Options abound for Alabama coaching search

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama picked an interesting day to begin a search for a new football coach.

The coaching carousel started wildly spinning over the weekend, and by Sunday was already switching into overdrive.

Among the moves, Chuck Amato of North Carolina State and Dirk Koetter of Arizona State were both fired, while reports indicated that Michigan State and Iowa State filled their opening.

There are at least six possibilities for the Alabama job, none of which have a direct link to the school.

Perhaps the hottest name is Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, who figures to be a top candidate for Miami, where he used to be an assistant coach.

When asked about Miami after the Scarlet Knights’ victory over Syracuse, Schiano was quoted as saying that’s happy at Rutgers, but he’s also never said that he’s staying in New Jersey.

Other names being mentioned in Miami include former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez and Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe.

Jim Grobe has Wake Forest playing for its first ACC title since 1970, and will face Georgia Tech on Saturday. At 10-2, Wake Forest became the first team in ACC history to go 6-0 on the road after its recent victory against Maryland.

Cal coach Jeff Tedford might have the strongest interest in Alabama, especially since he’s in the shadow of Southern California in the Pac-10. The last time the Golden Bears celebrated New Year’s at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena was nearly 50 years ago.

Navy coach Paul Johnson is preparing for his biggest game of the season this weekend, Army. Navy is 8-3 this season and has already accepted a bid to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Naval Academy officials waited more than two months to give urine tests to five football players who acknowledged early last year that they had used steroids. The disclosure has prompted lawmakers to call for a congressional probe into the matter.

Although South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has publicly said he’s not interested in the Miami job, Alabama might be able to sway him a little more. Spurrier, who won a national championship at Florida, is making approximately $1.3 million a year at South Carolina and has five years remaining on his contract.

Although Nick Saban’s agent denied that the current Miami Dolphins coach had been contacted earlier this week, the former LSU and Michigan State head coach could also merit strong consideration.

Reach Christopher Walsh can be reached at 205-722-0196 or at Christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com.