LIKE IT IS

Texas search only lacks carnival barkers

As reality sets in in Austin, Texas, as much as it can in the land of the Longhorns, most are going to come to the realization the head coaching job at the University of Texas is not the best job in the country anymore.

That distinction belongs to Alabama, which will share the glare of the SEC Network next season with 13 other schools and not be under 24-7 scrutiny by ESPN looking for stories, stats and shenanigans.

Texas is still a great job, one of the top five, and not just because of its enormous football budget. Austin sits in the middle of the most fertile recruiting state in the country.

Just don’t expect the Longhorns brass to ever admit they didn’t get their No. 1 choice, Sir Nick Saban, the king of all things Alabama.

But now that Mack Brown, a really nice guy, has announced he will step down after the Alamo Bowl, speculation is running wild about who will and won’t be a candidate to replace him.

Here are a few of the names being tossed around and why they might or might not be interested:

Art Briles, Baylor: Briles is all things Texas, having won high school championships and turned Houston and Baylor into contenders. He just signed a contract extension and the Bears Nation is building him a new stadium.

Les Miles, LSU: He never offended the Orange by beating them when he was at Oklahoma State, but he has gone 94-24 in Baton Rouge and has a BCS championship on his resume. He’s currently losing recruits to Alabama.

Houston Nutt, TV analyst: Might get more money out of Ole Miss if he could get his name mentioned.

Gus Malzahn, Auburn: He’s the only SEC head coach undefeated against Saban and Alabama. He’s the hottest name in college football right now as he’s led the Tigers to the BCS Championship Game.

James Franklin, Vanderbilt: If he can win eight at Vandy, he should win 11 or 12 every year at Texas.

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: It seems media members mention his name for every opening, but he never gets interviewed.

Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles: He might not like the NFL; he sure wouldn’t have any salary cap problems with the Longhorns.

Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys: Would not have a quarterback named Tony Romo.

Jim Harbaugh and Jon Gruden: $10 million obstacles.

Jimbo Fisher, Florida State: Gets Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston back for another year, and besides, he would like the Longhorn Network about as much as having glass in his shoes.

Lane Kiffin, unemployed: His next stop should be as a TV analyst.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson: Would be at good fit; his $2.5 million buyout is chump change in Austin. He could bring Chad Morris, his offensive coordinator, with him.

Chad Morris, Clemson offensive coordinator: He will eventually be a head coach, just probably not at Texas.

Mark Dantonio, Michigan State: Should be on the burned orange’s short list. He’s won 11 games three of the past four seasons.

John L. Smith, Fort Lewis College: Just seeing if you are still paying attention.

Bobby Petrino, Western Kentucky: You are required at Texas to be nice to people at least two days a week.

Charlie Strong, Louisville: Batesville native is in a great place and has a $5 million buyout, which isn’t chump change even in Austin.

That’s just a few of the names that are being bandied around. But Texas is about to find out that the top of the talent pool - those would step into the biggest fishbowl in college football - is pretty shallow.

Sports, Pages 17 on 12/17/2013

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