If I was a major program going after the best available coach and CNS is off limits:
1. Chris Peterson
2. Bob Petrino
3. Pete Carroll
A small school like UAB I would be looking at South Alabama Coach Joey Jones.
Good list, but Carroll is a pro guy. Petrino may be settled in, unless someone like Alabama, USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma came calling. How about:
Petersen
Al Golden (Miami)
Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
Kevin Sumlin (Houston)
Brian Billick (former Ravens HC)
I put Pete Carroll on my list because of how he rebuilt USCw. They were a powerhouse under Carroll. His down side is he left the program on probation.
Gundy has been at Oklahoma State long enough to have a defense by now. Lack of defense is why Stoops was not on my list as well.
I like Al Golden, good choice. I also like Gary Patterson that Jamos mentioned. I don't know enough about Sumlin.