Texas Tech potential candidates list, now that Tommy Tuberville is gone

Tommy Tuberville is leaving Texas Tech for Cincinnati. It's not a surprise that he's leaving, as SB Nation has been told my multiple sources that he's wanted out of Lubbock, but his destination is certainly a surprise. Tennessee got a successful Big East coach, while Cincinnati replaced that coach with a successful SEC coach. Life is strange.

So, time to talk replacements for Texas Tech.

The first names that come to mind are Sonny Dykes, who just took the Cal job, and Kliff Kingsbury, Texas A&M offensive coordinator. Dykes is the son of Red Raiders coaching legend Spike Dykes, while Kingsbury first made his name as a Mike Leach quarterback in Lubbock. Gotta think Dykes is off the table, while the young Kingsbury's gotta be all ears right now.

Other thoughts:

Checked w 2 sources in Lubbock, both said same 4 names…: Kingsbury, Monken, Briles & Art Kaufman. Just passing along what I'm told.

— FootballScoop Staff (@footballscoop) December 8, 2012

Can they call up Mike Leach? *whistles innocently* RT @brianmfloyd: I'm serious though. Kliff Kingsbury to Tech. You know they want to

— Pacific Takes (@PacificTakes) December 8, 2012

in other news, i'm with @andyhutchins: the tech opening is pretty great news for kliff kingsbury.

— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) December 8, 2012

Don't be surprised if Texas Tech targets San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach Jim Leavitt. CoachingSearch.com

— Pete Roussel (@coachingsearch) December 8, 2012

TTU AD is close to Jim Leavitt but Chad Morris of Clemson has a very real shot at the Texas Tech job.

— Josh (@JoshuaBBlack) December 8, 2012

There will be a ton of good candidates at #TexasTech but none has such a tight relationship w AD Kirby Hocutt as Brent Venables.

— John E. Hoover (@johnehoover) December 8, 2012

Art Briles to Texas Tech makes some sense, too. Also his alma mater.

— Randy Rosetta (@RandyRosetta) December 8, 2012

Would not be surprised at all if Texas Tech dug in its wallet and made an hard run at bringing Dana Holgorsen back.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) December 8, 2012

Time to find out if Sonny Dykes loves the Bay Area as he told @slmandel. Sonny's dad a legend in Lubbock, Texas Tech might try and get him.

— Pacific Takes (@PacificTakes) December 8, 2012

Tech search will be fascinating. My gut says Kliff Kingsbury is too inexperienced, but would be intriguing. Missed out on Sonny Dykes.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) December 8, 2012

Also, speaking of Petrino:

Bobby Petrino is working on a head coaching opportunity for himself; but if that doesn't happen, he could wind up w Tubs as OC!

— FootballScoop Staff (@footballscoop) December 8, 2012

Nothing would be awkward about that at all. Petrino once famously conspired to take Tuberville's Auburn job after serving as Tuberville's offensive coordinator, in the episode popularly dubbed Planegate.

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