The worst kept secret in college ball came to fruition Saturday night: Mack Brown “resigned” from the Texas job. Interesting that he did it after Saban agreed to his new deal, but now that the obvious candidate to replace him (and came very close to replacing him) is out of the mix, who will Texas look to next? Let's put these candidates into three categories: Contenders, Pretenders and Wild Cards.

Contenders:

James Franklin, Vandy Head Coach: high energy, great guy, Franklin’s done a great job making Vandy in a moderately respectable program. The boosters and fans will love him and his style of play will do well in the Big 12.

Why he will consider it: Its Texas. He’s at Vandy.

Why he would say no: 8 wins at Vandy on average would give him a job for life at Vandy.

Mark Richt, UGA Head coach: UGA is above Texas in terms of prestige these days, but if Richt is going to bolt Athens, this will be the year. Losing Aaron Murray and about 30 other players to graduation and the NFL will hurt what he’s building. I think it will be tough for Richt to resist the lure if Texas comes calling. I also think that Richt won't be among their first names considered. 

Why he will consider it: Because its Texas and its probably easier to rebuild a program in Austin and away from Miles, Saban, Spurrier and Pinkel.

Why he would say no: If a coach had a choice of UGA or Texas in a vacuum today, they probably take Georgia.

Mike Gundy, Okla State head coach: Gundy is ambitious and appears to have hit the ceiling at Okla State in terms of success. He’s also proven in the Big 12 and looks like the future as opposed to some washed up vet coach. If I’m the new AD in Austin, Gundy is probably my first phone call.

Why he will consider it: Texas > Okla State, even this year. Gundy needs a bigger stage in any event.

Why he would say no: T. Boone Pickens will lock Gundy in a room and keep increasing the pile of cash until he promises to say no to Texas.

Pretenders:

Will Muschamp, Florida head coach(subject to change): Will is remembered being there during good Mack Brown years, so he’s family. And would leave Gainesville for Austin before the job was officially offered. However, his bad year at Florida would make a lot of decision makers in Austin nervous.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson head coach: Win a big game Dabo and your agent’s phone calls will be returned. Dabo, especially if Chad Morris bolts, would love to be considered, but it ain’t gonna happen.*

*Side note, as a Gamecock fan, I hope that the Dabo Swinney era continues forever at Clemson.

Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia head coach: Maybe a year ago, I could believe it, but after WVU’s season, I don’t think that he would seriously considered unless something drastic happens.

Lane Kiffin, Not Really Anything But A Laughing Stock: Ain’t happening, although I’m sure Lane thinks he has a chance.

Wild Cards:

Kyle Shanahan, Soon-to-be Former OC of the Redskins: he’s family and an alum, he has a famous last name(albeit one that’s getting increasingly tarnished) and he’d be good with the media down there. He’s been a bust in the NFL, but with kids cycling through in 4-5 seasons, his spiel won’t get stale.

Why he will consider it: If offered, he’ll take it, unless he wants to work in Dad’s steak house while cashing Dan Snyder checks for a year.

Why he would say no: Delusions of NFL grandeur.

Mark Dantonio, Michigan State head coach: He’s tired of waiting for Spurrier to retire (he’s a Gamecock alum and wants that job) and might be looking for a bigger stage. He’s from Saban tree, coaches a great defense and knows how to find offensive minds to complement his defenses. But he’s a boring hire for Texas.

Why he will consider it: Texas > Michigan State. Saban bolted MSU for greener pastures, and so has Dantonio in the past.

Why he would say no: Beating OSU and winning the Big 10 buys you a lot of leash in East Lansing.

David Cutcliffe, Duke head coach: I don’t know why he isn’t mentioned for every big job like Charlie Strong is now. He’s only made Duke into a legit ACC power and done it without major recruits. And he would be relatively cheap.

Why he will consider it: It's next to impossible for him to say no. And Duke would understand.

Why he would say no: Better to be a king of a Hill then deposed and rolled down a mountain like Mack was(to be fair, if any coach passed on Robert Griffin III, Manziel and Jameis Winston, they should be fired).