Franks takes over as USF coach, but for how long?

TAMPA -- Carl Franks, the running backs coach at the University of South Florida, has been named interim head football coach by USF athletic director Doug Woolard, even as the school announced that a search for a new head coach would begin immediately.

Franks will fill in for Jim Leavitt, fired Friday after 14 years as the Bulls' first and only head football coach. Leavitt was fired after a review committee concluded that he hit a player at halftime of USF's game against Louisville this season, then lied about it in testimony to the committee.

Franks, the former head coach at Duke, likely will not have the interim tag for long. USF President Judy Genshaft indicated the school would move quickly to hire a new coach.

"Today we will open a national search for a new football coach," Genshaft said Friday during the press conference to announce Leavitt's dismissal. "We anticipate a swift search."

Offensive coordinator Mike Canales said the rest of the current coaching staff has been told to keep coaching and recruiting, that there will be no other change changes at this time.

The next head coach will be able to name his own staff completely, according to USF assistant athletic director Chris Freet.

Canales said he will apply for the head coaching position if given the opportunity.

The list of potential candidates also includes former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, who interviewed this week for the opening at Texas Tech, and another former Auburn coach, Terry Bowden, currently head coach at North Alabama.

Other potential candidates include University of Michigan assistant Calvin Magee, who played for the Bucs and is a former USF assistant, and Bucs assistant coach Rich Bissacia.

Florida defensive assistant Dan McCarney and Southern Mississippi coach Larry Fedora, an assistant at Florida under Ron Zook, are also possible candidates.

Candidates to replace Leavitt

Who will replace Jim Leavitt as head football coach at the University of South Florida? The following names have emerged in the early aftermath of news reports that Leavitt, the only football coach the school has ever had, has been told he will not return as USF coach after 14 years and 13 seasons:

Dan McCarney, Florida defensive line coach

Tommy Tuberville, former Auburn coach

Calvin Magee, Michigan offensive coordinator

Terry Bowden, head coach, North Alabama

Rich Bissacia, special teams coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tommy Bowden, former Clemson coach

Larry Fedora, Southern Mississippi coach

Mike Canales, USF offensive coordinator

Carl Franks, USF running backs coach (former head coach at Duke)

Who else should be on the list? Use the comment area below to suggest your candidates.