Finding the right coach for Vols

No one has access to Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton’s files on potential candidates to replace Phillip Fulmer as UT’s next head coach. But here’s a look at each of the candidates’ resumes, why they could be good at Tennessee and why they might not.

Mike Leach: Texas Tech coach

Age: 47

2007 Salary: $1.661 million

Highlights: Has the Red Raiders ranked No. 2 in the country and in line for a Big 12 South title with a win next week over Oklahoma; won at least eight games in each of the last seven seasons.

Notable stops: Offensive coordinator - Iowa Wesleyan (1989-91), Valdosta State (1992-96), Kentucky (1997-98), Oklahoma (1999); Head coach - Texas Tech (2000-present)

Career record: 75-37

Why He'd Work: Leach's high-flying offense would be a stark departure from what Tennessee fans have seen in recent years. This year, Tech is averaging 566 yards of total offense and 47.9 points per game.

Why He Wouldn't: Much has been made of Leach's quirky personality, and it's unclear how donors - or fans - would react. Only one top 25 recruiting class since 2002 at Texas Tech and only three in the top 40 per Rivals.com, which could either be good or bad.

Quotable: "Coach's motivational speeches are always the same. He tells very long stories, and you're never sure what they mean. But he's a genius. When we leave the locker room, we all know that we'll have three receivers wide open every play."

- Former Texas Tech lineman Daniel Loper, to the New York Times Magazine

Butch Davis: North Carolina coach

Age: 57

2007 Salary: $1.91 million

Highlights: Outright Big East title with Miami in 2000 and No. 2 overall finish; has UNC tied for first in ACC's Coastal division, after going 4-8 in his first season.

Notable stops: Assistant - Oklahoma State (1979-83), Miami (1984-88), Dallas Cowboys (1989-92); Coordinator - Dallas Cowboys (1993-94); Head coach - Miami (1995-2000), Cleveland Browns (2001-2004), North Carolina (2006-present).

Career record: 62-30 (college), 24-35 (NFL)

Why He'd Work: He's the most proven rebuilder on this list, having taken a Miami program racked with NCAA violations in the wake of Dennis Erickson back to the national elite. Task he faces here won't be nearly as tough. The competition he would face in the SEC is.

Why He Wouldn't: Safe bet the Vols would have to pay in the neighborhood of $4 million to hire Davis away from the Tar Heels. Has strongly denied interest in UT job. Turned down overtures from Arkansas, his alma mater, last season.

Quotable: "I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in the University of Tennessee job."

- Davis responding to Tennessee rumors

Brian Kelly: Cincinnati coach

Age: 47

2007 salary: $835,000

Highlights: Took the Bearcats to their first 10-win season since 1949 last year, earning Big East coach of the year honors; won the MAC Championship at CMU in 2006, one year after guiding the program to its first winning season in seven years.

Notable stops: Head coach - Grand Valley State (1991-2003), Central Michigan (2004-06), Cincinnati (2006-present).

Career record: 119-35-2 (Division II), 37-21 (Division I)

Why He'd Work: The son of a Boston politician, he's built excitement at Cincinnati and connected with fans and alumni while quickly winning over players. Runs the spread offense.

Why He Wouldn't: Aside from a long run at Grand Valley State, he hasn't stayed in one place for long. Jury still out on recruiting ability, although his personality seems to be suited for it.

Quotable: "He's a salesman… He has kids believing they can move mountains. His No. 1 strength is his offense. His No. 2 strength is how good he is politically at getting people to believe in his program."

- Grand Valley State coach Chuck Martin on Kelly, to ESPN.com

Will Muschamp: Texas offensive coordinator

Age: 37

2008 salary: $425,000

Highlights: Had nation's top scoring defense and total defense during LSU's national championship run in 2003 under Nick Saban; consistently put together top-flight defenses during his time in the SEC.

Notable stops: Defensive coordinator - Valdosta State (2000), LSU (2002-04), Miami Dolphins (2005), Auburn (2006-07), Texas (current).

Career record: 0-0

Why He'd Work: Familiar with the SEC after playing at Georgia and coaching at Auburn and LSU. Compared to a young Saban, perhaps his biggest influence as a coach.

Why He Wouldn't: Clemson also a potential suitor, which might be a more attractive spot for a new head coach; hiring a coordinator always has its risks.

Quotable: "He's like he's had a gallon of coffee before practice. He's a live wire."

- Former Auburn linebacker Karibi Dede on Muschamp, to the Birmingham News

Gary Patterson: TCU coach

Age: 48

2007 salary: $1.219 million

Highlights: Had TCU ranked No. 11 until losing to Utah last Thursday; won at least 10 games four times since 2001, his first full season; won Conference USA in 2002, Mountain West in 2005.

Career record: 71-27

Notable stops: Assistant - Tennessee Tech (1983-84), Navy (1995); Defensive coordinator - New Mexico (1996-97), TCU (1998-2000); Head coach - TCU (2000-present)

Why He'd Work: Built on previous TCU coach Dennis Franchione's success guiding the Frogs to their first outright conference title since 1958. Solid defensive coach.

Why He Wouldn't: Kansas State, where Patterson played from 1980-81, could be a player. Reportedly turned down $2 million offer from Minnesota last year.

Quotable: "I've stayed here 11 years and turned down jobs. This is what I'm happy with."

- Patterson responding to Kansas State rumors in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lane Kiffin: Former Oakland Raiders coach

Age: 33

2007 salary: $2 million

Highlights: Trojans averaged 49 points, 579 yards a game in 2005, Kiffin's first year as offensive coordinator - of course that was with Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Dwayne Jarrett. Youngest head coach in NFL history when hired by Oakland at age 31.

Career record: 5-15 (NFL)

Notable stops: Assistant - Fresno State (1997-98), Southern Cal (2001-04); Offensive coordinator - Southern Cal (2005-06); Head coach - Oakland Raiders (2007-08).

Why He'd Work: Background in NFL helps in recruiting. USC finished with No. 1 rated recruiting class each of his three years as recruiting coordinator. Son of longtime NFL coach Monte Kiffin, whose connections could help put together a veteran staff.

Why He Wouldn't: Body of work could be too short to fully project how he might do in a return to college football. Winning percentage of .250 as a head coach isn't easy to sell, either, but the Raiders were better under his watch.

Quotable: "Players don't care about age. Players want to be coached. Great players want to get better, and that's what we're going to do."

- Kiffin, according to the San Francisco Chronicle during a press conference introducing him as the Raiders' head coach

Tim Brewster: Minnesota coach

Age: 48

2007 salary: $1 million

Highlights: Helped develop Antonio Gates from an undrafted free agent to Pro Bowler while tight ends coach at San Diego; Helped land Vince Young while at Texas.

Career record: 8-14

Notable stops: Asst - North Carolina (1989-1997); Texas (1998-2001); San Diego Chargers (2002-04); Denver Broncos (2005-06); Head coach - Minnesota (2007-present)

Why He'd Work: Known as a salesman and has recruited against some of the best programs in the nation. Minnesota on the upswing at 7-3 entering Saturday after going 1-11 in Brewster's first year. Signed Rivals.com's No. 17 recruiting class in 2008.

Why He Wouldn't: Star is fading after losses the last two weeks to Northwestern and Michigan. Only been a head coach for two seasons. Gophers set to open new, on-campus stadium next year.

Quotable: "He gets so excited, so enthusiastic, and what you see is what you get from Tim."

- Former Illinois coach Mike White on Brewster to the Pioneer Press

Salary information from USA Today

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