Personally, if I was Gus and Louisville called I'd be on a plane within the quarter of an hour. I see his system working well in that type of environment as well.
Just a guess on my part here...
I'm thinking Mphs. is wanting to get a step up on the coaching turmoil/firings we are going to see in the next two months.
Honestly, to start, we are looking at Michigan, Notre Dame and Illinois firing their guys. We can likely add Louisville looking as well. Virginia comes to mind...
Agree with you on Malzahn and Louisville. Then again I thought Kragthorpe would make a smooth transition in behind Petrino too - so what the Hell do I know. :no-no:, don't go there.
Brian Kelley will almost certainly end up at Notre Dame - unless they completely unload the bank and toss around $7.5MM/year for Meyer and/or Saban.
Michigan will probably look into their family tree or an NFL guy. Miles will have to tell them no again. If he does, which I bet he does not, Bob Stoops, who is suffering from the 'been there ten year' ailment and might need a change of scenery.
Virginia will probably look to Jim Grobe at Wake or the guy at Richmond who was a respected Wahoo assistant. David Cutcliff might be an option there too.
Illinois. Who knows - or really cares. They will not be in the market for anyone with any name or resume.
Now. If Miles does go home, how long before we hear the 'Saban will crawl back to LSU' stories? And where in the world will LSU look if Saban does say no? Tubberville will not go over well with the average Joeux down there at ALL - even though it would be a good place for him to recharge his batteries and stick it to Auburn with a boat-load of talent.
Wild card in all this is Jon Gruden. He has about $10MM coming from the Bucs still, and would he risk that for the pressure of a college job (where he has been been removed from that game in favor of the NFL guy for too many years). LSU and Michigan both would do well by hiring him - and us too if Saban does go to LSU.
Also, do not be surprised to see a change at South Carolina either this year or next. Spurrier has lost the fire.