Top 10 Assistants In Waiting

Alan Borges, offensive coordinator, UCLA
His high-flying Bruins offenses have averaged 40 points a game over the last two seasons.

Rickey Bustle, offensive coordinator, Virginia Tech
After holding together an injury-plagued Hokies offense, the Clemson graduate is considered a favorite if the Tigers job opens.

David Cutcliffe, offensive coordinator, Tennessee
He groomed the inexperienced Tee Martin, who has led the Vols to No. 1 and didn't do badly with Peyton Manning, either.

Turner Gill, quarterbacks coach, Nebraska
The former Huskers star has the name recognition and the Nebraska coaching pedigree to generate attention and ticket sales.

Ricky Hunley, associate head coach, Missouri
The college football Hall of Famer oversees linebackers and special teams. He's a good motivator and recruiter who'd excel at the p.r. aspects of a coach's job.

Carl Reese, defensive coordinator, Texas
In his first year in Austin, he is being acclaimed for the Longhorns' dramatic defensive improvement.

Rich Rodriguez, offensive coordinator, Tulane
The head coach of NAIA Glenville (W.Va.) State from 1990 to '96 is the architect of the nation's second-best scoring offense. Can he make the leap from obscurity to the big time? Ever heard of Hal Mumme?

Kevin Rogers, offensive coordinator, Syracuse
He developed Marvin Graves and Donovan McNabb into polished multiple-threat quarterbacks, and his offenses have averaged more than 30 points a game over the last four seasons.

Bob Stoops, defensive coordinator, Florida
Stoops transformed the Gators' defense from average to dominant in three years. He's expected to stay put until Hayden Fry retires at Iowa, Stoops's alma mater.

Mike Stoops, defensive coordinator, Kansas State
So what if Nebraska put up 30 on the Wildcats? Bob's younger brother is a step closer to getting a national championship ring like the one Bob won two years ago.