Stoops jumps to top of Florida's wishlist to replace Muschamp

It's a bottom line business. Will Muschamp knows it, and Sunday he experienced the fallout from it.

Florida's firing of Muschamp after nearly four uneven seasons could start a chain of coaching changes among FBS schools.

This is what happens when the best job in college football becomes available.

A look at the top candidates for the Florida job:

Bob Stoops, Oklahoma: Gators AD Jeremy Foley has tried twice (2002, 2005) to hire Stoops, and both times the former Florida assistant who still owns a summer home in Crescent Beach, Fla., said no. If ever there were a time to get Stoops, this is it. The OU fan base has begun to turn on one of the game's top five coaches, and Stoops reacted last week by essentially saying do you remember what it was like before I arrived? The one indisputable hire that would unite the entire Florida fan base.

Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss: After four years of slogging through defense-first teams, the program needs an offensive innovator. Freeze's spread system fits Florida's personnel and he has proven he can recruit well to Ole Miss. Imagine what he could do with Florida's recruiting footprint?

Rich Rodriguez, Arizona: The offense works everywhere (worked at Michigan, too), and he has proven at Arizona that maybe the dysfunction at Michigan -- not his coaching -- was the reason he wasn't successful in Ann Arbor. Imagine his offense with the players available in the state of Florida.

Jim Mora, UCLA: Another defense-first coach, but a guy who has proven he knows the importance of offense and scoring points. Turned down Texas last year, but Florida -- without all the booster interference -- is a more attractive job.

Steve Spurrier, South Carolina: He looks closer to retiring than returning to Florida. But he still has plenty of tread on the tires -- and has the ego to go back and save his alma mater.

Charlie Strong, Texas: Badly wanted Florida job when Muschamp was hired. Timing of it now probably makes this a long shot, but Florida job still is Strong's dream job.

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: Proven winner, wide-open offense. In Stillwater if all places. His offense with state of Florida recruits would be lethal.