Almost immediately after Florida announced that Will Muschamp will not remain the Gators head coach after the 2014 season, the conversation exploded.

No, not who will replace Muschamp at Florida, but which lucky team will lure Coach Boom as its defensive coordinator?

Before UF athletic director Jeremy Foley hired him after the 2010 season, Muschamp helped Texas to the 2009 season national championship game against Alabama. He also served as defensive coordinator at Auburn (2006-07) and under Nick Saban at LSU and with the Miami Dolphins (2002-05).

As one of the most respected coordinators in the country, there could be a bidding war for his services, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Muschamp command something close to a seven-figure salary.

Which teams have a shot at Muschamp? The top three are all from the SEC.

AUBURN

Since hammering LSU in early October and reaching No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, the Tigers are 2-3. Auburn has allowed 35.8 points per game in that stretch.

The Tigers beat South Carolina, 42-35, only when the Gamecocks failed to score points in three red zone possessions, and beat Ole Miss, 35-31, only because Laquon Treadwell fumbled as he crossed the goal line for what would’ve been the go-ahead touchdown late in the game.

Ellis Johnson is a respected defensive coordinator with four different SEC stops and experience in five different decades. But coach Gus Malzahn is considered an innovator, and the Tigers have enjoyed one of the country’s best offenses the last two seasons. Auburn can’t keep up with Alabama and the rest of the national elite without a better defense.

Why it will happen: It’s an easy sell to Tigers fans, as Muschamp built a dominant defense during his two previous seasons at Auburn. Plus, the Tigers may have the best championship outlook, just two years removed from a national title appearance. Gus Malzahn is a hot young head coach with an exciting offense, and we all know how appealing partnering with a successful offense must look to Muschamp right now.

Why it won’t happen: Muschamp has been there, done that at Auburn. Coaches do circle back on occasion, but not often. There’s no guarantee that the Tigers will part with Johnson.

SDS beat writer Jordan Cox: “I think Muschamp returning to Auburn is quite viable. Ellis Johnson has had to simplify his scheme for the personnel he has, but I don’t think he sticks around for a third season. I think the idea of coaching with Gus Malzahn could be attractive to Muschamp. Malzahn does preside over the defense on some level, but Johnson — by all accounts — has had autonomy over that side of the football, which I think Muschamp may desire. Both are young guys, and I don’t think there’s any doubt that Muschamp’s arrival on the Plains would make the Tigers a legitimate contender.”

Bottom line: If Auburn pushes Johnson out, Malzhan’s first call should go to Muschamp.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The Gamecocks sent talent like Jadeveon Clowney, Kelcy Quarles, Melvin Ingram, Stephon Gilmore and Antonio Allen to the NFL in the last three seasons. But the well of pro defensive talent has run dry, at least temporarily, with dramatic results.

South Carolina is 105th of 128 in scoring defense, allowing 32.7 points per game. A 52-28 home loss to Texas A&M to start the season was a huge embarrassment. The team hasn’t been able to generate any semblance of a pass rush, and the young secondary has gotten torched.

SC gave up 42, 45 and 42 points in close losses to Kentucky, Auburn and Tennessee this season, dragging a preseason Top 10 team to the middle of the pack in a weak SEC East. This program won 11 games in three consecutive years, and now hopes to get to seven or eight.

Why it will happen: Coach Steve Spurrier’s days are numbered. We expect him to remain at South Carolina until he retires, whenever that is. But he can’t afford to wait another year to discover he has the wrong coach, then wait while a new system takes root. The Gamecocks’ window is now, and the program should be aggressive.

Why it won’t happen: The team doesn’t have the defensive personnel this season. Lorenzo Ward has a tremendous track record in his five previous seasons at South Carolina and at Virginia Tech before that. Spurrier may not go in a different direction. And even if Ward gets fired, would Muschamp want to work for Spurrier?

SDS beat writer Brad Crawford: “Based on Steve Spurrier’s season-long public admiration for colleague Will Muschamp, rumors of the outgoing Florida coach’s possible move to South Carolina to replace Lorenzo Ward are substantiated. He even delivered Muschamp’s eulogy after Saturday’s overtime win, admitting that sometimes the best team indeed doesn’t always prevail. Ward, in his third season as the Gamecocks’ defensive coordinator, is feeling the effects of heavy personnel losses and while staff changes will happen, assuming he’s replaced by Muschamp as a done deal is premature. He’s had great success leading that side of the football for South Carolina and is one of the program’s best recruiters.”

Bottom line: The Gamecocks have the least to offer Muschamp of the three SEC schools, and also are the least likely to jettison their defensive coordinator. Muschamp is nice window shopping for Carolina fans at this point.

TEXAS A&M

Has there been a bigger defensive punchline in the country among capable power conference programs than the Aggies defense the last two years? First it cost A&M the chance at an SEC championship in Johnny Manziel’s last season, and this year it may cost the team a Top 25 finish and hurt in recruiting.

Coach Kevin Sumlin is getting paid too much money (six years, $30 million) to stand pat. The defense has some young talent, including DE Myles Garrett, but it just hasn’t shown progress in two years. The 59-0 loss at Alabama was one of the worst in school history.

Why it will happen: Mark Snyder is the most likely coordinator in the SEC to get fired after the season. Like Auburn, Muschamp likely would welcome the chance to pair his defense with a respectable offensive system. His personality plays well in Texas, as we saw with the Longhorns. And he could command a huge salary as an assistant coach with the Aggies.

Why it won’t happen: Sumlin and Muschamp have sniped publicly at least once, with Muschamp dissing College Station, Texas.

SDS beat writer Brett Weisband: “Muschamp heading to Texas A&M makes a ton of sense on paper. The Aggies defense clearly needs a major overhaul, and Muschamp’s ties to the state and SEC pedigree would boost A&M’s already excellent recruiting.”

Bottom line: Barrett Sallee is right: Muschamp at A&M would terrify other SEC fan bases. If he and Sumlin could put aside any differences they may have, it could make for a great marriage.

OTHER POTENTIAL LANDING SPOTS FOR MUSCHAMP

  • NFL (as defensive coordinator)
  • FCS or smaller FBS school (as head coach)
  • Cincinnati
  • Texas Tech
  • North Carolina