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       Today I found out something that I was expecting for some time: Tommy Tuberville has been fired. Tuberville went 85-40 in ten seasons as Auburn's head coach. This was his first losing season since his first season as Auburn HC. I wouldn't doubt that Tommy will be a coach somewhere next year, it just might not be at a big school. Here's five candidates that Auburn should try and hire to replace Coach Tuberville:

  1. Tommy Bowden, former Clemson HC - Bowden has coached at Auburn before, back when his brother Terry was the head man. Bowden resigned from Clemson this year, and as far as I know he's still looking for a job. For some reason, I see this as a perfect fit. I mean, he can even still be referred to as "the coach of the Tigers". Bowden would be a sensible hire.

  2. Will Muschamp, Texas DC - I know, I know, Will is the coach-in-waiting in Austin. But think of the pitch Auburn could give him! "Do you want to sit behind that old fart [Brown] for fifteen years, or would you rather come to Auburn and start your dynasty now?" Muschamp is used to the SEC, from playing at Georgia to coaching at both LSU and Auburn. Coaches-in-Waiting doesn't mean that they will be the next head coach, and this situation could possibly prove that.

  3. Tyrone Nix, Ole Miss DC - Looking at this list I've compiled so far, Nix looks like the best bet. He's been in the SEC for a while now (coached at South Carolina for 3 years and is now in Oxford). I thought that Nix would be a candidate to coach his alma mater last year, but nothing ever came out of it. Getting a coach from Ole Miss wouldn't be strange to the Auburn athletic department: that's where Tommy Tuberville was.

  4. Todd Graham, Tulsa HC - Graham will probably be the head coach at a BCS school either at the end of this year or the end of next year. Graham has done a great job as Tulsa head coach, currently having a 20-6 record. He also brought Rice to its first bowl game in 45 years in 2006. Graham would be an excellent hire, and it would be a waste if he does not move up to a BCS school.

  5. Darkhorse Pick: Chris Petersen, Boise State HC - I really felt like putting Bobby Petrino on this list, but I decided not to. Petersen is much like Graham, in the sense that he should be at a big-time school. Petersen has a 35-3 record (that's 3 YEARS, only 3 LOSSES) as Boise State head coach, and there is no reason why he hasn't moved up to a big school. Auburn would be lucky if they were able to land Petersen.


        Also this week, New Mexico State fired Hal Mumme (maybe he could go to Auburn!) Here's 5 coaches that the Aggies should try to hire (sorry New Mexico State fans, this list is not as detailed):

 1. Rocky Long, former New Mexico HC
 2. Ty Willingham, former Washington HC
 3. Gregg Brandon, former Bowling Green HC
 4. Mike Shultz, TCU DC
 5. Darkhorse Pick: Guy Morris, former Baylor HC