These are just my thoughts and opinions. Of course I am probably wrong, but here's who I think won't make the cut.
Bobby Patrino- doesn't meet the integrity demand that Hart talked about.
Jim Mora Jr- Won't pull a Kiffen. I think he will stay there at least 1 more year before he puts his name in the hat. Despite the allegations that UCLA isn't a major football program, I believe their football program is big enough to warrant his loyalty for at least one more year.
Al Golden- Has already said he isn't coming. Knows he will be in a great situation after they get off probation. Arguably the best recruiting area in the nation. Tons of great tradition and has the support of several successful NFL players that graduated from there. Miami will find a way to get into a major conference and Al will reap the benefits when they do.
Charlie Strong- Had a strong run but a not so strong ending. Losing the last two games to Syracuse and Uconn hurt his stock for sure.
Tommy Tuberville- Hiring him would be like hiring Fulmer back. Had several successful years at Auburn but then flopped. In his last season, they had a good team but Auburn got beat by several teams they should have beaten and so they sent him packing.
Gary Patterson- The only reason I don't have him as a possibility is because of his strong feelings for TCU. He has personally built that program from the ground up. They are now a viable program and he probably believes he can build that into a premier program. He may want to build his own legacy as opposed to enjoying the one that has already been built here.
Mark Hudspeth- seems like a good coach but I don't think UT will take a chance on another small school coach from Louisiana.
Mike Gundy- Haven't heard his name a lot. Most of the media agrees that he wouldn't leave one major school for another. He seems to really like where he is. They have lots of money that they can pay to keep him and they have a better recruiting territory.
David Shaw- Man what a great guy! Too bad he isn't going anywhere. He is at his alma mater and he loves coaching at Stanford. No one is prying him away from that school.
Butch Davis- Recruiting violations at NC will force Hart to avoid him for integrity reasons also. Remember, UT is still on probation so this hire has to be someone with a clean record.
Art Briles- I like him and he did get a W over Kansas State. Just don't think he is as good as the other coaches that are available. Age might be a factor also. He is about to turn 57 years old. Mack Brown is 60 and a lot of people are saying he should retire. Tennessee would only hire a guy that age who is more of a "sure thing".
Raheem Morris- would probably make a good college coach, but his pro record wouldn't earn him a job at UT.
James Franklin- wouldn't be an option because the boosters would never let Hart hire a Vandy coach. Tennessee has never needed anything from their little brother and they have way too much pride and tradition to try and take someone from that school to rebuild their program.
Jon Gruden- will either turn down UT or UT will turn down his counter offer. Wanting too much money and too much control will probably hurt his chances. That and the fact that the college game requires a lot more work.
Bob Stoops- is currently receiving the 3rd largest coaching salary in the nation. I really don't think UT will provide enough incentives to pry him away from a place where the money is good, the recruiting is better, and the chances of winning are higher. It would have to be some bad blood or something pretty serious to make him want to leave OU.
I'm sure there are several NFL coaches that people will want mentioned also, but Hart said he wants a proven HC. That would probably rule out any pro DC or OC. I think it would also rule out NFL head coaches that haven't had success either. If that's the case, then Gruden may be the only coach worth looking into that would listen to Tennessee and to be honest, his track record after 2002 isn't that great.
So IMO, that would then leave Jimbo Fisher, Butch Jones, and Kevin Sumlin as the best available. Sumlin is in a great situation with Manziel so he probably won't leave anytime soon. That leaves Fisher and Jones. I am giving the nod to Fisher since he has more HC experience against SEC teams and has proven to be a great recruiter. Losing Mark Stoops wouldn't be so bad if he could retain Chaney.
Say what you want, at least I am trying to put some thought into it. If by some miracle it turns out that I am right, I think we will be in pretty good shape. Jimbo is a very good coach!
