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Kirk Bohls Ponders A&M's Next Coach

November 6, 2007

By Benjamin Miraski

With all the rumors about a Dennis Franchione buyout in the mill now, it is time to look ahead to who will be patrolling the sidelines next season. A school like A&M probably wouldn't have any issues filling their head coaching position, but this year will not be normal.

There are potential openings at Michigan, LSU (Les Miles to Michigan), Arkansas, and Nebraska (almost definitely) to contend with. And that doesn't count any more openings which might trickle open as the dominoes fall (Tommy Tuberville seems to be at the top of everyone's list).

So with that all going, Kirk Bohls of the Austin American Statesman thought it would be worthwhile to make some recommendations on who should be at least called in to interview for the A&M opening.

His list, on which I am guessing at his order of interest:

Tommy Tuberville (although a $6 million price tag might be a little steep after the buyout)
Steve Spurrier
Butch Davis
Chris Petersen (Boise State HC)
Will Muschamp (Auburn DC, Will anyone be able to understand him in Texas?)
Mike Sherman (Texas OC)
Dan Mullen (Florida OC)
Charlie Strong (Florida Asst. Head Coach, Co-Defensive Coordinator)

I would guess that given A&M ability to NOT move the ball this season, most people would like to see some semblance of offense come to College Station. I only rate Muschamp as #5 because if you can steal a defense that has been at the top of the game for the last four years at least in my recent memory, I think you have something. This is the defense that has shut down Florida the last two seasons. No one else can say that.

Bohls does have a do not disturb sign on a couple of names:

Jeff Tedford (Apparently collapsing teams are not welcome in Aggie-land. Go figure.)
Gary Kubiak (Houston Texas HC)
Bo Pelini

Pelini on the DND list shocks me. When any coaching vacancy even is hinted at, Pelini's name is usually at the top of the list for candidates. With the LSU job potentially going to open, or with Nebraska needing that high profile defensive mind, perhaps it is right for A&M to steer clear. The price tag will be big. And if Bohls is correct, and Pelini would slack on the recruiting, well, maybe you don't want him around, especially not in Texas where you have a wealth of talent to choose from. You don't want kids getting scared off by a gruff coach.

Posted November 6, 2007 11:20 AM

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