John Gruden

bizarre. Not the first time he was linked to a major college program though.

 

nope. but at least logistically this one might have merit. i'm guessing he stayed in florida with his bucs and espn money in hand.

 

From ESPN Insider:

Hocutt said he has begun a "national search" for UM's next coach. "Our expectations are to compete for championships and return to the top of the college football world." The last two active head coaches the school has lured came from Oklahoma State (Jimmy Johnson) and Washington State (Dennis Erickson). Going the assistant route has failed Miami the last two times out after promoting Larry Coker and tabbing Shannon. I'm curious if the Canes can afford to not go that route this time around.

The most intriguing name I heard so far is former NFL head coach Jon Gruden. There is no doubt he's has a dynamic presence and has been intrigued by the college game in his time since leaving the sidelines for his "Monday Night Football" gig. However, I'm not sure Miami has enough money to lure him or if he doesn't feel like the NFL is more his style.

Having worked at Oklahoma and played at K-State, Hocutt spent a lot of time around Bob Stoops. I know how much respect he has for him, but I'd be surprised again if he could lure him out of Norman.

Houston's Kevin Sumlin is coming off a tough 2010 in which his team lost both of its top two QBs, but he is a rising star in the business and might be tempted. There's also been speculation that Hocutt will consider his old buddy Brent Venables, the OU defensive coordinator.

Another name to remember is former UM player Mario Cristobal. He is also a local product, whose FIU team actually won the Sun Belt title a few hours before Miami canned Shannon. The job Cristobal did at upstart FIU is one of the better stories of the season. Cristobal got his job around the same time Shannon was handed the keys at UM. FIU barely resembled a D-I setup. The place was in total disarray. It went 0-12, was put on probation, lost 20 scholarships, had 17 ineligible players and zero NFL prospects, but with three recruiting classes, he got the job done.