Rate each HC candidate...

[bnhunt]

by likelihood of them being the next HC, if offered the job, and why.

Gruden - less than 5%. Too many NFL jobs available.
Patterson - 10%. This would probably be my second choice, but we'd probably have to throw a lot of money at him to leave TCU.
Petersen - less than 5%. Seems to love Boise too much.
Strong - 70%, if offered. Gets him back in SEC where he made a name for himself.
Cutcliffe - 80%, if offered. He's currently the HC at Duke...need I say more.
Mullen - 20%. Starkville is a real dump, but MSU program is in much better shape than UT right now.
Petrino - 70%, if offered. May depend on what other schools are interested (i.e. Auburn).
Tressel - 50%. Don't see this happening with 5-year show cause, but I definitely think he'd listen if we called. What else does he have to do?
West Coast coaches (i.e. Whittingham, Calhoun, Ault, Mendenhal, etc.) - 60%. I bet one of these guys would take the job if offered.

Sorry for long post, but was just curious what people think.

 

[HankHill]

Strong- B plus (Great D mind and Huge connection in S FL)
Smart- B (unproven but heavily respected)
Patterson- Bminus (recruiting issues in TN pipelines?)
Pat Fitzgerald- Bminus (not the sexy hire but solid x's&o's)
Petrino- Cplus (great x'o's, slacks in recruiting, off field issues)
Butch Davis Cplus (Great Recruiter, staff connections)
Cutcliffe- Cplus (slacks on recruiting, not the strongest staff)
(Cut is happier at duke than ever was here bc of fans btw)

Those are my realistic candidates
Peterson, Gruden would all be better but no way they happen

 

[alaVOL]

If offered the job, then I'd say 90% of your list would take it without thinking twice.

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

If offered the job, then I'd say 90% of your list would take it without thinking twice.

10 years ago yes, now not so much

 

[X-Factor]

by likelihood of them being the next HC, if offered the job, and why.

Gruden - less than 5%. Too many NFL jobs available.
Patterson - 10%. This would probably be my second choice, but we'd probably have to throw a lot of money at him to leave TCU.
Petersen - less than 5%. Seems to love Boise too much.
Strong - 70%, if offered. Gets him back in SEC where he made a name for himself.
Cutcliffe - 80%, if offered. He's currently the HC at Duke...need I say more.
Mullen - 20%. Starkville is a real dump, but MSU program is in much better shape than UT right now.
Petrino - 70%, if offered. May depend on what other schools are interested (i.e. Auburn).
Tressel - 50%. Don't see this happening with 5-year show cause, but I definitely think he'd listen if we called. What else does he have to do?
West Coast coaches (i.e. Whittingham, Calhoun, Ault, Mendenhal, etc.) - 60%. I bet one of these guys would take the job if offered.

Sorry for long post, but was just curious what people think.

Gruden - agree with OP
Patterson - less than 5%. I believe he'll be Arkansas' next coach. If he is, it's on Hart for screwing around far too long before firing Dooley.
Petersen - agree with OP
Strong - 99% (if offered). Only way he wouldn't come is if Papa John's legitimately did out-bid us.
Cutcliffe - 50/50. He's tried the SEC HC thing so it's not like it's killing him wondering what it'd be like. They love him in Durham and they piss all over themselves if he wins six games. Kind of a cozy gig.
Mullen - 60%. He may have hit the ceiling at MSU. More upside here plus you don't have to live in Starkville.
Petrino - either 100% or 0%. Depends whether he's already Auburn's coach.
Tressel - will not be offered, IMO.
"West Coast Coaches" - various percentages but agree with OP