Life after Brewster

It's official. The Brewster era has ended, and not a moment too soon. (Though I do find it odd that they didn't have him finish the season. Seriously, if you're Tim Horton, being a head coach is probably something you'd like to get back into. Why accept the ignominy of being a fill-in 0-5?)

With so much time between now and the start of off-season recruiting, the U of M has a head start on every other school that may be considering similar change. Of course, any targets that are currently employed will be untouchable until the season ends. That's why the search committee is such a good idea. Your guy talks to their guy's guy. Indirect indirect contact. Follow?

Anyway, I've had a list in my head for some time now. It includes some rational names that could be had at reasonable prices. Of course, no mention of future coaches would be complete without the "dream" choices. So let's start there. (Note: Brewster's base salary was $600K/year; Glen Mason was making $1.65M/year at the time of his firing.)

1. Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts; currently a color analyst for NBC's Sunday Night Football and mentor to troubled stars.
Why it would work: Dungy is possibly the most respected man in America. His record in the NFL speaks for itself, as does the Super Bowl he won and the souls he has redeemed.
Why it wouldn't: He has already expressed no interest, his wife hates cold weather and his family lives in Tampa.
What it would cost: Relocation to sunny Florida and a snowball surviving hell.

2. Any big-name BCS-level coordinator
Why it would work: Um, uh, hmm...
Why it wouldn't: Names like Will Muschamp (DC, Texas), Kirby Smart (DC, Alabama), Brent Venables (DC, Oklahoma), Mark Whipple (OC, Miami), Paul Chryst (OC, Wisconsin) or Jim McElwain (OC, Alabama) are looking for -- and will get -- gigs at struggling SEC/southern/California-type schools. Basically, where they have talent in their backyard.
What it would cost: Many millions. Muschamp makes $900K in base salary, and if he takes over the Longhorns in 2011, his salary will bloat to $2.25M. 2012? $2.5M. A number in the $3-5M would be a starting point for most of these guys. (That's would be more than half the Gophers annual football budget.)

3. Chris Peterson (Boise State), Gary Patterson (TCU), Kyle Whittingham (Utah), Troy Calhoun (Air Force),  June Jones (SMU); all current head coaches
Why it would work: It would be a step up in conference prestige for all except Whittingham who, along with Colorado, will expand the Pac-10 next year.
Why it wouldn't: If Peterson or Patterson leave their schools, it would be for far greener pastures. Basically, they'll take the Urban Meyer route and head to big name programs that either had a bad year, or are looking to replace a retired legend.
What it would cost: What did Daisuke Matsuzaka charge just to talk? Yeah, that.

Okay, so now that we've wiped the stars from our eyes, let's take a look at the next, more approachable level. These are still long-shots, but would at least show the seriousness of the search.
1. Mike Leach, former head coach of Texas Tech, currently a color analyst for CBS College Sports Network/loudmouth blowhard.
Why it would work: Simply put, he produces. Leach was the OC at Kentucky when the Wildcats were kind-of good. Case in point: he turned Tim Couch into the No. 1 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. Cleveland still hates him.
Why it wouldn't: Leach is still awaiting a decision on his lawsuit against Texas Tech, who fired him for allegedly ordering an injured player to stay in a dark shed during practice. Until this is resolved, and Leach turns a corner and dulls his sharp tongue, this would be a black eye on a university trying to save face.
What it would cost: A starting point would probably be in the $1.5M range, but Leach was making closer to $2M at the end of his Red Raider days. He'll want something close to that, one would imagine.

2. Randy Edsall, head coach at Conneticut
Why it would work: Took over a FCS (then 1AA) program in 1999, led them through major changes and into FBS world in 2002, earned first bowl bid, and win, in 2004. The joke is that the Gophers should be an FCS school. What better guy to beat the Dakotas?
Why it wouldn't: When Notre Dame is said to be considering you, taking a job in the Twin Cities can be seen as a regressive move.
What it would cost: Current salary escalates from current $1.55M to $1.7M in 2012. Considering he is in an easier conference, the Big East, and bigger names have called, $2.5/year would be a logical starting point.

3. Kevin Sumlin, head coach at Univ. of Houston
Why it would work: He's a familiar name (as a Minn. offensive assistant from 1993-97), but from a forgettable time. Sumlin won eight games his first year (2008) and 10 last year. He would also bring Texas as a familiar recruiting base.
Why it wouldn't: Who would leave a fertile recruiting base like Texas?
What it would cost: At least $1.5M, but maybe another mil on top of that.

And now, onto the within-our-grasp kind of guys.
1. DeWayne Walker, head coach at New Mexico State
Why it would work: A two-year starter at CB for the Gophers from 1981-82. Started his coaching career as D-Back's coach in New England for the Patriots. Moved on to become UCLA's DC in 2006, and was a finalist for the Bruins' head job that eventually went to Rick Neuheisal.
Why it wouldn't: For a fan base that wants a splash, this would be a disappointing pebble-in-the-lake move.
What it would cost: A very affordable salary that currently sits somewhere between $300-600K/year, according to various sources. A cool mil could entice Walker to leave the bare pantry in Las Cruces for a slightly less bare Twin Cities.

2. Marc Trestman, head coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes
Why it would work: Probably the name most mentioned after Dungy, the fans, Dungy and media, seem to like what he could offer as a two-time Grey Cup (Canadian Super Bowl) winner. Trestman was born here, went to college here, coached with the Vikings (twice) and, as a law school grad, may be the firm hand needed.
Why it wouldn't: Unless his play calling has changed, it will be a familiar conservatism that has been seen for years.
What it would cost: It's tough to find salaries on CFL players and coaches, but it would seem that $1-2M would easily be in range.

3. Jeff Horton, interim head coach at Minnesota
Why it would work: Previous head gigs at Nevada (1992) and UNLV (1993-98) were semi-successful. Horton was 14-9 in his first two seasons as a head coach, including a 1993 Las Vegas Bowl win.
Why it wouldn't: Fans will want no part of this staff in the future. Combine the public furor over the current situation with Horton's disastrous 6-30 record over his final four years at UNLV (including a win-less 1998) and you have a recipe that season ticket holders will never try.

Of course, there are others that will come to mind. But, for the time being, Walker and Trestman should be the targets.