So far, it seems like every FBS coach, coordinator and quality control analyst has been linked to the Texas job. To try to help sift through the baseless rumors and crazy speculation, we're listing who the top five likeliest candidates for the position are each morning and afternoon. Here's how things stand as of Thursday Morning:
5. Jimbo Fisher, FSU Head Coach
Fisher stays in the top 5 today, but he and Gus Malzahn are slipping thanks to a perceived urgency in Austin. If Texas wants to wrap this up quickly (which is how it looks at the moment), they won't wait until after the National Title game to start making moves - and there's no way Fisher would be able to enter negotiations until after his Seminoles play for the national championship.
4. Gus Malzahn, Auburn Head Coach
Malzahn is still someone Texas covets highly, but if another elite candidate becomes available before the national championship game, Malzahn could miss out. If the search stalls, though, the odds that Malzahn and Fisher are involved skyrocket.
3. Les Miles, LSU Head Coach
The Mad Hatter is a definite person of interest in the Texas coaching search, and he's worth keeping an eye on as things progress. His name has been mentioned more and more, and Texas is starting to doubt their ability to land an active NFL coach.
2. Art Briles, Baylor Head Coach
Briles has Texas roots, is an excellent recruiter, and can evaluate talent like few others on the college football landscape. UT is very interested, and while Briles' contract at Baylor still has 10 years to run, he's going to be at or near the top of this leaderboard until a final decision is made.
1. Jon Gruden, ESPN Analyst
Gruden is a recent addition to the list, but his openness to the job and his immediate availability have vaulted him to the top. A Super Bowl winner with Tampa back in 2002, Gruden has the name recognition and reputation that Texas is after.
Wild Card: Nick Saban, Alabama Head Coach
Saban could sign a 150-year contract with Alabama that pays him in gold bricks and private yachts, and he'd still be a wild card in the Texas race. Check out our breakdown of Texas' pursuit of Saban for full details on why he's still in the running.
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Additional Reading:
How Awful QB Recruiting Led to Mack Brown's Downfall at Texas
GIF: Steve Spurrier's Terrifying Workout Plan
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