The unthinkable may be a possibility right now as the Cleveland Browns are prepping to offer Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer the largest head coaching contract in NFL history and a minority ownership stake in the team. While our sources say the offer doesn't indicate or insinuate interest on Meyer's part, there's still enough to go on right now to at least raise the question -- who would be the favorites to replace Meyer if he were to leave?
We decided to single out three potential candidates who could top the program's shortlist.
3. Nick Saban, head coach, Alabama Crimson Tide
A report surfaced earlier this season that Saban may not be happy in Tuscaloosa. He reportedly came close to taking a job at Texas -- a clearly inferior position right now. Ohio State has THE marquee head coaching job in the nation right now. Saban is THE marquee option which could be available if Meyer decides to try his hand at the NFL.
Saban was Ohio State's defensive backs coach in 1980-81 and still has ties to the Big Ten from his head coaching stint at Michigan State in 1995-99. He also went to Kent State (less than three-hour drive from Columbus) and was a graduate/defensive assistant at the school for four years. There's also his four-year stint as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns (1991-94) which even furthers the notion that he has enough of a connection to the area to at least consider a move to OSU. Bama hate may blind some to such a possibility, but the "what if" remains pretty strong on this one.
MUST READ: More details about the Browns' impending offer to Urban Meyer
2. Jim Tressel, former head coach, Ohio State Buckeyes
Tressel's show-cause penalty for his role in a memorabilia sale scandal doesn't expire until December of next year, but what happens if Urban Meyer spurns the Browns this go-around but changes his mind after the fact? Tressel is still beloved by a very large sect of the Buckeyes fan base and still has a soft spot for the program. He's shown no inkling of returning to coaching just yet, but would he rule out a reunion in Columbus? His 106-22 record at the school and national title will go a long way in potential negotiations.
1. Tom Herman, head coach, Houston Cougars
Herman just received a lucrative contract extension from the Houston Cougars, but there's no reason why Ohio State would shy away from fronting the buyout to bring back their former offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Herman won the 2014 Broyles Award (best assistant in the nation) for the work he did during the team's run to the College Football Playoff, keeping the nation's fourth-ranked offense together while injuries forced him to play three different quarterbacks. He's young, extremely well respected in the OSU community, and a budding offensive genius. He's the perfect successor if Meyer ever decides to leave.
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