What we're hearing...
Oregon - If Chip Kelly leaves for the NFL the two leading candidates to replace him will likely be OC Mark Helfrich and Boise State coach Chris Petersen. Don't look for Kelly to bring more than a couple of Oregon coaches with him.
Tennessee - We continue to hear that Jon Gruden and Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy will be serious candidates. We're also hearing some chatter about Louisville's Charlie Strong.
Auburn - The three names making the rounds are Alabama DC Kirby Smart, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher and Arkansas State coach Gus Malzahn. There will be others.
NC State - We're told that Vanderbilt coach James Franklin will be a candidate.
Arkansas - We're told the Razorbacks are zeroing in on a hire. TCU coach Gary Patterson is the flavor of the week, but we're told Mike Gundy remains in the mix, along with two or three other candidates.
Kentucky - Multiple sources tell us that AD Mitch Barnhart would like to make a splash hire with someone like Mike Gundy. It's more likely the Wildcats will end up with someone like David Cutcliffe or San Jose State's Mike MacIntyre. Tommy Tuberville seemed to be in the mix prior to his "slap" of a GA Saturday.