Very good question, and I will try to answer without my garnet colored glasses on. I think the perfect scenario would be to hire a successor...a coach in waiting...who would assume the OC role and ultimately become HC. But as we all know, Spurrier doesn't roll with an OC. I don't know how long Ellis Johnson would stay onboard as DC after Spurrier retires, but he could be a bridge hire to maintain the coaching staff/recruits while a successor is sought. Is Mangus that candidate? I don't know. Had he not had that incident in Greenville I would have said yes. He's our top recruiter, has had proven experience winning as a HC, and knows his X's and O's. But how much ire does our BoT have against him...that's the biggest question. You can't hide from a mugshot.
I would love to have Gary Patterson, but honestly don't think he'll be available by 2013. Yes, we have the TCU connection, which could weigh heavily in our favor, but I foresee somebody stepping up before we can pay him some cash. And the past two 'retreads' have taken home team discounts up front. To the best of my knowledge we've never been a bidder for a HC (although I have no clue how much we paid Dietzel or Carlen to come here).
I think after the Horn experiment, our AD and BoT has to realize that Spurrier's successor cannot come from a mid major or live off of one or two quality wins. I think Spurrier has earned the right to choose when he's ready to retire, and we just have to sit and wait patiently while he restocks the cupboard.
