You've talked to Paul Johnson, but he took the Georgia Tech job instead. Assuming you don't have something up your sleeve, like hiring a coach immediately after his bowl game, where do you go from here?
I would do the following:
1. Look at your retreads...guys who have been successful Head Coaches but are currently available:
Franchione, Glen Mason, Gary Barnett, Mike Shula, Chan Gailey, Terry Bowden
If you don't find a fit there, then:
2. Look at lower level D-1 HC and D-1AA, etc. Don't have many names here, need to do my homework, but in general terms, look at conferences like the MAC...guys like Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel got their start there. Turner Gill, anyone? Jerry Moore has had a ton of success at Appalachian St., but the guy is nearly 70, probably not what SMU needs...maybe the guy at Valdosta State?
3. D-1 Coordinators: Top of my list are guys like Kevin Wilson, Brent Venables, Will Muschamp, & the Major.
What would your methodology be?