Brent Venables Contingency Plans

The Temptation of Brent Venables should reach its conclusion today, as the Oklahoma Sooners' longtime defensive coordinator is expected to decide on a lucrative offer to run the Clemson Tigers' D.

Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World tweeted out last night that Venables' agent expects him to leave Norman. If so, who should take his place?

Bob Stoops has shown a willingness to shift coaches' responsibilities around if it suits him. For example, when Willie Martinez joined the staff in 2010, Stoops moved Bobby Jack Wright from secondary coach to defensive ends.

Let's assume for the purpose of this exercise that OU would pursue a linebackers coach. Homerism considers these candidates worthy of consideration.

Randy Shannon

The U's former head coach coordinated some outstanding defenses at Miami and coached up some outstanding linebackers in his time. Miami's current troubles with the NCAA may raise a red flag, but Shannon actually appears to have taken a proactive approach in trying to stop his players from associating with disgraced booster Nevin Shapiro. He might require some type of co-coordinator designation, but that shouldn't be an issue, given that it will still be Mike Stoops' show.

In my mind, Shannon is a home run from both a recruiting and teaching standpoint.

Mike Tressel

The nephew of Jim Tressel currently coaches linebackers at Michigan State. The Spartans have produced some stellar defenses in recent years, keyed by a strong front seven. Also working in Tressel's favor: He coaches Sparty's special teams, a notorious weak point for OU.

Tony Tademy

Tademy, who coaches linebackers at TCU, has spent the past seven years learning from one of college football's best defensive minds in Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson. Tademy has done more than just ride Patterson't coattails. He has developed NFL-caliber linebackers and national awards candidates. His familiarity with recruiting in Texas gives him another gold star on the resume.

Bill McGovern

Credit goes to Josh McCuistion of SoonerScoop.com for pegging McGovern as a potential candidate. (And by "potential," of course, I mean someone Bob should look at.) Luke Kuechly and Mark Herzlich – enough said. One potential drawback to McGovern, a Northeast lifer, would be his lack of familiarity with Big 12 country.

Any other names out there that you think should be in the mix?