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University of Tennessee

Last Coach: Phillip Fulmer

2008 record: 3-7

Possible Candidates: Butch Davis (UNC), David Cutcliffe (Duke), Mike Leach (Texas Tech), Lane Kiffin (Former Raiders), Chris Peterson (Boise State), Will Muschamp (Texas Defensive Coordinator).

Interesting Team Stat: Rushing Offense- 104.3 YPG. (204th)

Notable:

Coach Patterson’s teams always run the ball well. TCU ranks currently 13^th in the nation rushing the ball and 1^st in time of possession. If the Vols want to see their time of possession and rushing attack improve, Patterson would be the guy.

Positives:

The Vols would spend whatever amount of money it took to recruit with the likes of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, but the problem is that they are recruiting against Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Negatives:

Athletics Director Mike Hamilton is under tremendous pressure to hit a home run with this hire.

Fulmer won a national championship less than 10 years ago and the SEC East last year, but the administration and fans still ran him out of town. Patterson would be on a short leash among the fans due to the fact that he would not be their first choice.

Kansas State University

Last Coach: Ron Prince

2008 record: 4-6

Possible Candidates: Bill Synder (Former KSU coach), Brent Venables (Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator), Dennis Franchione (Former Texas A&M).

Interesting Team Stat: Rushing Defense- 221 YPG. (225^th) and Total Yards- 441 YPG (230^th)

Notable:

Kansas State’s defense is horrible. Currently the wildcats are 225^th and 230^th in rushing defense and total yards. TCU is #1 and #3 respectively in those categories. Coach Patterson would get those guys in shape quick or find someone else who could run his scheme.

Positives:

While TCU fans love Coach Patterson, he might be more respected in Manhattan. The former Kansas State player would have a long time and a lot of support to their program around. Patterson has faired well against Big 12 teams in his time with the Frogs.

Negatives:

It’s Manhattan. It’s like Joe Biden saying “it’s Scranton”. Does Patterson like the area? His wife is from the area. They have made it clear they like the area. Turning around Kansas State would not be an instant job. Unlike some of the other BCS schools that might come calling for his services, Coach P would have a much tougher task at Kansas State.

*If you think K-State rumors are over just because Coach Patterson went on ESPN Radio and said he has had no contract with them, you are fooling yourself. We will hear more from the Kansas State fans calling for the coach until they hire someone.

Clemson University

Last Coach: Tommy Bowden

2008 record: 4-5

Possible Candidates: Bobby Johnson (Vandy), Mike Leach (Texas Tech),
Lane Kiffin (Former Raiders), Chris Peterson (Boise State), Will Muschamp (Texas Defensive Coordinator), Skip Holtz (Eastern Carolina), Brian Kelly (Cincinnati)

Interesting Team Stat: Rushing Defense- 147.3 YPG (125^th)

Notable:

Clemson AD Terry Don Phillips likes his southwestern guys, and Patterson has built a reputation as a consistent winner with a physical, hard-nosed style.

Positives:

With Florida State and Miami still rebuilding, whoever the next coach is at Clemson has a chance to win right now at that school, something that is always at the top of the list with candidates.

Negatives:

The program hasn't won the conference since 1991 and it’s not like the ACC is getting stronger these days. Could the MWC be a stronger conference year in and year out within a couple years?

	University of Washington
	Last Coach: Tyrone Willingham
	2008 record: 0-9
	Possible Candidates: Pat Hill (Fresno State), Brent Venables (Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator), Chris Peterson (Boise State), Bobby Hauck (Montana), Lane Kiffin (Former Raiders),
	Interesting Team Stat: Rank in the 200’s in almost every defensive category.
Notable: Gary Patterson has not recruited the west coast in over 20 years. The MWC is 6-1 against the Pac-10 this season? Would this really be a step up?
Positives: Washington State is maybe the worst team in the country, so building Washington back up starting in the home state shouldn't be that difficult.
Negatives: The Washington job is a tough task right now. It's a program that hasn't seen much success in recent years, and while the Huskies have been down, USC, Oregon, Arizona State, and Cal have moved to the top of the conference.

Other Possible Job Openings:

Minnesota: Tim Brewster

Brewster has been getting a lot of attention from big time schools for his recent success at Minnesota. If Brewster is hired by someone else, one of UM’s first candidates will surely be Patterson. In Jan. 2007 the coach turned down an offer of reportedly 2 million dollars a year to coach the Gophers.

Texas Tech: Mike Leach

Leach has become one of the hottest coaches in college football. While AD Gerald Myers was quoted, “We're going to get that contract extended after the season, this isn't the time to do it. It would be a distraction if we did it now." Leach could end up walking. If this scenario happened would Tech be interested in Patterson? They obviously saw what his defense could do in 2006. If the money was good, could Patterson turn away an offer from the Red Raiders?

Auburn: Tommy Tuberville

Tuberville has probably done enough to keep his job for another year. Auburn is 5-5 in possibly the toughest conference in football. Plus it doesn’t help that Tuberville has a 6-million dollar buyout. With this economy, boosters might not be rushing into the AD’s office to write a check.

Notre Dame: Charlie Weis

Could Weis really be out this year after a big extension in 2005. He is definitely on the hot seat! The likeliness that Patterson would be a candidate is slim. Notre Dame will throw big money at a big name.

Iowa: Kirk Ferentz

Might have done enough yesterday against Penn State to get one more year to turn things around. After a few struggling years and many recent arrests, Iowa fans are starting to wonder why Ferentz is the 8^th highest paid coach in the country. The Hawks love hard nose defense and if they would ever fire Ferentz, Patterson would be on their coaching candidate lists.

Virginia- Al Groh

Al Groh was getting used to the hot seat for a few years, but the results of last season, when his Cavaliers almost won the ACC, got him a free year in 2008. He is safe for now!