My personal Top 4 candidates:
1. KC Keeler - Veteran HC, Proven Winner with large body of work, Has done it in the State of Texas, Realistic Get, Could be our Leipold (Will he leave?)
2. Eric Morris - Did a great job at UIW and got some HC experience there, Solid now at Wazzu, Texas ties, (Sample size?)
3. Colby Carthel - Not Keeler level of success, but done a good job at SFA/Commerce, Texas ties, (Is he ready for FBS?)
4. Shawn Bell - Wild card candidate, Former TXHSFB HC, Has been on Rhule and Aranda Baylor staffs (Does not having same body of work as Traylor/McGuire make a difference?)
There's a bit of a theme with the Top 3. I value prior successful HC experience, which for us to be able to get them means their HC success likely was at FCS level. To me, Keeler is the safest option. Has won his whole career (Over 250 wins as a HC), we could easily double his current salary without even overpaying, there are no ?s about how would handle being a HC. Sam is in transition right now and headed to the carcass of the CUSA. If you're him would you rather make the FBS jump in a transition process or at a place with actual resources and facilities (comparatively speaking).