Southern Mississippi won nine games in 2015, but the Golden Eagles are now in the unenviable position of trying to replace a head coach less than two weeks before signing day.

Former Southern Mississippi coach Todd Monken has left the post to become the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.

So who does that leave to fill this coaching vacancy on short notice?

Fox Sports national college football writer Bruce Feldman shared a list of likely candidates on Sunday evening:

  • Arizona State OC Chip Lindsey
  • Middle Tennessee DC Tyrone Nix
  • Ole Miss co-OC Matt Luke
  • TCU OC Doug Meacham
  • West Georgia HC Will Hall

The idea of losing Matt Luke is probably a little scary for Ole Miss fans.

Here’s Feldman’s take on what makes Luke an ideal candidate for the job:

Ole Miss co-OC Matt Luke, a native of nearby Gulfport, is highly regarded in coaching circles. A protege of David Cutcliffe and Hugh Freeze, Luke has proven to be one of the nation’s top O-line coaches and helped the Rebels become an SEC powerhouse.

Alabama OC Lane Kiffin’s name is one that is often floated whenever a head coaching job appears, but Feldman did not cite him as a potential candidate for this one.

According to the report, Southern Mississippi will be attempting to have a new coach in place “by next week.”