UW coach Tyrone Willingham Forced Out!

The bloody miserable coaching term is finally over for the UW's Tyrone Willingham. Today, following a horrible performance against Notre Dame Tyrone was forced to step down following the 2008 season.

A coaching search is underway as we speak and the new coach should will most likely be in place following the end of the season prior to bowl games. The UW is thought to have a budget of just north of $2mm per season for the right candidate.

There are several good candidates out there, below is my list of favorites.

Chris Petersen/Head coach, Boise State/Thought to prefer a lower spotlight in Boise, but UW could pay him a lot more than he's making in Boise.
Current Salary: $900k
In first season as head coach at Boise State (2006), Peterson led the Broncos to a 13-0 record and an impressive victory over no. 11 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl; Has developed numerous quarterbacks as QB coach at Pittsburgh (Alex Van Pelt) as well as the offensive coordinator at Boise State (Ryan Dinwiddie and Jared Zabransky); Went 15-1 in WAC in 2006 and 2007; Boise State has been a fixture at the top of the national offensive rankings since Peterson has been with the program.

Will Muschamp/defensive coordinator, Texas/Was defensive coordinator at LSU when Tigers won national title in 2003 and Emmert and Woodward in charge in Baton Rouge. But may be more interested in Clemson job.
Current Salary: $425k
Is one of the top defensive coordinators in the country and is widely considered the hottest assistant coaches as far as head coaching positions are concerned; Nick Saban protégé who was an assistant head coach at Miami.

Gary Patterson/Head Coach TCU
Current Salary: $1.3mm
Has only been a head coach with the Horned Frogs and has taken them to seven bowls in eight seasons and will take them to an eighth bowl this season as well; Defensive-minded coach; Teams are always tough.

Todd Graham/Head Coach Tulsa
Current Salary: $1.1mm
Has been rumored to be a target very recently; Has been a head coach at both the high school and collegiate level; defensive background and was the coordinator of one of the top defenses (Tulsa) in the country in 2005. Was a successful coordinator at both West Virginia and Tulsa before becoming a head coach; Took Rice from 1-10 season in 2005 and took them to the New Orleans bowl in his only season as head coach ending in a 7-6 record; has been able to pull some good recruits from an area dominated by Oklahoma and Texas.