Will Muschamp’s Replacement: 12 Realistic Options to Coach Florida Gators

Nov 15, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops on the sidelines during the game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

7. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Sooners

Seasons at Current School: 15

Record at Current School: 167-42

Overall Record: 167-42

Age: 54

This is obviously a favorite pick for Florida fans. He’s been on the list three times before. Stoops has obvious coaching ties as the defensive coordinator from 1996 to 1998, and unlike the previous three times he was on the list, he might actually want to get out of Oklahoma this time.

He was only in his third year when Spurrier resigned in 2001 and was just coming off a national championship at Oklahoma two years before. After Zook was fired, the Sooners had gone to two straight national title games. And in 2010, after Meyer stepped down, Stoops was about to be entering a season in which his team would be the preseason favorite to win the national championship.

This time, though, Oklahoma is reeling through a bad season, and the calls are starting to mount for Stoops to finally leave Norman. Could Gainesville be the next destination? He would have a much easier time recruiting as opposed to having to take Texas rejects.

And he’s the one defensive minded coach Florida might seriously consider.

But the questions that have plagued him in Oklahoma would plague him in Florida. How is he in big games now? Can he handle the media? And would it work after all the SEC trashing he’s done?

Next: No. 6 Ranked Coaching Candidate for Florida