UA coaching prospects: Yes? No? Maybe?

LITTLE ROCK — Everyone wants to know who the next head football coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks is going to be but, truth be known, at this point even Athletic Director Jeff Long probably isn’t sure.

There is too much football to be played, but since it is the hottest topic in the state, let’s take a fun look at The Associated Press Top 25 and see if there are candidates who would move to the UA.

1. ALABAMA Nick Satan: No.

2. OREGON Chip Kelly: No. Turned down Tampa Bay of the NFL.

3. FLORIDA STATE Jimbo Fisher: The only place he would move to is Baton Rouge.

4. LSU Les Miles: Not even on one of his weirder days.

5. GEORGIA Mark Richt:Not unless he was fired.

6. SOUTH CAROLINA Steve Spurrier: Augusta is closer than Alotian.

7. KANSAS STATE Bill Snyder: Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

8. WEST VIRGINIA Dana Holgorsen: Yes, but don’t forget he was tossed from a casino at 3 a.m.

9. NOTRE DAME Brian Kelly: He’s a cradle Catholic.

10. FLORIDA Will Muschamp: Only if the Gators overtake the Swamp.

11. TEXAS Mack Brown: Has lifetime job security for some reason.

12. OHIO STATE Urban Meyer: Wants no part of SEC pressures.

13. SOUTHERN CAL Lane Kiffin: Not until he gets fired.

14. OREGON STATE Mike Riley: Average coach at average school.

15. CLEMSON Dabo Swinney: Absolutely would listen to Long and accept a raise to stay at Clemson.

16. TCU Gary Patterson: Seems to be an Internet favorite, but he just built a new $3 million home, has his program working and is now in a BCS conference.

17. OKLAHOMA Bob Stoops: No way. Turned down interview at Ohio State.

18. STANFORD DavidShaw: A Stanford man, even played there.

19. LOUISVILLE Charlie Strong: An Arkansas native, a University of Central Arkansas graduate, a former defensive coordinator in the SEC, and may win the Big East and go to a BCS bowl. Yes, he would be interested.

20. MISSISSIPPI STATE Dan Mullen, probably has a noncompete in SEC Western Division in his contract, but is doing a great job for the Bulldogs.

21. NEBRASKA Bo Pelini: Not just no, but heck no.

22. RUTGERS Kyle Flood: Totally unproven. This is his first season as a head coach.

23. WASHINGTON Steve Sarkisian: Unproven and has lived his entire life in the Pacific time zone.

24. NORTHWESTERNPat Fitzgerald: Won’t be in the Top 25 by the end of the season.

25. UCLA Jim Mora: Has a Bobby Petrino personality, less the football skills.

Now a few from others receiving votes:

CINCINNATI Butch Jones: Would be interested.

BOISE STATE Chris Petersen: A West Coast guy but would listen.

TEXAS TECH Tommy Tuberville: Of course he would come home.

BAYLOR Art Briles: A Texas legend who had success during an 18-year high school coaching career, at Houston and now at Baylor. Strong Christian guy who loves his players. Hopefully he is on the short list.

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE Mark Hudspeth: Hada great first season.

WASHINGTON STATE Mike Leach: He will listen to anyone, for a while.

Those are the names you are going to hear bandied around, and this is just one man’s opinion about the chances of any of them coming to Arkansas. But remember that no one, not even Long, can know for sure right now who the next head coach will be.

This is a lengthy process and there may be names, such as Butch Davis, on Long’s list who aren’t currently head coaches, but all indications are that whoever Long wants is currently employed in the game.