Potential Canditates for the Head Job at Ohio State

As most people know, the biggest news in college Athletics was the resignation of Ohio State Football Coach Jim Tressel amid numerous NCAA violations and an alleged cover up of the evidence. With the resignation, Ohio State, one of the most prestigious jobs in college athletics is open for the first time in a decade and there are numerous candidates for the spot. Here we will talk about why or why not certain candidates would, or would not take the job.

Top Three

Urban Meyer- This is my choice for the Ohio State Job. Meyer is from Ohio, was an assistant coach at the University in the 80's and said that it was one of the jobs his wife could not veto (Michigan and Notre Dame were the others). With the job for the season probably taken by interim Luke Fickell he could take the time off to be with his family to recover his health and be with his family. Also he is the big name that would fit at OSU has the personality to coach a big time college program like he showed at Florida. One cause for concern for Meyer hopefuls is that he released a statement saying I am committed to ESPN and will not pursue any coaching opportunities this fall. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the people at ESPN this spring and remain very excited about my role with the network this fall. It is to be noticed that he said this fall and may be open to the idea of taking the post in 2012.

Bo Pelini- Like Meyer, Pelini is another Ohio guy and this could come into the decision process if he is approached. He attended college at Ohio State and played football there from 1987-1990 so he has connections and reason to go there to lead his Alma Mater. He was an assistant coach in the NFL for eight years and has been a coach at prestigious institutions such as LSU and Oklahoma. Most recently he has turned around a Nebraska team and has led them to a 3-1 bowl record in his four years there. The one question is, would he want to leave all that potential that Nebraska has on the table to take a job that will possibly be smothered in NCAA Sanctions?

Bob Stoops-Stoops, like both Myer and Pelini, is an Ohio native and one of the best known coaches in college football. Over the past twelve seasons, which he has spent at Oklahoma he has compiled a 129-31 record and won a national championship while coming in runner up in three more. If he takes the Ohio State job he would also be leaving one of the country's most unstable conferences for one with a wide fan base and no signs of decline. Stoops is 50 and if he was to take a new job, this would be the one.

Other Candidates

Jon Gruden- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach
Gary Patterson- TCU
Mark D’Antonio- Michigan State

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