5 COACHING REPLACEMENTS FOR LEACH?

A look at possible replacements for Mike Leach at Texas Tech:

Art Briles: The Baylor coach’s name surfaced in February, when Leach was in a contract standoff. Briles gained wide respected for the job he did at Stephenville High School and at the University of Houston. He has strong ties to the school as a Tech alum and former running backs coach under Leach. After a 4-8 season in Waco where he lost quarterback Robert Griffin early, Briles may be willing to listen. Odds: 3-1

Sonny Dykes:The Arizona offensive coordinator would be another way to unite Red Raider fan base as the son of legendary former Tech coach Spike Dykes. Sonny Dykes has helped Arizona to consecutive bowl games and played a key role in the development of quarterback Nick Foles. He also served on Leach’s staff before leaving for Arizona, and would cost less than Briles. Odds: 2-1

Ruffin McNeill: The Tech defensive coordinator will be getting his audition for the job Saturday as the interim head coach at the Valero Alamo Bowl against Michigan State. McNeill has improved the defense since taking his current position in 2007. He’s also a solid, no-nonsense guy, and has become sort of a father figure to a lot of the Tech players. McNeill would probably have to import an offensive guru, like Houston assistant Dana Holgorsen or former Leach mentor Hal Mumme. Odds: 3-1

Kevin Sumlin: He replaced Briles at Houston and led the Cougars into the Top 25 this season. He’s young, smart and actually beat Tech this season. Sumlin installed Leach’s system, one that complimented the strengths of quarterback Case Keenum. Sumlin has Big 12 South ties as a former assistant at Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Odds: 5-1

Tommy Tuberville: This would be a major move. Tuberville has been on the sidelines, doing TV work, since being forced out at Auburn after a 5-7 season in 2008. But he posted 110 career wins at Ole Miss and Auburn, and went 13-0 in 2004. Tuberville knows the Big 12 from his time as R.C. Slocum’s defensive coordinator at Texas A&M. His name was mentioned briefly for the Kansas job. But would Tech and the spread offense personnel be the right fit with Tuberville? Odds: 10-1

Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com