1. Freeze
2. kiffin
3. Napier
4. Chadwell
5. Fickel
Any of those and I’m ready to roll
I think 1-3 are not realistic. 5 is unlikely as well.
1. As a school about to be put on probation, we aren't going to hire a coach who was responsible for putting his previous school on probation. People need to let the Freeze speculation go. It ain't happening.
2. Kiffin would certainly come here and I think he would win but come on. We aren't about to hire a coach who left us at the altar 10 years ago. Sadly our administration has too much pride to forget that. I won't say this one is impossible, never say never I guess but I believe this ship has sailed. At best I'd say it's a long shot. Even IF we were willing to listen to his pitch, he would have to charm the hell out of our administration and probably be willing to accept a lower salary.
3. Napier is a very good coach and I'd love to have him here. However he will turn us down. Many speculate that he's waiting on the LSU job.
4. Chadwell is the most likely candidate on your list and I would not be opposed to that hire. I really like him and his teams play hard. He's also used to winning with less talent which is certainly a skill we need in a head coach right now. My only concern with Chadwell is he has to have a mobile QB to run his offense effectively and as we saw with Malzahn's offense that's difficult to sustain.
5. Fickell. I dont think he would be interested in coming here. Hes a northern, Big 10 guy and word is he's next in line for the Ohio State job when it opens up.
A few other names that are absolutely going to get close looks are Tom Herman, Gus Malzahn, Doug Marrone, and Bill O'Brian. Any one of those would be instant upgrades over Pruitt. Yes, even Marrone, though I wouldn't want him.