Ideal Candidates to Replace Mallory

So it looks like Wilson and Glass finally read the BtownBanners Mallory article.

All joking aside, optimism abounds with the news of a new defensive coordinator in Bloomington. Here is an early look at some potential candidates who could reverse the eternally dismal defensive culture at Indiana. While compiling this list, the following parameters were considered:

1. Experience as a proven D1 defensive coordinator

2. See #1

Enjoy.

Todd Orlando

(photo credit: usu.com)

There's no doubt in my mind Orlando could get the job done at IU, but he might actually be "too good" as his name is being associated with some high-profile DC vacancies like the one at Oregon.

First of all, dude brings the heat.

Second, he has nine seasons under his belt as a successful defensive coordinator. He began as the DC at UConn from 2005-2011, a school with a comparable talent pool to that of Indiana as far as rivals recruiting rankings are concerned. During those years, his defense finished in the top ten nationally twice. He also coached the Husky defense in several bowl games, most notably the 2011 BCS Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

This past season, he served as the DC at Utah State where his defense finished fifth in yards per play and 12th in total defense. Subsequently, he finished as finalist for the Broyle's Award which goes to the nation's top assistant. He has the type of attitude that players love and the successful track record that fans are looking for in a new DC.

Carl Pelini

(photo credit: sportingnews.com)

This one is interesting. First of all, he is Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini's big brother. Like his little brother, he is apparently somewhat of a...character. Long story short, he has recently found himself unemployed after resigning as the head coach of Florida Atlantic as a result of partying a little too hard. Or should we say, too "high." However, Louisville's recent hire of Bobby Petrino has reinforced the lesson that if you get fired for anything other than being a good football coach, you'll get another shot somewhere.

Why would Wilson give him a chance? First of all, despite his recent poor lapse in judgement, we know he's not an idiot as he is the proud owner of two separate Masters degrees. Second, he was a successful DC at Nebraska from 2007-2010 before taking the head coaching job at FAU. Most importantly to IU fans, he has a history of revitalizing bad defenses. In his first three seasons at Nebraska, his defense went from being ranked 112th overall to 55th to 7th. Likewise, the FAU defense improved from 69th in his first year to 11th in the country this past year. With a pedigree of turning bad defenses into national leaders and a B1G background, he could fit the mold.

Nick Holt

(photo credit: nasorb.com)

Holt spent his first three years as a DC at powerhouse USC. For two of those three years his defense finished 2nd in the country in total defense. In 2008, USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian was hired as the head coach at Washington, Holt went along to lead the Husky defense. Although the Husky defense improved 42 spots in total defense during his three years at the school, he was let go in 2011.

Bobby Petrino, who appreciates second chances, brought Holt on as the defensive coordinator this past year at Western Kentucky, and Holt simply crushed it. The Hilltoppers ended the season with the 14th ranked defense in the country. With Petrino leaving for Louisville and WKU offensive coordinator Jeff Brohm getting the promotion to head coach, one would think Holt would jump at the chance to work the same position in the Big Ten that he currently holds in the Sun Belt conference.

Randy Shannon

(photo credit: fannation.com)

In 2006, Shannon was the up and coming assistant, and Indiana wouldn't have had a chance at landing him. As the DC of the Miami Hurricanes, his defenses finished in the top ten of the country five out of six years. But, when he got the promotion to head coach he was a bit of a disaster from 2007-2010.

He has spent the past two seasons since his fall from grace as the linebacker coach for Arkansas. So he's not a great head coach. His track record says he's a phenomenal DC and his recruiting ties to the state of Florida are invaluable. Although he's at an SEC school now, he could jump for the B1G if it meant a chance to restore his credibility as a DC.

Jimmy Burrow

(photo credit: ohiobobcats.com)

No list of candidates would be complete without a MAC coach in the mix. Burrow is a bit of anomaly. He has been rock solid in his nine seasons as the Ohio DC, but apparently never phenomenal enough to gain national attention. His defense has led the nation in turnovers, and has ranked in the top five of the MAC virtually every year. The state of Ohio is by far the most rich in talent as far as the Midwest is concerned, and he presumably has deep ties throughout the state after nearly a decade of recruiting in it.

David Gibbs

(photo credit: footballrecruiting.rivals.com)

This year was Gibb's first at the helm of the Houston defense. The Cougars finished the season leading the country in turnovers and, of particular interest to a team with a historically awful defense, as the fourth most improved unit the country. After finishing 118th overall in 2012, the Cougars finished 80th in the country in total defense this year. If he could generate that kind of improvement in one year at Indiana, and the Hoosier offense puts up the same kind of numbers they did this year...

Gibb's accomplishments were recognized on a national scale as he was named to the Broyle's Award list, and he also has NFL coaching experience with the Texans, Broncos, and Vikings, which recruits love.

Barry Odom

(photo credit: commercialappeal.com)

Odom's name has been one of the most consistently mentioned in association for the Indiana DC job, and for good reason. In 2011, the Memphis defense was comparable to that of Indiana's as they finished in the bottom five of the nation and dead last in their conference. In 2012, Odom's first year as DC, the defense skyrocketed up to 51st in the country and first in their conference. Their run defense (always a struggle for IU) also finished 32nd in the country that year. It wasn't a one year fluke either. In 2013, his second year, the Memphis defense continued their improvement as they finished 39th in total defense and 12th nationally in run defense.

Moving your defense up 78 spots over two years in national rankings will get you noticed, and such a track record is exactly what Indiana is looking for in a prospective coach. He also has experience recruiting both the southeast with Memphis and the midwest from his nine seasons at Missouri.

This list is sure to be updated as new information is released, and it has been speculated that Wilson already has a "handshake" agreement with the next man in line but...

One way or another hope springs eternal for the Hoosier faithful.

Have your own thoughts on who the new DC should be? Hop over to our forum thread on the topic and let loose.