Georgia. He has proven at LSU and Auburn that he can stop the most potent of SEC offenses. At 37, Muschamp is one of the hottest young names in coaching. His enthusiastic style sometimes borders on crazed, but that could be just what this stagnant program needs. Coaches have made the jump from Longhorns' defensive coordinator to head coach before, and Muschamp's time is coming. No one else on this list has the same defensive chops at the collegiate level. Only drawback: if the Auburn job also opens, he may want that more.

Chris Petersen, Boise State Head Coach

When Ian Johnson did this, Boise State did cap an undefeated season; Tennessee hasn't done that since 1998. Meanwhile, Petersen led the Broncos to a 13-0 record in 2006 and is on his way to another in late November. Perhaps his biggest draw is his ability to develop quarterbacks. Jared Zabransky had his most successful year after Petersen took over for Dan Hawkins, and Kellen Moore has been fantastic as a freshman. Sophomore quarterback Nick Stephens could use this kind of mentor after struggling through a season to forget. Drawback: can he recruit the south and if Washington doesn't go to Jim Mora, is that a more attractive job for Petersen?

Lane Kiffin, Former Oakland Raiders Head Coach

Kiffin's name has been mentioned by every fan of every school looking for a new head coach. Like Muschamp, Kiffin has the allure of youth. Kiffin, however, is an offensive mind. His time as USC's offensive coordinator saw the Trojans set school records in points (49.1) and yards per game (579). That same 2005 USC offense also became the first in NCAA history to have a 3000 yard passer, two 1000 yard rushers, and a 1000 yard receiver. Part of the attraction with Kiffin is the speculation that he would bring his father to the program with him. Monte Kiffin is currently the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Bucs, a team known for their ability to bog down opposing offenses. Outside of Pete Carroll, NFL coaches haven't fared well at the college ranks. Having dad as an ace in the hole may be what Kiffin needs to secure the Vols gig. Drawback: did the situation in Oakland doom his career, or do most people view that as Al Davis being Al Davis?

Butch Davis, North Carolina Head Coach

He says he isn't leaving Chapel Hill, but…Miami fans and players have heard that before. Davis was seemingly set to spend his career in Coral Gables before jetting to Cleveland to take a crack at the NFL. Now he claims to be content in Chapel Hill. The SEC can be an irresistible challenge for coaches, however. The talent level and national respect are currently unparalleled. Tennessee has some deep pockets, and if Davis is the guy they want, he'll have to turn down a great deal to stay at UNC. Davis is credited with resurrecting a dormant Miami program, and is well on his way to accomplishing the same for the Tar Heels. Davis is also an excellent recruiter who is good enough in February to compete with the likes of Alabama, Florida, and LSU. Drawback: if he gets UNC to a BCS bowl this year out of the ACC, can he really walk?

The Sleepers

Derek Dooley, Louisiana Tech Head Coach

This is definitely a stretch, but maybe not as far as it seems. Dooley is still a heck of a name around the Southeastern Conference, as the son of former UGA head man turned ex-Athletic Director Vince Dooley. Derek is also a former Nick Saban assistant coach from his days at LSU. The son of the Athens legend was Saban's recruiting coordinator as well as the Tigers' tight ends coach. Not too many people remember LSU's tight ends, but it would be hard to forget the recruiting classes that Saban and Dooley put together. It hasn't been a perfect year, but Louisiana Tech has shown improvement. And while it may not be quite enough to land the Tennessee job just yet, Dooley could find himself in charge of the Vols if a few coaches turn them down. Drawback: might not have enough "name value" for boosters, even with his dad.

John Chavis, Tennessee Defensive Coordinator

If Dooley is a stretch, then Chavis is a yoga routine. With Fulmer resigning and the Volunteers missing out on the postseason, now seems like a good time to renovate the entire staff. Chavis has been an assistant in Knoxville since 1989, so he's been through the good and the bad. Unfortunately, the only assistant who seems to have made a positive difference at UT is David Cutcliffe, and he's not coming back. It sounds harsh to call Chavis a "budget" solution, but the best scenario for him to land the job is if all of their other targets refuse. And with the kind of money Tennessee appears to be willing to spend, that outcome is unlikely. Still, Tennessee has always had a strong defense, and Chavis has been in charge of that side of the ball. If continuity is what the Vols seek, then Chavis could be a bubble candidate.

Jim Grobe, Wake Forest Head Coach

Just because of what he's accomplished at small Wake Forest so far, Grobe's name will come up for every gig between now and when (if) he leaves Winston-Salem. We don't see him taking this job—Wake had a down year offensively and he probably wants to right that ship. However, when the PSU job comes open in a few years, doesn't Grobe feel like a good person to not be intimidated by the legacy JoePa leaves? Just sayin'.

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