This week, the Florida Gators have announced that they are down to their final three candidates to fill the void at head coach, now that Urban Meyer has left the University for the NFL. Let us introduce you to the three prospective head coaches:

1. Steve Whitaker :: Texas Lutheran University

Coach Whitaker boasts one of the best records at the DIII level, and has a very proud history to boot. The University of Florida is interested in Coach Whitaker for his strong work ethic, his proven winning record, and his ties to the Texas area. These ties to Texas football could provide a great probe for the Gators into another huge recruiting state. If Florida were able to add Texas as a pipeline, that would give them a huge presence in the two biggest states for high school football recruits. It will be difficult for Florida to lure him away from his beloved Texas Lutheran University, but if the Gators are able to, the program will benefit: he is Florida's #1 choice.


2. Basil Faraday :: James Madison University

Coach Basil Faraday, currently a running backs coach at FCS powerhouse school James Madison University, is the Gators' number two candidate. Faraday has been pivotal in JMU's success in building up their program since he graduated from there in 2003. In 2004, they won the FCS National Championship. In 2005-2008, the Dukes made great playoff runs before being knocked off by the eventual champion every season. In those years, JMU led the FCS in rushing. Coach Faraday also brings a lot of enthusiasm to the sport, and due to his young age he can relate well to recruits trying to make it at the college level.


3. Marty Ingram :: Morgan State University

Coach Ingram knows his stuff! That's what his players tell us at least. His record has been pretty mediocre at a mediocre school, but he has begun to transform the Bears into more of a contender on a yearly basis. Florida's third candidate, like Coach Faraday, has a lot of enthusiasm for the sport, and he also is a good offensive-minded coach. Insiders with the University of Florida have told us that his interview went very well, which is why Coach Ingram, a relatively unknown coach, has made the final three. Ingram is also the best athlete of the three, having earned three varsity letters at North Carolina State University in football as a wide receiver.

The jury is still out on who the Gators will choose to lead them in the 2009 season and beyond, but each of the three candidates seems like a great fit for the position. We are told that the University will announce their new hire sometime within the next two weeks. This will give the new head coach ample time to do his meet-and-greet, let us know his plans for offense and defense, and to get to work with his players.