Who Replaces Mack Brown at Texas? A Coaching Hot List

Update on 12/14:

Mack Brown's officially resigning at Texas. 

Now on to the coaching search. 

But first, be careful what you wish for, Texas fans. 

Mack Brown is 158-47 in sixteen seasons at Texas. 

Phil Fulmer was 152-52 in sixteen seasons when Tennessee fired him at the other UT. 

Since that time the Vols are 23-27 and are now on their third different coach. (Fulmer was 29-21 in his final 50 games while Mack Brown is 30-20. Really, the similarities between these two guys are insane). 

Most fans believe that things can only get better when a new coach is hired. That's because all fans are innately optimistic. But, be careful, things can also get much worse. 

That's why the new hire is absolutely critical. 

So who does Outkick think will be on Texas's hot board?

Just head coaches and just guys from college. 

Here are 12 names:

1. Nick Saban

Yes, yes, I know Nick Saban has said a million times that he's not going to be the next coach at Texas.

And I know that Nick Saban just agreed to an extension and said he'd spend the rest of his career at Alabama. 

Thank God, Nick Saban has never lied about a coaching job before.

He's got no buyout. 

Why not still try to hire him now that there's finally no coach at Texas. 

Can you imagine the reaction in the state of Alabama if Nick Saban's last game was the loss to Auburn? The state would burn.

2. David Shaw

Stanford's coach has run up a tremendous resume playing a physical, dominant style with kids who get work done in the classroom as well. 

He's young, passionate, and well versed in running a program without every competitive advantage. 

How would Shaw do running a program with every competitive advantage?

Really damn well.

3. Art Briles 

I know he just signed an extension at Baylor, but college coaching contracts are generally worthless. 

Briles is already dominating in the state of Texas at a school with a fraction of the appeal of the Longhorns. 

Can you imagine what his offense could do with Texas talent?

Better get him before the Washington Redskins do. 

4. Kevin Sumlin

Yes, Sumlin has a $5 million dollar buyout and makes $5 million a year.

But that's pocket change for Texas.  

Can you imagine the joy that Longhorn fans would feel in stealing away the state's hottest coaching star?

Especially since that Aggie little brother has surpassed Texas as the preeminent program in the lonestar state, what better way to strike at the heart of a rival?

5. James Franklin

Vandy's 15-4 in its last nineteen games. 

Only Alabama has a better record in the SEC. 

What's more, in addition to winning Franklin has notched top twenty recruiting classes at Vanderbilt. 

Vanderbilt!

Young, charismatic, and eager to rile up a fan base, can you imagine what Franklin could do for a Texas program losing ground to A&M and for the Longhorn Network?

At this point Franklin's only leaving Vandy for a top ten job. And if Texas came calling, Franklin would take the job.

6. Mike Gundy

Gundy flirted with Tennessee last year before agreeing to stay at Oklahoma State. 

If you could steal away a proven success in the Big 12, why not do it?

Gundy would listen to Texas for sure.

Would he just use the Longhorns to get a raise? Maybe. But lots of coaches will do that. 

7. Les Miles

He got an extension for listening to interest from Arkansas and he's won big at LSU. 

Plus, he's been a head coach at Oklahoma State. 

Can you imagine Les with the Longhorn Network carrying every one of his press conferences?

Might he be tired of competing in the SEC and see an easier road to the national title at Texas?

It's worth a call.

8. Jim Mora

He just said no to Washington, but would he be able to say no to Texas.

That's doubtful.

He's won fast at UCLA.

He'd also win big at Texas. 

9. Charlie Strong

With Teddy Bridgewater leaving Louisville, how much higher can Strong take the Cardinals program?

The reason I don't have Strong higher on the list is because he's had a rough relationship with the Louisville media. Yeah, the ones covering football in Louisville. If you can't get along with that group of media, how in the world are you going to handle the Texas hordes?

Not well. 

10. Jimbo Fisher

Would Texas really wait a month, until the BCS title game is over to hire a coach?

Especially given how insane the Texas coaching search will be?

Plus, Jimbo's got Jameis Winston back for another season. 

Why leave now?

11. Gus Malzahn

I'm tossing him in here because otherwise people will ask why he isn't on the list. 

The easy answer is because his agent already played Sports Illustrated into writing a story that got Malzahn an extension.

When's the last coach to be in charge of three different programs in three different years?

I can't even think of one.  

Malzahn's not leaving Auburn. 

12. Bobby Petrino

What if no major coaches are willing to leave for this job?

Can you imagine Petrino with Texas talent?

Just keep him away from the volleyball team and you'll win huge.