Possible Candidates to Replace Mack Brown at Texas

Mack Brown did not need a psychic to see that his ultimate demise was coming. Brown has officially resigned from Texas, and now the coaching search begins. Longhorn fans wanted Nick Saban, but following Saban's contract extension, those rumors have been put to bed. Texas has the money and the resources to get anyone under the sun, but who are the candidates now that Saban is out of the picture?

Jim Harbaugh

Current Job: Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh has had great success at both the collegiate and professional levels including a Super Bowl appearance last year. He has no immediate ties to Texas, but Mack Brown's replacement will more than likely not have any ties. According to some reports Harbaugh turned down a two year extension with the 49ers which suggest that he is keeping his options open. Many NFL names have been mentioned, but Harbaugh would be the best option. His unique coaching style would allow an immediate impact, and he is definitely worth a call. It is still not a guarantee that he leaves his successful NFL career for another college job.

Chip Kelly

Current Job: Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly has emerged as a candidate after media reports suggested that Texas AD Steve Patterson has him on his wish list. Kelly is in his first season as an NFL head coach and is still trying to mold his spread offense in the pros. This will be an interesting choice for the Longhorns because Kelly would have start all over teaching his offense at another program. Jumping to a new school after one year is not uncommon, but jumping to a college team following a one year stint in the NFL does not make much sense. If Patterson truly is pursuing Kelly than anything possible because everything is bigger in Texas including the dollar signs.

Jimbo Fisher

Current Job: Head Coach of Florida State

Jimbo Fisher is a name that could continue as the search continues. He is taking Florida State to the first national championship since 1999. Fisher should be a popular candidate even if he does not win the national championship, but winning the title may encourage Texas to go after him hard. Late Alabama AD Mal Moore wanted a coach who had won a national championship and then he hired Nick Saban. Steve Patterson should consider this same tactic. Florida State is a great school, but it is hard to compete with the facilities and money that Texas has. It would be a tough sell, but Fisher has to consider leaving if offered.

Gus Malzahn

Current Job: Head Coach of Auburn

Gus Malzahn, like Jimbo Fisher, will take his team to the national championship this year. only Malzahn was able do it in his first season following Auburn's 3-9 season last year. Many believe he will not make the jump to Texas because he is only in his first season at Auburn. He also came back to Auburn following a one year stint at Arkansas State. There is also speculation that a recent contract extension cancels out any chance that Texas is in the picture. What few realize is that Texas has the money to pay almost any buyout in the country. Pete Thamel, a writer for Sports Illustrated, said in a recent article that Malzahn has told friends that his dream job is to coach the Longhorns. The validity of that statement is questionable, but it is something to consider.

David Shaw

Current Job: Head Coach of Stanford

The name David Shaw should be mentioned by any top team looking for a head coach. According to recent media reports, Shaw is not ready to make the transition to an NFL job. That does not rule out the possibility that he would leave for another college job if given the opportunity. Declining a jump to the NFL may have something to do with Stanford being his alma mater which usually causes an emotional attachment. If the Longhorns are looking for a winner, Shaw is one of the best options with back-to-back PAC 12 titles and Rose Bowl appearances on his resumé. Stanford was almost able to trade in Rose Bowl appearances for national title spots. This is a name that should be mentioned more often because he is slowly becoming not only an elite coach in the PAC 12, but in the country as well.

James Franklin

Current Job: Head Coach of Vanderbilt

James Franklin's name will continue to come up for job openings as long as he is at Vanderbilt. What Franklin has been able to accomplish at Vanderbilt is almost unbelievable, taking them to three consecutive bowl games for the first time in the school's history. In fact, the Commodores had only been to four bowl games prior to Franklin's arrival. His big risk, big reward style of coaching has done wonders for a program that was irrelevant before his hiring. Texas might be hesitant to hire Franklin because of his lack of experience in big-time games. The Longhorns are likely to hire someone who has been to bigger stages in their head coaching career. If all else fails, Franklin should prove to be well worth the risk.

Dabo Swinney

Current Job: Head Coach of Clemson

Swinney has not had his name thrown around a lot this offseason even though it should. Swinney's promotion to head coach following Tommy Bowden's resignation has proven to be a smart move. He has enjoyed three consecutive 10 win seasons and two BCS bowl appearances. He has been successful, but has been criticized for not being able to win big games including blowout losses to West Virginia in the 2012 Orange Bowl and Florida State this year. A Clemson victory over Ohio State in this year's Orange Bowl may allow for him to emerge as a candidate. He is not the most elite coach on this list, but Swinney's coaching staff may be one of the best in country with coaches like offensive coordinator Chad Morris. This may be another stretch, but the sky is the limit for Texas and anything is possible.

Mike Gundy

Current Job: Head Coach of Oklahoma State

Mike Gundy would be a very interesting hire for Texas. He is a proven winner at Oklahoma State and knows the area well for recruiting. Even if the Longhorns began heavily pursuing Gundy it is highly unlikely he leaves the Cowboys. Gundy's alma mater is Oklahoma State, and it would take some persuasion from Texas AD Steve Patterson. One stat that kills Gundy is his record against Oklahoma, an arch-rival of Texas. He is now 1-8 against the Sooners following this year's loss. But his record against Oklahoma should not be a deciding factor because he's still a proven winner that almost made it to the national championship in 2011. If Patterson wants to search around the country he should keep Gundy in the back of his mind.

Bill O'Brien

Current Job: Head Coach of Penn State

Bill O'Brien inherited a Penn State program that was in complete turmoil and made the best of a bad situation. O'Brien cannot add bowl appearances to his list of accomplishments because of NCAA sanctions, but the Nittany Lions have been bowl eligible in his first two seasons. O'Brien would be a great fit at Texas, but a $13 million buyout may not be appealing to the Longhorns. If Texas wants O'Brien bad enough than the money is possible, but AD Steve Patterson would be taking a big risk with a hire like this. If Texas wants a college head coach with NFL coaching ability than O'Brien would be one of the best candidate available.