UPDATE: Info on possible Texas Coaching Search

I had to chance to talk to a well-connect UT source earlier today...there was so much info shared, my head is about to explode.

Where to start...

If Mack beats Baylor Saturday he is co-champ of the Big 12. If that happens and if OU beats OSU, then UT would be in the BCS. If UT wins but OU loses, he would be in the Cotton. At the end of the day if he wins the conference outright, no one will fire him. If he is co-champ I personally doubt that they fire him. If he leaves at that point it would be because he is pissed off or unhappy that UT has been putting out feelers for replacements behind his back.

Assuming he does leave, Texas is going to swing big initially...in the words of an influentual donor, the mantra now is Championships...the best predictor of future success is past success. Big money alums have committed to underwriting the cost of a new coach. Texas is going to make an initial run at Nick Saban or Urban Meyer and throw $7 to 8 million per year at them. Urban had visited UT at least three times after he left Florida with interest in the job if it became available. This was before he took the Ohio State job.

When comparing Saban and Meyer, Meyer has the advantage of being 13 years younger than Saban and has a longer coaching shelf life. But would he bail on the Buckeyes after just two seasons?

The pitch to Saban will be that he gets a legit chance to win titles at three different schools...and he gets from under the shadow of Bear Bryant.

UT will play on the egos of both Saban and Meyer.

Mike Tomlin's (Steelers) agent has contacted Texas and he is on their dream list. John Harbaugh (Ravens) has also expressed interest through backchannels.

If they strike out with these guys, then you will see the focus slide to the people on the list below. The two names on that list that have been specifically mentioned by insiders are Mahlzan and Mora Jr. Mahlzan's agent has contacted Texas and asked that if the job comes up to call him. It is basically the same story with Mora Jr. who has some kind of relationship with the new Texas A.D., although Mora Jr. just agreed to new deal with UCLA.

If it comes down to it, assistants that will get a look are Scott Frost (OC at Oregon, played QB for Nebraska in mid-90s) and Kirby Smart (DC at Alabama).

On a side note, look for Major Applewhite to possibly make a lateral move to be OC at Florida. He and Muschamp are very tight. Major well respected as a coach and gets a lot of credit for the success of UT this year despite some major injuries on the offensive side of the ball.

***************

Assuming Mack Brown is out at end of season, who do you think replaces him?

Primary targets:
Nick Saban
Urban Meyer

NFL guys:
Mike Tomlin
John Harbaugh

Other high profile names:
David Shaw
Gus Malzahn
Jimbo Fisher
Charlie Strong
Chris Petersen (hired by University of Washington)
Jim Mora Jr. (staying at UCLA)

Or someone under the radar in college:
Larry Fedora (still hasn't had break-through season at UNC)
David Cutcliff (will probably stay at Duke due to low stress)